Jones case shows conservatives the limits to free speech

Adam Serwer in The Atlantic, October 17, 2022, writes, “Most of the time, conservatives argue that it is not easy enough to sue for defamation. The standard for defamation of public figures in the United States is high in order to protect freedom of speech in general and political debate in particular. Altering that standard would make speech in America less free. But the response of many right-wing figures to the Jones verdict shows that

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Rapper buys right-wing social media platform

Rapper Kanye West, known for his divisive and incendiary comments, is buying Parler, a right-wing platform dedicated to providing conservatives a forum for hate, vaccine lies, conspiracy theories and racism. Twitter and Istagram recently shut down West’s accounts after an antisemitic tirade. (The New York Times, October 17, 202, by Tiffany Hsu and Jenny Gross) It is yet to be determined if West can rebound from his recent extremist rants. Several business partners are reluctant

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Federal appeals court rules out bologna sandwiches for homeless

The Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that St. Louis did not restrict the First Amendment rights of church leaders who handed out bologna sandwiches to homeless people. A local law forbids distribution by temporary establishments of potentially hazardous food including meat, eggs and fish. “…a three-judge panel ruled government regulation of ‘inherently expressive’ conduct – such as distributing sandwiches to the homeless – does not necessarily violate the First Amendment if the regulation

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