Tag Archives: Free Speech

Westboro Baptist Church Redux    

Westboro Baptist Church is like a bad penny. You know the punch line. It keeps showing up. So here’s another Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decision,  in a long line of  Eighth Circuit, Westboro Baptist Church cases, upholding an Iowa state … Continue reading

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Free Speech and City Ordinances

There is no subject in the law that confounds local government more than the issue of free speech. Naturally local government officials respond to citizen complaints like why aggressive panhandlers can seemingly threaten citizens with aggressive  solicitation tactics (particular tourists). … Continue reading

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Right of Judges to personally solicit campaign contributions.

There is now  pending before the United States Supreme Court a highly significant case (Florida Bar) that will test the boundaries of free speech involving the right of judicial candidates to  directly solicit funds from contributors  for their election. Lanell Williams-Yulee,  a candidate … Continue reading

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Thirty-five Foot Buffer Zone For Abortion Clinics Unconstitutional.

In McCullen v. Coakley, the United States Supreme Court struck down a Massachusetts law that made it a crime to knowingly stand on a ”public way or sidewalk” within 35 feet of an entrance or driveway of a reproductive health … Continue reading

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Truthful testimony under oath about fraud is protected by free speech about

It is a common expression that public employees do not leave their right of free speech at the door when they are hired, which is a truism but only to a certain extent. Offsetting this principle is the recognition by … Continue reading

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