Flotsam and Jetsam - Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Free Speech 8-1

I'm starting off today where I cut short yesterday. It's Spring Break, and Georgia thought we should take Gabby on a hike to burn off some energy. More on that later?

Anyway, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 against the state of Colorado's ban on therapists questioning someone's claim of gay or trans identity on free speech grounds in minors. I don't think you'll have any trouble guessing who the lone dissenting justice was. SCOTUSblog @SCOTUSblog, "The court's first and only opinion for the day is in Chiles v. Salazar, on whether a Colorado law barring conversion therapy violates free speech. The opinion is from Justice Gorsuch and the vote is 8-1, with Justice Jackson dissenting." Greg Price @greg_price11, "BREAKING: The Supreme Court just ruled 8-1 in Chiles v. Salazar that Colorado's law banning "conversation therapy" for sexual orientation or gender identity is unconstitutional. Jackson was the lone dissent." Amy Curtis at TownHall, SCOTUS Rules 8-1 Against Colorado's Conversion Therapy Ban. Twitchy, SCOTUS Hands a Giant L to LGBTQ+: Colorado's Ban on So-Called 'Conversion Therapy' Is Unconstitutional. John Sexton at Hat Hair, Supreme Court: States May Not Ban 'Conversion Therapy' for Minors. Althouse, "Justices Reject Colorado Law Banning ‘Conversion Therapy’ for L.G.B.T.Q. Minors." ""Colorado and more than 20 other states restrict therapists from trying to change the gender identity or sexual orientation of L.G.B.T.Q. clients under the age of 18." The NYT reports." Ace is taking it seriously, Supreme Court Rules That Free Speech Still Exists; Ketanji Brown Jackson Doesn't Understand, "This should have been a 9-0 unanimous decision. It has been the rule of the land since the founding of the Republic that the Constitution's stricture against passing "any law" limiting speech meant that no government, federal or state, could impose "viewpoint" restrictions on speech -- disfavoring or even criminalizing a specific view, argument, or belief." Sam Mirejovsky @whatsrightsam, "I went to law school People like KBJ are insufferable in class, they’re insufferable in practice, and they’re DANGEROUS on the bench High ideology Low IQ." Quote The Rabbit Hole @TheRabbitHole, "KBJ speaks more then all of the male Supreme Court justices combined." The Babylon Bee @TheBabylonBee, "In Powerful Dissent, Ketanji Brown Jackson Simply Writes 'Wakanda Forever' https://buff.ly/t65MTJZ"

Yesterday, the Court heard arguments for and against Trump's EO denying Birthright Citizenship to the children of illegal aliens. From most reports, the reaction of the court was not favorable to the EO, which was my expectation. Stacy McCain, ‘Subject to the Jurisdiction Thereof.’ At Althouse, "President Donald Trump plans to sit in on Wednesday’s Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship, making him the first sitting president to attend oral arguments at the nation’s highest court." AP reports." Whining that his appearance at the court is an attempt to bully the justices. If so, good. Also, "Key Justices Skeptical of Limiting Birthright Citizenship." "The NYT opines." WSJ opines Trump Is Right on Birthright Citizenship, "The 14th Amendment’s authors would exclude illegal and visiting aliens from U.S. ‘jurisdiction.’" Matt Margolis at PJM, Justice Jackson Gets Clobbered During Oral Arguments on Birthright Citizenship.

John Sexton notices an Obama Appointed Judge Sides with PBS, NPR, but it really doesn't matter since Congress withheld funds. Betsy Stauffer at LI calls it a Ballroom Blitz: Judge Orders Halt to Construction, Trump Not Amused “The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!”

Stacy McCain, Because You Asked: ‘What in the Actual Hell is Happening in North Carolina?’ "The headline question was asked in the wake of this: "The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is searching for the woman who stabbed a pregnant woman outside the Harris Teeter [grocery store]." ... Readers will recall that Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., who fatally stabbed 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on a light rail train in Charlotte, also had an extensive criminal history. It is natural that readers wonder why such leniency toward habitual offenders — a “revolving door” policy — has become standard practice in North Carolina. One word: DEMOCRATS." Ace, Providence Mayor Calls Mural Showing Face of Slaughtered Iryna Zarutska "Divisive," Wants It Taken Down, "He wants the mural destroyed. He does not want to say her name." Kyle Becker @kylenabecker, "It reminds Democrats of how horrible they are. That's why they don't like it." Quote The Drunk Republican @DrunkRepub, "If a mural of a young, innocent woman killed in cold blood divides your community, you have a shitty community."

Sundance at CTH is skeptical when John Solomon and Donald Trump Jr Discuss Solomon’s Report of Ukraine Plan to Fund Biden Campaign Through USAID Scheme. However, "In support of what Solomon/Dunleavy have outlined, the possibility of corrupt Ukraine officials working with USAID to launder funds back to the 2024 U.S. election just makes buckets of Occam’s Razor sense." WSJ looks at The Unlikely Ensemble Leading Trump’s Hunt for 2020 Election Fraud "Senior officials are pursuing theories the Trump campaign had earlier dismissed."

Sundance also contributes President Trump Delivers a National Address, President Trump, Speaker Johnson and Leader Thune Organize Legislation to Fund Border Patrol and ICE for Three Years, EU Leaders Utterly Bewildered at Energy Vulnerabilities Now Evident and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Question Must be Asked: “Why are we in NATO”? Northern Barbarian @xnoesbueno, "While NATO has proven to be largely a one-way street, with the US footing the bill to defend an ungrateful, obstructionist continent, the alliance still has value. It allows the US to maintain a large armed presence on a continent lurching dangerously toward a dark age. And aids to varying degrees in projection of US power out into the world. Which is necessary because the world isn't grown up enough to police itself. The world, to include all of Europe, has benefited greatly both economically and in raw freedom under this largely benign, selfless stewardship these last 80 years. Europe's recalcitrance is more of an inconvenience than anything, militarily. Plus an opportunity to remind Euros of their alternatives. As Europe wobbles, in any case, US relations with key states in the Middle East, Latin America and Asia grow stronger. And once the war is over, the posturing is done, the Euros will quietly seek to get back in good graces." Quote The Telegraph @Telegraph, "EXCLUSIVE: Donald Trump has told The Telegraph's @connor_stringer he is strongly considering pulling the United States out of Nato after it failed to join his war on Iran. Read the US president's thoughts on what Putin thinks of the alliance and the..." At the Brussels Signal, Europe must rejoin history with military might and political will. 1945, The Ukraine War Has Cost Russia Everything — and Putin Still Thinks Stopping Would Cost More.

Brad Slager at RedState, Is the 51st State Dream Closer to Reality? A Secession Movement in Canada Is Gaining Traction "Alberta, Alberta, where you been so long?"

Beege Welborn is delighted by April 1 With an Administration That Has a Sense of Humor.

NYPo, Trump admin live updates: House holds off on bill to fund DHS — without money for ICE & CBP "Stay up to date with live coverage of the Trump administration and national politics Thursday as President Trump vowed to bomb the Iranian regime “back to the stone ages” during his primetime address to the nation." PJM's VodkaPundit, Europe Needs to Hear This Harsh Truth, "The harsh truth is that Hormuz is their priority, not ours, and yet they refuse to make any serious contribution to the war effort." TowhHall's Matt Vespa wants you to Watch CNN's Scott Jennings Shred This Dem's Take on Iran. It Was Embarrassing. NYPo sees Sen. John Fetterman bash US media, says press is helping Iran with ‘selective coverage’ of Operation Epic Fury. Kurt Schlichter at TownHall notes Our Own Ruling Class Desperately Wants to Lose This War.

Red States Nick Arama thinks Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's Letter to the American People Is Something Else. Hey, about that 'Death to America' stuff? April Fool! "The Iranian people harbor no enmity toward other nations, including the people of America, Europe, or neighboring countries...For this reason, portraying Iran as a threat is neither consistent with historical reality nor with present-day observable facts." Trent Telenko @TrentTelenko, "This fact: "Oil revenue collapsed to roughly 5% of the national budget, down from 32% the prior year. Taxes increased over 60%. Food prices climbed at least 50%. ATMs across major cities are running out of cash." Underlines a major point of mine. 1/" Quote William Thibeau @WilliamThibeau, "B-52s overland describe the ceiling of what airpower can achieve. Here is what is happening beneath it. Two developments from the past 72 hours, one that validates the air campaign and one that complicates its trajectory." Sundance, Australian Prime Minister Albanese Gives National Address – Conserve Fuel, or Else! Hint, you might want to help in the Strait of Hormuz.

John Sexton has hopes, Will 2032 Be a Cliff Democrats Can't Avoid? Althouse worries "It’s Not Going to Get Any Easier for Democrats After Trump." "That's a NYT headline for a column by Thomas Edsall. Key sentence: "The precariousness of the Democrats’ position in the coming decade hit home for me after reading 'The 2026 Midterms Are Critical. But 2032 Could Be Existential,' a March 24 essay that Steve Schale, a Democratic strategist based in Florida posted on The Bulwark."" Stephen Moore @StephenMoore, "Voters may not love Republicans, but increasingly, they fear Democrats. A new @YouGov deep dive shows support for Democrats slipping across almost every demographic. The AOC/Mamdani takeover is driving voters away!" Matt Vespa thinks The Dem Operative Class Is Risking Death Threats With This 2028 Advice "Democratic strategists are reportedly pushing for the 2028 presidential candidate to be a "straight, White, Christian man" after recent losses, an Axios report alleged." A Larry vid at Hat Hair alleges Pelosi's ‘False Count’ Vote Scam Unravels As Ilhan Omar Folds Under Pressure.

Greg Price @greg_price11, "'Virginians For Fair Elections' is the entity leading the effort to turn Virginia's congressional delegation from 6D-5R to 10D-1R. They have raised $38 million-- over 90% of which have come from five sources: - $20M from Hakeem Jeffries' 501(c)4 - $10M from the left-wing dark money giant 'The Fairness Project' - $5M from the Soros-funded 'Fund for Policy Reform.' - $1M from the Bloomberg-funded 'American Opportunity Action' - $1M from the 'Global Impact Social Welfare Fund'" John Lucas at Bravo Blue, notes Obama Lies to Sway an Election "More proof that there is no reason to believe anything that Obama says." AP whines that a Wisconsin judicial panel dismisses Democratic attempt to redraw congressional maps.

At Da Signal, Sen Lummis warns Newsom Is Murdering California’s Energy Industry. John Sexton cites the LA Times: Leaving California is Golden, or Northwest Mexico. The Babylon Bee @TheBabylonBee, "Tiger Woods Awarded Honorary California CDL https://buff.ly/xuo1NEC." Western Lensman @WesternLensman, "Swalwell: This is another example of Trump going after his political opponents. Also Swalwell: When we retake power, we’re going after our political opponents."

TCW notices Pathological narcissists have taken over the political left. I&I, Hey, New York, Had Enough Of Your New Mayor Yet? Nope, they need to suffer more consequences. Mike LaChance at LI, Former CNN Employee Don Lemon Signals He’s Open to Running for President, “I think I could be President of the United States. I could definitely run this country better than Donald Trump.” At Da Wire, ‘F*ck Him To His Face’: Democrat Lawmaker Deletes Unhinged Late-Night Post About Trump, “Sorry, I say f*ck a lot these days.” Jonathan Turley hears a Leading Democrat Calls for Reparations for Illegal Immigrants, Pramila Jayapal (D, Wa.).

Dave Strom finds A Perfect Example of How Lefties Think. Shai Davidai @ShaiDavidai, "Her response to accusations of stifling free speech? Stifling the accuser's speech. No self-awareness. No sense of irony. Welcome to academia." Quote Stu Smith @thestustustudio, "My first batch of public records requests to @UCLA just came back, and the emails are revealing. UCLA’s Margaret Peters was working behind the scenes to keep the Burkle Center for International Relations out of Bari Weiss’s scheduled Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture." Batya Ungar-Sargon @bungarsargon, "This is such a perfect example of how Trump broke the brains of so many on the Left. In the name of opposing "totalitarianism" and "defending democracy," DeNiro thinks there should be a body of elites who bar people from running for office, including someone who went on to win the popular vote. What's sad is that DeNiro is obviously experiencing immense, totalizing pain, genuine psychic distress at the outcome of an election. So much of their hatred of Trump is just an attempt to evade recognizing that democracy—their neighbors getting what they want when they vote in greater numbers—causes them searing psychic pain." Quote Freddie Hayward @freddiejh8, "I recently managed to ferret my way into a green room where Robert De Niro was waiting to speak at an anti-Trump rally. I found a man confused, angry and bewildered at what America had become. He just could not understand who or what Donald Trump really was. He thinks someone like Trump should’ve just been banned from standing. After all this time, that was his solution:" Andy Grewal @ProfGrewal, "It continues to amuse me that Blueskyers abandoned twitter to avoid the toxicity, only to discover that they *were* the toxicity." Quote Benjamin Ryan @benryanwriter, "Mark Joseph Stern, who reports on legal news for Slate through a strictly liberal lens, routinely weighing in that liberal decisions are invariably correct, has nevertheless been subjected to brutal purity-test pile-ons on Bluesky and has resolved to dial back his presence there." Tom Bevan @TomBevanRCP, "I find it fascinating that the three guys responsible for the vast majority of "professional election analysis" in this country over the last 40+ years - Charlie Cook, Larry Sabato, and Stu Rothenberg - all had their brains utterly broken by Donald Trump."

From the College Fix, U. Cincinnati ‘destroyed’ professor’s career after he defended white journalist, lawsuit claims. Congressman Randy Fine @RepFine, "A Jewish university student in Pittsburgh was violently attacked because he was wearing a Star of David necklace. His attackers were Muhammed Koc Omar Alshmari Abraham Choudhry Emirhan Arslan Ali Alkhaleel Adeel Piracha. How many more must be sacrificed on the altar of mainstream Islam? How f’ing many? Deport these animals. NOW."

Alfa News, DOJ sues Minnesota, state high school league for allowing boys to compete in girls’ sports. "MDE and MSHSL have openly defied Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity that receives federal funding, the DOJ said." I'd ask, "what's the problem with Minnesota," but, Tim Walz etc, etc.

And still more at the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 03.31.26.