Welcome to the World of Pulitzer Prize Winning Political Cartoonist Michael P. Ramirez
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2018 Update: Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens power past campus speech codes and organize young people with Turning Point USA.
Join them at Freedomfest 2018 in Las Vegas, July 11-14, 2018. Don't miss the free speech panel featuring Charlie, Candace and Dave Sussman, and be sure to use your code, WHISKEY100 to get a $100 off. Tolerance and Free Speech— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) August 27, 2017
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Latest Headliines:
Obama Precedent Empowers Trump Against Campus Protest Culture
It's not too far from a Berkeley tweet to a federal mandate. 9:04 AM, FEB 03, 2017 | By ALICE B. LLOYD WEEKLY STANDARD The new administration's uncertain higher education policy took two strides into the light this week. First came the announcement of Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr.'s appointment to lead Trump's White House task force on higher education reform. And then, responding to fiery, riotous protests at UC Berkeley that night, President Trump tweeted about defunding campuses where free speech comes under fire. read more |
The Day Bill Clinton Gave Me The Stink Eye
Dave Sussman February 6, 2017 WHISKEY POLITICS
It was August 1996 and as most know, this is the time of year you can cook sidewalk fried eggs. POTUS was to land at the Executive Jet facility next to McCarran Airport where he would step off Air Force 1, make his canned speech before heading to Los Angeles for Bab’s and Cher’s largesse and another possible $200 airport haircut. After two hours of waiting outside the hanger, we were allowed to get in to the cooler 100 degrees. I was standing 30 feet from the stage, surrounded by bearded die hard progressives and their boyfriends (I’ll be here all week) where we waited another hour until President Clinton came on stage. I’ll say one thing for the pink t-shirted neckbeards, they were very generous in passing out much appreciated cups of water. I almost felt bad for the reason I was there and what I had planned to do … almost.
Living in Las Vegas had its moments, especially as the mid-1990’s citywide renaissance was occurring all around us. From my 2nd floor condo, one and a half miles west of the Strip, my home poker games revolved around the next scheduled hotel implosion. Cigars, single malt, inside straights and watching buildings crumble to the ground satiated the midweek itch for a testosterone fix. It was from a poker buddy my nascent political involvement started. While working mostly behind the scenes at multiple conservative leaning events, my claim to fame (not) was the 1996 debate between Congressman John Ensign (R) and State Senator Bob Coffin (D) for Nevada’s 1st Congressional District Race. Coordinating this from scratch, I invited a young John Ralston to moderate while it was broadcast on local network TV. John Ensign, who went on to win became Senator Ensign in 2001. Connections from that event got me to the very popular Clinton Rally. Bill Clinton was running for what would be an easy reelection against Senator Bob Dole. Nevada, then as now, was an important swing state that had historically gone back and forth. Clinton was coming to Las Vegas to make a quick campaign stop.
The announcement that Bubba had landed immediately turned the listless, almost heat-stroked bunch of pre-OWS/BLM/Berniacs to suddenly become an animated, raucous group singing my now least favorite Christie McVie song; Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow. Even his ardent critics agree, Bill Clinton was a great speaker, connecting to his audience of bearded ones who all swooned at the altar of his bubbaness. He felt our pain and provided that bridge to the 21st Century. The folks around me were the necessary columns supporting that bridge.
Five minutes into his stump speech I slowly reached into my pants and pulled out a leg-length rolled up poster. The unrolling itself got some attention, so quickly, in my best Norma Ray impersonation, I held up the simple homemade sharpie penned poster which quoted one of my favorite 80’s bands:
LIES! LIES!! LIES!!!
They’re Gonna Get you!
-----------------------
YOU WILL BE IMPEACHED.
With the sign raised above my head I turned counter clockwise to share my literary genius with the horrified crowd. Then, I faced the scaffolding of cameras at the back of the hanger, ending my circle directly facing the President. Still speaking, the President looked directly at my poster and then his eyes pierced mine. His stone cold glare would have shot lasers if it could. I hit a nerve. In fact I would’ve bet the Megabucks his 5 second pause from his teleprompter speech was my doing. Less than eighteen months from Drudge reporting Newsweek was sitting on the Lewinsky story (that would lead to his Impeachment by the House) I suggested his lies will result in impeachment. I wasn’t the only one saying this, but I was certainly the only one at that rally.
You. Will. Be. Impeached.
The crowd started booing then breaking out into a mish-mash of supporting chants “We Love Bill!” to “Clinton Gore!” The pink t-shirts clamored to get my poster down and as I turned 2 aviator wearing suits were there to kindly escort me out. The gravity that the President of The United States was looking at me as I called him a liar was both thrilling and suddenly a little disconcerting. But … free speech, amirite?
Right before I was lead out someone I assume from the campaign or worse was there with notepad and pen asking me for my personal details. No thanks.
As I was lead outside the hot 115 degree breeze was actually a relief, but I was suddenly surrounded by a group of dreadlocked white kids, SEIU members and some random’s likely from the UNLV speech police. Somehow they knew I was enemy number 1. These ‘enlightened ones’ yelled at me that was I against diversity, free thought and wanted to harm all minorities. That I was against the environment (Yucca Mountain’ nuclear waste was now my fault). Apparently I also hated women because ‘abortion!’ which turned out to be the short clip that made the 10 o’clock news … a little coed hysterically screaming at me that I was a misogynist. Bizarro world, to say the least.)
Diplomatic as I am (when sans a poster) I unsuccessfully tried to divert some of the yelling to issues I was actually concerned about, from the national debt to reforming social security to abuse of power by the Clinton White House… but it got nowhere fast as I was told (screamed at) that my opinion didn’t count. That because (fill in your least favorite Marxist/Frankfurt School philosophical theory) I was a hateful Neanderthal whose voice should be silenced.
In 2017 as we lament on the assault on free speech by Progressives and higher education, it’s important to remember this is nothing new. Allan Bloom wrote The Closing of the American Mind in 1987. Bloom suggests political correctness by leftist radicals was analogous with the Weimar Republic. Those students in effect have become brown-shirted soldiers spewing demagogic attacks in the name of openness and free thought. Paradoxically these efforts were to actually close the minds, free thought and critical thinking by those they disagree with.
Thirty years after this book was published, things have only deteriorated. We see Cal Berkeley as just another example where the Left suggests they are proponents of open, free speech, as long as it’s not ‘hate speech’. Notwithstanding whom the arbiters are of what should be considered such; there is a continued direct assault on the First Amendment and the fundamental, constitutional rights of millions of students, teachers and citizens.
We are now witnessing repeated events where masked criminals whose violent actions en masse is actually an exercise in censorship. Ironically they wrap themselves in the First Amendment to give cover in closing down debate and those voices they do not agree with. Yet, no one has explained to them, there is no legal standing to support such force in silencing those we disagree with. Meanwhile, the police and security personnel the college towns where these masked hordes suddenly appear are strangled by local politicians, leftist Mayors and the groupthink preventing a crack down in the violence and property damage.
Whether these hoodlums who are creating chaos are students or paid activists or not, American professors would do their students and society a favor by reminding them of Justice Thurgood Marshall who stated “The freedom to speak and the freedom to hear are inseparable; they are two sides of the same coin. Kleindienst v. Mandel, 408 U.S. 753, 775 (1972).
During those years in Las Vegas the only right of center outlet was Rush Limbaugh’s sultry sounds followed by the bomb throwing G. Gordon Liddy. Beyond AM radio we were still prisoner to the alphabet networks’ deciders of what news we were to learn. Nowadays we have panoply of conservative voices and investigative reporters who, by investing a little time, may be able to determine if the masked enemies of free speech are being sponsored, and by whom.
James O’Keefe, your office is calling.
Living in Las Vegas had its moments, especially as the mid-1990’s citywide renaissance was occurring all around us. From my 2nd floor condo, one and a half miles west of the Strip, my home poker games revolved around the next scheduled hotel implosion. Cigars, single malt, inside straights and watching buildings crumble to the ground satiated the midweek itch for a testosterone fix. It was from a poker buddy my nascent political involvement started. While working mostly behind the scenes at multiple conservative leaning events, my claim to fame (not) was the 1996 debate between Congressman John Ensign (R) and State Senator Bob Coffin (D) for Nevada’s 1st Congressional District Race. Coordinating this from scratch, I invited a young John Ralston to moderate while it was broadcast on local network TV. John Ensign, who went on to win became Senator Ensign in 2001. Connections from that event got me to the very popular Clinton Rally. Bill Clinton was running for what would be an easy reelection against Senator Bob Dole. Nevada, then as now, was an important swing state that had historically gone back and forth. Clinton was coming to Las Vegas to make a quick campaign stop.
The announcement that Bubba had landed immediately turned the listless, almost heat-stroked bunch of pre-OWS/BLM/Berniacs to suddenly become an animated, raucous group singing my now least favorite Christie McVie song; Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow. Even his ardent critics agree, Bill Clinton was a great speaker, connecting to his audience of bearded ones who all swooned at the altar of his bubbaness. He felt our pain and provided that bridge to the 21st Century. The folks around me were the necessary columns supporting that bridge.
Five minutes into his stump speech I slowly reached into my pants and pulled out a leg-length rolled up poster. The unrolling itself got some attention, so quickly, in my best Norma Ray impersonation, I held up the simple homemade sharpie penned poster which quoted one of my favorite 80’s bands:
LIES! LIES!! LIES!!!
They’re Gonna Get you!
-----------------------
YOU WILL BE IMPEACHED.
With the sign raised above my head I turned counter clockwise to share my literary genius with the horrified crowd. Then, I faced the scaffolding of cameras at the back of the hanger, ending my circle directly facing the President. Still speaking, the President looked directly at my poster and then his eyes pierced mine. His stone cold glare would have shot lasers if it could. I hit a nerve. In fact I would’ve bet the Megabucks his 5 second pause from his teleprompter speech was my doing. Less than eighteen months from Drudge reporting Newsweek was sitting on the Lewinsky story (that would lead to his Impeachment by the House) I suggested his lies will result in impeachment. I wasn’t the only one saying this, but I was certainly the only one at that rally.
You. Will. Be. Impeached.
The crowd started booing then breaking out into a mish-mash of supporting chants “We Love Bill!” to “Clinton Gore!” The pink t-shirts clamored to get my poster down and as I turned 2 aviator wearing suits were there to kindly escort me out. The gravity that the President of The United States was looking at me as I called him a liar was both thrilling and suddenly a little disconcerting. But … free speech, amirite?
Right before I was lead out someone I assume from the campaign or worse was there with notepad and pen asking me for my personal details. No thanks.
As I was lead outside the hot 115 degree breeze was actually a relief, but I was suddenly surrounded by a group of dreadlocked white kids, SEIU members and some random’s likely from the UNLV speech police. Somehow they knew I was enemy number 1. These ‘enlightened ones’ yelled at me that was I against diversity, free thought and wanted to harm all minorities. That I was against the environment (Yucca Mountain’ nuclear waste was now my fault). Apparently I also hated women because ‘abortion!’ which turned out to be the short clip that made the 10 o’clock news … a little coed hysterically screaming at me that I was a misogynist. Bizarro world, to say the least.)
Diplomatic as I am (when sans a poster) I unsuccessfully tried to divert some of the yelling to issues I was actually concerned about, from the national debt to reforming social security to abuse of power by the Clinton White House… but it got nowhere fast as I was told (screamed at) that my opinion didn’t count. That because (fill in your least favorite Marxist/Frankfurt School philosophical theory) I was a hateful Neanderthal whose voice should be silenced.
In 2017 as we lament on the assault on free speech by Progressives and higher education, it’s important to remember this is nothing new. Allan Bloom wrote The Closing of the American Mind in 1987. Bloom suggests political correctness by leftist radicals was analogous with the Weimar Republic. Those students in effect have become brown-shirted soldiers spewing demagogic attacks in the name of openness and free thought. Paradoxically these efforts were to actually close the minds, free thought and critical thinking by those they disagree with.
Thirty years after this book was published, things have only deteriorated. We see Cal Berkeley as just another example where the Left suggests they are proponents of open, free speech, as long as it’s not ‘hate speech’. Notwithstanding whom the arbiters are of what should be considered such; there is a continued direct assault on the First Amendment and the fundamental, constitutional rights of millions of students, teachers and citizens.
We are now witnessing repeated events where masked criminals whose violent actions en masse is actually an exercise in censorship. Ironically they wrap themselves in the First Amendment to give cover in closing down debate and those voices they do not agree with. Yet, no one has explained to them, there is no legal standing to support such force in silencing those we disagree with. Meanwhile, the police and security personnel the college towns where these masked hordes suddenly appear are strangled by local politicians, leftist Mayors and the groupthink preventing a crack down in the violence and property damage.
Whether these hoodlums who are creating chaos are students or paid activists or not, American professors would do their students and society a favor by reminding them of Justice Thurgood Marshall who stated “The freedom to speak and the freedom to hear are inseparable; they are two sides of the same coin. Kleindienst v. Mandel, 408 U.S. 753, 775 (1972).
During those years in Las Vegas the only right of center outlet was Rush Limbaugh’s sultry sounds followed by the bomb throwing G. Gordon Liddy. Beyond AM radio we were still prisoner to the alphabet networks’ deciders of what news we were to learn. Nowadays we have panoply of conservative voices and investigative reporters who, by investing a little time, may be able to determine if the masked enemies of free speech are being sponsored, and by whom.
James O’Keefe, your office is calling.
Our Greatest Freedom
By: Grace Arthur Teen Corner
Ask any teenager what they think their greatest freedom is, and chances are they will say it’s their freedom of speech. Our ability to speak our opinion via Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media outlet has become not just a freedom but a tool. For me, freedom of speech is very important because growing up in California as a young Republican has not been easy. read more
(original cartoon page here)
By: Grace Arthur Teen Corner
Ask any teenager what they think their greatest freedom is, and chances are they will say it’s their freedom of speech. Our ability to speak our opinion via Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media outlet has become not just a freedom but a tool. For me, freedom of speech is very important because growing up in California as a young Republican has not been easy. read more
(original cartoon page here)
For 8 years, you fought to end Progressive policies supported by the Obama Administration. Reward yourself and be the envy of your friends with this snarky print of the original artwork for National Review. Our good friend Roman Genn is one of our favorite fine artists and he has created a limited print of his brilliant watercolor seen on the Jan. 23rd issue of the National Review magazine. It's called Outta Here, and is limited to only 100 signed and numbered fine giclee prints. It is conveniently sized at 12 x 16, with the image measuring 9 x 12 inches. We love the fact that Roman immigrated to the United States in 1991 after a storied career in Moscow as a teenaged political activist who used his art to protest the Soviet system. Read more about Roman HERE.
Click here or on Image to purchase (may take a few minutes to load).
Click here or on Image to purchase (may take a few minutes to load).
ANTI-FREE SPEECH RIOT AT NYU: CRAZIER THAN BERKELEY?
BY JOHN HINDERAKER Feb. 4, 2017 POWERLINE
On Thursday evening, Gavin McInnes, a comic, commentator and co-founder of Vice Media, attempted to give a speech at New York University, at the invitation of the NYU Republican group. A crowd of anti-free speech rioters battled police officers and ultimately succeeded in shutting down McInnes’s speech. Steve Sailer comments:
BY JOHN HINDERAKER Feb. 4, 2017 POWERLINE
On Thursday evening, Gavin McInnes, a comic, commentator and co-founder of Vice Media, attempted to give a speech at New York University, at the invitation of the NYU Republican group. A crowd of anti-free speech rioters battled police officers and ultimately succeeded in shutting down McInnes’s speech. Steve Sailer comments:
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Unlike the Berkeley Police Department with Milo, the New York Police Department made sure Gavin McInness could actually deliver at least part of his talk at New York University at the invitation of the NYU Republicans. Gavin did get pepper-sprayed by anti-free speech activists, and eventually he got shut down after about 20 minutes by screamers.
*** The NYPD standing up for Gavin’s civil rights caused one protester to memorably enunciate to the line of cops protecting the dissidents the high principles and deep commitment to objective rationality that are at the heart of today’s anti-free speech movement. |
Academia: Where tolerance dies
KATIE PAVLICH | Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, 4:24 p.m. TRIBLIVE
In 1964, students at the University of California, Berkeley started the “Free Speech Movement,” demanding that political discussions about current events be allowed on campus. It's astonishing how much things have changed for the worse.
This week controversial conservative Milo Yiannopoulos was invited to campus by the Berkeley College Republicans to give a speech. After rioters took to the streets outside of the Student Union building where Yiannopoulos was being hosted Wednesday night, the event was canceled over safety concerns.
Progressive agitators dressed in black tore down fences, blocked cars and shot a number of fireworks at the building. Windows were shattered and trees were engulfed in flames. Students were told to “shelter in place” and campus police called for reinforcements after also being targeted with fireworks. Riot police were sent to contain the situation as it raged out of control.
Shortly after participating in a television interview with a local reporter, a young woman wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap was viciously pepper sprayed in the face. Her crime? Speaking in favor of the event. more
In 1964, students at the University of California, Berkeley started the “Free Speech Movement,” demanding that political discussions about current events be allowed on campus. It's astonishing how much things have changed for the worse.
This week controversial conservative Milo Yiannopoulos was invited to campus by the Berkeley College Republicans to give a speech. After rioters took to the streets outside of the Student Union building where Yiannopoulos was being hosted Wednesday night, the event was canceled over safety concerns.
Progressive agitators dressed in black tore down fences, blocked cars and shot a number of fireworks at the building. Windows were shattered and trees were engulfed in flames. Students were told to “shelter in place” and campus police called for reinforcements after also being targeted with fireworks. Riot police were sent to contain the situation as it raged out of control.
Shortly after participating in a television interview with a local reporter, a young woman wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap was viciously pepper sprayed in the face. Her crime? Speaking in favor of the event. more
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Bill Maher on Berkeley riot: The left has a ‘problem’ with free speech -‘Free speech should be something we own’ said the liberal comedian
By Bradford Richardson - The Washington Times - Saturday, February 4, 2017
Outspoken liberal comedian Bill Maher says the left needs to rethink its hostility to freedom of speech in the wake of the riot at the University of California, Berkeley this week.
“Believe me, I’ve been a longtime critic of colleges shutting people up,” Mr. Maher said Friday on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.” “That is a problem on the left that we need to deal with, very much so. Free speech should be something we own.”
Students at the prestigious public university assaulted people in the streets, lit fires and looted stores on Wednesday night in order to prevent conservative pundit Milo Yiannopoulos from speaking on campus.
Mr. Maher called the Breitbart editor a “provocateur,” but said students had no right to resort to violence and vandalism because they disagree with his views.
He speaks from experience.
In 2014, Berkeley students voted to disinvite Mr. Maher from delivering the school’s fall commencement address because of his criticism of Islam.
By Bradford Richardson - The Washington Times - Saturday, February 4, 2017
Outspoken liberal comedian Bill Maher says the left needs to rethink its hostility to freedom of speech in the wake of the riot at the University of California, Berkeley this week.
“Believe me, I’ve been a longtime critic of colleges shutting people up,” Mr. Maher said Friday on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.” “That is a problem on the left that we need to deal with, very much so. Free speech should be something we own.”
Students at the prestigious public university assaulted people in the streets, lit fires and looted stores on Wednesday night in order to prevent conservative pundit Milo Yiannopoulos from speaking on campus.
Mr. Maher called the Breitbart editor a “provocateur,” but said students had no right to resort to violence and vandalism because they disagree with his views.
He speaks from experience.
In 2014, Berkeley students voted to disinvite Mr. Maher from delivering the school’s fall commencement address because of his criticism of Islam.