Jim Speta

Chicago biz groups push back on Trump's National Guard plan Three high-profile organizations representing Chicago’s business community issued an unusual joint statement over the weekend rapping President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy Illinois National Guard tr...

No one wants or needs Trump to send National Guard here. Kudos at last to the business community for being clear about this and how bad and counterproductive it would be. www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/chi...

An Unrested Supreme Court Begins Contentious New Term | Law.com A stream of divisive Trump cases kept the justices busy during the summer recess. On Monday, the court reconvenes for the start of its October 2025 term to tackle fundamental questions about president...

My heart breaks for this self-inflicted loss of vacation--the results of which have kept the *country* up at night (which doesn't get summers off).
www.law.com/nationallawj...

The possibility of permission for commercial activity probably isn't broad enough for observation and reporting. But even if it is, it's government licensing the press and frustrating the anonymity protected by the first amendment.

At DHS request, FAA grounds drone flights across Chicago in rare 10-day ban At the request of DHS, the FAA banned non-commercial drone flights across much of Chicago for 10 days, an unusually broad and long-lasting order.

This is an extraordinary attempt to avoid accountability, to hide the random, highly militarized practices we have seen on other video here. Video of government overreach is crucial. www.chicagobusiness.com/airlines-air...

But how do we *know,* without a concurring opinion from Justice Kavanaugh?

Crowd was on it today!!

It will be noted in fn 12 as an important issue raised in the amicus briefs but not strictly before the Court -- and lower courts will get slammed for not treating it as a holding.

YouTube video by Stella Artois Stella Artois | David & Dave: The Other David

Does Matt Damon even know he's in a Stella commercial? (Which I'm sure is the bit, so kudos. And yet?). youtu.be/GAoeGC-eL4I?...

Have you read this article? Read it? I haven't even cited it yet!

I alos

I also connect this to the administration's effort to remove for-cause removal protections for commissioners at independent agencies, long held constitutional (now likely to be overruled by the Supreme Court; argument in December). Those protections gave the FCC at least some ability to resist. 3/3

To be sure, such actions would violate the first amendment, even the lesser version currently granted to broadcasters, but the first issue is FCC statutory authority--even the public doesn't perceive broadcast channels to be different from other video or know there are different regulations. 2/3

Because L'affaire Kimmel continues, with new threats against ABC and other actions possible, I've recapped the FCC's Communications Act authority over broadcast licenses--which does not include denials, revocations, or refusal to transfer based on broadcaster viewpoints. 1/3 ssrn.com/abstract=552...

Amazing. I didn't know that, but unsurprising -- especially given his withering disdain for Websters' Third New International Dictionary in MCI v. ATT. scholar.google.com/scholar_case...

The Autocrat of English Usage Henry W. Fowler believed he knew how sentences should read—and his judgments have shaped The New Yorker’s style for a century.

Perhaps a rereading of Fowler's would be a good escape from these times. Of course, the second edition, not the third or fourth, a matter this piece inexplicably fails to mention. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

Legalistically, the definition of arbitrary and capricious. Politically and economically bankrupt.

Late-Night Talk-Show Hosts as "Officers of the United States"

Opinion | Pam Bondi Needs a Free Speech Tutorial The Attorney General seems to think ‘hate speech’ is illegal. Charlie Kirk knew better.

The Chair of the Federal *Communications* Commission too. A remarkable level of hypocrisy.

www.wsj.com/opinion/pam-...

James B. Speta: What Congress can and should do about the Fed’s independence Amid Donald Trump’s legal battle over the Fed’s Board of Governors. Congress should immediately act to preserve Fed independence.

A reminder that Congress can and should stand up for Fed independence, even if (and before) the Supreme Court decides presidents can fire governors.
urldefense.com/v3/__https:/...

As a practical matter, yes, because lawyers are making MQD arguments before (and separate from) their arguments about "best interpretation." Courts do the same. As an analytical matter, that's still to be seen -- depending on what it means.

We are there.

The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city.

This is not a joke. This is not normal.

Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.

Florida: Hold my beer.

Pritzker needs to go straight to the Supreme Court. I wonder if he knows this.

Brilliant #bikethedrive weather this morning. And great pavement this time too!

Sources: Parsons dealt to Pack, gets record deal The Cowboys are trading three-time All-Pro linebacker Micah Packers to the Packers, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

It's the second Reggie White era in Green Bay. Will it too be the key to two Superbowl wins? Bears fans hope not - but Bears ownership has much more to do now.

🗣️YOU NEED TO CARE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE IT IS A PATTERN. HE'S GUTTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF BLACK LEADERS BUT THOSE BLACK LEADERS OVERSEE PARTS OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT AFFECT YOUR DAY TO DAY. #blacksky #econsky

Trump says he may send National Guard to Chicago, New York The president said he is looking to continue sending troops to major cities after deployments in D.C. and Los Angeles.

Always remember that only 4 Republic Senators need to think that the Pres shouldn't use TROOPS illegally and for political and personal whim to shut this down by refusing to move any administration appointments or bills. Or 8 R House members. Or a few billionaires who want to preserve the economy.

I was in the audience when he delivered this brave, important speech. It was incredibly affecting, and inspiring.