To speak or not to speak: Universities face the Kalven question

Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
by Dinah Megibow-Taylor

“In the wake of the Trump administration’s extralegal attack on Harvard University, which is essentially an attempted government takeover of a private school, the importance of academic freedom and institutional independence is clearer than ever. Had Harvard meekly complied with the demands in the hopes of maintaining its funding, it would’ve set a dangerous precedent for political interference in higher education. Enter the Kalven Report: the north star for institutions striving to foster academic freedom. Crafted by the University of Chicago in response to Vietnam-era foment, the report warns that a university, though it may have the constitutional right to speak about unrelated political issues, should not take an official stance on these issues because of the chilling effect it has on the ability of university community members to discuss and debate amongst themselves.” (07/01/25)

https://www.thefire.org/news/speak-or-not-speak-universities-face-kalven-question

Thomas L. Knapp

Totally Dissolved: The Forgotten Vote for Independence

Source: Tenth Amendment Center
by Michael Boldin

“We celebrate Independence on the Fourth of July. But the actual vote to secede from the British Empire and become ‘free and independent states’ – happened on July 2nd, 1776. Twelve colonies voted in favor. None opposed. New York abstained because its delegates had not yet received new instructions. The political connection to Britain was over. The deed was done. The resolution came from Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. He stood before the Second Continental Congress with direct instructions from his state: declare independence, pursue foreign alliances, and propose a plan of confederation. That wasn’t political theater. That was constitutional authority, exercised in plain view.” (07/01/25)

https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2025/07/01/totally-dissolved-the-forgotten-vote-for-independence/

Thomas L. Knapp

FBI headquarters will remain in downtown DC, roiling Washington-area Democrats

Source: Politico

“The FBI will move its headquarters to a building complex blocks away from its current home in Washington, the agency announced on Tuesday, setting up an end to a drawn-out battle over the agency’s new home. The announcement officially scraps a plan approved in 2023 to move the FBI to Greenbelt, Maryland after lawmakers from Virginia and Maryland battled intensely to host the bureau. President Donald Trump signaled earlier this year his intent to keep the new headquarters in Washington, even as the agency abandons the iconic but run-down J. Edgar Hoover Building. The agency’s new home, the Ronald Reagan Building complex, previously included the U.S. Agency for International Development among its tenants before the administration gutted the agency earlier this year. The building also houses the U.S. Customs and Border Protection along with other government agencies and private businesses.” (07/01/25)

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/01/fbi-building-relocation-00436319

Thomas L. Knapp

The World’s Worst Argument Against Austerity

Source: Bet On It
by Bryan Caplan

“‘Only a microscopic share of the funding for public broadcasting even comes from the government!’ If this is really true, the obvious retort is: ‘Then abolishing 100% of the funding will barely make any difference, so there’s no reason to keep arguing about this issue. Funding abolished, end of story.’ In fact, friends of public broadcasting should be happy to lose their miniscule funding, because this festering political battle is a major distraction from providing the high-quality programming their viewers so cherish.” (07/01/25)

https://www.betonit.ai/p/the-worlds-worst-argument-against

Thomas L. Knapp

Amazon deploys its millionth robot in a sign of more job automation

Source: CNBC

“Amazon announced Monday its millionth worker robot, and said its entire fleet will be powered by a newly launched generative artificial intelligence model. The move comes at a time when more tech companies are cutting jobs and warning of automation. The million robot milestone — which joins Amazon’s global network of more than 300 facilities — strengthens the company’s position as the world’s largest manufacturer and operator of mobile robotics, Scott Dresser, vice president of Amazon Robotics, said in a press release.” (07/02/25)

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/02/amazon-deploys-its-1-millionth-robot-in-a-sign-of-more-job-automation.html

Thomas L. Knapp

CA: Newsom approves sweeping changes to infamous environmental law

Source: SFGate

“An infamous, decades-old environmental law in California is finally in for a revamping. On Monday, following the passage of the state budget, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills that aim to change the California Environmental Quality Act in an effort to allow affordable housing and other development projects to be built faster and cheaper. The law, also known as CEQA, has both been praised by environmentalists and blamed for the state’s sluggish efforts on housing, as it requires certain development projects to undergo what can be a lengthy environmental review process. The review process also opens the door for construction opponents to file lawsuits alleging insufficient environmental review, which can mire projects in years of costly litigation. ‘In so many ways, we’ve struggled over the … last many decades to reform our housing rules and regulations,’ Newsom said during an evening press conference Monday after signing the bills.” (07/02/25)

https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/newsom-changes-california-environmental-law-20402864.php

Steve Trinward