Turned on the radio broadcast of Mariners post-game win just in time to hear Big Dumper's f-bomb. Best not tell the FCC of indecency in Seattle. Also, heck yeah! Playoff bound! #sodomojo #tridentsup #goms

The Jimmy Kimmel story is moving kind of fast. But even with ABC returning his show to air this week, there are lots of First Amendment questions with what happened - and moving forward. Here are some answers #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/jimmy-kimmel...

Cascade PBS, previously Crosscut/KCTS, laying off 17 news staff. They cover Western/Central WA + state policy. Sad but not surprising after federal $ cut. Kudos to @sanfordnate.bsky.social, @jonesdaily.bsky.social, @maiphoang.bsky.social + many incredible journalists. www.kuow.org/stories/seat...

It's convenient to credit the Etsy Witch with the Mariners' recent success, but that's patently offensive. In Seattle the correct term is person experiencing spell casting.

Possible remains of Travis Decker, Wenatchee, WA, father accused of killing 3 daughters in May, found less than 1 mile from crime scene. As always, best news sources are local/regional ones with closest connection: - Wenatchee World - NCW Life - KXLY - Seattle Times www.ncwlife.com/news/a-waiti...

Hate speech. Firing people for free speech. Doxing. Government "jawboning." All have come up in the news the past week, all with big First Amendment questions. Here's a helpful FAQ explainer from @1stforall.bsky.social #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/charlie-kirk...

This list of "canceled" comedians doesn't have Jimmy Kimmel (yet). But it does have others like Stephen Colbert and the Smothers Brothers, whose CBS show was canceled in 1969. President Johnson called CBS and told the network to "get those bastards off my back." www.freedomforum.org/canceled-com...

Since "hate speech" is (sadly) in the national news cycle again, here's a reminder of what it is (and isn't), why the First Amendment in fact protects it, and how speech can lose First Amendment protection in specific, narrowly defined circumstances #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/is-hate-spee...

Recap: Dominic Canzone had the first three-homer game by a #Mariners hitter in six years to help Seattle crush the Royals 12-5 for their 10th straight victory. sports.mynorthwest.com/mlb/seattle-...

Really curious to hear more about the 11% of US Catholics who have apparently "never heard of" Pope Leo. www.ncronline.org/news/most-us...

Seattle Mariners seek city council help for potential ordinance against street preachers outside games. This is wrought with First Amendment + "viewpoint discrimination" issues if it goes forward. A story worth watching on the free speech front. #1A ⬇️ www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...

Found my Halloween costume

Good piece on the relevance of Stephen King's earliest book, "The Long Walk," to today as the film adaptation comes soon. (One of the Richard Bachman books I still have yet to read...) www.bbc.com/culture/arti...

Man, reliving 2001 vibes with the return of Sodo Mojo for the 2025 Mariners because of a $15 Etsy Witch spell is a feeling I want injected directly into my icy veins. #SeaUsRise #tridentsup #goms

Since the news cycle is always relevant to the First Amendment these days, here's a helpful explainer article (from several years ago) about prayer in public schools and how it is very much allowed, despite what you might hear from some elected officials. #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/prayer-in-sc...

Students in public K-12 schools have First Amendment rights to protest and speak out. That largely comes from a 1969 Supreme Court case, Tinker v Des Moines. 50+ years later, one person behind that case is still advocating for youth. Meet Mary Beth Tinker #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/1a-in-action...

Look, the Seattle Mariners are well aware of Luis Castillo's issues, which are not good in the last month of the season. But have they considered that Jorge Polanco pitching underhand softball style might have a better ERA? Worth a shot. #tridentsup #goms

President Trump's order on prosecuting flag burning comes with a very big caveat: the Supreme Court ruled flag burning (desecration) is legal. Twice. So what's up? Here's a solid First Amendment analysis from my @1stforall.bsky.social colleague Alex Morey #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/trump-flag-b...

Flags are often in the news - from a limited ban in Idaho classrooms to a Yosemite National Park employee being fired for hanging one on El Capitan. Here's a First Amendment take on when flying flags is and is not protected free speech #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/flag-flying-...

Foundations commit $36 million+ to effort for public media stations hit by budgets cuts due to CPB funding rescission. (This is just a stop-gap. There needs to be a long-term, sustainable philanthropic, nonprofit "new" CPB that takes shape. Hopefully this is the start.) current.org/2025/08/foun...

“Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” - George Orwell That quote and more on press freedom in the US under the First Amendment #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/freedom-of-t...

Christian nationalism is in the news a lot, recently with Pete Hegseth's connection to Doug Wilson's Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho. What is it, exactly? How does it mesh or clash with the First Amendment? A @1stforall.bsky.social guide ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/what-is-chri...

If you truly love the central WA gem of Enchantments, Alpine Lakes Wilderness + the beautiful area around Leavenworth, perhaps the best thing you could do is not go for now. (Also, kudos to the nonprofits + lone FS ranger stepping up during federal shortages.) www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...

"I'll sue you for defamation!" Many journalists have probably heard that. What is it, really? What's it have to do with slander and libel? And what are some famous defamation cases? All that and more First Amendment context here #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/famous-defam...

Solid Mariners writing here from @nathanhb.bsky.social: "Every Mariners season is a death witnessed. Some are dramatic, most predictable." Hoping this one is different, but realistic enough not to bet the farm (or anything). #goms #tridentsup #seausrise thelightbat.substack.com/p/81225-the-...

Optimism about the Mariners season and playoff potential? In this economy?!?

Re news outlet publishing University of Idaho crime scene photos, @spj-posts.bsky.social ethics code: "Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do." MORE: www.spj.org/spj-code-of-...

A Jan. 6 participant yelled "kill 'em" about police. He entered the Capitol. DOJ prosecuted him. He claimed First Amendment protected his actions and words. The case was dismissed after Trump's inauguration. That man is now a DOJ official. www.npr.org/2025/08/07/n...

Relevant given recent trial (and plea deal) for Bryan Kohberger in University of Idaho murders: Does the First Amendment guarantee access to trials + court proceedings? Good @1stforall.bsky.social explainer #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/public-acces...

2001 Mariners: Statistically best team in MLB history, lose to Yankees in ALCS 2024 Mariners: Statistically best starting rotation in MLB, miss playoffs 2025 Mariners: Statistically best vibes in MLB history coming into August, sell lots of Geno + Big Dumper jerseys

Little ol' freedom of petition is the workhorse of the First Amendment. It keeps chugging along while religion, speech, press + assembly get the spotlight. Anyway, here are historical uses of petition that people have used that resonate today #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/petition-exa...

What if, and hear me out, the Mariners had kept Geno the entire time and had his productivity in '24 and all of '25 and were outright leading the AL West by 10 games right now? I mean, not even the gosh darn Seattle Mariners could blow a 10-game division lead, right?!?! 😐

I'm not president or emperor or whatever, but if I were I'd outlaw news headlines that for some reason think more characters are better: "Half a dozen people" // You mean six? "More than a dozen guns" // Perhaps 13? "Nearly 30 arrested" // Uh, 29?

Why it's fun to wear a Mariners hat while traveling: conversation [Dad holding infant while we board plane] -Him: So you like Big Dumper? -Me: Hell yeah, man! -Him: Cool, here you go! [Fakes handing me the baby] Got a good laugh out of that.

“Power can be very addictive. And it can be corrosive. And it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power.” — George W. Bush Inspiring quotes about the importance of press freedom under the First Amendment #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/freedom-of-t...

Can Trump do that? A question people ask, uh, daily. Here it's applied in a First Amendment context to him pressuring the Washington Commanders to change their name or risk losing a lucrative stadium deal. Our legal analysis from @1stforall.bsky.social #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/trump-comman...

Defamation. Libel. Actual malice. All will be in the news over the lawsuit from President Trump against the Wall Street Journal in the Jeffrey Epstein case. Here are the First Amendment issues at play #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/trump-wall-s...

Atta boy, Cole. Let's GOOOOOOOOO!

There will likely be a boost in public media giving in the near term. If you feel moved to donate, consider the small TV + radio stations that serve rural and underserved areas. Big stations in large metro areas do great work - and have more financial cushion + funding sources. #pubmedia

Perhaps not an explicit goal, but one outcome of the CPB $ cut could be small stations selling broadcast licenses, which would be attractive to Christian radio networks eager for reach. @onthemedia.bsky.social's Divided Dial series sort of explored that. www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...

Today is another day of national protest action for the "Good Trouble Lives On" movement in memory of John Lewis. A good time to remember: Civil disobedience is rooted in but not protected by the First Amendment. More from @1stforall.bsky.social #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/civil-disobe...

Since this topic is in the news of late (including in my fair city of Spokane) it's worth sharing this handy guide: When does protesting become illegal and lose First Amendment protections? #1A ⬇️ @lukebaumgarten.bsky.social @rangemedia.co @kxly.com www.freedomforum.org/when-does-pr...

Spokane activists were arrested by federal agents in connection to ICE protests on June 11, including Justice Forral, Erin Lang and former city council president Ben Stuckart, who were previously arrested on June 11. Organizer Jac Archer, who was not arrested June 11, was also arrested this morning.

Speaking of Cal Raleigh and home runs...his best one yet from 2022, sending the Mariners to the playoffs for the first time in 21 years. This sealed his iconic Big Dumper status. ⬇️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTGo...

Immigration enforcement at houses of worship, especially in Los Angeles, is in the news these days. So here's a @1stforall.bsky.social explainer on the concept of sanctuaries, religious freedom + the First Amendment #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/churches-as-...

After being personally to blame for the Mariners' tragic collapse against the Yankees last week (I turned it on in the 8th just in time for Woo to give up his first hit), I will take responsibility for them sweeping the Tigers by not watching any of it. You're welcome. #GOMS #TridentsUp #SeaUsRise

Boycotts are a form of protest that have been here since before the US existed. They're rooted in the First Amendment and free speech + petition (though not always legally protected). Here are historical + recent examples of famous boycotts #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/famous-boyco...

What, no love for any Dry Side spots? Wenatchee, Yakima, Wapato, Palouse, Okanogan, Tekoa, Pateros, Nespelem, Inchelium, Cheney and even little ol' Spokane would like a word.

US Marshals say the person spotted in Idaho's Sawtooths recently is NOT Travis Decker, the Wenatchee, WA man wanted for the murders of his 3 daughters. Manhunt continues as it has since May 30. www.kxly.com/news/u-s-mar...

From last year, but a still (and increasingly?) relevant legal question: Are non-citizens still protected by the First Amendment? Answer: Not as black or white / yes or no as you might like. More from @1stforall.bsky.social #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/non-citizens...