The simplest explanation just may be that the president gave responsibility to real estate guys he trusts and understands, and who think about the issues as he does. But as this is their first tour in the political cone, they lack experience or expertise, and operate without relying on those who do.

6. Cherry Pie 5. American Pie 4. Flaming Pie 3. Humble Pie 2. Custard Pie 1. I Can't Help Myself

"ever less fit for purpose" is going on my gravestone

worst pairing of headline quote and photo possible?

The basis seems to be that invoking the obligation to follow the law over your leaders in a given context, but w/o regard to a *particular* illegal order, wrongfully invites insubordinate second-guessing by soldiers. Wouldn't a video reciting West Point's plaque--or the POTUS tweet!--also qualify?

WASHINGTON (API) — J6 turkey hopeful

I suppose I have some explaining to do.

to my knowledge, Jared Kushner's official government position is as a member of the Indian Creek Village Council, an unexpected stakeholder in Ukraine and Gaza www.indiancreekvillagefl.gov/government/m...

Some people call me the space cowboy, yeah Some call me the gangster of love Some people call me Maurice 'Cause I speak of the pompatus of love

This. And see Greg Fox's post on the way the "deal" would conflict with core principles of international law: www.linkedin.com/posts/gregor...

Especially for the 1Ls out there, preparing for their 1st set of law school exams, I wrote this post back in 2007 about how to get a good grade on a law school issue spotter. The post, "Bad Answers, Good Answers, and Terrific Answers," is available here: volokh.com/posts/116838...

Amazing, including the pre-internet Denouncers of Professors (Denunciatores Doctorum)

Ahem. "You can pry the end dash—which AI risks ruining—out of my cold, dead hands."

I knew this would never, ever take off

Elegant. Among the best annotations: -- "A vague assurance contradicted by many of the subsequent items in this text" -- "No detail on the US guarantee, which is treated as a financial transaction" -- "Russia has violated commitments previously" -- "Start I expired in 2009"

Great journalism. You don't need to *kill* all the lawyers -- just reassign or DOGE them.

Elegant. Among the best annotations: -- "A vague assurance contradicted by many of the subsequent items in this text" -- "No detail on the US guarantee, which is treated as a financial transaction" -- "Russia has violated commitments previously" -- "Start I expired in 2009"

honestly i'd insist on this over stock options

Next up, Lyme disease. Someone asserted on a podcast that it was "highly likely to have been a military weapon," and there really isn't any large-scale study that directly addresses that. So all this orthodox tick-bashing has to halt. Military R&D too, until it gets sorted.

True, and also: not at all clear that the Chief Justice is const'lly required to be separated as it is, and subject to separate presidential nomination and confirmation. It could be rotated among sitting justices based on seniority, chosen by them from among their number, etc.

Also just FYI: the statutory purpose of designating an FTO is to inhibit its resources (by limiting "material support or resources" and blocking assets) and make its members inadmissible to US. This is different, under domestic law, from authorizing kinetic attacks, and irrelevant under int'l law.

Terrific resource. Note that while many of the strike announcements assert a link to a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO), only some specify which (there are dozens of possibilities) or mention nationality of those killed. In other cases, is there too much uncertainty?

The second peace plan this week name-checking President Trump. This says, significantly, that the whole agreement's implementation "will be monitored and guaranteed by the Peace Council, headed by President Donald J. Trump." For long-term efficacy, it seems sounder to reference "the U.S. President."

The second peace plan this week name-checking President Trump. This says, significantly, that the whole agreement's implementation "will be monitored and guaranteed by the Peace Council, headed by President Donald J. Trump." For long-term efficacy, it seems sounder to reference "the U.S. President."

Unsettling how the first point -- "Ukraine's sovereignty will be confirmed" -- would say, more accurately, "is hereby compromised." P.S. Russia previously agreed (in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum) to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and borders, which the UK and US agreed to back. Yet here we are!

If I had millions accusing me of acting like a king and others saying I was unstable, shrieking "off with their heads" like the bloody Queen of Hearts is exactly what I'd do, Cotton

bat signal for mimes

As this clearly relates, the explanation given is that this was done by US contractors confused about the boundary location, and the US and Mexico communicated about this through diplomatic channels and seem to have resolved it. Does NOT appear to some kind of ominous prelude.

To me, judicial opinions should as far as possible be devoid of stylistic or editorial flourishes, and judges should avoid being Main Characters. I'm just doubtful that raising a hue and cry when an opinion (particularly a dissent) markedly deviates is creating the right incentive structure.

Even accepting all of the surrounding circumstances as a given, "he knew nothing about it" is an extraordinary thing to ad lib.

Did not know the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders were originally supposed to be named "Señors" -- would have been pretty silly with the eyepatch-and-swords pirate logo.

In 1994, OLC said that Aircraft Sabotage Act applied to foreign officials shooting down civil aircraft suspecting of smuggling drugs, warning that US officials helping could be aiding and abetting crimes. Would OLC say it's fine now, even if US itself shot them? Or does the NIAC only reach boats?

Neil Diamond, Vegas, '77: "He desired." "He desired desiring." "I guess you could say... [shrugs, smiles, feigning embarrassment] He desired being desired." "He desired desire itself. [Points heavenward.] Desire itself!" [Long pause as orchestra swells.] "Remember . . . Désirée?" [Audience roars.]

Extrapolating, and recalling the law of comparative advantage, US may find that centralizing political and economic power isn't where its edge lies.

double album, so counts for anyone who turned 8 *or* 16

Nixon: Dems Buried MIssing Tapes at Chappaquiddick; DOJ, FBI Investigating "Real Watergate"

in retrospect, the proper way to investigate Watergate would have been to doxx Barbara Jordan, indict Archibald Cox, blame George McGovern, and buy the Post

petitioning the Lions -- as I have, privately, for three years -- to sign Jameis Winston as a backup, for viral "let Jameis feed Jameson" content

Per an old estimate, the energy consumption of a ChatGPT query is 10X that of a Google search, bringing more data centers online. Every question about hair removal solutions, or "woke mind virus," is like walking to the kitchen and running the microwave. Minus the exercise.

free note idea: Deportation of Homeowners Under the Takings Clause

Others that might raise security concerns about drugs/precursors smuggling include China and Russia (where cocaine smuggling is up 10X since 2022). Is it sensible to give China an argument for invading Myanmar or Taiwan, or Russia for attacking Afghanistan or Ecuador?

bear in mind, orcas are dolphins

Others that might raise security concerns about drugs/precursors smuggling include China and Russia (where cocaine smuggling is up 10X since 2022). Is it sensible to give China an argument for invading Myanmar or Taiwan, or Russia for attacking Afghanistan or Ecuador?

the only troubling vagueposts are the ones you're online enough to understand

Upon further reflection, it was actually kind of quaint that the government response was this kind of categorical denial and not more like "Yes, we took his head, and we will take many more if and when we choose," probably the subject of a full and frank debate.

this is obviously a very UVA-specific letter, but it absolutely reflects the bad faith of a weaponized federal government & outside supporters against higher ed. as such, it's a must-read for anyone wanting a feel for what universities/faculty/students are up against.

Just underscoring: the letters disagree profoundly about who said what, who minded UVA's interests, and what was accomplished. But this might be campus drama but for gov't pursuit of immediate satisfaction... when DOJ leaves a lawsuit unanswered for months, and DoD hasn't managed to change its name.

The letters seem to agree the AAG's statement (“I unequivocally deny that I or my colleagues made some sort of quid pro quo or demanded that Jim Ryan resign”) is true only by distinguishing, e.g., "leadership's your call, UVA, but we're bringing the pain unless he puts his own head on a pike by 5PM"

I have nothing against ManningCast but I'd pay cash money to hear a simulcast by Jameis and Marshawn