Jacob G. Hornberger

My favorite freedom quotation is by Johann Goethe: “None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” That statement perfectly captures the plight of the American people. Owing mostly to the indoctrination they receive in the government schools to which their parents were forced to send them, most Americans honestly believe that they live in a free society. Their mindsets are reflected in the words of the popular song by Lee Greenwood: “I’m proud to Continue Reading

In the December 29, 2024, issue of the conservative Wall Street Journal, the paper’s longtime columnist Mary Anastasia O’Grady, who also serves on the Journal’s editorial board, wrote an article harshly criticizing the dictatorships in Cuba and Venezuela. Quoting a State Department statement issued in January 2021, she points out that the Cuban communist regime is a murderous supporter of terrorism that lets the Cuban people “go hungry, homeless, and without medicine.” O’Grady also also points out that Cuba is a supporter of the dictatorial regime of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, who has ruthlessly tyrannized the Venezuelan people, not only politically but … Continue reading →

Last August, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was freed by Russian authorities in a prisoner exchange with the United States. Russian national-security state officials had arrested Gershkovich on March 29, 2023, on charges of espionage on behalf of the CIA. In a secret trial, he was found guilty and later sentenced to 16 years in prison. During the entire ordeal, I wrote several articles about the case: https://www.fff.org/?s=Gershkovich Since the time of Gershovich’s arrest, Continue Reading

Ironically, two seemingly unrelated articles in today’s New York Times reflect much of what is wrong with the United States, at least in an economic sense. One op-ed, titled “The Tragedy of Joe Biden,” is by Peter Coy, a regular columnist for the Times. The other one, titled “A Big Idea to Solve America’s Immigration Mess” is a Times editorial. In his article, Coy expresses sympathy for Joe Biden. He says that Biden just didn’t get the credit he deserved for what he did in managing the economy. He laments, “He had some remarkable achievements when it comes to the economy, but he couldn’t shape the … Continue reading →

NOTE: If you haven’t already done so, check out my new show “Trump Watch.” ****** During the Senate confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, many points have been brought up to oppose his appointment, including his supposed defense of U.S. soldiers accused of war crimes in Iraq. Unfortunately, however, no one, including Hegseth, has brought up the biggest war crime of all — the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, a Continue Reading

Just before he leaves office, President Biden is commuting the prison sentences of 2,500 people who have been convicted of non-violent drug offenses. Biden stated, “This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars.” Biden’s last-minute drug-war commutations raise several questions. First, why did he wait until now to release those people from prison? Given his professed concern for righting wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and giving people more time with their families, why didn’t he issue … Continue reading →

Note 1: Watch my take on Trump’ inauguration on this week’s Trump Watch. Note 2: We are putting together a luncheon get-together in downtown Boston after the oral arguments in Ian Freeman’s appeal. Wednesday, Feb. 5. Details forthcoming. ***** Longtime Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson’s new article about a “second Gilded Age” in America gets it wrong. He writes: “In the first Gilded Age, a few tycoons amassed unimaginable riches — men such Continue Reading

UPCOMING EVENT: Wednesday, February 5 at noon. FFF is hosting a get-together in downtown Boston after the oral arguments in Ian Freeman’s appeal, where we will discuss the oral arguments. I will be there. Trillium Brewing Fort Point, 50 Thomson Pl, Boston, MA 02210; (857) 449-0083; https://trilliumbrewing. Reminder: The Court of Appeals is located at One Courthouse Way in Boston. The oral arguments are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on the 7th floor of the courthouse. Trillium Brewing is about Continue Reading

UPCOMING EVENT: Wednesday, February 5 at noon. FFF is hosting a get-together in downtown Boston after the oral arguments in Ian Freeman’s appeal, where we will discuss the oral arguments. I will be there. Trillium Brewing Fort Point, 50 Thomson Pl, Boston, MA 02210; (857) 449-0083; https://trilliumbrewing. Reminder: The Court of Appeals is located at One Courthouse Way in Boston. The oral arguments are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on the 7th floor of the courthouse. Trillium Brewing is about Continue Reading

Longtime Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson’s new article about a “second Gilded Age” in America gets it wrong. He writes: “In the first Gilded Age, a few tycoons amassed unimaginable riches — men such as John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt and J.P. Morgan. With their great wealth came great power and influence. When they spoke, presidents listened. On Monday, as a billionaire reassumes the nation’s highest office, in attendance will be the three wealthiest human beings on the planet, according to the Forbes and Bloomberg lists of billionaires: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos (who owns The Post) and Mark Zuckerberg.” While those facts are technically correct, … Continue reading →