Erik W. Laursen
erikwlaursen.bsky.social
Erik W. Laursen
@erikwlaursen.bsky.social
Once described by a judge as, "pleasantly tenacious." Opposing counsel has other words for me. Now I spend my days quasi-judicially.
Reposted by Erik W. Laursen
I'm Jewish and I think about antisemitism all the time. I can't tell you how fucking weird it is that Homeland Security posting literal neo-Nazi propaganda generates less discussion about the threat to Jews than a mayoral candidate who believes Palestinians are human beings.
DHS is recruiting using a not-so-subtle reference to a 1978 book from white nationalist William Gayley Simpson, Which Way Western Man?

Simpson's book was released under an imprint associated with the National Alliance, founded by Turner Diaries author William Luther Pierce.
August 12, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by Erik W. Laursen
Sotomayor blows the idea that discrimination against gender dysphoria is not discrimination against transgender status out of the water:
June 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Somewhere Tadej Pogacar is experiencing an aneurysm. #giro #peloton
May 31, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by Erik W. Laursen
Keystone-Cops nature of this junta continues—not only do they weirdly put anti-immigrant local governments on their naughty list, but they can’t even spell the names of the cities:

“Cincinnati and Campbell County in Kentucky, both misspelled as ‘Cincinnatti’ and "’Cambell,’ were also on the list.”
'A mistake': Local GOP counties confused after making 'sanctuary jurisdictions' list
The sheriff in Warren County, Ohio said the Trump administration made a mistake by including it on the list.
www.cincinnati.com
May 31, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Wondering if you can buy gift certificates for Trump pardons. Asking for a friend.
May 30, 2025 at 9:35 PM
May 29, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Reposted by Erik W. Laursen
Breaking News: A panel of federal judges blocked President Trump from imposing some tariffs, finding that he vastly overstepped his authority under federal law.
Trump Tariffs Ruled Illegal by Federal Judicial Panel
www.nytimes.com
May 29, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Reposted by Erik W. Laursen
I’d rather have our General Assembly spend time on stupid stuff like college-football game times than evil stuff like trying to disenfranchising thousands (possibly many more) for “failing” to provide documents to prove what the government already knows.
A new Dormant Commerce Clause hypo just dropped.

A gift from the Ohio General Assembly to constitutional law professors.

-All OSU football games must start after 3:30
-If they’re against a top-10 team
-Except Michigan.

$10M fine to host schools who break this edict when OSU is the visiting team.
May 27, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I love this series. All 4000 plus pages of it. I kind of hope he never finishes. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/b...
May 24, 2025 at 11:57 PM
I can hear the humming of the cicadas all around, their space-like sound, yet I can only find a few in my yard
May 24, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Yes! And let me take note without data to back it up but it seems my alma mater is reaching out with PR and fundraising requests more than it used to despite horribly caving. What's up, @ohiouniversity.bsky.social ?
Consider writing your college — especially if you are a donor — and demanding why they are not taking a pubic stand against the administration’s abuses of higher education.
May 23, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Justices keep saying, "peek at the merits" in this birthright citizenship case argument and it feels like a different way of asking if they can get to second base in high school.
May 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Listening to the arguments now. I still ask: how on earth did we get here?
i am fascinated by the editorial choice to give the last word to a disbarred charlatan pushing a discredited constitutional theory www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/u...
At Supreme Court, a Once-Fringe Birthright Citizenship Theory Takes the Spotlight
www.nytimes.com
May 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
A morning moment of zen out with the doggo.
May 13, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Reposted by Erik W. Laursen
Under Trump the motto of the United States is “WHY ARE YOU HITTING YOURSELF WHY ARE YOU HITTING YOURSELF WHY ARE YOU HITTING YOURSELF”
Kevin Hassett blames Canada for tensions with Trump: "Canada kept making it worse and worse with their rhetoric."
May 12, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Just watched Alex Edelman's Just For Us on Max and it was amazing.
May 13, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Submitted without additional comment.
music.youtube.com/watch?v=QlA3...
Pretrial (Let Her Go Home)
YouTube video by Fiona Apple - Topic
music.youtube.com
May 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
May 12, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Reposted by Erik W. Laursen
I’ll always associate Justice Souter with one of my favorite SCOTUS oral-argument moments, in Chicago v. Morales (anti-gang loitering law), when he asked plaintively why it isn't enough of a "purpose" for being in a public place if you just want to sit outside and watch the cars go by ❤️
May 9, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Reposted by Erik W. Laursen
I just really, really, really want to watch the next Federalist Society meeting where they have to pretend Jeanine Pirro is a serious, good choice.

TAKE IT FEDERALISTS
THAT’S RIGHT, TAKE IT ALLLLLLLL
May 8, 2025 at 11:49 PM
May 3, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Hey, @ohiouniversity.bsky.social - what the ever loving hell are you doing? Fight. Hire a lawyer. You guys have in house counsel. Do something.
May 1, 2025 at 11:21 PM
This is breaking my heart.
I am horribly disappointed and ashamed to be an Ohioan. Unfortunately, it is not a new feeling.
Ohio University will close the Pride Center, the Women’s Center and the Multicultural Center in response to a new higher education law banning diversity efforts that takes effect this summer.

@ohiocapitaljournal.com bit.ly/4jZlhGA
May 1, 2025 at 11:20 PM