scottleadingham.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

From last year, but still (and increasingly?) very relevant question to answer: Are non-citizens protected by the First Amendment? Answer: Well, uh...not a neat and clean yes or no. More from @1stforall.bsky.social #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/non-citizens...

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

I'm glad to hear about the Spaceballs sequel for many reasons, but mostly because it gives cause to reference my favorite movie line of all time: "I'm the bearded lady. What are you, one of the FREAKS?!" www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCVI...

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

Lost a bit in the big news of Spokane protest, arrests + police response this week: Who were the immigrants at the center of it? Good explanation here from the Spokesman Review of the two men, who were, in fact, here legally and not accused of any crime. ⬇️

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

Since it's relevant to Los Angeles, Spokane + basically everywhere all the time, here's a helpful legal explainer: When does protesting become illegal and not get First Amendment protections? #1A www.freedomforum.org/when-does-pr...

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

So little ol' Spokane has entered the chat with immigration protests, arrests, and a downtown curfew - sparked by a former city council president and mayoral candidate. (For what it's worth, I was near here last night and had no idea it was going on.) www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

With that loss to the Diamondbacks last night, we have officially entered into the Mariners Gonna Mariner part of the Mariners season, where every win feels like a major feat of stunning endurance and every loss is the most crushing yet Mariners-esque own goal you've ever seen. #goms #TridentsUp

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

Relevant to the news in Los Angeles this weekend: When does protesting become illegal? In other words: When does the First Amendment stop protecting assembly? And who can declare such activity "illegal"? Good explainer from @1stforall.bsky.social #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/when-does-pr...

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

If you're following the Wenatchee, WA news of a manhunt for Travis Decker, suspected of killing his 3 daughters in Chelan County near Leavenworth, please try to get updates from local news sources. e.g. Wenatchee World ⬇️ www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/live-up...

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

I'll be watching the NBA finals solely to see former Gonzaga teammates Andrew Nembhard (Pacers) and Chet Holmgren (Thunder), both of whom I once sat next to at a Spokane restaurant and offered to buy a round of drinks. Server said, "Sir, Chet is 19." In my defense, he looked 35.

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

Since we're in June, it's a good time to remind that Pride parades and protests for equal rights are First Amendment-protected activities. So here are some of the many LGBTQ+ activists who used their #1A freedoms to affect change. ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/lgbtq-activi...

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

The University of Idaho is pulling out of the previously announced purchase of for-profit University of Phoenix after 2 years of uncertainty and a lawsuit from the state's attorney general. ⬇️ www.idahoednews.org/top-news/pho...

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

This week, the Seattle Mariners released a video for Pride. I was expecting cheesy corporate blandness. Instead, the video was thoughtful and well considered. Here's what the ‪@mariners.com‬ got right with their celebration of Pride. thefanfiles.com/articles/mariners-pride-video-2025

submitted 14 days ago • 2 comments

Had occasion today to share with someone an article and opening line that lives rent free in my head since 2012: "I have been told specifically that I will be able to punch Justin Bieber in the face." @drewmagary.bsky.social's stellar profile of Bieber and "manhood." ⬇️ www.gq.com/story/justin...

submitted 15 days ago • 0 comments

We're in parade season with all sorts of events for civic and cultural celebration. From Pride to Fourth of July, there will be parades all over. And with them comes the question: Are parades protected by the First Amendment? Can officials exclude groups? #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/parades-firs...

submitted 15 days ago • 0 comments

Catholic bishops of 3 WA state diocese (Spokane, Yakima, Seattle) sue to overturn state law requiring clergy report child abuse even if divulged in confession. Church leaders say it violates the First Amendment and is religious discrimination. #1A washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/05/29/b...

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

A recent Supreme Court decision about a proposed Catholic Church-run public charter school in Oklahoma is relevant here: What is Christian Nationalism and does it violate the First Amendment? Here's our @1stforall.bsky.social guide: #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/what-is-chri...

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

Relevant this week as NPR and several member stations file lawsuit against Trump administration: Do public media funding cuts targeting NPR and PBS violate the First Amendment? #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/government-f...

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

Sadly, this reminds of what's been obvious for years: It's not if but when a devastating wind-driven fire will hit the Spokane Bluff/Latah Valley/Eagle Ridge and displace many residents -- similar to what happened in Los Angeles. I want to be wrong, but the signs are flashing red.

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

A question with increasing relevance: Does AI have First Amendment protections (specifically free speech and free press)? How about a, uh, completely hypothetical example of news outlets that publish summer reading lists with fake books by real authors? #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/artificial-i...

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

NEW: No religious charter schools. For now. Supreme Court sidesteps religious charter school question for now on 4-4 deadlock. Justice Barrett recused herself from the case. Law Dork on today's SCOTUS non-decision decision: www.lawdork.com/p/supreme-co...

submitted 26 days ago • 22 comments

Money for NPR, PBS and other public and government-funded media is on the potential chopping block. But does cutting it violate the First Amendment? Here's a good analysis by Kevin Goldberg of @1stforall.bsky.social #1A #pubmedia ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/government-f...

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

News about James Comey being investigated for what he wrote in reference to President Trump raises a good question about "true threats" in First Amendment law - and the line of political speech against the president. Here's a @1stforall.bsky.social explainer #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/true-threats/

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

Prominent First Amendment/free speech/press orgs (including @thefireorg.bsky.social @aclu.org + @freedom.press) issue "An Open Letter to Leaders of American Institutions" on what they perceive as threats against the First Amendment from the Trump administration. ⬇️ knightcolumbia.org/content/an-o...

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

Saw the Mariners win their games against the Padres in San Diego. Gotta say: It felt real nice to be there live, but felt nicer being in Petco Park with super chill fans and not feel harassed. San Diego indeed stayed classy. Thanks, all!

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

Last week, the New York Times came to Oregon and described the forest as smelling like a pine tree air freshener sold at car washes. Today I talk about why this is a great metaphor for helicopter journalism and the ways national media loses trust. leahsottile.substack.com/p/59-extract...

submitted 37 days ago • 18 comments

I know this is very pedantic, but: CHAZ was a Seattle thing, not Portland! (CH = Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, in Seattle.) The thing about satire/parody/fake news/misinformation is it still needs to be based in some sense of reality to land well. cc @theneedling.com

submitted 35 days ago • 1 comment

Many cities try to regulate or outlaw panhandling and solicitation. So what does the First Amendment and free speech have to say about such laws? A good explanation here from @1stforall.bsky.social #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/panhandling-...

submitted 39 days ago • 0 comments

Christopher White of @ncronline.bsky.social had this stellar reporting on Cardinal Robert Prevost's papal chances on April 30. Turns out deep reporting and experience as a journalist covering the Vatican pays off. Well done! ⬇️ www.ncronline.org/vatican/vati...

submitted 39 days ago • 0 comments

They said an American would never be pope in my lifetime. They (OK, I) also said the Mariners won't win a World Series, maybe ever. Feeling cautiously hopeful for October. #SeaUsRise #goms #TridentsUp

submitted 40 days ago • 0 comments

OK, so I missed slightly on predicting Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago. But Cardinal Robert Prevost, born in Chicago, is now Pope Leo XIV. So I should at least get proximity points!

submitted 40 days ago • 0 comments

In non-conclave Catholic news: The DOJ says it will "investigate" WA state's new law that requires clergy (including Catholic priests) report child abuse even from sacrament of confession. Catholic groups say the law violates their First Amendment rights. #1A www.investigatewest.org/investigatew...

submitted 41 days ago • 0 comments

Rev. William Barber is a civil rights leader who has continued MLK's work with the Poor People's Campaign. He encourages people to use their First Amendment freedoms: “Because nothing has ever changed when good was quiet, while wrong was railing and loud.” #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/1a-in-action...

submitted 42 days ago • 0 comments

My best piece of life advice is if you are not the spontaneous debate sort of person, take care to avoid interactions (especially on college campuses) with people explicitly named after US presidents. Because dudes named Lincoln, Madison, Jefferson, etc have some THOUGHTS they wish to share.

submitted 42 days ago • 0 comments

A First Amendment question that comes up often: Can public schools have religious clubs? What about prayer in public schools? From Christian Bible study groups to the After School Satan Club, all are allowed - with some caveats. More from @1stforall.bsky.social ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/religious-cl...

submitted 43 days ago • 0 comments

Going to float what is a not-so-outlandish theory: Trump is nominating Mike Waltz for UN ambassador because he's been assured Senate won't confirm. That way Trump doesn't look like he's folding to "the press" in firing him for Signalgate but rather can blame Senate Dems + 4 GOP for blocking.

submitted 47 days ago • 0 comments

Y'all hated on Jerry Dipoto, but it seems he may have cracked the code to baseball success for the Mariners: score more runs than your opponent, including when in your own ballpark, and generally do that more often than you do not. Genius! #goms #SeaUsRise #tridentsup

submitted 47 days ago • 1 comment

From last year, but this article seems relevant every day given the news of late (including today with Mohsen Mahdawi ): Are non-citizens protected by the First Amendment? The answer is...not a neat and tidy yes or no. #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/non-citizens...

submitted 48 days ago • 0 comments

A 12-year-old killed herself at a Spokane hospital months after Sacred Heart closed its specialized youth psychiatric unit. Staff warned something like this could happen. Kudos to @investigatewest.bsky.social for reporting a tough one. www.investigatewest.org/investigatew...

submitted 49 days ago • 1 comment

In 897, during a period of political instability, Pope Stephen VI put a predecessor, Pope Formosus, on trial, seven months after his death. Formosus’ body was exhumed, dressed in papal robes, and seated in the Basilica of St. John Lateran. A deacon was assigned to “defend” the corpse. 🧵⬇️(1/3)

submitted 50 days ago • 133 comments

Since this is still in the news (and possibly going to the Supreme Court) here's a good analysis from my @1stforall.bsky.social colleague: Does the White House blocking Associated Press from events violate the First Amendment? #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/trump-white-...

submitted 55 days ago • 0 comments

Pope Francis on then-candidate Donald Trump in 2016: "A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be located, and not building bridges, is not a Christian. This man is not a Christian if he has said things like that." www.americamagazine.org/content/disp...

submitted 57 days ago • 0 comments

Calling it now: Since Spokane is oddly connected to 95% of national/international news, next pope will be: Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago and former Bishop of Spokane. (I also interviewed him once, so, you know, that'd be cool.)

submitted 57 days ago • 0 comments

Heck yeah. Mariners are so back (over .500 for at least a day), babyyyyyyyyyyyyy! #goms #SeaUsRise #TridentsUp

submitted 58 days ago • 0 comments

Like the White House - Correspondents Association - AP issue, there's a similar question on access to WA state officials and who counts as a journalist. Interesting First Amendment themes here from @investigatewest.bsky.social #1A ⬇️ www.investigatewest.org/investigatew...

submitted 60 days ago • 1 comment

Legal news from Spokane, my fair city: WA Supreme Court overturns city's ban on camping within 1,000 ft of certain areas (schools, etc), which 75% of voters passed in 2023. Court said the law exceeded scope of what local ballot initiatives may do. rangemedia.co/spokane-prop...

submitted 61 days ago • 0 comments

The Seattle Mariners are over .500, which shouldn't be a remarkable thing, but we live in remarkable times, and one never knows if it's the last time this season (or ever) one can make this remarkable statement. #goms #SeaUsRise #TridentsUp

submitted 61 days ago • 0 comments