Jim Speta
@jspeta.bsky.social
Law Prof, Northwestern. Former Co-Prez Law Schools Global League. Internet Policy, Ad Law, Torts, Antitrust, etc. Lawyer, past and present. Int'l Programs, former Vice Dean, Interim Dean, etc.
For an additional, very important example of a specialized handwriting that general LLMs may be less effective on, my colleague @ek27.bsky.social used AI to build a model to decode 400+ year old English court documents.
news.law.northwestern.edu/news/decodin...
news.law.northwestern.edu/news/decodin...
November 26, 2025 at 2:02 AM
For an additional, very important example of a specialized handwriting that general LLMs may be less effective on, my colleague @ek27.bsky.social used AI to build a model to decode 400+ year old English court documents.
news.law.northwestern.edu/news/decodin...
news.law.northwestern.edu/news/decodin...
Reposted by Jim Speta
"We're pro-affordability, but we're going to raise tariffs on you. We're pro-affordability, but we're going to undermine the Fed, which is going to potentially cause inflation. We're pro-affordability, but... we're going to rip the American health insurance system up."
November 25, 2025 at 8:31 PM
"We're pro-affordability, but we're going to raise tariffs on you. We're pro-affordability, but we're going to undermine the Fed, which is going to potentially cause inflation. We're pro-affordability, but... we're going to rip the American health insurance system up."
Incoherent at many levels - Fox News has more viewership than any other network news organization. And the merger has nothing to do with the reach of broadcast news, just with ownership of local stations. Alas, facts.
variety.com/2025/tv/news...
variety.com/2025/tv/news...
Trump Opposes FCC Raising 39% TV Ownership Cap if It Would ‘Enlarge’ ‘Fake News Networks’ Like ABC, NBC — but It Wouldn’t Do That
President Donald Trump weighed in on the issue of the FCC's potential move to raise or eliminate the current 39% cap on local TV station owners -- saying he opposes it if the result would be an "expan...
variety.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Incoherent at many levels - Fox News has more viewership than any other network news organization. And the merger has nothing to do with the reach of broadcast news, just with ownership of local stations. Alas, facts.
variety.com/2025/tv/news...
variety.com/2025/tv/news...
Tigers aren't Wildcats.
Northwestern wins nattie in women's field hockey! Def. Princeton.
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Tigers aren't Wildcats.
Don’t you cave, @durbin.senate.gov , don’t you do it. Don’t you see Illinoisans, Chicagoans, fighting against Trumpism and fighting to help people. We want a government that works for everyone. And you works for us. Ffs.
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Don’t you cave, @durbin.senate.gov , don’t you do it. Don’t you see Illinoisans, Chicagoans, fighting against Trumpism and fighting to help people. We want a government that works for everyone. And you works for us. Ffs.
Justice Jackson once again wipes the floor.
November 6, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Justice Jackson once again wipes the floor.
Once again, even these threats violate the first amendment -- and are absolutely toothless.
www.yalejreg.com/nc/the-fcc-l...
www.yalejreg.com/nc/the-fcc-l...
November 1, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Once again, even these threats violate the first amendment -- and are absolutely toothless.
www.yalejreg.com/nc/the-fcc-l...
www.yalejreg.com/nc/the-fcc-l...
Peak Chicago fall biking weather (sunny and 47). Amazing.
November 1, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Peak Chicago fall biking weather (sunny and 47). Amazing.
Which, of course, really means surveiling *everyone.* (Plus, they can't be trusted to maintain such a line, can they? No.)
A deeply disturbing plan, but one thing important to clarify here is that these contracts would be for skiptracing, i.e. establishing locations, and NOT for carrying out arrests.
So this would not see private contractors grabbing people — although it could mean contractors surveilling immigrants.
So this would not see private contractors grabbing people — although it could mean contractors surveilling immigrants.
“Under the plan, bounty hunters may receive “monetary bonuses” depending on how successfully they track down their targets — and how many immigrants they then report to ICE.”
Or ICE could just fund the Klan directly.
Or ICE could just fund the Klan directly.
November 1, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Which, of course, really means surveiling *everyone.* (Plus, they can't be trusted to maintain such a line, can they? No.)
Good ones in Chicago need support. Here's where I mostly contribute, and have today.
www.chicagosfoodbank.org
www.chicagosfoodbank.org
October 29, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Good ones in Chicago need support. Here's where I mostly contribute, and have today.
www.chicagosfoodbank.org
www.chicagosfoodbank.org
The administration does not want to cure cancer. "An analysis of patient records suggests that mRNA covid-19 vaccines boost the immune response to cancerous tumours when given soon after people start a type of immunotherapy, extending their lives."
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
mRNA covid vaccines spark immune response that may aid cancer survival
An analysis of patient records suggests that mRNA covid-19 vaccines boost the immune response to cancerous tumours when given soon after people start a type of immunotherapy, extending their lives
www.newscientist.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The administration does not want to cure cancer. "An analysis of patient records suggests that mRNA covid-19 vaccines boost the immune response to cancerous tumours when given soon after people start a type of immunotherapy, extending their lives."
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
And we are lucky and grateful that he is standing up!
This story is quite unfair in returning repeatedly to the 2028 election--implying that @govpritzker.illinois.gov is standing up to the President's threats and military occupation to create publicity for a presidential run. I'm sure he'd rather be at an Iowa fish fry.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/u...
JB Pritzker Has Had It With Democrats Who Won’t Stand Up to Trump
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
And we are lucky and grateful that he is standing up!
This story is quite unfair in returning repeatedly to the 2028 election--implying that @govpritzker.illinois.gov is standing up to the President's threats and military occupation to create publicity for a presidential run. I'm sure he'd rather be at an Iowa fish fry.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/u...
JB Pritzker Has Had It With Democrats Who Won’t Stand Up to Trump
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:40 PM
This story is quite unfair in returning repeatedly to the 2028 election--implying that @govpritzker.illinois.gov is standing up to the President's threats and military occupation to create publicity for a presidential run. I'm sure he'd rather be at an Iowa fish fry.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/u...
This is an appointments clause violation easily, no? Like the original formalist wins on separation of powers being ignored again? www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Bessent Picks Social Security Chief Frank Bisignano as IRS CEO
The Social Security head will do double duty at the tax agency while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent retains his formal title as acting IRS commissioner.
www.wsj.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:18 PM
This is an appointments clause violation easily, no? Like the original formalist wins on separation of powers being ignored again? www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
No one wants or needs Trump to send National Guard here. Kudos at last to the business community for being clear about this and how bad and counterproductive it would be. www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/chi...
Chicago biz groups push back on Trump's National Guard plan
Three high-profile organizations representing Chicago’s business community issued an unusual joint statement over the weekend rapping President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy Illinois National Guard tr...
www.chicagobusiness.com
October 5, 2025 at 7:18 PM
No one wants or needs Trump to send National Guard here. Kudos at last to the business community for being clear about this and how bad and counterproductive it would be. www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/chi...
My heart breaks for this self-inflicted loss of vacation--the results of which have kept the *country* up at night (which doesn't get summers off).
www.law.com/nationallawj...
www.law.com/nationallawj...
An Unrested Supreme Court Begins Contentious New Term | Law.com
A stream of divisive Trump cases kept the justices busy during the summer recess. On Monday, the court reconvenes for the start of its October 2025 term to tackle fundamental questions about president...
www.law.com
October 3, 2025 at 9:15 PM
My heart breaks for this self-inflicted loss of vacation--the results of which have kept the *country* up at night (which doesn't get summers off).
www.law.com/nationallawj...
www.law.com/nationallawj...
This is an extraordinary attempt to avoid accountability, to hide the random, highly militarized practices we have seen on other video here. Video of government overreach is crucial. www.chicagobusiness.com/airlines-air...
At DHS request, FAA grounds drone flights across Chicago in rare 10-day ban
At the request of DHS, the FAA banned non-commercial drone flights across much of Chicago for 10 days, an unusually broad and long-lasting order.
www.chicagobusiness.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:30 PM
This is an extraordinary attempt to avoid accountability, to hide the random, highly militarized practices we have seen on other video here. Video of government overreach is crucial. www.chicagobusiness.com/airlines-air...
But how do we *know,* without a concurring opinion from Justice Kavanaugh?
Here's the order, nothing more (i.e. the status quo prevails and she remains on the Board of Governors). The fact they're not letting him remove her in the interim is a huge tell, because in all the other independent agency cases they permitted removal.
www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
October 1, 2025 at 5:38 PM
But how do we *know,* without a concurring opinion from Justice Kavanaugh?
It will be noted in fn 12 as an important issue raised in the amicus briefs but not strictly before the Court -- and lower courts will get slammed for not treating it as a holding.
So SCOTUS is going to let the President fire members of independent agencies. How long before they rule that requirements that the President appoint bipartisan members violates Article II?
September 29, 2025 at 8:06 PM
It will be noted in fn 12 as an important issue raised in the amicus briefs but not strictly before the Court -- and lower courts will get slammed for not treating it as a holding.
Does Matt Damon even know he's in a Stella commercial? (Which I'm sure is the bit, so kudos. And yet?). youtu.be/GAoeGC-eL4I?...
Stella Artois | David & Dave: The Other David
YouTube video by Stella Artois
youtu.be
September 25, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Does Matt Damon even know he's in a Stella commercial? (Which I'm sure is the bit, so kudos. And yet?). youtu.be/GAoeGC-eL4I?...
Have you read this article? Read it? I haven't even cited it yet!
CHOTINER: This game you like to play, what's it called?
ME: Slay the Spire.
CHOTINER: And you play it on the computer?
ME: Yeah. Well, I also have it on my phone. I played another 300 hours.
CHOTINER: And these other games in your Steam library. Have you finished them?
ME: Now hold on a second,
ME: Slay the Spire.
CHOTINER: And you play it on the computer?
ME: Yeah. Well, I also have it on my phone. I played another 300 hours.
CHOTINER: And these other games in your Steam library. Have you finished them?
ME: Now hold on a second,
September 24, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Have you read this article? Read it? I haven't even cited it yet!
Because L'affaire Kimmel continues, with new threats against ABC and other actions possible, I've recapped the FCC's Communications Act authority over broadcast licenses--which does not include denials, revocations, or refusal to transfer based on broadcaster viewpoints. 1/3 ssrn.com/abstract=552...
Recapping the FCC's Lack of Authority To Punish Broadcasters for their Viewpoints
Does the federal government have the power to punish broadcasters, by exercising its power over their licenses to use the airwaves, for speech the government do
ssrn.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Because L'affaire Kimmel continues, with new threats against ABC and other actions possible, I've recapped the FCC's Communications Act authority over broadcast licenses--which does not include denials, revocations, or refusal to transfer based on broadcaster viewpoints. 1/3 ssrn.com/abstract=552...
Perhaps a rereading of Fowler's would be a good escape from these times. Of course, the second edition, not the third or fourth, a matter this piece inexplicably fails to mention. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
The Autocrat of English Usage
Henry W. Fowler believed he knew how sentences should read—and his judgments have shaped The New Yorker’s style for a century.
www.newyorker.com
September 24, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Perhaps a rereading of Fowler's would be a good escape from these times. Of course, the second edition, not the third or fourth, a matter this piece inexplicably fails to mention. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Legalistically, the definition of arbitrary and capricious. Politically and economically bankrupt.
Critical part of the President's new $100,000 charge for H1-B visas: The Administration can also offer a $100,000 discount to any person, company, or industry that it wants. Replacing rules with arbitrary discretion.
Want visas? You know who to call and who to flatter.
Want visas? You know who to call and who to flatter.
September 20, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Legalistically, the definition of arbitrary and capricious. Politically and economically bankrupt.
Reposted by Jim Speta
Late-Night Talk-Show Hosts as "Officers of the United States"
September 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Late-Night Talk-Show Hosts as "Officers of the United States"