If the 1st Amendment means anything, it surely means that an individual can mock the government without fear of being arrested. We are so thankful that The Onion's involvement in Novak v. Parma has brought so much attention to this important case, which pits qualified immunity against the First Amendment.
@billymadis0n
2 жыл бұрын
Keep up the good work IJ
@NSResponder
2 жыл бұрын
"Qualified Immunity" has no moral or constitutional basis at all. It was pulled out of the ass of some scumbag government shyster who didn't have the guts to hold uniformed thugs accountable for their crimes, and it is a disgrace upon our country that we, the people, ever put up with it instead of resorting to violent rebellion to end it.
@EricWagner1
2 жыл бұрын
We appreciate your work on this!
@LegendStormcrow
2 жыл бұрын
The literal point of it
@cyrilvankeirsbelk7299
2 жыл бұрын
If the police can violate the First Amendment at will without consequence, what is the point of having a Constitution that supposedly guarantees our rights? There will be no more rights, freedom, or democracy. Any judge that can't clearly see that should be immediately removed from the bench and barred from ever practicing law or holding public office again.
@meatybtz
2 жыл бұрын
I recall when the Onion started complaining that it was getting hard to be satirical enough because the government kept rising to just a level of absurdity that it was becoming quite a challenge to out absurd them! Love the Onion!
@kaboom4679
2 жыл бұрын
Our Government has an unbeatable R&D budget for fuckery . When there is a shortage of tax revenue to fund the Infinite Idiocy , private corporations line up to sponsor our officials . It is such a beautiful system .
@BlackTomorrowMusic
2 жыл бұрын
I remember that. Something like: Onion on verge of collapse as reality become more bizarre than anything our writers can think up.
@cericat
2 жыл бұрын
I always tend to point out the Daily Currant's satire of Todd Akins' "legitimate rape" claim, it was as believable as anything that has ever come out of his mouth. Cripes, so bad.
@roflchopter11
2 жыл бұрын
You may be thinking of the Babylon Bee.
@noppornwongrassamee8941
2 жыл бұрын
Given how insane reality has been for the past few years, I can totally believe someone took a parody to be real.
@Xanman64-p6q
2 жыл бұрын
The scary part is not when Onion articles get picked up by the media, it's when you read the real news reports and immediately look for the Onion tag. Happens way too often these days.
@christinearmington
2 жыл бұрын
Sure enough 😅
@normdyer94
2 жыл бұрын
You've made a great statement.
@tomschmidt381
2 жыл бұрын
Agree, I've had to do that on several ocasions.
@Kari.F.
2 жыл бұрын
Oh, yes! I have read many news stories out of the US, absolutely convinced they had to be Onion style satire. But no, unfortunately not.
@JeffBilkins
2 жыл бұрын
It happens a lot, to the point there are specific 'not-the-onion' channels on social media.
@thud9797
Жыл бұрын
The funniest Onion story I remember was "133 Dead as Delta Cancels Flight in Midair", such an obvious parody but some posted on this and were outraged thinking it was true.
@justinmarko80
3 ай бұрын
It was true. I was on the flight. Thank God that I always have a parachute as my carry-on, for such occurrences.
@LarryK-jg6iw
3 ай бұрын
But at least Delta "did the right thing" by giving the estates of the deceased free vouchers for future air travel.
@KenLieck
2 ай бұрын
@@justinmarko80 Unfortunately, not everyone stays as prepared as you, Mr. Cooper...
@justinmarko80
2 ай бұрын
@@KenLieck SHHHSSSSS ! 👀
@w6wdh
Ай бұрын
That’s right up there with the Onion story “President Clinton Signs the Americans With No Abilities Act”.
@mikrchzichy
Жыл бұрын
CIA realise they have been using black highlighters 😂😂😂
@dancalvano8702
2 ай бұрын
That was my favourite 🤣
@jays106
2 ай бұрын
i got a good laugh out of that one
@ithinkaboutthings9052
Ай бұрын
One of many lines that nearly caused me to spew coffee.
@IaIaCthulhuFtagn
2 жыл бұрын
Jailing a satirist is like beating up the guy that sent you on a snipe hunt. At the end of the day you are still admitting that you were dumb enough to believe the improbable.
@FLMKane
2 жыл бұрын
Hey man I've hunted snipes. They taste delicious
@EnthalpyAndEntropy
2 жыл бұрын
Well, cops are incredibly stupid. It's literally a job requirement at many departments, so much so they actually IQ test applicants and reject those who score too high.
@lonebikeroftheapocalypse9527
2 жыл бұрын
Hold up! You telling me I wasn't supposed to kick Doug's ass for messin' with me when I was all drunk???
@Unsensitive
2 жыл бұрын
Obviously not famous for snipe hunting, but snipes are an actual bird, known for their long slender bill and camouflage.
@niagaramike528
2 жыл бұрын
@@Unsensitive The treetop woodland snipe is the tastiest, known for it's exceedingly excellent camouflage.
@jjbailey01
2 жыл бұрын
The Onion both seriously and hilariously submitted an amicus brief to the SCOTUS while properly embodying the intent and purpose of the legal instrument called amicus curiae. Epic gold.
@ShaggyRogers1
2 жыл бұрын
I just read the brief. It is absolutely glorious. It is 100% serious the whole time, even while making satirical jokes up and down it. Everything it says makes a point, and it properly cites numerous cases that actually back up their legal arguments. Whoever worked on this brief did an absolutely great job on making sure it was going to be read by the Justices' staff.
@jamesweir2943
2 жыл бұрын
Let’s just hope somebody in the Scotus office other than one of those avocado eating purple hair freaks find this humorous.
@StevenCampbell1955
2 жыл бұрын
@@jamesweir2943 Aah, weren't we told that SCOTUS judges don't discuss politics with their spouses?
@mlconley
2 жыл бұрын
I can’t believe the onion put out something other than woke rage bait! They haven’t done Funny in over a decade.
@jamesweir2943
2 жыл бұрын
@@mlconley You should move out from under that rock that you live under.
@margretrosenberg420
2 жыл бұрын
Remeber when The Onion reported that they'd been banned from Twitter, and advised everyone to follow them on Twitter for further developments? 😂 People on Twitter were up in arms, and I was LMAO.
@meligoth
2 жыл бұрын
They even fooled a FIFA official who was under investigation by American authorities for corruption, which is rare for such an organization from one of their zany articles. John Oliver even pointed that out in his show .
@MickeyMishra
2 жыл бұрын
I still remember reading the comments and thinking to myself... These can't be real people can they? They HAVE to be bots. NOPE.. They were REAL LIVE LIVING. BREATHING Human-ISH beings. "It's the Internet man, it fries your brain" - Van Wilder
@erniemenard7727
2 жыл бұрын
😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆
@LTTUSA
Жыл бұрын
Twitter Suspended Babylon Bee.
@margretrosenberg420
Жыл бұрын
@@LTTUSA Sorry, I missed that one. Who is Babylon Bee? And when did this happen? Just now, under Elon Musk?
@butteryfriedwizard2219
Жыл бұрын
I still remember my first onion experience. It was about a white woman who was in court, about to go to jail for a few years. Then she decided to identify as a black male, and her sentence went up to 10 years.
@ceesno9955
Жыл бұрын
This is still funny!
@jeffkiehne2545
Жыл бұрын
Yes a black male was talking to other prisoners about there sentence and they where in for serious offenses 12 years and he said his was 10 years for riding a bike with out a light but was lucky because could have got double if at night.
@orppranator5230
Жыл бұрын
Reality check: if it was a white male it'd be 11 years.
@chuckyxii10
Жыл бұрын
Unless they recycled the joke and did it more than once it was a white girl who did something so terrible that the jury was instructed to consider her as a black man.
@theresamorris6206
Жыл бұрын
Heck my first discovery of "the Onion" was a video, the very first thing I saw one morning half awake w/🥣 of cereal in my hand. Was what I had assumed to be a current news story about death row and some states (didn't notice which just it wasn't mine) new much more humane solution to prisoner execution. A new device that unlike other past means of execution would now be cheaper, quicker w/less pain & w/no risk of a "botched" execution attempt. It went on to show an animation & description of the new machine detailing how it worked. 😳 🤯 ! Then followed by a video clip from the press conference taking place outside of a prison with their local political Representatives who just came from an actual execution moments before hand. 😳 Where as ya looked closely (mind you I was half awake and staring at a tiny android phone) you can see that they have blood splattered on them due to the front row seats they had overseeing the event 😳😳😳🤔😳. 😳👉🤯WTF😳👉😱! The new device executed the prisoners by quickly ripping their off their bodies in a quick effective pain free way. 😳😱😱😱🤯 🤔🙄🤔 Now, wait a minute 🫤 🙄 🤔 😳 😜🤪 OMG 😂🤣 No friggin way🤣 😋👍 (story by) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ = The 🌰 !
@chrisgregory3955
2 жыл бұрын
"Do you need to be told that's a joke?" For most people, unfortunately, the answer is yes.
@blechtic
Жыл бұрын
But is it a commentary on most people or on the object of the joke?
@gcanada3005
Жыл бұрын
“Drugs win drug war”, is no joke. That’s reality
@HopeisAnger
8 ай бұрын
The majority of people laughed a little and moved on. It's not good to confuse the loud people for the common people.
@lesliefield-fw9by
4 ай бұрын
Obviously a parody is above law enforcements iq requirements to be able get the joke
@HollywoodHornet
2 жыл бұрын
"Archaeologist uncovered race of skeleton people." Had me rolling.
@jongrant1215
2 жыл бұрын
That was quite clever
@LeftyPencil
2 жыл бұрын
Spooky
@bobengelhardt856
2 жыл бұрын
I remember Steve reading/saying that, but it's not in the brief. ???
@spitfire_2
2 жыл бұрын
@@bobengelhardt856 , Steve was giving examples of previous headlines by The Onion. It wasn’t in the brief.
@the_inquisitive_inquisitor
2 жыл бұрын
God damned skelington people! IT'S OUR LAND NOW, GO BACK TO HELL!! Necromancy goes against the laws of Nature AND the United States!
@MrFishBlood
2 жыл бұрын
The Onion does work that is more important than most folks will ever realize.
@DrFunkman
2 жыл бұрын
How could they not be taken seriously? Their reader base is more than 30x the number of people that have ever existed
@the_inquisitive_inquisitor
2 жыл бұрын
Many many years ago I read an Onion article about the "Pacific Northwestern Tree Octopus" and I still believe that there are cephalopods living in the mountains of Washington and Oregon.
@nolongeramused8135
2 жыл бұрын
They are including the people from the future.
@richardharris8354
2 жыл бұрын
@@nolongeramused8135 They're including the aliens.
@aceofspades9503
2 жыл бұрын
@@the_inquisitive_inquisitor and rightly so! however, those cephalopods' habitats are in danger from deforestation.
@punsofsteel1969
2 жыл бұрын
The Onion had me on this amicus from the beginning. What solidified it for me was when they referenced Jonathan Swift and then called him a hack compared to the writers at the Onion. I truly hope that the SCOTUS accepts this case.
@punsofsteel1969
Жыл бұрын
@Roger Thanks!
@billyback1038
11 ай бұрын
I think them accepting it would at least show that they are human. I believe the country would love it.
@TWeaK819
Жыл бұрын
Feb 21 2023 Petition DENIED. The Surpeme Court is failing us.
@kepp81
4 ай бұрын
Expecting the Judicial Branch of the government to "get things right" is a huge mistake. Judges have the power to do and say anything they want, and there's no way to hold them accountable
@philipj.sherman2987
4 ай бұрын
@@kepp81 Not quite...
@jefftitterington7600
2 ай бұрын
This conversation reads differently after the ruling on presidential immunity.
@urkittenmew
5 күн бұрын
@@jefftitterington7600 SCOTUS was already well beyond accountability.
@Rx7man
2 жыл бұрын
The Onion is so good at reporting news, it reports it BEFORE it happens
@mr.robinson1982
2 жыл бұрын
Almost as good as the Simpson's.
@Rx7man
2 жыл бұрын
@@mr.robinson1982 I like the one about the simpsons where they showed an empty wallet.. and here I am broke
@JoeArn1
Жыл бұрын
Babylon Bee too
@Terrorrai1
Жыл бұрын
Including going to jail for satire
@dbadaddy7386
2 жыл бұрын
I'm surprised The Onion didn't insist on calling it an amicus curiae boxer instead of brief.
@OneWildTurkey
2 жыл бұрын
GOOD ONE!
@spitfire_2
2 жыл бұрын
😂
@lonebikeroftheapocalypse9527
2 жыл бұрын
Noice...
@renanoel7982
2 жыл бұрын
As someone who read The Onion printed paper and its precursor in Madison, Wisconsin in the 1980's, this warms me to my core.
@TheAIishere
Жыл бұрын
A childhood friend who was a photographer for the U of M paper had her student id photo snatched in 1988 by U Madison Onion founders. It is used to this day, regularly in the publications. she loves it, being old now...
@almccue7176
Жыл бұрын
Yep. Same here
@markgibson8358
2 жыл бұрын
I sent this to two of my lawyer friends and they both said they almost wet themselves. Funay as it is I’m so glad they filed a writ that tons of people who would ever read a brief will do so. Plus….it’s absolutely genius 😂
@KubotaKid
2 жыл бұрын
Once you peel back the layers you realize their satire brings tears to your eyes from laughter.
@ThePowerflake
Жыл бұрын
I see what you did there. Good one. 😉😎
@georgesheffield1580
2 ай бұрын
You mean it wasn't the onion causing the tears ?
@markheil6374
2 жыл бұрын
From the Onion... Palace Staff Decides Not To Pack Up Funeral Stuff Just Yet After Seeing King Charles Up Close
@robwoodring9437
2 жыл бұрын
Buh.....rilliant.
@denmikseb
2 жыл бұрын
I was reading through the comments but had to stop and get up off the floor after reading this one.
@marstondavis
2 жыл бұрын
Yer killin' me Smalls!!!!!
@christinearmington
2 жыл бұрын
@@denmikseb Same 😂
@javaskull88
2 жыл бұрын
Poking fun at those in power, governmental or otherwise, is a defining feature of the American spirit and experience. This freedom is precious and must be protected. Thank you, Onion.
@waroftheworlds2008
2 жыл бұрын
Funny, i thought it was british.
@KaiHenningsen
2 жыл бұрын
@@waroftheworlds2008 It's all over the world.
@louskunt9798
Жыл бұрын
Like Primetime 99 Alex Stein is doing. Hilarious!
@rickraber1249
Жыл бұрын
I think it takes a certain level of intelligence to even understand humor. I knew a gal who had 2 toddlers and a bad case of frazzled nerves - and a 4-year degree in environmental journalism. So I told her the joke about the lady who walks into her doctor's office with 6 kids under 6 hanging off her, and asks for help. The doctor prescribes her valium, and tells her to come back in a week. She shows back up with a smile on her face and 6 extremely well-behaved little kids. The doctor says the valium seems to be working, how much are you taking? She says - Me??? I thought it was for the kids! The lady with the 2 toddlers looks at me in outrage and says "You can't give valium to little kids!"
@davecool42
2 жыл бұрын
"First, the obvious: The Onion’s business model was threatened. This was only the latest occasion on which the absurdity of actual events managed to eclipse what The Onion’s staff could make up." Breathtakingly brilliant!
@RPSchonherr
10 ай бұрын
I think Steve also covered a story about a city council that wrote a law that you couldn't mock them and had someone arrested for it.
@gnsmk357
2 жыл бұрын
Mr. Lehto. Never miss your posts. I am a retired special forces intell guy who grew up in the Detroit area in the 1960s - to late 1970s. Have a few hobbies U.S. and Inter national Law or at least reading it, is one of my pastimes that keep me interested. We live in NC now and I do so much miss Michigan and the smart and thoughful folks up there. your video on this issue is an A++. We need more smart Lawyers like your self teaching the public about the law. Great work.
@wrongfootmcgee
Жыл бұрын
smart people? in michigan? no... where? nothin but thieves and cut throats here
@racer72
2 жыл бұрын
While in high school, I was threatened with suspension because of a parody commercial I ran on out school radio station. The commercial parodied the school's vice principal. The VP became upset when he heard of the parody, he never heard it live. He was concerned the public might believe the commercial. The public in this case would have been anyone tuned to a station that broadcast at 1.3 watts. Anyone listening to this station would lose reception before leaving the school parking lot. When I told my physics teacher, he said he would defend me at any hearings. Everything fell apart for the VP, the person that heard the commercial and told the VP didn't hear the whole thing, no one else said that heard it, and of course, the VP had no idea what was actually said. And because of the physics teacher, we were allowed to repeat the commercial over the school's PA system. My fame for this lasted about 3 minutes and life moved on.
@justalurker5412
2 жыл бұрын
That’s awesome. Sounds like it was the Streisand effect.
@christinearmington
2 жыл бұрын
Bravo 🎉
@patrickday4206
2 жыл бұрын
That's great scandal in the school office. Lol
@KaiHenningsen
2 жыл бұрын
So you've 12 minutes of fame left!
@MH-wz1rb
Жыл бұрын
You know a physics teacher will have your back on that, purely on principle, but knowing the signal strength aspect gives a professional part. I read the story of a kid who made a clock as a hobby electronics project, brought it to school, showed people it as a clock, getting in trouble for bringing a bomb like device. Ethically and professionally, I'd have been raising hell in defense of that kid if I were teaching.
@MrAsullivan12
2 жыл бұрын
I read the brief. As an attorney, it may very well be the best brief i have ever read. Seriously
@pplusbthrust
2 жыл бұрын
Seriously? C'mon man, lighten up, it's a joke.
@bigal1863
2 жыл бұрын
@@pplusbthrust Ever heard "there is much truth in jest"?
@pplusbthrust
2 жыл бұрын
@@bigal1863 C'mon man, lighten up, it's a joke.
@bigal1863
2 жыл бұрын
@@pplusbthrust So you never heard the expression then.
@wcjerky
2 жыл бұрын
I love that the page 15 wall of Latin devolves into a series of logical fallacies.
@mikeevans7560
2 жыл бұрын
I knew comedy and parody in particular can be a powerful tool , I never imagined it could be used in any judiciary way . This is your best work to date . To think that something so funny could be used in such a powerful way is the punchline to the greatest parody of them all . I'm surprised yet not so surprised as a parody should be in my opinion . This is your best work in a big way due to this being Onions best work and not even on their channel but judicially . There's so many layers to this it's beyond me .
@JerryEricsson
2 жыл бұрын
As an old disabled cop, who rose through the ranks of the department from rookie to Chief of Police, who was forced by Workers Comp to sit through hour after hour of lectures from attorneys who were doing their best to produce a working legal assistant out of an old cop who made good arrests and had an unblemished record over 24 years of law enforcement duties, I have to say, this was one of the best videos delving into the idiocy that has become today's United States of America and the way the former youth of yesterday are trying to change her. Thank you for the review, it was great, first time I had a good belly laugh for years!
@villedocvalle
2 жыл бұрын
“Former youth of yesterday” a great line, funny how we all forgot we were once kids?
@RoseKindred
2 жыл бұрын
"Often satire" Sometimes their articles become more trustworthy than others. Scary.
@Richard_AKL
2 жыл бұрын
similar to Babylon Bee
@ajc-th5ei
2 жыл бұрын
Like us giving missiles to the Saudis to appease them.
@EvilSanta482
2 жыл бұрын
@@M167A1 Poe's law in motion my friend. Also a sign of the crazy timeline we live in at the moment.
@BlizzardofOze
2 жыл бұрын
@@M167A1 I'll criticize the Bee if you don't mind. It's an unfunny, christian-simping rag.
@DrFunkman
2 жыл бұрын
They’ve predicted a lot of stuff by accident, so I guess it’s also foreshadowing
@Voltaic_Fire
2 жыл бұрын
Life has become such a parody that The Onion is all too often indistinguishable from real life, I don't envy the job of trying to write parody these days.
@croiners4166
2 жыл бұрын
A lot of the stories really write themselves nowadays.
@jeepien
2 жыл бұрын
"I try to be cynical, but it's hard to keep up." --Lily Tomlin
@MonkeyJedi99
2 жыл бұрын
We know we're in real trouble when an Onion headline reads, "Neighbors work out property dispute without lawyers or gunfire." or "All politicians in Washington D.C. caught voting according to their pre-election promises."
@billymadis0n
2 жыл бұрын
If the people were actually calling the police to see if all of that was real, then maybe those cops have more problems than we know about...
@the_inquisitive_inquisitor
2 жыл бұрын
Lmao right?
@martinsaunders7925
2 жыл бұрын
No doubt they have problems now and that will continue with fervent reporting of the case in future. I think the CCP will be silent on this one. Winnie the Pooh will have "no comment" much to the chagrin of Lele Farley.
@edwardmiessner6502
2 жыл бұрын
Exactly!
@ratibbaker8564
2 жыл бұрын
That’s the problem with parody anymore, reality has become a parody!
@Zak6959
2 жыл бұрын
They should put the locks on all the schools that those people went to who called the police department.
@cgrimes34
2 жыл бұрын
I have no legal expertise… but I read this whole brief and it was the greatest thing I’ve ever read!
@terryhayward7905
Жыл бұрын
There should be a law that you MUST make fun of politicians and bad laws.
@richardspees841
2 жыл бұрын
You might be giving people today too much credit in thinking they can recognize parody. I love reading the Onion. Thanks for covering this.
@williambarnes5023
Жыл бұрын
I used to be able to recognize parody. Then reality started upping its game.
@davidstone1227
Жыл бұрын
Indeed. I came here to challenge your assertion that "everyone" should be able to recognize parody when it is presented. Steve and many (dare I say, most?) of his readers are well-educated enough to appreciate the legal dissection, discussion and debate of legal issues; that skews the audience dramatically. It doesn't follow that the American public at large shares the mental acuity necessary to recognize such sublime humor as parody. This is the public that these very courts have decided need to be told that coffee is hot, knives are sharp, and ladders can be fallen from, to name a few of egregious examples. There are still people who believe that 9/11 was an inside job, and that we never landed on the moon. And those people have access to social media, too. No longer are we critical viewers who could hear Walter Cronkite report a story, and then form our own opinions on what it meant to us - we have become a nation of people who choose to listen to only those voices that reinforce our own prejudices and echo the songs we already hear in our own heads . We also have the ability, once reserved for the trusted few, to communicate our views to anyone inclined to listen - and which social media has pre-selected to be most receptive of our own views. This will only get worse.
@j.f.fisher5318
Жыл бұрын
There is a danger in speech which the reasonable reader handles fine but which for the unreasonable few is inflammatory to violence (a.k.a stochastic terrorism) with the list of mass murdering extremists who were influenced by The Turner Diaries being a prime example. But there isn't a reliable way to police that line without inviting tyranny that would be far more damaging to our people and culture than an occasional bombing or mass shooting.
@TheAIishere
Жыл бұрын
Yeah, I mean Trump... Clearly not quite half can tell a joke when they see it.
@ratsofatso5525
Жыл бұрын
@@davidstone1227 Uncle Walter was the spin master. He had you leaning his way when you tuned him in.
@kiraward1125
2 жыл бұрын
Another reason to like The Onion.
@LoneTiger
2 жыл бұрын
Page 15 should have said something like: _"This is the fifteenth page of a convoluted legal filing, that is thirteen pages too long already..."_ 😹
@daisymay2369
2 жыл бұрын
Steve, this is the most powerful video you've ever done! It is very deep, thought provoking and absolutely hilarious! Thank you very much and eternal gratitude from the people to The Onion!
@NebulonRanger
2 жыл бұрын
I was watching this with my dad yesterday and my sides were in orbit for a solid half hour, this is masterfully done by the Onion.
@magicmcelvenney8211
2 жыл бұрын
I said, "I believe in free speech. If I want to I can mock the mayor, the governor or the president." My wife said, "That's right. You're the guy who put the mock in democracy."
@jonathansanantonio2402
2 жыл бұрын
You should interview those lawyers who signed the brief. That would be an interesting and hopefully funny conversation
@davidstone1227
Жыл бұрын
Truly. Although this is counter to your format of a single individual expressing opinions, I think this would be the perfect occasion to briefly deviate to a host/guest format.
@ToppledTurtle834
Жыл бұрын
Seems fun but wouldn't do it if I was the lawyer. This joke is done. Nothing good has ever come from explaining a joke
@georgesheffield1580
Жыл бұрын
Their signatures. XXX, XXX, XXX
@bricefleckenstein9666
Жыл бұрын
@@georgesheffield1580 Nah, there's a name and an email as part of the document. Seems real - but this IS The Onion....
@bricefleckenstein9666
Жыл бұрын
@@Lapoch777 But they work for The Onion.
@TheEudaemonicPlague
2 жыл бұрын
Sounds like time for a few FOIA requests. When The Onion was in print, I made sure to pick up a copy as soon as it came out. Now, I tend to forget it exists, because I have to go out of my way to look at it. If the Supreme Court fails to take this up, I hate to think what direction our country is going to go. It's a slippery slope. If that police department gets away with this, there's little doubt that others will soon follow in their footsteps.
@the_expidition427
Жыл бұрын
100%
@RyanMartinez
2 жыл бұрын
LOL This is my favorite episode of Lehto's Law yet! Absurd law news is my fave! 😁
@davidkirby9234
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this. It's an important case I hope the Supreme Court will accept. I've downloaded and will read the brief. I specialied in constitutional law as an attorney, although I let my bar membership lapse a long time ago. I don't want to make any predictions, but I'm afraid that the current members on the court may not get the joke. Breyer and, I hate to say, Scalia would have. Here's hoping the current members realize the importance of parody.
@Terrorrai1
Жыл бұрын
Not them
@RalphKramden-il5pf
5 ай бұрын
They won't take it? You're kidding?
@zuzax1656
2 жыл бұрын
I live in Maine, and there is a Facebook page run by the Bangor Police Department that is written by one of their officers. The page does communicate serious information when needed (scam alerts, wanted individuals, etc.), but is mostly a humorous, and sometimes satirical, look at the daily lives of police officers and the calls they receive. One of the main components of the page is when people come to see the 'Duck of Justice (or DOJ, for short.)' It is a wooden mallard decoy that was found in a landfill, restored, and put on a display shelf in the station. After a story about its journey to the display shelf, people began to come just to see the duck. Soon it had its own display at the center of the reception area of the department headquarters, as it became a tourist attraction of its own, drawing visitors from all over the country, and even from overseas. All because one officer thought that humor would make for great public relations.
@JudyHart1
2 жыл бұрын
Everyone loves Tim Cotton!
@jasonmajere2165
2 жыл бұрын
This is how it should be done.
@marylousherman5471
Жыл бұрын
Sounds like Maine, ayuh!
@jaykellett2327
Жыл бұрын
A wise man once told me, "You have not grown up until you can laugh at yourself". I remember this when anyone says a fake joke (parody) about me and my first instinct is to lash back at them. Instead I laugh with them, and say "Well, yeah, but that was when I was doing crack and cocaine, you try doing that and see what you do."
@rickraber1249
Жыл бұрын
@@jaykellett2327 Whoa, Jay! Snappy comeback! I may try that.
@drewsmithson6665
2 жыл бұрын
I think we should all take a moment to recognize history when its made. This is one of the greatest literary peices ever composed not just to our government, but written for the benefit of all mankind. I believe this will be taught in schools for future generations, and should be taught around the world. Everyone take a moment and clap, The Onion, please.... take a very, very most deserved bow!
@daviddeane3163
2 жыл бұрын
Taught in schools? Have you noticed what is actually "taught" in schools these days? Kids these days can't even tell time, know any countries, even their own, or know how many moons the earth has.
@rowdy7480
2 жыл бұрын
👏👏👏
@hattielankford4775
2 жыл бұрын
@@daviddeane3163 🙄 Unfortunately, that statement could either be parody or outspoken idiocy. So, were you trying to be funny?
@Terrorrai1
2 жыл бұрын
@@hattielankford4775 depends on the school and mostly the parents
@TheRealScooterGuy
2 жыл бұрын
@@daviddeane3163 -- I was curious about that -- the claim that they cannot tell time -- so at different times, I asked my two nieces to read a particular clock to me. It is an old clock with Roman numerals on it, and it doesn't work. Both correctly told me what time was displayed on the clock. The eldest (9 years old now, but she was 8 when I asked her) said she learned it in school. The youngest told me she heard me ask her cousin. Don't believe everything you hear about modern schools. Some district somewhere -- or maybe even one teacher -- might have skipped those lessons, but that doesn't mean kids generally can't tell time.
@notatheist
Жыл бұрын
_"Despite billions spent in research every year, death maintains its position as the nation's number one killer..."_
@s.d.3236
2 жыл бұрын
Controlling how someone speaks or writes is only a half-step from controlling what they write or speak. Also, I need to read the onion more often.
@RDAmidwest
2 жыл бұрын
Seriously hilarious 🤣. At seven minutes in I was compelled to download and read the entire brief, rendering this the most time I've ever spent viewing one of your videos. Kudos to you sir!
@christinearmington
2 жыл бұрын
Same 🤦♀️
@maxsdad538
2 жыл бұрын
"Parodists can not be punished for telling a joke with a straight face". That may be the entire case in a nutsack!
@kirkmorrison6131
2 жыл бұрын
I am not a big fan of The Onion, but they are funny sometimes, and I will defend their right to publish their stories funny or not
@ClinicalDecisionYikesYT
2 жыл бұрын
So you’re a massive idiot?? Thanks for pointing that out. I hope your wife and children are smarter than you.
@olliefoxx7165
2 жыл бұрын
They use to be much better. Several years ago the quality of their work nosedived significantly.
@cthlhu
2 жыл бұрын
I am so sad my father is not around to see this... he would have had an absolute blast. What an absolute brilliantly written piece of legal parody! Rest is peace ol' man! Thanks for the great video!
@johnessmyer4665
Ай бұрын
One of my favorites is” black man given worst job in America “ . This headline was run when Obama was elected the first time.
@mikepelelo5657
2 жыл бұрын
This is the best episode of Lehto's Law I have ever listened to. And I listen to all of them. Thanks Steve.
@TheRealScooterGuy
2 жыл бұрын
I've shared it to social media already -- the views should be particularly high after awhile.
@the_inquisitive_inquisitor
2 жыл бұрын
Best legal entertainment/news channel
@johnlakey4983
2 жыл бұрын
The City of Parma and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals proudly display their new pictures of Chairman Mao to commemorate Liberty!
@Indy1388
2 жыл бұрын
I remember the Supreme Court had a funny discussion about the plausibility of a hot dog stand in the ocean in a case about beach front property rights.
@davidroberson1962
8 ай бұрын
I'm drunk and I nearly pissed myself when I heard "CIA has been using black highlighters"
@ronniemo_1622
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing this with us. The humor AND the education are appreciated.
@firefly4f4
2 жыл бұрын
"'No Way to Prevent This,' Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens"
@brian-my7ym
2 жыл бұрын
My favorite was one of their early ones from years ago about boy scouts going door to door giving women mammograms / free breast examinations for cancer awareness month. LMAO
@rogerszmodis
2 жыл бұрын
That would save a lot of lives
@thomasreese2816
2 жыл бұрын
They used to have marriage articles with pictures of the bride and groom. One of the articles had a picture of a Subaru, labeled as the 'Perfect Marriage of Form and Function'
@johncooper7663
2 жыл бұрын
Ninja parade is my favorite.
@somethingelse4424
2 жыл бұрын
I'm sure they would do a thorough job.
@Primalxbeast
2 жыл бұрын
My favorite was the one about the Tea party is quite, too quite. The actor in that one is great.
@theldun1
2 жыл бұрын
Steve, One of the saddest truths of our modern society is this "Common sense is not so common."
@Faroesx
2 жыл бұрын
For some reason, a whole generation or 2 of parents just assumed that common sense just… appears? Obviously you have to TEACH your kids common knowledge. The past couple generations have failed greatly at that
@freedustin
2 жыл бұрын
@@Faroesx didn't you hear? your career is far more important than raising your kids!
@ryuuguu01
2 жыл бұрын
Unfortunately, this statement has been true for thousands of years.
@Faroesx
2 жыл бұрын
@@freedustin why raise your kids when you can just buy them a new iPhone?
@Ginupop
2 жыл бұрын
We've seen the Common Sense premise used to excuse sensationalist news before on the grounds no 'Reasonable Person' would believe it. Seems fitting the Onion could use similar justification to defend their satire which has... ironically shown just how few Reasonable People with Common Sense exist.
@JeffNipp
2 ай бұрын
Updating this, the Supreme Court did not take the case, so the law in the US is that making a parody of a police department website is "impersonating a police officer" and police have probable cause to arrest you. This was the 6th circuit ruling and it is now the law of the land
@BikerDash
2 жыл бұрын
The Onion filing such a brief reminds me of when Dee Snider (lead vocalist for Twisted Sister) testified before the Senate. Another instance where someone with a real mind had to open the eyes of government officials.
@johngrossbohlin7582
2 жыл бұрын
Amusingly, as I was watching this video the following e-mail from Institute for Justice came in: The right to criticize the government without fear of retaliation is at the core of the Constitution’s First Amendment. Just last week, IJ asked the U.S. Supreme Court to enforce this principle. And as you may have seen, the popular satirical publication The Onion recently joined our fight. It makes sense why: “Ohio Police Officers Arrest, Prosecute Man Who Made Fun of Them on Facebook” sounds like it was ripped right from a parody site. But that’s exactly what happened to Anthony Novak. Anthony Novak is an aspiring comedy writer. One day while waiting at a bus stop in 2016, he created a parody of the Parma, Ohio, Police Department’s Facebook page-with obviously fake posts. He took it down that same day, but while the page was active, most people online thought it was funny. The local police disagreed. They arrested Anthony, seized all his electronics, and charged him with a felony for “disrupting police operations.” A jury acquitted Anthony of that charge, and he sued the city and two detectives for violating his First Amendment rights. As The Onion notes in a hilarious friend of the court brief in support of Anthony and IJ, drastic retaliation against parody “threatens to disembowel a form of rhetoric that has existed for millennia [and] that is particularly potent in the realm of political debate.” Thank you for your support. With you by our side, IJ will show that the Constitution doesn’t depend on whether the government has a sense of humor. Many thanks, Scott
@mbaur64
2 жыл бұрын
I think a lot of Steve's readers have gotten that email since donations to the IJ put you on that list :) If only one penny of my donation went to help the onion write this amicus brief, I will be proud to have made history!
@bjornyesterday2562
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for including what he was charged with. I think Steve forgot to mention that
@drspankymfc
2 жыл бұрын
Whats disrupting police operations? Upsetting their scheduled time at the donut shop or railroading citizens with made up bs, like shown in alot of auditor videos on here
@evelynwaugh4053
2 жыл бұрын
It's totally funny as long as it's off enough that it wouldn't be mistaken for their actual site, because that could divert legitimate requests for service.
@bjornyesterday2562
2 жыл бұрын
@@evelynwaugh4053 all they do is cause problems, anyway
@gailjoe7217
2 жыл бұрын
This is a master class in parody writing for those interested in joke craft. You don't need an online pay course. This one is free from Steve, and courtesy of The Onion.
@erniemenard7727
2 жыл бұрын
This one is free from the Onion, and courtesy of Steve.
@Ikantspell4
2 жыл бұрын
Dissecting a joke is like dissecting an animal. You learn something about the animal or joke but it dies in the process. By answering in a joke the brilliance is we learn something of value without the death and new life is breathed into an otherwise dying process. I can think of no better brief for which to submit
@PaulGentryK4BWG
2 жыл бұрын
The Babylon Bee has the same concerns about social media banning them for "fake news".
@ffggddss
4 ай бұрын
Headline: Steve Lehto unanimously appointed to Supreme Court, one lawmaker saying it was "because they needed a real sense of humor up there." Fred
@BlackSmokeDMax
2 жыл бұрын
The first time I read the Onion back in the fall of 1989 on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, it took me a couple minutes to figure out what the hell was going on. Looked forward to it eagerly after that!
@hydrocarbon82
Жыл бұрын
Lol it was the first 'paper' I really read in high school in the 90's, same confusion-then-love story. To a teen that was some hardcore satire, now the world is so crazy that past stuff won't phase anyone today.
@radicalrick9587
2 жыл бұрын
*I actually sat through 29 minutes of this, cracking up the whole time.*
@ThePowerflake
Жыл бұрын
Why’s that funny.😉
@dennisclapp7527
2 жыл бұрын
Steve, I just got done watching your "Onion Breif" story and then checked my email. I found that the Institute for Justice had sent me a email expounding on what the Onion did just 1 hours after your vid. Wow!
@JosephKano
2 жыл бұрын
When Parody becomes indistinguishable from Reality truly the world has gone mad.
@chriss-nf1bd
Жыл бұрын
Cable news where tabloid news has become real. Where truth is debatable.
@shutout951
2 жыл бұрын
What I think is going on is that a law firm from Michigan wants to see a government in Ohio eat dirt.
@PaulJohnson-ow1mq
2 жыл бұрын
Don't we all though?
@shutout951
2 жыл бұрын
@@PaulJohnson-ow1mq only when we're awake and breathing
@crazysnake1096
2 жыл бұрын
CIA discovers they have been using black high liters for decades……that was the best.
@benonihiggins8204
2 жыл бұрын
Headline: Alcoholic lawyer doesn’t pass the bar
@jeepien
2 жыл бұрын
Should be "can't pass the bar" Thank me later.
@lesliefield-fw9by
4 ай бұрын
Both working really well
@chase9338
2 жыл бұрын
Great episode. Such an important conversation about 1A and freedom of expression and it was a lot of fun!
@wilneal8015
8 ай бұрын
Steve, Check out the History of The Harvard Lampoon! Since Before 1877 AD they have Excelled in The Art And Practice of Parody😊These Are The Folks who Brought Us Radio Programs, Print Media, And Animal House, and Eventually Saturday Night Live😊, Often Featuring The Same Performers/Actors, Writers, And Producers/Directors, Many of Whom Have Passed Away😢 R.I.P.
@mattmaloney5988
2 жыл бұрын
You or the brief said something like “common people already know it’s not real.” The failing here is that the police department believed this page aligned closely enough with their activities and their mindset, that they additionally believed it intentionally misrepresented them. In effect, they expected this Facebook page to be commonly believable to the average reader.
@HomicidalTh0r
2 жыл бұрын
I've often remarked The Onion's humor to be nothing short of genius. And the lengths The Onion will go to borders on absurdity. So imagine my delight when I hear The Onion keeps it real even in Scotus xD
@beckster181
2 жыл бұрын
Brave law firm but it is well written and well founded in the case and what it is about. Also the most fun court brief I have ever read and hope the clerks for the USSC can see it for what it is and that the justices also see the real danger of letting the 6ths rulling stand is. As they say if you dont fight for your rights and exercise them regularly they will wither and die a slow but inal death. I think both the law firm and the Onion writers had a blast with this one and pulled it off to perfection as i expect the Onion went to the law firm with a draft of the brief that was maybe tuned by the law firm to remain in good standing when read by the court.
@patrickday4206
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah brave but written so well to besmurich it is to besmurich themselves.
@arrrg3846
2 жыл бұрын
Satire? Parody? ... or not? Submitted in a separate document with the Onion's "BRIEF OF THE ONION AS AMICUS CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF PETITIONER", is a "CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE" that reads ... "As required by Supreme Court Rule 33.1(h), I certify that the BRIEF OF THE ONION AS AMICUS CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF PETITIONER in the above entitled case complies with the typeface requirement of Supreme Court Rule 33.1(b), being prepared in New Century Schoolbook 12 point for the text and 10 point for the footnotes, and this brief contains 4067 words, excluding the parts that are exempted by Supreme Court Rule 33.1(d), as needed." Supreme Court: "Oh, thank God! That Times New Roman font was driving me crazy!"
@johncox9868
Жыл бұрын
I generally do not find the Onion very entertaining. This is not only absolute genius but, tremendously well written prose and probably the funniest thing I have ever read from the Onion. Well played.
@felixguilbeault6329
2 жыл бұрын
I grew up on Mad magazine. Without parody, what is life?
@robertewalt7789
2 жыл бұрын
Mad Magazine to National Lampoon to the Onion and Babylon Bee.
@mags102755
2 жыл бұрын
Humor is often used to tell the truth. Good for the Onion!
@Oomdaan11
2 жыл бұрын
Many a true word spoken in jest.
@HH-ru4bj
2 жыл бұрын
I could have sworn this was going to be a suit against the government for infringing upon the Onion's artistic property.
@evelynwaugh4053
2 жыл бұрын
It does seem like reality is imitating art these days.
@davematthewes7446
Жыл бұрын
Here in Canada making fun of people who are confused apparently is against the law
@tonygougeon5100
20 күн бұрын
That is one of the funniest things I've ever heard. I love the gotcha moments a joke. Listening intently, hangs on the edge, anticipating the final out come, to only be smacked in the head by realization that the joke was on me. Then I get to laugh at myself. Got me.
@barrydalfino6967
2 жыл бұрын
It’s getting increasingly difficult to tell if it’s true or an Onion headline. Isn’t that one of the seven signs?
@bwenluck9812
2 жыл бұрын
@barry dalfino You mean the fact that the Republican candidate for governor just made a speech vowing to take stripping poles and porn books out of PA schools? 🙄 No, I'm not making this up, lol!!! 😅 And the people in that room actually cheered and clapped. All I can hope is that those were the people Mastriano recruited off the platform, GAB, where he was "allegedly" soliciting for followers.... 🥴
@dianayount2122
2 жыл бұрын
the former president made so many absurd claims but said "I was kidding" and got a free pass how often..
@WatchesTrainsAndRockets
2 жыл бұрын
This may well be the first legal brief to win a Pulitzer. It should definitely win the Thurber Prize fo American Humor. This is a literary masterpiece!
@ephanhymerable
2 жыл бұрын
I'm willing to bet my life that an fbi agent actually read the article about the "missing briefcase in lost & found" & that's what's led to the raid
@waterandafter
2 жыл бұрын
Naw, I remember a story on TYT just as ta'rump moved out where Whitehouse aids were raising the alarm about the boxes. Also, there's a manifest list of what's in the boxes that the Archives have so they know exactly what's missing.
@ziggenplays1208
2 жыл бұрын
Its a good thing you're willing to bet it all, cause if you're right, well.... I'll be sad to hear about you Epsteining yourself 😞
@ephanhymerable
2 жыл бұрын
@@ziggenplays1208 🤔 ahhhh crap! I didn't think this out
@jeepien
2 жыл бұрын
You lose. Now what?
@ephanhymerable
2 жыл бұрын
@@jeepien biden is president
@SkyWriter25
2 жыл бұрын
[WARNING] The following is a joke. Proceed at your own risk. -----> "The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals"
@Zeo-yl9pd
2 жыл бұрын
Freedom of speech, guaranteed by the 1st Amendment is also freedom against COMPELLED speech - such as "This is a parody" or "This is satire". At least in my little non-lawyered brain.
@Arrowatch
2 жыл бұрын
Wow, their brief is from top to bottom excellent. They constantly cite precedential cases, at one point 4 in a row directly contradicting the 6th circuits unconstitutional ruling on this case. In fact, it's probably in the top 10 briefs I've read since I started reading them in 2020.
@IAintScaredOfNoGhost
2 жыл бұрын
Too bad they probably won't take up the case =/
@LegendStormcrow
2 жыл бұрын
@@IAintScaredOfNoGhost all too often the courts hold back with cowardice.
@Thuddster
2 жыл бұрын
I haven't had a good laugh like this in a long time. And you did such a fine job staying true to the source material, too! All the Props to you Steve, thank you!
@lordchaa1598
2 жыл бұрын
This is why ‘The Onion’, is the GOAT at parody and satire. This takes trolling to an entire new realm. Oh the possibilities….
@SayAhh
2 жыл бұрын
The 15th paragraph... so meta!
@SCM0NDT
11 ай бұрын
Parody is no joke! But seriously, in the 6th circuit, can you now be jailed for lying? Would be best if politicians don't go there..😂.
@lesliefield-fw9by
4 ай бұрын
UK has something similar called the daily sport one of the headlines stated that a London bus was found on the moon whilst I don't remember the whole story I remember laughing and a disclaimer would totally ruin the joke . Parades have existed for a very long time . another point goes back to the court jesters who were the only person able to mock the king.The point take is if the legal system and law enforcement are allowed to arrest and charge you maliciously and maliciously prosecute people which they actually do because they don't like the fact that your recording them or a multitude of other things . The biggest issue is that law enforcement agencies sometimes get it wrong sometimes they break the law . sometimes they make up laws sometimes there worse criminals than than those who there supposed to protect us from .I personally think the biggest joke is qualified immunity as in very bad joke as when you see videos of people being killed abused and rights abused and like here they get away with because of qualified immunity that's a bad joke on the population . Next thing there try to pass into law which will have law enforcement chomping at the bit will be thought crimes things they're making society a better place for a crime that's not been committed .IE thought he did but didn't
@vonclod123
2 жыл бұрын
Always loved The Onion, but wtf is going on with the SC, they think it's ok to let officers be ignorant of the law/constitution
@privateparty4900
2 жыл бұрын
27:21 Funny you mention that article. It was probably my favorite 22 years ago. That and "Fuck Everything, We're Doing Five Blades" ...which, again, actually ended up coming to pass.
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