Posts for April 16, 2015

These are the posts that are accumulated in our newsletter which goes out every 4-6 days. The posts are organized by the major units in our Con Law (5^th ed.) textbook

I. Introduction to Law, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court [See TOPICS 1-10 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

The Troublesome Inheritance of Americans in Magna Carta and Trial by Jury [Concurring Opinions, 4/15/15]: For Americans, both Magna Carta and trial by jury are enveloped in almost sacred myths. The myths of Magna Carta and jury trial are the more powerful for being deeply intertwined. These and similar myths encouraged Americans to accomplish great things, including independence from Britain and the successful establishment of a republic. The myths also have a dark side.

http://concurringopinions.com/archives/2015/04/the-troublesome-inheritance-of-americans-in-magna-carta-and-trial-by-jury.html

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Honored for Promoting Civics Education [NLJ, 4/15/15]: The U.S. Supreme Court's three female justices came together in Washington on Wednesday to pay tribute to retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and her legacy in the law, her work with women judges and her push to improve civic education.

http://www.nationallawjournal.com/legaltimes/id=1202723634136/Female-Supreme-Court-Justices-Unite-in-Tribute-to-Sandra-Day-OConnor?slreturn=20150316120157  

The Trials of John Roberts [The Atlantic, 4/15/15]: Supreme Court cases on gay marriage and the Affordable Care Act test the chief justice's commitment to judicial restraint.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/04/the-trials-of-john-roberts/390438/

Speaking Truth to the Supreme Court [Linda Greenhouse in the NY Times, 4/16/15]: Five years ago this month, Justice John Paul Stevens announced that after more than 36 years on the Supreme Court, he planned to retire. Next Monday, the retired Justice Stevens turns 95. What’s notable about Justice Stevens, more than his age or his pace, is what he has to say.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/opinion/speaking-truth-to-the-supreme-court.html?_r=0

II. Defining the Political System: Federalism and Checks and Balances [See TOPICS 11-15 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Dismembered Protections [Slate, 4/15/15]: These new abortion bans may be the most dangerous yet.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2015/04/kansas_and_oklahoma_abortion_bans_second_trimester_abortions_will_be_more.html

III. The Political System: Voting and Campaigns [See TOPICS 16-20 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

 

Vote delayed on California bill seeking to toughen vaccine mandate [SF Chron, 4/16/15]: A California state Senator agreed Wednesday to delay a vote on his bill that would toughen the mandate for vaccinating children after the chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee warned it did not have enough votes to pass. 

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Bill-to-force-parents-to-vaccinate-school-6202345.php

Bill to tighten public officials' financial disclosures passes first hurdle [CC Times, 4/15/15]:  A bill that would force California's public officials to reveal more about their wealth, property and business interests easily passed its first legislative hurdle Wednesday. 

http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_27918999/california-legislature-bill-tighten-public-officials-financial-disclosures

Broken Initiative System Attracts Lunatics, Pranksters and Reform [San Jose Inside, 4/15/15]:  Whether penned as parody or otherwise, initiative proposals are no joke. By law, they have to be treated seriously, setting in motion the momentous gears of government.

http://www.sanjoseinside.com/2015/04/15/broken-initiative-system-attracts-lunatics-pranksters-and-reform/

IV. Criminal Law and Procedure (4^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 8^th amendments) [See TOPICS 21-28 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Big Win in Florida for Juveniles Serving Life [CNS, 4/16/15]: Though the juvenile committed a murder in the same criminal episode as nonhomicide transgressions, it was unconstitutional to impose a life sentence on the latter crimes, the Florida Supreme Court ruled.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/04/16/big-win-in-florida-for-juveniles-serving-life.htm

V. 1^st Amendment (Speech, Religion, Press and Assembly) [See TOPICS 29-33 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

The One-Religious-World-View Public Policy of the Conservative Christians and the Way Out [Justia, 4/16/15]: Professor Hamilton describes how the conservative Christian agenda is steadily making its way into law, first through the federal RFRA, and then subsequently in other ways.

https://verdict.justia.com/2015/04/16/the-one-religious-world-view-public-policy-of-the-conservative-christians-and-the-way-out

Oklahoma Pushes Bibles in Public Schools / Tennessee House Votes to Make Bible Official State Book  [CNS, 4/16/15]: Oklahoma's and Tennessee have related issues that implicate the First Amendment.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/04/16/oklahoma-pushes-bibles-in-public-schools.htm

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/04/15/tenn-house-votes-for-bible-to-be-state-book.htm

VI. 14^th Amendment, Discrimination, Privacy, Working, Citizenship & Immigration [See TOPICS 34-41 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

A North Dakota Family Breaks The Silence On Gay Marriage [NPR’s “Morning Edition,” 4/16/15]: All this week, Morning Edition is listening to people think out loud about same-sex marriage in North Dakota, one of 13 states that still ban same-sex marriage. Thursday's story looks at discussions about same-sex marriage among families — a subject some feel is often too taboo to tackle.

http://www.npr.org/2015/04/16/399806354/a-north-dakota-family-breaks-the-silence-on-gay-marriage

The Absurd Charge that Conservatives Have Been Bullied in the Marriage Equality Cases [Tech & History blog at the Constitutional Accountability Center, 4/16/15]: In the run up to this month’s big constitutional showdown over marriage equality, conservatives are trying to turn the tables, claiming that they, in fact, are the beleaguered minority in the case.

http://theusconstitution.org/text-history/3238/absurd-charge-conservatives-have-been-bullied-marriage-equality-cases

Mormon couple object to inclusion in U.S. Supreme Court gay marriage case [Salt Lake Trib, 4/15/15]: A Mormon couple in a mixed-orientation marriage are objecting to their inclusion in a U.S. Supreme Court case filing because it argues that legalized gay marriage would demean the marriages of couples like themselves.

http://www.sltrib.com/home/2400859-155/mormon-couple-object-to-inclusion-in

Stories of love, life, death in high court gay marriage case [AP, 4/16/15]: A middle-of-the night trip to the emergency room, with her 9-month-old son coughing and laboring to breathe, gave Pam Yorksmith her latest reminder of why she took up the fight for same-sex marriage.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_GAY_MARRIAGE_THE_PLAINTIFFS