Friday, April 17, 2015

Posts for April 17, 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 (5th ed.) textbook

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

Time for Supreme Court transparency [USA Today, 4/17/15]: Americans deserve to see their government at work every time the court convenes.

Candidates says $500,000 contribution will level the field in GOP primary for PA Supreme Court [AP, 4/16/15]: A candidate who received the largest single campaign contribution reported so far in Pennsylvania's Supreme Court race said Thursday that the $500,000 will make him competitive in the May 19 Republican primary.

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

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

DOJ wants Obama immigration actions to proceed while case is appealed [CNN / CSM, 4/16/15]: Justice Department lawyers on Friday will ask a federal appeals court to allow the Obama administration's executive actions on immigration to proceed while the DOJ appeals a federal judge's decision to block the controversial measures.

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

Elizabeth Warren to headline California Democratic Party convention [CC Times, 4/17/15]: Elizabeth Warren, a champion of the Democratic Party’s liberal wing, will headline the California Democratic Party’s annual convention next month in Anaheim, organizers said Thursday. 

Kansas Cracks Down on Poor People [CNS, 4/16/15]: Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed legislation Thursday that prohibits welfare recipients from spending cash assistance at swimming pools and lingerie shops and limits daily ATM withdrawals to $25 - but they can still spend the money on guns.

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

 

Proposed law would be first in nation to ban ‘Redskins’ school mascot [EdSource, 4/16/15]:  California, home to the largest number of American Indians in the country, is for the third time considering legislation that would end the use of “Redskins” as a school team name or mascot.

http://edsource.org/2015/california-bill-would-be-first-in-the-nation-to-ban-redskins-school-mascot/77867#.VTEpqIrF83J


NCLB Reauthorization to Move to Full Senate [EdLaw Profs Blog, 4/17/15]: After languishing for the better part of a decade with no real prospects of forward movement, reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is starting to defy odds. 

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


Takes on the Atlanta Cheating Trial [EdLawProfsBlog, 4/15/15]: Yesterday, Judge Jerry Baxter, the presiding judge over the Atlanta cheating trial, berated the former educators who declined an offered (and unusual) post-trial deal in exchange for accepting responsibility. 

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

Tampa Bay Times criticized for not informing Secret Service about D.C. gyrocopter stunt [1st Amend. Coalition, 4/17/15]: The Tampa Bay Times has come under fire for valuing a scoop more than federal government security when it failed to notify the Secret Service with sufficiently in advance that a Florida man planned to land his one-man gyrocopter to land on the Capitol lawn on Wednesday.

Gay rights and religious liberty: Can Americans have both? [CSM, 4/16/15]:  From an Indiana pizzeria to a Washington State florist, America is grappling with a clash between gay rights and religious liberty. But there are paths forward.

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

Five key arguments loom in gay marriage case [USA Today, 4/16/15]: State bans on same-sex marriage have been justified based on judicial precedent, states' rights, regulating procreation, optimal child-rearing and centuries-old tradition. Those reasons also have been loudly debunked. Here's a look at five major arguments cited by the appeals court judges in their rulings. In addition to the four Midwest states whose bans were upheld, the circuit courts struck down similar bans in Idaho, Indiana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Guide to the Amicus Briefs in Obergefell v. Hodges: The Same-Sex Marriage Cases [Con Law Profs Blog, 4/16/15]: The case has attracted what seems to be a record number of amicus briefs.

As U.S. gay-marriage battle looms, attorneys fight over fees [Reuters, 4/16/15]: The battles over billables are erupting far from the Washington, D.C., limelight, in lower courts from West Virginia to Wisconsin and Oklahoma. They pit lawyers representing gay couples who challenged same-sex marriage bans against the states that had enacted the laws.

Anita Hill Named Distinguished Faculty Member at Brandeis [Bloomberg News, 4/16/15]: Anita Hill, whose Senate testimony almost derailed the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, was named University Professor at Brandeis.

Female Teacher’s Discrimination Suit Can Proceed Against District Alleged to Prefer Male Coaches as Driver’s Ed Teachers [EdLawProfs Blog, 4/16/15]:  A female teacher in Mobile County, Alabama sought a driver’s education teaching position to allow her more free time to pursue coaching opportunities. She was turned down for two driver’s ed jobs and was told by school officials that male employees were preferred because they could also coach male sports. 

International Law, Citizenship and Immigration [TOPIC 40-42]


UN: human rights must be protected when fighting terrorism [Jurist, 4/17/15]: Two UN human rights experts said Thursday that human rights and freedoms should not be sacrificed in the fight against terrorism solely because abridging those rights is politically convenient.

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