Posts for June 14, 2015

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

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:

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

Executive chutzpah: The president and the Supreme Court [The Economist, 6/12/15]: just as the Supreme Court handed Barack Obama a resounding victory in a turf battle with Congress over foreign affairs, the president criticised the justices at a press conference in Krün, Germany, site of the G7 summit.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2015/06/president-and-supreme-court

How will history judge Obama? Courts may decide [LA Times, 6/10/15]: After battling Republicans in Congress for more than six years, President Obama and his lawyers will spend much of his remaining time in office fighting in the courts to preserve the administration’s most significant domestic achievements.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-obama-courts-legacy-20150610-story.html#page=1

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)

Same-sex marriage, ACA: Two occasions for Supreme Court restraint [Minn. Star Trib., 6/13/15]: Both same-sex marriage and the Affordable Care Act should be left to legislation.

http://www.startribune.com/same-sex-marriage-aca-two-occasions-for-supreme-court-restraint/307261651/

Can Republicans Win by Losing at the Supreme Court? [Bloomberg Politics, 6/13/15]: With rulings expected soon in cases involving gay marriage and the fate of the Affordable Care Act, the electoral consequences will soon be laid bare.

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-06-08/can-republicans-win-by-losing-at-the-supreme-court-

How Do We Hold a Child’s Mind Accountable? [Marshall Project, 6/12/15]: A Colorado judge on why we don’t know nearly enough about the link between the young brains and behavior.

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/06/12/how-do-we-hold-a-child-s-mind-accountable

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

What do you think of the death penalty now, Justice Scalia? [Miami Herald, 6/13/15]: An emotional letter to Scalia from columnist Leonard Pitts, Jr.

http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article23877205.html

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:

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:

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

Court Overturns Guantanamo Detainee's Conspiracy Conviction [WSJ, 6/12/15]: Ruling has far-reaching implications for military commissions project.

http://www.wsj.com/article_email/court-overturns-guantanamo-detainees-conspiracy-conviction-1434150794-lMyQjAxMTI1MjE2MzgxODM0Wj