Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Posts for June 24, 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 (5th ed.) student 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:

The Rabbit-Hole of 'Relevant' [NYT Mag, 6/23/15]: When a law has a name like 'Patriot' or 'Freedom,' it's a sign that you should read the fine print.

Eight Is Enough (Justices That Is): Let the Court Unpack Itself [Nat. Rev., 6/23/15]: Brace yourself. When Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg retires from the Supreme Court this summer, it will set off a frenzy of Supreme contention: Who will President Obama nominate to replace Ginsburg?

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:

Schools Fear Impact of Gay Marriage Ruling on Tax Status [NY Times, 6/25/15]: Conservative religious schools all over the country forbid same-sex relationships, from dating to couples living in married-student housing, and they fear they will soon be forced to make a wrenching choice. If the Supreme Court this month finds a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, the schools say they will either have to abandon their policies that prohibit gay relationships or eventually risk losing their tax-exempt status.

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:

The Cost of a Seat: California Legislators Raise More than $1,000 a Day [KQED, 6/24/15]: Everyone knows it takes big bucks to run for office in California, but you might be surprised to learn that current members of the state Legislature competing for a seat in the 2014 election cycle had to raise on average more than $1,000 each day.

GOP contenders play it safe on Confederate flag, but at what cost? [Politico, 6/23/15]:  After vowing to broaden their party's appeal following their 2012 loss, Republicans struggle to follow through. 

Clinton, near Ferguson, calls for confronting 'hard truths' about race [Politico, 6/23/15]: For the third time since the Charleston massacre last week, Hillary Clinton addressed head on the “hard truths” about race the country needs to confront.

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


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:

Does Justice Thomas believe in a race-hate exception to the First Amendment? [Concurring Opinions, 6/24/15]: If you would better understand Justice Clarence Thomas’s vote in the Confederate license-plate case handed down last week, it may be helpful to turn the clock back to December 11, 2002. That was a rare moment in the modern history of the Supreme Court. For it was one of the few times that Justice Thomas spoke up during oral arguments.

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:

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


Rights groups petition US to create special prosecutor for torture claims [Jurist, 6/24/15]: Human rights groups Amnesty InternationalHuman Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday issued a joint letter to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) calling for the creation of a special prosecutor to investigate claims that Central Intelligence Agency agents used torture against detainees held at Guantanamo Bay prison and elsewhere. 

No comments:

Post a Comment