Posts for September 16, 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:

Constitutionally, Slavery Is No National Institution [NY Times Op-Ed, 9/16/15]: The Civil War began over a simple question: Did the Constitution of the United States recognize slavery -- property in humans -- in national law?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/16/opinion/constitutionally-slavery-is-no-national-institution.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:

Ohio Considers Banning Abortions Motivated by Down Syndrome [Justia, 9/16/15]: Professor Colb discusses an Ohio bill currently under consideration that would ban abortions motivated by the presentation of Down syndrome by an embryo or fetus. Colb argues that a woman’s right to make decisions over her bodily integrity includes the right to make a decision on a basis that some or most people might find offensive.

https://verdict.justia.com/2015/09/16/ohio-considers-banning-abortions-motivated-by-down-syndrome

If Kim Davis should enforce law she opposes, what about AGs Brown, Harris and Prop. 8? [SF Chron, 9/15/15]: Most office-holders outside of the Republican presidential campaign — and practically all public figures in California — agree that Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis violated her oath of office by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because of her personal religious views. 

http://blog.sfgate.com/nov05election/2015/09/15/if-kim-davis-should-enforce-law-she-opposes-what-about-ags-brown-harris-and-prop-8/

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

When the House of Representatives Can Sue the President [The Atlantic, 9/15/15]: A federal judge ruled that Congress has standing to sue Obama for his administration's health care spending; Can the challenge succeed?

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/when-the-house-of-representatives-sues-the-president/405166/

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:

From California, A Warning To Republicans On Anti-Immigration Rhetoric [NPR, 9/16/15]: California is often considered the nation's trendsetter. But Republicans running for president better hope that's not true. Their talk about immigration echoes what Californians heard in the 1990s. That's when Proposition 187, a ballot measure viewed as strongly anti-immigrant, was a key to the re-election of California's Republican Gov. Pete Wilson. 

http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/09/15/440524281/from-california-a-warning-to-republicans-on-anti-immigration-rhetoric

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

GOP Effort to Block Iran Deal Fails Again [CNS, 9/15/15]: A second Republican attempt to block the Iran nuclear deal failed on the Senate floor Tuesday as calls for Republican leaders to abandon their efforts to condemn the deal grew louder.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/09/15/gop-effort-to-block-iran-deal-fails-again.htm

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

 

Criminal Minds [Calif. Appellate Report Blog, 9/15/15]: You can be found guilty of soliciting someone to kill your future wife. Even if you’re merely asking someone to find a hit man for you and even if you subsequently back out of it. Read the interesting California case of People v. Nelson:

http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/E061050.PDF

 

High Schooler Ahmed Arrested for a Clock [CNS, 9/16/15]: A Texas high school freshman was handcuffed, arrested and suspended Monday for bringing a homemade clock to school in what critics call Islamophobia and racism run amok.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/09/16/high-schooler-ahmed-arrested-for-a-clock.htm

Execution day arrives: Debate continues over death penalty and Richard Glossip's case [Tulsa World, 9/16/15]: Governor Mary Fallin denies inmate's latest request for delay.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/courts/execution-day-arrives-debate-continues-over-death-penalty-and-richard/article_dedd76c7-0b41-5026-b8af-56a0a87484a0.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:

Educational Free Speech Entering Presidential Conversation [EdLawProfs Blog, 9/16/15]: Free speech and academic freedom have long exposed cultural and political tensions on college campuses. But in the past few years, those who would restrict free speech have seemingly gotten a foothold in the debate that they otherwise would have been laughed out of. In other words, they have managed to start a debate over long settled principles. 

http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/education_law/2015/09/educational-free-speech-entering-presidential-conversation.html

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: