Posts for February 22, 2016
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 Contradictions of Antonin Scalia [Slate podcast / Justia, 2/21/16]: Why the version of originalism practiced by the late Supreme Court Justice had its limits; And why he was one of the best mentors a young lawyer could hope for.
http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/amicus/2016/02/the_legacy_of_supreme_court_justice_antonin_scalia.html
https://verdict.justia.com/2016/02/22/nino-scalia-r-i-p

After Scalia's death, a constitutional clash with Congress [AP, 2/21/16]: It only took one man's death to give Congress an opening to spread its dysfunction to the rest of government. 
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_BATTLE_ROYALE 
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_SCALIA_SUCCESSOR_GRASSLEY
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_NEVADA_GOVERNOR 

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:

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:

Enough [Justia, 2/22/16]: Professor Margulies comments on Donald Trump’s recent declaration that not only does he support torture, but that if he becomes president, he would utilize it more, regardless of whether it “works.” Margulies explores these statements as well as the identity of those who support him and his views.
https://verdict.justia.com/2016/02/22/enough

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

McConnell faces Supreme Court test like no other [Politico, 2/21/16]: Democrats charge the Kentucky Republican with hypocrisy and obstruction on a mega-scale.
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/mcconnell-faces-supreme-court-test-like-no-other-219530

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:

Free speech under siege at some U.S. universities [FAN, 2/18/16]: The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) named the ten worst colleges for free speech in the U.S. based on incidents of censorship and violations of the free speech rights of students and faculty.
https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/2016/02/free-speech-under-siege-at-some-u-s-universities/

Georgia Senate passes amended religious freedom bill [Jurist, 2/20/16]: The Georgia State Senate passed an amended version of a religious freedom bill, HB 757, which some critics believe may be used to discriminate against same-sex couples. 
http://jurist.org/paperchase/2016/02/georgia-senate-passes-amended-religious-freedom-bill.php

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: