Monday, February 1, 2016

Posts for February 1, 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:

It's Been 10 Years. Would Clarence Thomas Like to Add Anything? [NY Times blog, 2/1/16]: When the Supreme Court returns from its winter break this month, it will hear two minor cases and reach a major anniversary. Unless something very surprising happens during the arguments that day, Justice Clarence Thomas will have gone 10 years without asking a question from the bench.

Setback in S.F. for abortion opponent facing charges in Texas [SF Chron / CNS, 1/29/16]: An antiabortion activist, charged with committing crimes against Planned Parenthood in Texas, suffered another legal setback in San Francisco on Friday when a federal judge refused to let him disclose clandestinely made recordings of abortion providers in a filing with the U.S. Supreme Court.

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:

Iowa caucuses: 5 Things to Watch [CNN, 2/1/16]: t's time to find out whether a movement can topple months of organizing and deep party ties. As Iowa voters caucus Monday night, both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders will try to draw enough new voters into the process to defeat foes who have spent more money, devoted more time to organizing their support in the Hawkeye State and are backed by better-funded outside organizations. Here are five things to watch.


How the Iowa caucus works — and why it's different from New Hampshire's primary [Today.com, 2/1/16]: The first votes for the 2016 presidential election will be cast Monday night at the Iowa caucuses, then at the country's first presidential primary eight days later in New Hampshire.

Trump loaned his presidential campaign more than $10 million in the last quarter of 2015, accounting for much of his fundraising during the last few months [AP, 1/31/16]: Donald Trump's campaign filings show the billionaire show the Republican front-runner spent just $6.8 million in the final three months of last year. The outlay is less than half of what Ted Cruz, his nearest rival in the polls, spent during the same period. 

Pondering the future of CTA, Sacramento post-Friedrichs [Cabinet Report, 2/1/16]: For decades they have cast an imposing political shadow over the Capitol – dictating terms on budget deals, elevating supporters and isolating opponents while exercising a de facto veto power over many, if not most, legislative offerings.

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:

Texas Cheerleaders' Bible Verse Case to Proceed to the Merits [EdLawProfs Blog, 2/1/16]: On Friday, the Texas Supreme Court held that a group of high school cheerleaders can proceed in their challenge to Kountze Independent School District's former prohibition on displaying banners at football games with Bible verse on them.  

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:



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