Posts for April 12,
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.
Kingsburg High to allow teachers to carry guns on campus [Fresno
Bee, 4/11/16]: The school board on Monday unanimously approved a new policy
that allows up to five district employees – designated by the superintendent –
to carry a concealed firearm on school grounds.
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:
Green Light for
Jury-Nullification Crusaders [CNS, 4/12/16]:
The 10th Circuit upheld an injunction that lets protesters disseminate
pamphlets about jury nullification outside a state courthouse in Colorado. Jury
nullification describes the practice by which a jury acquits a defendant,
despite evidence of his guilt, because the jury members believe the law at
issue is immoral.
Obama court pick favors
labor, says business group [The Hill, 4/11/16]: Merrick Garland, President Obama’s
nominee to the Supreme Court, has ruled in favor of federal agencies 77 percent
of the time, according to a scorecard produced by the National Federation of
Independent Business (NFIB).
Sky won't fall with one
less justice
[Essay by Senl Chuck Grassley in the Des Moines Register, 4/10/16]: Six. Seven. Nine. Ten. Seven. Nine. These numbers
reveal the absurdity of the argument that somehow the federal judiciary is
debilitated without a ninth Supreme Court justice for a brief period of
time. As the numbers make clear, the size of the court as Congress
designed it over the years has frequently changed, and hasn’t left the court in
disarray.
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:
The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]
Has Obama Upheld the Law? [NY Rev. of Books, 4/21/16]: A review of Charlie
Savage’s book, “Power Wars: Inside Obama’s Post 9/11 Presidency.”
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:
How Signature-Gathering Draws Big Bucks In Election
Season [CPR, 4/11/16]: They call to you from street corners or in
front of the supermarket: Signature-gatherers, asking you to put your name down
to help a measure qualify for the November ballot. At a small folding table in
the aisle of a mall, Roscoe Downey spreads out 11 different ballot initiatives.
A Look At Ted Cruz’ Record With The Truth As He Visits
California [PolitiFact CA, 4/11/16]: As of Friday, PolitiFact, the national
and independent fact-checking website, has examined 102 statements made by
Cruz. It rated 67 percent of his claims either Mostly False, False or Pants On
Fire. The last designation is reserved for only the most wild falsehoods.
Rule of Recognition
for Party Nominations [Gerard
Magliocca in “Concurring Opinions, 4/12/16]: “There are many scenarios that
could play themselves out at the Republican National Convention this July, but
here is one that I thought I’d flag….”
Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)
Bill adds school threats to penal code [Cabinet
Report, 4/11/16]: A proposal aimed at deterring criminal threats that cause
mass disruption at school or event sites moved forward last week with unanimous
support from a key legislative panel.
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:
Appeals court rules
against 'Sister Wives' in Utah polygamy law case [The Deseret News /
Politico, 4/11/16]: The Denver-based 10th
Circuit Court of Appeals found that the lawsuit Kody Brown and his four wives
filed is moot because there is no credible threat that they would be prosecuted
under the law. The Browns are featured in the TLC reality show "Sister
Wives."
Read the decision in Brown v. Buhman at:
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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