Posts for May 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 (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:

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:

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:

Vice Presidential Selection: Hoqw Much Does it Matter This Year? [Sabato’s Crystal Ball, 5/12/16]: How serious the vetting is at this moment cannot be known, but it would be irresponsible to let the process languish. Thorough investigation of all candidates for vice president is now a given.

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/vice-presidential-selection-how-much-does-it-matter-this-year/

The Veepstakes, Part One: Clinton’s Choices [Sabato’s Crystal Ball, 5/12/16]: As Hillary Clinton considers her options for the second slot on her ticket, she has to consider not only the harm that could be done to her November prospects by a poor selection -- she has to also be concerned about the harm done to her governing prospects. That’s because many of her best potential running mates are members of the U.S. Senate, and selecting one of them could imperil a future Democratic Senate majority -- either in 2017 or beyond.

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/the-veepstakes-part-one-clintons-choices/

Warren goes nuclear on Trump: You won't 'shut us up' [The Hill, 5/11/16]: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) tore into Donald Trump on Wednesday, upping her fiery rhetoric against the presumptive GOP presidential nominee. "We get it, @realDonaldTrump: When a woman stands up to you, you’re going to call her a basket case. Hormonal. Ugly," Warren tweeted. 

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/279556-warren-fires-back-at-trump-you-wont-shut-us-up

Donald Trump's Constitution of One [Nat. Rev., 5/11/16]: On January 20, 2017, Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office to the 45th president: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Donald Trump is utterly unqualified to keep this solemn pledge to our most fundamental law. We know this because in winning the nomination, Trump has already promised that he will knowingly break the law and violate the Constitution.

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/435296/donald-trump-constitution-end-separation-powers

Blaming the Chief Justic {Linda Greenhouse in the NY Times, 5/11/16]: Do you hold Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. responsible for the ascendancy of Donald Trump? The thought never crossed your mind? Then you probably haven’t been reading the conservative blogosphere, where Chief Justice Roberts, target of bitter criticism for his failure to vote to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, is now being blamed in some quarters for Donald Trump as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/opinion/blaming-the-chief-justice.html?_r=0

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

Brother, Spare Me a Dime. Or Else. [Bloomberg, 5/11/16]: Laws that ban street begging often are challenged as a violation of First Amendment free speech rights. Appellate courts are divided on the question, and the Supreme Court has never answered it definitively.

http://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-05-10/panhandling-isn-t-always-free-speech

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:

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:

Video: The history and legacy of the 14th Amendment [Concurring Opinions, 5/11/16]: As part of our Second Founding celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Reconstruction Amendments, join the National Constitution Center for two discussions on the history and enduring relevance of the 14th Amendment.

http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2016/05/video-the-history-and-legacy-of-the-14th-amendment/

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

A Nasty Split in U.S. Courts Over Human Rights [Bloomberg View, 5/11/16]: A company whose violation of human rights abroad strongly affects the U.S. can be sued in any federal court in the country -- except New York and Connecticut’s Second Circuit. A decision there Tuesday means it will remain stubbornly outside the pack.

http://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-05-11/holding-companies-accountable-for-human-rights-violations