Posts for July 10, 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:

Report Finds 'Dark Money' Dip In California [CPR, 7/8/16]: Keith says one reason is a rule the state implemented in 2014. It requires any organization that spends over a certain limit to report all political donors.

http://www.capradio.org/77348

An Attack on Citizens United, Through the Back Door [Bloomberg vIEW, 7/10/16]: Instead of asking the court to overturn the 2010 Supreme Court case that lifted many restraints on political spending, Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission, a group plans to ask the justices to overturn a lower court decision that interpreted Citizens United to open the door to the super-PACs. Read about this strategy:

http://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-07-10/an-attack-on-citizens-united-through-the-back-door

Trump looks at retired general Flynn as possible running mate [Reuters, 7/9/16]: Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is giving consideration to retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn as a potential vice presidential running mate, a Republican source familiar with the process said on Saturday. 

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-vicepresident-idUSKCN0ZP0SI?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews

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

Is pot as dangerous as heroin? Feds’ decision on rescheduling marijuana coming soon [LA Daily News, 7/9/10]: At the same time Californians are preparing to vote on the legalization of adult marijuana use, the federal government is weighing whether pot should continue to be classified as a top-tier narcotic on par with heroin.

http://www.dailynews.com/article/20160709/NEWS/160709483

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:

The FOI Act at 50: Still Going Despite Tension, Challenges [Newseum, 7/7/16]: On Independence Day 50 years ago, President Lyndon Baines Johnson reluctantly signed into law the Freedom of Information Act. President Johnson thought it was terrible legislation and considered a veto after it was passed by Congress. He signed the bill into law on his Texas ranch instead of at a celebratory event at the White House.

http://www.newseuminstitute.org/2016/07/07/the-foi-act-at-50-still-going-despite-tension-challenges/

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:

Massachusetts governor signs transgender anti-discrimination law [Jurist, 7/10/16]: The law requires places of public accommodation such as bathrooms to allow the use of those places based on one's sincerely held gender identity. Additionally, the public safety concerns raised by some were addressed through a portion of the law putting the state Attorney General's Office in charge of issuing guidance for reporting any improper assertions of gender identity.

http://www.jurist.org/paperchase/2016/07/massachusetts-governor-signs-transgender-anti-discrimination-law.php