Posts for August 30, 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.

National poll shows differing views about focus of public education [EdSource, 8/29/16]: A new national poll shows nearly half of adults believe public education’s main goal should be academics, while others believe the main goal should be preparing students to be good citizens or to get jobs. 

https://edsource.org/2016/national-poll-shows-differing-views-about-focus-of-public-education/568712

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:

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

Obama Creates Largest Protected Place on Earth, Around Hawaiian Islands [CNS, 8/29/16]: President Barack Obama on Friday quadrupled the size of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in Hawaii to include some 580,000 square miles of the northwest Hawaiian Islands.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2016/08/29/obama-creates-largest-protected-place-on-earth-around-hawaiian-islands.htm

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:

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

Rethinking Student Cell Phone Searches [Penn State Law Rev. / SSRN, 8/30/16]: Mark McAllister (Indiana Tech) has posted an article on SSRN exploring regulating student cell phone searches through an administrative warrant process.

http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2830880

Sentencing bill inspired by Stanford swimmer case heads to governor [Reuters, 8/20/16]:  California is on the cusp of changing its sentencing laws in response to a nationally watched sexual assault case involving a former Stanford University swimmer, with lawmakers on Monday sending Gov. Jerry Brown legislation mandating heavier penalties for assaulting unconscious victims. 

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-rape-bill-idUSKCN1142G9

Stanford sex assault: Brock Turner to be released from jail Friday after serving half sentence [EB Times, 8/29/16]: A former Stanford swimmer infamously convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman outside a campus party -- which touched off a national discussion about college rape -- is expected to be released from jail Friday.

http://www.eastbaytimes.com/news/ci_30304524/stanford-sex-assault-brock-turner-be-released-from?source=rss

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:

Is 49ers' QB Colin Kaepernick Right To Sit During the National Anthem? [Reason.com / Abdul-Jabbar in Wash Post / USA Today, 8/30/16]: Refuses to honor flag of a country he says "oppresses black people and people of color."

https://reason.com/blog/2016/08/28/is-49ers-qb-colin-kaepernick-right-to-si

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/08/30/insulting-colin-kaepernick-says-more-about-our-patriotism-than-his/?utm_term=.19e671ecc4b4

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/49ers/2016/08/29/will-colin-kaepernick-national-anthem-protest-matter/89560494/

Colin Kaepernick is Righter Than You Know: The National Anthem is a Celebration of Slavery [The Intercept, 8/29/16]: Almost no one seems to be aware that even if the U.S. were a perfect country today, it would be bizarre to expect African-American players to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Why? Because it literally celebrates the murder of African-Americans. American history sure is complicated…and interesting.

https://theintercept.com/2016/08/28/colin-kaepernick-is-righter-than-you-know-the-national-anthem-is-a-celebration-of-slavery/

But see:

http://www.american-historama.org/1801-1828-evolution/star-spangled-banner-lyrics.htm

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: