Posts for August 31, 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:

Constitution Check: Might the courts end the Senate impasse on Garland? [Constitution Daily, 8/30/16]: Constitution Daily Supreme Court correspondent Lyle Denniston looks at a lawsuit from a New Mexico attorney that seeks to force the Senate to act on Merrick Garland’s Supreme Court nomination.

http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2016/08/constitution-check-might-the-courts-end-the-senate-impasse-on-garland/

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:

How Zika May Affect Our Thinking About Abortion [Justia, 8/31/16]: Professor Colb considers whether the termination of Zika pregnancies might affect our thinking about abortion. Specifically, Colb asks (1) whether it is right to end a pregnancy because the baby would be severely disabled if brought to term, and (2) whether it is right at all to take the life of a fetus late in pregnancy, given that birth defects caused by Zika are not detectable by ultrasound until late in pregnancy.

https://verdict.justia.com/2016/08/31/zika-may-affect-thinking-abortion

New Mexico Town Puts Guns in Schools [CNS, 8/31/16]: Gun safes stocked with shotguns and AR-15 semi-automatic rifles will be installed in Los Alamos, New Mexico's middle school and high school, after the school board approved the plan unanimously.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2016/08/31/new-mexico-town-puts-guns-in-schools.htm

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

Obama to open conservation tour in Lake Tahoe and Hawaii [AP, 8/31/16]: In Nevada on Wednesday, Obama plans to visit Lake Tahoe and speak at a summit dedicated to the iconic lake's preservation.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMA_CONSERVATION

Obama grants clemency to 111 non-violent prisoners [Jurist, 8/31/16]: President Obama on Tuesday granted clemency to 111 non-violent criminal offenders, including 35 federal offenders serving life sentences. These new grants of clemency bring Obama's total to 673, including 325 in the month of August alone. Mostly drug offenders, the commuted sentences are part of Obama's ongoing effort to reduce the size of the nation's prison population. 

http://www.jurist.org/paperchase/2016/08/obama-grants-clemency-to-111-non-violent-prisoners.php

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:

The Court after Scalia: Standing at the crossroads on voting rights [Election Law blog, 8/30/16]: When it comes to jurisprudence on voting rights, the Supreme Court stands at a crossroads. If the Court ends up with a new liberal majority, it could limit the ability of states to pass restrictive voting rules such as voter identification laws, boost minority voting power in legislative and congressional districts under the Voting Rights Act, and continue using the constitutional racial gerrymandering cause of action to protect minority opportunity districts.

http://www.scotusblog.com/2016/08/the-court-after-scalia-standing-at-the-crossroads-on-voting-rights/

Judge rejects disabled man's petition to vote - for now [AP, 8/30/16]: A California judge ruled that a former NPR producer who had a traumatic brain injury has so far failed to demonstrate he is qualified to vote despite a new state law that makes it easier for people with developmental disabilities to keep and restore the right to cast a ballot.

http://hosted2.ap.org/CAANR/CA/Article_2016-08-30-US--Disabled%20Voters/id-40b89758e6464e0abb2f285e5ef5538a

Shandobil: Hillary Clinton’s Phobia [Soundcloud, 8/30/16]:  It’s now been more than 270 days since Hillary Clinton has held a press conference and the pressure on her to hold her first this election year is intensifying. The 2016 press conference tally so far: Trump 17, Clinton zero. “This Golden State’s” Randy Shandobil interviews Mark Barabak, who covers presidential politics for the Los Angeles Times and Carla Marinucci, who writes Politico’s California Playbook. This requires you to create a Soundcloud account.

https://soundcloud.com/shandobilcomcastnet/hillary-clintons-phobia

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

Good Samaritan Law Broadened in Ohio [CNS, 8/31/16]: The Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the state's "Good Samaritan" law shields all people — not just medical professionals — who provide care at the scene of an emergency.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2016/08/31/good-samaritan-law-broadened-in-ohio.htm

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: