Friday, September 9, 2016

Posts for September 9, 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.

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:

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:

Ruling loosens ban on owning guns after minor convictions [AP, 9/8/16]: A federal appeals court has ruled that some people convicted of comparatively minor state crimes should get a chance to legally own guns, issuing a divided decision that reshapes longstanding rules.

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

Biden, Supreme Court nominee on Hill to pressure GOP [AP, 9/8/16]: Garland's appearance was part of a campaign-season effort by Democrats to call voters' attention to issues they want the GOP-run Congress to address. Also appearing on the Hill was Vice President Joe Biden.

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:

Time for a Realignment [The always thoughtful David Brroks in the NY Times, 9/9/16]: There’s a good chance many of you will be switching political parties over the next 15 years. You may be a corporate executive who’s voted rock-solid Republican for decades, but you may be a consistent Democrat by 2024. You may be an African-American community activist in Cleveland, but don’t be surprised if you someday call the Republican Party home. Politics is catching up to social reality. The crucial social divide today is between those who feel the core trends of the global, information-age economy as tailwinds at their backs and those who feel them as headwinds in their face.


Rating Change: California House Seat Not So Safe for Democrats [Roll Call, 9/8/16]: Democratic Rep. Ami Bera is vulnerable in Northern California’s 7th District after two close races and his father being convicted of campaign finance fraud. The GOP also has an opportunity in Southern California’s 24th District, where Democratic Rep. Lois Capps is not seeking re-election.

Trump dismisses fact checkers, claims incorrectly (again) that he opposed Iraq War [Politico / TIME, 9/8/16]: Donald Trump on Thursday defended his discredited claim that he opposed the Iraq War before the invasion, detailing several public statements he made after the invasion as proof.

GOP VP pick Mike Pence promises new ‘Reagan revolution’ at late president’s Simi library [LA Daily News, 9/8/16]:  Speaking at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley on Thursday, Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence said Donald Trump will, if elected, carry on Reagan’s legacy of cutting business regulations, lowering corporate tax rates and growing the military.

Republicans rush to save candidates from Trump wipeout [Politico, 9/8/16]: Poor polling and Trump's lack of a ground game is triggering growing alarm about down-ticket fallout — even in red states.

Trump Lays Out Education Policy at Diverse Ohio School [CNS, 9/9/16]: Speaking to press at the Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy, Trump accused the Democratic party of trapping millions of black and Hispanic children in failing public schools that deny them the opportunity to "join the ladder of American success." He then went on to describe the public school system as a "government-run education monopoly" that has "utterly failed" too many students and needs to be broken up.

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

When the Money Runs out for Public Defense, What Happens Next? [The Marshall Project, 9/7/16]: Massive caseloads, long wait lists, group plea deals, and other realities of a funding crisis. Three stories highlight these problems.

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:

Constitution Check: Do online publishers have a right to gather news? [Constitution Daily, 9/8/16]: Lyle Denniston, our Supreme Court correspondent, looks a Senate subcommittee’s demand for information from an online publisher about how it conducts its business – and a potential First Amendment conflict that could merit the Supreme Court’s attention.

Arizona Sued for Funding Religious Schools [CNS, 9/9/16]: Arizona has no business handing public money to charter schools that teach that "worship of God must be obeyed" and that "women who bear their 7th child will have a 'higher place in heaven," a Methodist pastor says in a lawsuit against the schools and the state.

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:


The Problem With the Texas Federal Court’s Nationwide Order Regarding Bathroom Access for Transgender Students [Justia, 9/9/16]: Professors mar and discuss a recent decision by a federal district court in Texas issuing a nationwide order regarding bathroom access for transgender students. Amar and Joslin explain why the order almost certainly oversteps that court’s authority without providing any reasons or analysis to justify its overbroad relief.



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