Posts for October 23, 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:

The Threat Of A Right-Wing Supreme Court: Analyzing Trump's Prospective Justices [Huff Post, 10/22/16]: As the media focuses on Donald Trump’s sexually predatory behavior and Hillary Clinton’s Wall Street speeches, the future of the Supreme Court has received only an occasional mention. During the final presidential debate, the topic was finally given some attention.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-threat-of-a-right-wing-supreme-court-analyzing_us_580b7932e4b0f8715789fb3a

Why It Matters: Supreme Court [AP, 10/22/16]: THE ISSUE: No one likes an even number on a court that makes decisions by majority vote. Yet that's just what the Supreme Court has been left with, eight justices, since the death of Antonin Scalia in February.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CAMPAIGN_2016_WHY_IT_MATTERS_SUPREME_COURT

Is the Supreme Court counting on getting a ninth justice in January? [Wash Post, 10/22/16]: Sen. Jeff Flake’s call to confirm Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court if Hillary Clinton wins next month has reignited the public debate over the stalled nomination — and the court’s own calendar suggests that the eight current justices may be watching to see if that is a real possibility.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/10/22/is-the-supreme-court-counting-on-getting-a-9th-justice-in-january/

Clarence Thomas' Supreme Court legacy [CNN, 10/22/16]: It's been almost a quarter century since George H.W. Bush left the White House, but perhaps his most lasting legacy lives on at the Supreme Court: Justice Clarence Thomas. This month, Thomas celebrates his 25th anniversary on the bench and serves as a reminder that Supreme Court nominations often endure long after a president leaves office.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/22/politics/clarence-thomas-supreme-court-25-years/

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:

California House Republicans facing tougher headwinds [The Hill, 10/22/16]: The Golden State is decidedly blue ––Democrats already hold 39 of the state's 53 House seats –– and the ratio might become even more lopsided next year, as some of the nation's top election forecasters now deem three California Republicans to be increasingly vulnerable with less than three weeks to go before Election Day. 

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/302302-california-house-republicans-facing-tougher-headwinds

AP Interview: Kaine already reaching out to GOP [AP, 10/22/16]: Tim Kaine is sounding a hopeful note that a Democratic White House could work with Republicans to bridge deep divides laid bare by this bitter presidential campaign.

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article109909972.html

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

Prop. 54 asks California voters to outlaw practice of last-minute deal-making [SJ Merc, 10/22/16]: California lawmakers worked in the dead of night in August during the final hours of the legislative session, approving last-minute policy changes that affect millions of people.

http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/22/sjm-openlaws-1023/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox#link_time=1477204586

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

Juvenile offenders in legal limbo [Milwaukee Journ.-Sentinel, 10/22/16]: Although life sentences without parole banned for youths, 68 state inmates not likely to benefit.

http://projects.jsonline.com/news/2016/10/22/juveniles-sentenced-to-life-in-wisconsin-have-little-chance-for-release.html

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: