Posts for December 30, 2016
These are the posts
that are accumulated in our weekly newsletter which goes out throughout the
school year. The posts are organized by the major units in our Constitutional 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:
The top legal stories
of 2016 [ABA, 12/23/16]: As the ABA Journal staff looked back over the past
year, these were the 10 legal stories that seemed the most important and
prominent. A summary of each is included.
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:
The
American Presidency [TOPIC 15]
White House announces sanctions against Russia for
election hacking [Jurist,
12/30/16]: The White
House on Thursday announced that sanctions would be enacted
against Russia as a response to Russia's involvement in hacking during the
recent election and for the treatment of US diplomats in Russia. The White
House alleged that Russia intentionally tried to interfere with the US election
in favor of one of the candidates, by releasing a string of emails obtained
through hacking, and that orders to do so could have come from the highest
level of the Russian government.
Did Trump just create 8,000 jobs? Here's what's really
happening [Salt Lake City Trib, 12/30/16]: Donald Trump gave himself kudos
for the creation of 8,000 U.S. jobs by a Japanese tech mogul, saying it was
proof of “the spirit and the hope” stirred by his victory in the presidential
election. But for those particular jobs, Trump was basically taking a bow for
the second time.
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:
Can and Should States
Mandate Tax Return Disclosure as a Condition for Presidential Candidates to
Appear on the Ballot? [Justia, 12/30/16]: Professor Amar considers whether states have the authority to mandate tax return
disclosure in order to appear on the presidential election ballot—and if they
do, whether exercising that authority is a good idea. Amar explains why the
legal authority for enacting such laws is unclear and argues that they could
potentially undermine the democratic process, whereas a national popular vote
would strengthen the process.
Number of Women in California Legislature Dips to Nearly
20-Year Low. Now What? [KQED, 12/30/16]: For a lot of women, this was
supposed to be a big political year. The year a woman would be elected
president and provide some long coattails for other women to grab onto. But, as
we now know, Hillary Clinton came up short in her bid for the presidency. And
state legislatures around the country saw the number of female representatives
either drop or remain flat.
North Carolina Gov.-Elect Sues Over GOP Power Grab [CNS, 12/30/16]: North Carolina’s incoming Democratic governor on
Friday sued to block a new law passed by the Republican controlled legislature
earlier this month to limit his powers as he prepares to take office.
Legislation and the Legislative
Process (TOPIC 20)
New Laws: Californians Not Liable For Saving Animals
Trapped In Hot Cars [CPR / AP, 12/30/16]: Californians won’t have to
worry about being sued or arrested for breaking into a hot unattended car to
rescue an animal under a new law taking effect in 2017.
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
Man in motorized
wheelchair convicted of DUII, Oregon Court of Appeals reverses [The Oregonian, 12/29/16]: The Oregon Court of Appeals on Thursday threw out the
conviction of a man who was found guilty of driving under the influence of
intoxicants for operating his motorized wheelchair while drunk in a crosswalk.
This case thus appears to be
a real-life example of the "No
Vehicles in the Park" hypothetical that fans of statutory
interpretation love to endlessly debate. See:
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:
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:
International Law, Citizenship
and Immigration [TOPIC 40-42]
Britain condemns Kerry's Israel remarks [Jurist, 12/30/16]: A spokesman for British
Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday condemned remarks made by US Secretary of
State John Kerry on the current Israeli government. In a speech
given on Thursday, Kerry criticized the building of Israeli settlements in the
West Bank and East Jerusalem, stating that such actions jeopardize prospects of
peace in the Middle East.
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