Posts for February 23, 2017
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:
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]
Trump's Russia problem dogs Republicans at town halls [Politico,
2/22/17]: Constituents are demanding GOP lawmakers investigate the president's
ties to Moscow.
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:
Conservatives welcome Trump with delight – and wariness [AP,
2/22/17]: For the past eight years, thousands of conservative activists have
descended on Washington each spring with dreams of putting a Republican in the
White House. This year, they're learning reality can be complicated.
2018 Governors: The Battle Lines for Drawing the Lines [Sabato’s Crystal Ball, 2/23/17]: Republicans retain a big redistricting advantage as 2020 census looms, but Democrats have opportunities to chip away at that power.
Can Democrats Take Back the House in 2018? [Sabato’s Crystal Ball, 2/23/17]: 2006 cycle suggests they could if they can expand the playing field.
Legislation and the Legislative
Process (TOPIC 20)
GOP to bury House resolution on Trump conflicts [Politico,
2/22/17]: House Republicans next week plan to derail a Democratic resolution
that would have forced disclosure of President Donald Trump's potential ties
with Russia and any possible business conflicts of interest, according to
multiple House sources.
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
Supreme Court Orders
New Hearing for Black Texas Inmate [AP / Jurist, 2/22/17]: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered a new court
hearing for a black Texas prison inmate whose death sentence may have been
tainted by disturbing references to race.
Justice Sotomayor Takes Aim at Lethal Injection [Slate, 2/22/17]: In a striking dissent, the justice
slams the 'horrifying deaths' that result from 'our most cruel experiment yet.
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:
The Real Religious
Liberty Deficits Right in Front of Us [Justia, 2/23/17]: Professor Hamilton outlines what the United States must do to
restore true religious liberty under the First Amendment, rather than go down
the path of extreme religious liberty supported by right-wing Christian
lobbyists. Hamilton argues that President Trump needs to remove Steve Bannon,
unhinge himself from the extreme religious right, and open his eyes to the
plain discrimination directly in front of him.
Donald Trump is losing his war with the media [Wash
Post, 2/22/17]: A new poll from Quinnipiac University suggests that while
people may be broadly unhappy with the mainstream media, they still think it's
more credible than Trump. The president regularly accuses the press of “fake
news,” but people see more “fake news” coming out of his own mouth.
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:
Supreme Court Backs
Family in Case on Denial of Service Dog in School [School Law Blog / AP / USA Today / CNS, 2/22/17]: The justices gave a
unanimous, but for now partial, victory to the family that sued a Michigan
district after the district barred a service dog for a child with cerebral
palsy. The court court held that a student or family suing a school district
over a disability-related issue does not always have to go through, or
"exhaust," all the procedures under the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act before going to court.
The opinion in Fry v. Napoleon Community Schools
can be found at:
International Law, Citizenship
and Immigration [TOPIC 40-42]
Mexico to Trump: We won’t take your unwanted immigrants [McClatchy
DC, 2/22/17]: Mexico is not happy – actually, angry – about President Donald
Trump’s expectation that it would hold tens of thousands of apprehended
migrants who can’t be immediately deported, regardless of where they come from.
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