Posts for April 14, 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 (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:

How One Man Brought Justices Roberts, Alito And Gorsuch To The Supreme Court [NPR’s “Fresh Air,” 4/12/17]: New Yorker staff writer Jeffrey Toobin discusses Leonard Leo, the conservative lawyer who is responsible, to a considerable extent, for one third of the justices on the Supreme Court.

http://www.npr.org/2017/04/12/523495201/how-one-man-brought-justices-roberts-alito-and-gorsuch-to-the-supreme-court

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:

California Debates Whether to Become a ‘Sanctuary’ State [KQED, 4/13/17]:  It’s a murder that is still driving debate nationally about so-called sanctuary cities. Thirty-two-year-old Kate Steinle was walking along the San Francisco waterfront on July 1, 2015, when shots rang out and she fell to the ground. She died at the hospital hours later. 

https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2017/04/13/california-debates-whether-to-become-a-sanctuary-state/

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

Is this a new Trump? Abrupt reversals may reflect experience [AP, 4/13/17]:  President Donald Trump is abruptly reversing himself on key issues. And for all his usual bluster, he's startlingly candid about the reason: He's just now really learning about some of them.

https://www.apnews.com/78531b84f8ce4fafb05c7c0b462f5517/Is-this-a-new-Trump?-Abrupt-reversals-may-reflect-experience

Trump’s got a new favorite Steve [Politico, 4/13/17]: As the president cools on Steve Bannon, his deputy Stephen Miller is cultivating relationships with other members of Trump’s coterie. 

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/stephen-miller-white-house-trump-237216

Trump Wants Immunity [Justia, 4/14/17]: John W. Dean, former counsel to President Richard Nixon, comments on attempts by President Trump’s lawyers to defer civil lawsuits against him until after his presidency ends.

https://verdict.justia.com/2017/04/14/trump-wants-immunity

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:

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

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:

Gov. Greitens reverses state policy, allowing tax dollars to aid religious groups [KC Star / AP, 4/13/17]: Gov. Eric Greitens announced Thursday that he is reversing a state policy aimed at preventing tax dollars from being used to aid religious groups. Greitens’ decision comes a week before the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in the case of Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer. The lawsuit challenges a 2012 decision by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to deny the Columbia church a grant to replace the gravel on its playground with softer, safer material.

http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article144497099.html

http://www.dailyprogress.com/greitens-religious-organizations-can-apply-for-state-grants/article_98086bdc-ece0-5c40-b341-c15a70250518.html

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: