Posts for July 30, 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:

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:

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

Trump's disdain for the rule of law [CNN, 7/26/17]: The underlying message of his tweets and other remarks over the past six months, including those aimed at federal judges, suggests that Trump believes he need not adhere to usual legal norms and stands ready to humiliate anyone who crosses him.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/26/politics/trump-rule-of-law/index.html

Jeff Sessions: This Time, It's Personal [New Yorker, 9/7/17 issue, 7/30/17]: Trump's willful misunderstanding of the obligations of an Attorney General reflects a larger flaw in his Presidency and in his character.

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/08/07/jeff-sessions-this-time-its-personal

Trump's LGBT moves could crash in courts [CNN, 8/29/17]: President Donald Trump's three-tweet plan to stop transgender individuals from serving in the military has yet to be clarified or implemented, but as it stands could run headlong into established case law.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/27/politics/transgender-military-legal-implications/index.html

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:

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

Trump threat: End health payments unless there’s an overhaul [AP, 7/30/17]: In apparent frustration over Friday’s failure by the Senate Republican majority to pass a bill repealing parts of the Affordable Care Act, Trump tweeted: “If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon!” No Democrats voted for the GOP bill.

https://www.apnews.com/31e3a43f7f804e7d8117503cdbd83c70/Trump-threat:-End-health-payments-unless-there's-an-overhaul

19 seconds of drama: McCain's vote [CNN, 7/29/17]: After debating into early hours of the morning, Senator McCain shocked his colleagues by voting "no" on the "skinny repeal" of Obamacare.  

http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2017/07/28/19-seconds-mccain-vote-nr.cnn

Majority of Americans want Congress to move on from healthcare reform [Reuters, 8/29/18]: A majority of Americans are ready to move on from healthcare reform at this point after the U.S. Senate's effort to dismantle Obamacare failed on Friday, according to an exclusive Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Saturday. Nearly two-thirds of the country wants to either keep or modify the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, and a majority of Americans want Congress to turn its attention to other priorities, the survey found.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-healthcare-poll-idUSKBN1AE0RY

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

Bay Area law enforcement taken aback by Trump’s speech [SF Chron, 7/28/17]: President Trump drew vigorous applause from a uniformed New York crowd Friday when he boasted of telling police they can be rougher with suspects. “Please don’t be too nice,” he said. But the reaction from Bay Area law enforcement experts was tepid at best.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Bay-Area-law-enforcement-taken-aback-by-Trump-s-11656489.php

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: