Posts for August 16, 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.
The Moment
[Teaching Tolerance, 8/15/17]: The August 12 "Unite the Right"
rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, took a terrifying and deadly turn. Use
these resources to contextualize the event for students and to learn about the
alt-right movement and white supremacy at large.
What
Is the Alt-Right? [Teaching Tolerance, 8/13/17]: White
nationalism has come out of the basement and entered the mainstream. Would you
recognize it if it came to your classroom?
Don't slam the desk on the way out. If fewer teachers
quit, the shortage would end [EdSource, 8/15/17]: If schools could
convince half of those teachers who leave to stay, the teacher shortage that
puts thousands of under-qualified emergency replacements in classrooms each
year "could be virtually eliminated," according to a report from the
Learning Policy Institute.
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 Ratification of the ERA [Gerard Magliocca in “Concurring
Opinions, 8/15/17]: A few months ago, Nevada
ratified the Equal Rights Amendment proposed by Congress in 1972.
Nevada’s action raises an interesting constitutional problem about
ratification deadlines.
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 Meaning of an
Alabama Abortion Law Governing Minors [Justia, 8/16/17]: Professor Colb
explains the meaning behind an Alabama law governing minors who wish to have an
abortion but are unable or unwilling to get their parents’ consent. Colb argues
that the law was correctly struck down in federal court, but that the message
the law’s passage sends is clearly hostile to women’s right to abortion.
Oregon Law Protects Right to Abortion,
Even if Roe v. Wade Falls [CNS, 8/16/17]: Oregon Governor Kate Brown on Tuesday
signed a law protecting the right to legal abortion in Oregon, even if Roe v. Wade or
the Affordable Care Act were to be overturned.
The
American Presidency [TOPIC 15]
Trump goes off script, and white supremacists cheer [Politico,
8/15/17]: For the white supremacists who have been roundly vilified since their
rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, last weekend, Donald Trump's news
conference on Tuesday came as validation: The president used many of their
talking points, condemning the left-wing groups that animate their rage and
defending monuments to Confederate leaders who tried to protect slavery.
AP Fact Check: What Trump said about Virginia protesters [AP,
8/16/17]: In his remarks, Trump described the rally as largely over the removal
of a Confederate monument, although an organizer billed it as pushback against
the “anti-white climate.” Trump also misstated his levels of political support
in the 2016 election. A look at Trump’s claims and the facts:
The Vice Presidential Exception [Gerard Magliocca in Concurring Opinions, 8/15/17]: Here’s a curiosity
about our constitutional system. There is one person in the Administration that
a President cannot fire–the Vice-President.
When Aides Worry Their President Is Unhinged [Politico,
8/15/17]: It's happened before, and it stayed secret for years. Here's what
went down.
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:
Legislation and the Legislative
Process (TOPIC 20)
GOP chairmen resist hearings on white supremacy [Politico,
8/15/17]: Days after neo-Nazis and white nationalists led a deadly march
through Charlottesville — and are beginning to organize again — Republican
leaders in Congress appear to be in no hurry to tackle the issue beyond
statements of condemnation.
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
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:
NY Times must face
defamation lawsuit over professor's slavery comments [Reuters, 8/15/17]: A federal appeals court on Tuesday said the New York
Times Co must face a defamation lawsuit by a Louisiana economics professor who
said it quoted him out of context by saying he described slavery as "not
so bad."
Charlottesville
debacle prompts discussion of limits to free speech [FAC, 8/15/17]: Interesting takes on the 1st amendment.
Worth reading.
Podcast: The
Charlottesville Protests [Newseum, 8/15/17]: In this episode, we discuss
the events that transpired at the white supremacist rallies in Charlottesville.
How should we balance hateful messages and threats to public safety against the
rights to free speech and free assembly?
San Francisco Leaders Vow Fight to Stop Far Right Rally [CPR,
8/15/17]: San Francisco city officials are united in their opposition to a
right-wing rally planned on federal land near the Golden Gate Bridge later this
month, and they’re hurling criticism at the National Parks Service for
reportedly issuing a permit to the event’s organizers.
UC Berkeley chancellor unveils 'Free Speech Year' as right-wing
speakers plan campus events [LA Times, 8/15/17]: Carol T. Christ, UC
Berkeley’s 11th chancellor and the first woman to lead the nation’s top public
research university, unveiled plans Tuesday for a “Free Speech Year” as
right-wing speakers prepare to come to campus.
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:
It’s (past) time to
introduce students to the Southern Poverty Law Center and their work [Rich
Kitchens, CLEP]: Some resources from the SPLC and others. For example, see
their “Ten Ways to Fight Hate….”
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