Wednesday, August 16, 2017

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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