Posts for August 24, 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]
A Trump Pardon Of
Disgraced Sheriff Joe Arpaio Will Create A Constitutional Crisis Like No Other
[Huff Post / Bloomberg / Slate,
8/22/17]: If Donald Trump carries out his threat to pardon Arizona’s
ex-Sheriff Joseph Arpaio, he will be granting the fantasy of every wannabe law
enforcement officer, rogue police officer, Nazi sympathizer, Klansman,
alt-right and white-supremacist ideologue in the nation: an American police
state comprising self-declared Aryan peoples.
Where are the Women: The Alarming Gender Gap Among
Trump's Judges [“The Vetting Room”
blog, 8/23/17]: During the 2012 Presidential campaign, Republican candidate Mitt
Romney was mocked for declaring that he had “binders full of women” ready to
appoint to federal positions. The phrase, while awkward, signaled his
commitment to gender diversity in his appoints. In contrast, President Trump’s
appointments, from his U.S. Attorneys to his executive appointments, have been
overwhelmingly male. This patter is also evident in his judicial appointments.
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:
Senate 2018: Republicans Edge
Runs Up Against Trump, History [Sabato’s Crystal Ball, 8/24/17]: Beyond president’s poor
numbers lies difficulty of beating out-of-party incumbents.
California Democrats lead attack over Trump's mental
health [Politico, 8/23/17]: California Democrats are stoking a debate
over Donald Trump’s mental health and fitness for office, opening a new front
in the resistance to the president but raising fears that the line of criticism
could backfire.
Legislation and the Legislative
Process (TOPIC 20)
Trump-McConnell feud threatens Republican agenda [AP,
8/23/17]: The escalating tension between the two men is threatening the GOP's
re-election prospects and its ability to govern. It has erupted at a
high-stakes moment for the Republican Party, which is facing the prospect of a
government shutdown - and the possibility it may fail to enact any major
legislation during its first year in complete control of Washington.
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
Are Police Taking the Violent White Supremacist Gang
Threat Seriously? [EB Express, 8/23/17]: The site of four violent clashes
this year, Berkeley has become a symbolic battleground for white supremacists
hoping to advance their ideology by fighting antifascists in the streets. But
it's unclear what the city's police force is doing to identify and prosecute
white supremacist gang members instigating the violence.
Missouri governor issues stay
of execution in light of DNA evidence [Jurist, 8/23/17]: Missouri Governor Eric Greitens issued a stay of execution for Marcellus
Williams who was scheduled to be executed on Tuesday. Williams was sentenced to
death in 2001 after being convicted of the first-degree murder of Felicia
Gayle. Greitens decided to grant the stay of execution due to newly discovered
DNA evidence, which Williams claims proves his innocence.
California Supreme Court ruling could fast-track
executions [AP, 8/24/17]: The California Supreme Court will rule
Thursday on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 66, a
push to “mend not end” capital punishment in California. The measure beat a
competing initiative on the November ballot that would have abolished the death
penalty.
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:
Whose Heritage?
Public Symbols of the Confederacy [SPLS, 8/23/17]: As a consequence of the
national reflection that began in Charleston, the myths and revisionist history
surrounding the Confederacy may be losing their grip in the South. Yet, for the
most part, the symbols remain.
National parks officials approve permit for Crissy Field
rally [SJ Merc, 8/23/17]: National Parks officials gave final approval
Wednesday for a controversial right-wing rally at Crissy Field on Saturday
afternoon, setting the stage for a weekend of potential clashes in the Bay
Area. The rally, which local leaders have described as a white nationalist
event but organizers say is intended to promote free speech, was signed off on
by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Varying strategies emerge for countering right-wing
rallies in San Francisco, Berkeley [SF Chron, 8/23/17]: When
right-wing groups gather at San Francisco’s Crissy Field on Saturday, there
will be no shortage of resistance — and little agreement on what the best
response looks like.
Let Them March [Newseum,
8/24/17]: Newseum President and CEO Jeffrey Herbst responds to the attempts to
suppress alt-right speech, assembly in wake of Charlottesville protests.
Appeals Court Grapples With Digital Files, and the
Business of Selling 'Used' Songs [THR,
Esq. blog, 8/23/17]: With predictions of
a high-stakes Supreme Court review, a marathon court hearing is held over
whether the first-sale doctrine has survived the digital era.
Appeals court panel rules
against coach Kennedy in postgame prayer case [Kitsap (WA.) Sun /Seattle Times, 8/23/17]: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has declined Joe
Kennedy’s request for a legal injunction that would have reinstated him to his
job as an assistant football coach at Bremerton High School and allowed him to
pray after games.
The ruling in Kennedy v. Bremerton School Dist. can
be seen at:
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:
Tucson's Mexican Studies Program Was a Victim of 'Racial
Animus,' Judge Says [AP / Reuters, 8/23/17]: Racism
was behind an Arizona ban on ethnic studies that shuttered a popular Mexican-American
Studies program, a federal judge said Tuesday.
The ruling in Gonzalez v. Douglas can be seen at:
Trump Moving Forward With Transgender
Ban in Military [CNS, 8/24/18]: President Donald Trump is preparing
to authorize the Defense Department to expel transgender people from the
military and cut off payments for gender-reassignment surgery for those already
serving.
International Law, Citizenship
and Immigration [TOPIC 40-42]
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