Monday, August 28, 2017

Posts for August 28, 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.

Freedberg: As schools reopen, teachers will have a difficult time avoiding the Trump fallout [EdSource, 8/27/17]: As California teachers return to the classroom this fall, many of them will be faced with the multiple challenges of how to deal with children's responses to the No. 1 political issue in the United States: the increasingly troubled presidency of Donald Trump.

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:

Can A State Withdraw an Article Five Ratification? [Gerard Magliocca in “Concurring Opinions, 8/28/17]: One of the issues surrounding the potential ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment is that a few states tried to repeal their “yes” ratification votes back in the 1970s. Thus, it is not clear how many states have ratified the amendment. If these rescissions are not counted, then the answer is 35. (37 are required.) If they are counted, then it’s less than 35. But should they be counted?” 0RK: Actually, I believe it would require 38 states.]

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:

How Determinate is Originalism in Practice? [“Dorf on Law” blog, 8/25/17]: When originalism began gaining traction in the 1970s and 1980s, its proponents frequently cited its supposed constraining impact on judges as a virtue. This claim fit well both with originalism's ideological origins and its nature at the time.

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

The Pardon:
How Arpaio Garnered a Contempt Citation [“Trial Insider” blog, 8/26/17]:
The Arpaio Pardon Dangerously Accelerates Trump's Assault on the Rule of Law [New Yorker, 8/28/17]:
Judges remain silent as Trump pardons Arpaio [CNN, 8/29/16]: President Trump's pardon of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been widely denounced as another instance of the President's scorn for the judiciary. Yet one set of voices has been missing: that of Chief Justice John Roberts and the nation's leading judges.
Critics: Trump pardon his latest affront against judiciary [AP, 8/26/17]:
Arpaio’s Pardon Splits Arizona Down the Middle [CNS, 8/26/17]:

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:

After losses on voting laws and districting, Texas turns to Supreme Court [Wash Post, 8/27/17]: The state of Texas is in the midst of an extraordinary losing streak in federal courts over the way it conducts elections. It is hoping the Supreme Court will come to the rescue.

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

The Podcast Made From Inside Prison [The Atlantic, 8/27/17]: The audio series Ear Hustle seeks to highlight the everyday experiences of inmates at San Quentin.

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:

Coach Prays, Ninth Circuit Says No -- Blame Supreme Court Conservatives [National Review, 8/27/17]: In 2006, five justices restricted the free-speech rights of public employees; in 2017, we see the consequences.

Masked anarchists violently rout right-wing demonstrators in Berkeley [SF Chron / AP. 8/27/17]:  An army of anarchists in black clothing and masks routed a small group of right-wing demonstrators who had gathered in a Berkeley park Sunday to rail against the city’s famed progressive politics, driving them out — sometimes violently — while overwhelming a huge contingent of police officers.

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:

Support piling up in Arlene's Flowers request for Supreme Court review [Kennewick (WA.) Tri-City Herald, 8/26/17]: Richland florist Barronelle Stutzman is receiving support from other states, members of Congress and conservative organizations in her request to have the U.S. Supreme Court review the discrimination case against her flower shop.

International Law, Citizenship and Immigration [TOPIC 40-42]

Trump travel ban back in court Monday [Politico, 8/28/17]: Appeals court arguments are expected to focus on handling of refugees.


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