Friday, November 3, 2017

Posts November 3, 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:

The Supreme Court Has An Ethics Problem [Sen Elizbveth Warren in Politico, 11/1/17]:  Justices on the high court don't have to follow the same code of conduct as they do in lower courts; That needs to change.

Analysis: Your guide to the Supreme Court, and what to watch [PBS, 10/30/17]: A “momentous” U.S. Supreme Court term is underway, and a legal tsunami is heading toward the justices.

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]

Post-ABC poll: Most Americans approve of Trump-Russia probe, and nearly half think Trump committed a crime [Wash Post, 11/2/17]: More than twice as many Americans approve as disapprove of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation of possible coordination between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and the Russian government, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds, indicating that the conservative effort to discredit the probe has fallen flat as the case has progressed toward its first public charges.


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:

Democrats express outrage over allegations of early party control for Clinton in 2016 [Wash Post, 11/2/17]: Many Democrats expressed outrage Thursday at allegations from a former party chairwoman that an agreement with the Democratic National Committee gave the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton some day-to-day control over the party early in the 2016 campaign.

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

Republicans propose tax bill cutting corporate and individual taxes [Jurist, 11/2/17]: The bill was introduced by Committee Chairman Kevin Brady and co-sponsored by House Speaker Paul Ryan. Brady stressed that the bill was intended to help low and middle class Americans. "Our legislation is focused entirely on growing our economy, bringing jobs back to our local communities, increasing paychecks for our workers, and making sure Americans are able to keep more of the money they earn."

Polls: Americans aren't buying key White House arguments for tax overhaul [NPR, 11/2/17]: Only about one-quarter of Americans believe that passing a tax overhaul should be "the top priority for the president and Congress," according to a CBS News poll released Wednesday; 70 percent said other things should be "addressed first." And even Republicans aren't particularly enthused: Only about half (51 percent) said an overhaul should be the top issue.

Female lawmakers allege harassment by colleagues in House [AP, 11/2/17]: For years, Republican Rep. Mary Bono endured the increasingly suggestive comments from a fellow lawmaker in the House. But when the congressman approached her on the House floor and told her he'd been thinking about her in the shower, she'd had enough.

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:

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:

Free speech v. same-sex marriage case floods high court [USA Today, 11/2/17]: In the pantheon of Supreme Court challenges, few have produced the outpouring of support and opposition as has Colorado baker Jack Phillips' refusal to design a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. Over the past two months, the high court has been flooded with nearly 100 legal briefs, equally divided between the two sides, that raise lofty legal arguments about free speech and religious liberty, equal rights and anti-discrimination laws.

Lesson: Harvey Weinstein, sexual harassment, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [PBS, 10/30/17]: This Daily News Story discusses sexual harassment and assault as they pertain to allegations surrounding Harvey Weinstein. You may want to consider inviting your administrator or a representative from human resources to your class during this lesson. 




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