|
Commerce Clause: Justice Department won’t appeal lower court decision blocking federal female genital mutilation prosecutions as unconstitutional (States, it’s up to you or we have sharia, it’s that simple.)
https://reason.com/2019/04/15/justice-department-decides-not-to-appeal-court-ruling-striking-down-federal-law-banning-female-genital-mutilation/ 1A: Kentucky ultrasound informed-consent abortion law upheld over First Amendment objections by doctors (6th Circuit) https://eppc.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=be333e74ea841be93db60da61&id=b9b3759781&e=1ef79b0654 1A: Do we really want to go down the road of compelled speech in this country? We will if the jack-booted thugs have their way on transgenderism (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn5opUFNs-I&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0Gq71mhWt3BitcL2x85UQSOHzn3giCBkY7vc20LdXxHfMF-UC9KPNU4ds 1A: “Fake News and the First Amendment: Free Speech Rules” (Volokh video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uWzNDKtp9w 2A: Sandy Hook gun manufacturer takes steps to appeal ruling federal immunity statute unavailable (argument made manufacturer broke state law by glorifying illegal uses for its products) https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/04/10/gunmaker-will-appeal-to-the-supreme-court-in-sandy-hook-victims-lawsuit/?utm_source=TDS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CapitolBell%22&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTldVd01HVmhPR1prTVdFeSIsInQiOiJFS0lDXC9wQ1wvUmtnVzZIRXVVdHh1S08rcXU0OFp2MkFTTkdHSUQrSDRrWDNVRXNyVk00RmpYNXd5S1U3aGQ3cnFjZkJaM2pnMlRZOHlYc1FFcWZWSnhwYUdiVGxqRmhmdlM5MXpwSzF1Rk1Mdyt4eWJDK1dZbm5WOGJrZTg2cVE5In0%3D 2A: East St. Louis Housing Authority agrees to allow public housing residents to possess guns https://reason.com/2019/04/13/the-second-amendment-in-public-housing/ 4A: ‘reverse location’ warrants which sweep up data for hundreds or thousands of cell phone users raise constitutional questions https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/courts-authorizing-reverse-location-warrants-in-virginia/ Discrimination: landlords can lawfully decline Section 8 housing vouchers, despite disparate impact theory (disproportionate effect on minorities) http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/17/17-10943-CV0.pdf Trademarks based on some racial slurs are OK but others are beyond the pale, and now the Supreme Court is wrestling with whether the same should be true for swear words. https://www.npr.org/2019/04/16/713632552/supreme-court-dances-around-the-f-word-with-real-potential-financial-consequence Economic Freedom: challenge mounted to Nashville probation on home-based businesses (piano lessons, recording studios, hair care, etc.) https://reason.com/2019/04/09/nashville-home-recording-studio-ban/ Electoral College: Delaware and New Mexico join National Popular Vote compact
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/436338-delaware-gov-signs-bill-to-bill-to-give-electoral-college-votes-to-popular + https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/04/04/new-mexico-rejects-electoral-college-joins-popular-vote-compact/?utm_source=TDS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CapitolBell%22&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT1dWaFl6STBOR05rWTJWbCIsInQiOiJUNjhFWHJEZUhrWk5id2JpZzA1OW91dHdEOHlrUjFQRitNcFlRZUZsWmxiOTd1ZmxGV05reVhFZlFES0huS2dOSzBjanRMcFVZUG8ySVZmc2E1cnZFR2QxS01HXC9BZWJBOHM4RWFSaytQTE5YY3NuRHpTeWQ1dmUwd3JcL1JPZGxJIn0%3D Shame on CNN! The electoral college did NOT have anything to do with slavery and Madison did NOT call it ‘evil’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq4GYe8Ys_Q&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=TDS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBell%22&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTWpkall6QmpOR1UwTldJMCIsInQiOiJadUtCbzhQM1p5RjIxeXRzWE5tdDNGbVREUkdOYlNoNTBaZEwyNEl6STFsVGdneWdvT0hzbmRVR1wveGJMQ09aMlwvQWxScW0rY1FFMzN0MDdpTG8zSGRkVXBMWXM4cndkVlNmWGJGU1VwUXBFbmdYM21hVm1TaUlINThIOGVlNzJUIn0%3D Discrimination: female Muslim soldier planning to sue Army after being told to remove hijab to see if hair conformed to regulations https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/04/here-we-go-muslim-soldier-plans-to-sue-army-over-hijab-after-she-is-caught-breaking-rules/ 1A: ACLU suing on behalf of former intelligence agency operatives challenging pre-publication review of their books https://theintercept.com/2019/04/02/prepublication-review-government/ 1A: 9th Circuit denies en banc review of decision requiring charities to turn over lists of their donors to California officials, despite district court finding state can’t keep donor names secure http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2019/03/29/16-55727.pdf Creation of ‘hate group’ monitoring units by Michigan and Minnesota AGs raises free expression concerns. https://leohohmann.com/2019/03/30/minnesotas-muslim-ag-may-get-opportunity-to-enforce-islamic-blasphemy-laws-on-remnant-of-patriots/ + https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/02/22/ag-department-civil-rights-document-prosecute-hate-crimes/2954169002/ Free Expression: “Germany’s Top Muslim Organization Calls for ‘Islamophobia’ Czar” https://legalinsurrection.com/2019/04/germanys-top-muslim-organization-calls-for-islamophobia-czar/ 1A Free Press: House Dems second-guessing Fox decision not to run a story about a Trump affair, demand reporter’s documents https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2019/04/02/house-democrats-want-oversight-over-fox-news-editorial-decisions/ 1A Free Press: Republican bill in Georgia would establish journalism ethics board; critics call it Orwellian https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/a-board-to-oversee-georgia-journalists-sounds-like-orwellian-fiction-the-proposal-is-all-too-real/2019/04/08/dffcd33a-5a16-11e9-842d-7d3ed7eb3957_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.6045fd2ff4cf 2A: bump stocks are essentially machine guns which are illegal; preliminary injunction while challenge to Trump administration bump stock rule denied (D.C. Circuit) https://iam.ij.org/2WIQAut 2A: court blocks sale of 10-round clips as California appeals earlier ruling knocking down magazine ban https://freebeacon.com/issues/ruling-against-calif-magazine-ban-partially-blocked-as-case-moves-forward/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=14f567edea-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_04_05_07_39_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-14f567edea-45628225 5A Self-Incrimination: law review article examines whether suspects can be compelled to enter a password to decrypt a locked phone, computer, or file. http://reason.com/volokh/2019/04/05/final-version-compelled-decryption-and-t 14A Due Process: homeowners win first round in excessive ticketing ‘policing for profit’ case in Georgia https://ij.org/press-release/doraville-homeowners-win-round-one-in-lawsuit-challenging-citys-overzealous-ticketing-scheme/ Preamble: Bernie Sanders supporters claim General Welfare clause makes the U.S. a socialist country. Sure, and I’m the tooth fairy. https://www Guarantee against Cruel and Unusual Punishment in the Spotlight (Constitution news round-up)4/3/2019
8A: lethal injection not cruel and unusual punishment despite death row inmate’s medical condition that would generate unusual pain, Supreme Court rules https://www.npr.org/2019/04/01/708729884/supreme-court-rules-against-death-row-inmate-who-appealed-execution 8A: Supreme Court solicitous of victims’ rights in death penalty case; called on lower courts to recognize delay is harmful to victims' families and to prevent tactical delays http://reason.com/volokh/2019/04/01/supreme-court-recognizes-victims-rights 8A: refusal of Texas to pay for inmate’s gender reassignment surgery is not cruel and unusual punishment (5th Circuit) https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/apr/2/federal-appeals-court-rules-prisoners-have-no-righ/ 1A: Supreme Court declines to hear secret taping case involving Planned Parenthood’s sale of baby parts; lawsuit may proceed https://www.lifenews.com/2019/04/01/supreme-court-wont-dismiss-bogus-charges-against-david-daleiden-for-exposing-planned-parenthood/ 5A: One of the remaining challenges to President Trump’s travel ban was thrown out of court. Any right to “familial association” cannot be used to demand U.S. visas for family members overseas. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/mar/27/judge-tosses-travel-ban-lawsuit/ So-called ‘Equality Act’ would assault conscience rights, institutionalize transgenderism, harm gender dysphoric children, and reduce adoption and foster care https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/03/20/nancy-pelosis-equality-act-would-be-disastrous-here-are-5-likely-victim-groups/?utm_source=TDS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Top5&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTjJNME5XUTVPVEpqWXpjNSIsInQiOiJZN1FNaThxNVg0SXQweWhEMEtTSk9UaEdLTkFneThuaUhkVmxpZlBKZGNXMFZMdE5zcDB0YWhRdTgzeHp4RXJwVHVOMUlNNUpwTUpxeTBYbXdOeWttK2lSWTg2TTFKYTkxWitTYXlqWkxXYWZ0TjVidGZXWlJsZHZObmxlN3pTVyJ9 Federal judge allows challenge to Illinois school district transgender locker room policy to go forward; 1A Free Exercise of Religion claim cognizable, but no 5A right not to be seen unclothed by the opposite sex http://reason.com/volokh/2019/04/01/district-court-allows-challenge-to-schoo !A: federal judge rules Arkansas city’s panhandling ban is unconstitutional; physical interaction is protected by the First Amendment https://www.npr.org/2019/04/02/709251256/judge-throws-out-panhandling-law-says-physical-interaction-is-free-speech 1A: professor’s profanity and discussion of her and her students’ sex lives are unrelated to course material and do not fall within academic freedom (5th Circuit) http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/18/18-30148-CV0.pdf 1A Religion: Sufi Muslim inmate files appeal to test whether prison can use promise of attendance at weekly prayer services as a motivator to get inmate to improve behavior https://infosurhoy.com/cocoon/saii/xhtml/en_GB/news-summary/sufi-muslim-jail-inmate-appeals-non-secular-rights-case/ 2A: California’s ban on magazines that hold more than 10 bullets unconstitutional, federal judge rules https://freebeacon.com/national-security/federal-judge-rules-calif-magazine-confiscation-law-unconstitutional/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=6838e8bb8f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_04_01_08_41_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-6838e8bb8f-45628225 2A: right to have stun guns vindicated in two more decisions http://reason.com/volokh/2019/03/25/right-to-possess-stun-guns-in-ny-right-t 2A: Did the U.S. agree to full implementation of the onerous UN gun control pact? U.S. citizen info to go into global tracking database? https://dcdirtylaundry.com/media-silent-as-us-agrees-to-full-implementation-of-united-nations-gun-control-pact-2/ 4A: law enforcement is entitled to rely on warrant issued by a court (good faith exception) (6th Circuit) http://www.opn.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/19a0047p-06.pdf 4A: police cannot lie to get permission to search and avoid securing a warrant. Looking for child porn, policed asked to inspect computers claiming one of them is "sending a signal and/or viruses to computers in Washington." (5th Circuit) http://media.ca1.uscourts.gov/pdf.opinions/16-2214P-01A.pdf 5A Double Jeopardy: disgorgement of profits and imposition of fines for insider trading are civil penalties and do not bar criminal prosecution for same misconduct (11th Circuit) http://media.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/files/201612061.pdf 5A: aggressive City of Baltimore files eminent domain suit to take Pimlico racetrack ... AND THE PREAKNESS HORSE RACE! http://reason.com/volokh/2019/03/26/baltimore-tries-to-use-eminent-domain-to 6A: speedy trial rights violated when defendants spend 5 years in pretrial detention after evidence goes missing and prosecutors take 3 years to decide on the death penalty (2nd Circuit) http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isysquery/dbde9609-1544-4408-a3ff-7ee904392a59/5/doc/18-496_complete_opn.pdf#xml=http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isysquery/dbde9609-1544-4408-a3ff-7ee904392a59/5/hilite/ 6A: right to counsel violated when appointed attorney insists on insanity defense over defendant’s objections (9th Circuit) http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2019/03/14/17-10439.pdf Original meaning of 14A Privileges or Immunities clause protects unenumerated natural rights https://www.lawliberty.org/2019/03/26/the-unenumerated-rights-of-the-privileges-or-immunities-clause/ Shame! Eric Holder asserts ‘America was never great’ (but was forced to retreat after backlash) #HateAmericaFirstCrowd https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/03/twitter-war-pence-absolutely-destroys-eric-holder-with-four-pictures-and-not-a-single-word/ 1A: President Trump signs executive order promoting free speech on campus
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-signs-executive-order-to-promote-free-speech-on-college-campuses 1A: Trump campus free speech order too vague and uncertain to be constitutional, academics argue https://www.postbulletin.com/opinion/other_views/commentary-trump-s-executive-order-on-college-free-speech-is/article_76fb1f1d-3eb2-5474-a8ad-f7915539d438.html 1A: Arkansas enacts campus free speech law https://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/press-release-details/arkansas-governor-signs-vital-law-protecting-free-speech-on-public-college-campuses 1A: conservative student gets ‘F’ for refusing to lobby for liberal legislation for a class, now gets his day in court https://www.dailywire.com/news/44905/college-forced-conservative-advocate-liberal-ashe-schow?utm_medium=email&utm_content=032119-news&utm_campaign=position7 1A: “University Of California Free Speech Center Squashes Project By Black Conservative” http://thefederalist.com/2019/03/21/university-california-free-speech-center-squashes-project-black-conservative/?utm_source=The+Federalist+List&utm_campaign=bde44dbb74-RSS_The_Federalist_Daily_Updates_w_Transom&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cfcb868ceb-bde44dbb74-84026985 1A: high school student does not have First Amendment protection for off-campus threats of school violence (9th Circuit) http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2019/03/14/17-35500.pdf 1A: federal judge strikes down FEC rules prohibiting political action committees unrelated to a candidate from using the candidate’s name https://www.npr.org/2019/03/21/705594068/federal-court-ruling-may-open-the-door-to-more-scam-pacs 1A: San Antonio shutting Chick-fil-A out of airport is probably actionable viewpoint discrimination http://reason.com/volokh/2019/03/26/san-antonio-violates-chick-fil-as-first 2A: New Zealand attack shows failure of strict gun control laws; also, lives were saved when shooter fled second mosque after being confronted with a weapon https://dailycaller.com/2019/03/19/pratt-new-zealand/?fbclid=IwAR0bVWICJdsJrTDFeQsxstheO6QchQRx12YOY3dM1ZC0A2lkP9lBS18kq8k Free Expression: CAIR goes after free speech in wake of New Zealand killings (why are we not surprised?) https://www.dcclothesline.com/2019/03/19/goodbye-free-speech-cair-demands-complete-censorship-of-those-critical-of-islam/?fbclid=IwAR2tZIlSKDS3GlxvM8F84GUEVn6J9a1sNpfvoFNJaxnT0u3zFcC2g-YS3VQ Free Expression: “U.S. Islamic leader publishes list of 'Islamophobic' terms” - ‘jihad’ and ‘radical Islam’ are hate speech. Sure, and I’m the tooth fairy. https://www.jpost.com/International/US-Islamic-leader-publishes-list-of-Islamophobic-terms-584399 + https://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/2019/03/20/us-islamist-leader-lays-out-censorship-list-to-stigmatize-critics/?fbclid=IwAR2TYhKuX2YjZaID823cWr6u32IUb3C--C18HO6lBJiqmrTPTiZn4YGpv4M 1A Religion, etc.: “HR 5 Equality Act - An Extreme Threat to Religious Freedom, Speech, Privacy, and Women’s Rights”; puts LGBT on same legal footing as race; no religious exemption for churches - wow. https://www.lc.org/PDFs/HR5-Bullets.doc.pdf 1A Religion: Freedom from Religion Foundation loses in court; tax exemption for ministerial housing does not violate the Establishment Clause (7th Circuit) http://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/rssExec.pl?Submit=Display&Path=Y2019/D03-15/C:18-1277:J:Brennan:aut:T:fnOp:N:2309032:S:0 14A Due Process: “Utah Governor Signs Bill Banning Abortions on Babies After 18 Weeks”, but trouble ahead: “Federal Judge Strikes Down North Carolina Law Banning Abortions of Babies After 20 Weeks” https://www.lifenews.com/2019/03/26/utah-governor-signs-bill-banning-abortions-on-babies-after-18-weeks/ + https://www.lifenews.com/2019/03/26/federal-judge-strikes-down-north-carolina-law-banning-abortions-of-babies-after-20-weeks/ Commerce Clause: “Congress can no more license the states to discriminate against interstate commerce than it can license them to violate the Contracts Clause.” (state regulation of insurance) https://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/chris-pope/obstacles-selling-health-insurance-across-state-lines-remain Electoral College: Big Money (and some Republicans) behind National Popular Vote movement https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/03/25/exclusive-heres-whos-bankrolling-the-national-popular-vote-movement/?utm_source=TDS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBell%22&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT0Rka01EbGxNemRqTm1SaSIsInQiOiJLOW9JbzJvOTBWR01vQW9JSFdVcHRDSjhtYWR3ZkxMSWlDZFdvY1JxTWo2blJtcVdVTXNzMFRvMnV2T1hRZm5sMWRFcmxVbXUyZkM3ZWh5b2Z0cnJDdVIwWHMrSjhEeHBtaTB6RmpGdGNJWFFJcTNFbkl0OWNiUHlQNXZEbnFiVSJ9 Electoral College: Colorado activists hope to overturn National Popular Vote bill in first referendum in the country https://freebeacon.com/politics/colo-group-hopes-to-overturn-national-popular-vote-bill-at-ballot-box/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=6b9635f567-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_03_25_11_22_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-6b9635f567-45628225 Court-Packing: “GOP Rep. Proposes Constitutional Amendment to Keep SCOTUS at Nine Justices” https://www.nationalreview.com/news/gop-rep-proposes-constitutional-amendment-to-keep-scotus-at-nine-justices “When Can the President Claim Executive Privilege?” https://constitutioncenter.org/debate/podcasts/when-can-the-president-claim-executive-privilege Shame! Washington Governor Jay Inslee wouldn’t mind forming new nation out of the 21 states in the U.S. Climate Alliance. And this guy is running for President of THESE UNITED STATES? Sheesh! https://freebeacon.com/politics/inslee-doesnt-rule-out-states-in-u-s-climate-alliance-becoming-separate-nation/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=ae99573a9e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_03_19_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-ae99573a9e-45628225 Sandy Hook victims lawsuit against gun manufacturer to proceed (Constitution news round-up)3/20/2019
Liberato.US on the radio: Popular Sovereignty Amendment, facial recognition, free speech, pushback on ‘the flag is a rag’ (radio archive - 1st hour)
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/americanstatesman/2019/03/13/american-freedom-watch-radio--communism-vs-americanism 2A: Connecticut allows lawsuit by Sandy Hook victims against gun manufacturer to proceed https://www.npr.org/2019/03/14/703439924/lawsuit-by-sandy-hook-victims-against-gun-manufacturer-allowed-to-move-forward 5A Due Process: Supreme Court allows indefinite immigration holds after criminal aliens serve their sentences; dissent argues due process, not statutory interpretation, at issue. https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/19/politics/supreme-court-detain-immigrants-criminal-records/index.html 1A,14A: Supreme Court turns away appeal from Hawaii bed and breakfast that refused to serve lesbian couple https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/supreme-court-rejects-hawaii-b-b-refused-serve-lesbian-couple-n984376 1A: Attorney General asserts state secrets privilege in Twitter’s lawsuit asking to publish more details about the National Security Letters and surveillance orders it receives https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/17/william-barr-state-secrets-twitter-1224508 Emoluments: oral arguments heard in Trump hotel case; judges seem skeptical of foreign influence claims https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/trump-hotel-emoluments-case-is-at-federal-appeals-court-as-president-asks-for-it-to-be-thrown-out/2019/03/18/520c10bc-473e-11e9-90f0-0ccfeec87a61_story.html 1A Religion: federal court permits 3 Native Americans to grow long hair in prison (‘hair is an extension of the soul’) https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/native-american-inmates-texas-don-t-have-cut-hair-court-n985236 Electoral College: Colorado passage gives National Popular Vote Compact 181 of 270 electoral votes needed to bypass Electoral College; Compact passes Delaware House https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/03/colorado-democrat-governor-signs-bill-into-law-that-favors-popular-vote-over-electoral-college/ + https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/03/delaware-house-passes-bill-to-give-states-electoral-college-votes-to-national-popular-vote-winner/ Electoral College: challenge to National Popular Vote Compact may have to await a presidential election, observers say https://freebeacon.com/politics/challenge-to-national-popular-vote-must-wait-until-compact-becomes-active/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=791b5a7cd5-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_03_15_07_47_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-791b5a7cd5-45628225 1A: Lafayette city bus system settles abortion ad suit; will allow ads and change policy on political advertising https://www.lifenews.com/2019/03/15/pro-life-group-wins-court-battle-to-run-ads-saying-unborn-babies-are-human-beings/ Free Expression: “UK: Stepdad Called ‘Racist Bigot’ For Opposing Daughter’s Homework Assignment to Write Letter to Her Family About Converting to Islam” https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/03/uk-stepdad-called-racist-bigot-for-opposing-daughters-homework-assignment-to-write-letter-to-her-family-about-converting-to-islam/ Free Expression: “Putin signs bill banning ‘blatant disrespect’ for Russian state online” https://www.axios.com/putin-signs-bill-banning-fake-news-censorship-81f2a1ca-5d48-4a09-89c1-2d4779f81fd5.html 4A: Supreme Court is asked to take case testing whether the Fourth Amendment allows the police to stop a criminal suspect without reasonable suspicion on the ground that the stop is merely "information-seeking" http://reason.com/volokh/2019/03/19/new-cert-petition-does-the-fourth-amendm Double Jeopardy: Manafort’s best shot might be to argue double jeopardy under New York constitution and statute https://www.nbc-2.com/story/40140325/us-constitution-may-give-manafort-a-way-out-of-new-york-indictment + https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/434711-new-york-prosecutors-throw-out-constitution-to-charge-manafort 14A Due Process: the words “acquire”, “receive”, and “transfer” in Indiana statue prohibiting sale of aborted baby parts are ubiquitous in the law and not unconstitutionally vague (7th Circuit) http://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/rssExec.pl?Submit=Display&Path=Y2019/D03-14/C:18-1146:J:Easterbrook:aut:T:fnOp:N:2308370:S:0 6A: Supreme Court will hear case testing whether jury verdicts must be unanimous in state criminal cases; Jury Trial Clause is only ‘partially incorporated’ against the states at the moment http://reason.com/volokh/2019/03/18/does-the-constitution-require-unanimous “GOP rep to introduce constitutional amendment to limit Supreme Court seats to 9” https://thehill.com/homenews/house/434772-gop-rep-to-introduce-constitutional-amendment-limiting-supreme-court-seats-to “State Constitutions? Why Would Each State Need Its Own Constitution? Part 2” https://constitutingamerica.org/state-constitutions-why-would-each-state-need-its-own-constitution-part-2-guest-essayist-gary-porter 5A: Ohio can de-fund Planned Parenthood, 6th Circuit rules. There are no due process rights to PERFORM abortions or receive government subsidies for doing so.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/44559/pro-life-victory-sixth-circuit-court-appeals-says-josh-hammer 5A Due Process: now a split among Circuit courts as to whether asylum seekers have access to the courts to contest their ‘credible fear’ claims (can stave off deportation) https://thehill.com/regulation/433158-court-rules-asylum-seekers-have-right-to-appeal-rejection-in-us 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals flips to Republican majority with Trump appointees https://www.theepochtimes.com/trump-flips-federal-appeals-court-to-republican-majority-with-matey-confirmation_2836049.html 14A Equal Protection: Ban on DACA applicants to Georgia state universities upheld (11th Circuit) (Georgia does allow some limited DACA admissions) https://www.ajc.com/news/local/atlanta-court-upholds-university-system-ban-unauthorized-immigrants/IxwkDzIV8VAwjRHY76fPiK/ 1A: Not quite sure how an executive order on campus free speech would be administered https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/mar/11/university-free-speech-restrictions-difficult-conf/ 1A: class action filed against California Teachers Association for noncompliance with Janus decision; still collecting forced dues https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/mar/11/california-teachers-sue-union-over-forced-deductio/ 2A: federal judge allows federal case against Massachusetts AG assault rifle re-definition to proceed; issues presented separate and above state case https://freebeacon.com/issues/massachusetts-ags-attempt-to-block-gun-rights-suit-fails/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=5c189596ad-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_03_12_12_04_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-5c189596ad-45628225 Discrimination: Iowa Supreme Court strikes down state’s ban on Medicaid coverage for transgender surgeries (state statute lists “gender identity” as a protected group) https://fraudscrookscriminals.com/2019/03/12/aclu-jumping-for-joy-as-iowa-supreme-court-says-medicaid-dollars-can-go-to-transgender-surgery-care/ + https://www.iowacourts.gov/courtcases/4816/embed/SupremeCourtOpinion 5A: Alabama court grants legal rights to aborted baby https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/03/alabama-man-sues-abortion-clinic-on-behalf-of-himself-and-unborn-baby-roe-first-time-us-has-granted-legal-rights-to-aborted-baby/ 5A, Separation of Powers: Huawei makes due process, separation of powers claims in lawsuit against U.S. (Congress doing work of courts by stripping commercial opportunities from company) https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-huawei-tech-filing-canada/huawei-fights-back-against-u-s-blackout-with-texas-lawsuit-idUSKCN1QO1AW Problem: the next Democratic President won’t be able to get their agenda past the Supreme Court. Solution: pack the Court, of course! #DejaVuAllOverAgain https://www.theepochtimes.com/eric-holder-argues-democrats-should-pack-supreme-court_2835343.html 1A: “Florida Bill Would Make It a Crime for Minors to Post Pictures of Guns on Social Media Clearly unconstitutional, of course.” http://reason.com/volokh/2019/03/09/florida-bill-would-make-it-a-crime-for-m 1A: you have a constitutional right to give police officers the finger and, no, they can’t retaliate (6th Circuit) http://reason.com/volokh/2019/03/13/free-as-a-bird-showing-middle-finger-to 1A: Fresno State professor ordered to pay $26,000, attend free speech sensitivity training for rubbing out student pro-life messages on sidewalk https://sanantonioteaparty.us/prof-who-rubbed-out-pro-life-chalk-drawings-must-pay-26k-for-infringing-free-speech/ 1A: " Arizona HS Students Ask for AG Investigation After Being Kicked Off Campus Over Pro-Trump Attire and Flags" https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/03/arizona-hs-students-ask-for-ag-investigation-after-being-kicked-off-campus-over-pro-trump-attire-and-flags/ Free Expression: UN bares its teeth again, wants criticism of migration criminalized https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lORLGL2no_U 4A: police need a warrant to search a purse no longer on arrested woman’s person (10th Circuit) https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/opinions/18/18-8031.pdf 6A: two new cases show speedy trial rights can be violated by government neglecting to secure timely psych evaluation and by trial court not explaining reasons for delay https://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/173422p.pdf + https://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/172484p.pdf 14A: Anti-vaxxers take note - government can impose compulsory vaccination laws to save lives; there is no absolute right to liberty; it must yield to public health powers of the state https://townhall.com/columnists/marinamedvin/2019/03/05/yes-the-u-s-constitution-allows-compulsory-vaccinations-n2542592 14A Equal Protection: “Minnesota Public High School Can't Have Girls-Only Dance Team” (8th Circuit) http://reason.com/volokh/2019/03/06/minnesota-public-high-school-cant-have-g Equal Rights Amendment fails in Arkansas https://katv.com/news/local/bid-in-arkansas-to-ratify-equal-rights-amendment-fails Gouverneur Morris turned the Constitutional Convention’s work product into a coherent draft, influencing the final text in the process https://www.lawliberty.org/2019/03/06/gouverneur-morriss-rewriting-of-the-constitution/ Cory Booker parts company with others on the Left, acknowledges racial difficulties have been overcome since the Constitution was written https://freebeacon.com/issues/booker-founders-wrote-bigotries-into-the-constitution/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=1452286552-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_03_08_01_56_COPY_166&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-1452286552-45628225 Kudos: Optimist Club program to hand out pocket Constitutions and flash cards to students is now in its seventh year https://goldentranscript.net/stori 1A Religion: Colorado ends persecution of Masterpiece cake baker Jack Phillips after evidence of hostility to religion surfaces (again)
http://www.adfmedia.org/News/PRDetail/10622 1A: President Trump to sign executive order requiring colleges and universities to support free speech if they want federal research dollars https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/03/huge-trump-announces-he-will-sign-executive-order-requiring-universities-to-support-free-speech-if-they-want-federal-money-video/ Citizenship: Alabama ISIS bride’s parents were essentially visitors in U.S. at time of her birth and, therefore, not subject to the full and complete jurisdiction of the United States https://www.claremont.org/ccj/claremont-institutes-center-for-constitutional-jurisprudence-files-amicus-brief-in-isis-bride-citizenship-case/ 1A,4A,5A: Planned Parenthood and AMA sue Trump administration over rule preventing the promotion of abortion with taxpayer funds https://www.plannedparenthood.org/uploads/filer_public/c0/a1/c0a1bae4-f1b4-4818-b5c8-ae72e6fd3c51/ama_v_azar_complaint.pdf 1A: The liberal ACLU won’t support House Democrat election reform bill (H.R. 1) because it would interfere with free speech rights. Further objections: federalism, separation of powers, etc. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/mar/4/hr-1-democrats-election-reform-bill-unconstitution/ + https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/03/04/15-things-conservatives-say-democrats-election-bill-would-do/?utm_source=TDS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBell%22&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTlRneE5tVmhaVGN3T0dGaiIsInQiOiI5a0xkRHRWOFFObW9lcklQdnRKRnNTZ1ZTcHdtNzdQVGhOemltXC9CTytCY0JGYWl6V2dwajFPVmZmQm13VWJieU1naTNwQzJPaWtvazhIYUF3dlB3Rkp1NzRVUktDZFRmZG9NZjlWb3BDSnpLZm13Mjl4MVl1OFZ4Um1YSmJzeTEifQ%3D%3D 1A Religion: “6 Key Exchanges From the Peace Cross Oral Argument” (Gorsuch raises standing; current Lemon test criticized) https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/02/27/6-key-exchanges-from-the-peace-cross-oral-argument/ 1A, 4A: appellate panel serves up mixed bag of results on unlawful search and religious discrimination claims in case involving undercover surveillance of Muslim community (9th Circuit) http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2019/02/28/12-56867.pdf 1A: report argues private sector workers have free speech rights and employers can’t prevent them from talking to reporters https://www.wuft.org/news/2019/02/27/employees-right-to-speak-to-media-protected-by-first-amendment-and-national-labor-relations-act/ 1A, 8A: even criminal motorcycle gangs have free speech rights; stripping them of trademarked logo would be excessive punishment https://www.npr.org/2019/02/28/699199078/court-says-jury-can-t-strip-mongols-biker-club-of-its-trademarked-logo 1A Commercial Speech: Missouri ‘meat’ law criticized as cronyism; little chance consumers confused by ‘veggie sausage’ or ‘tofu turkey’ https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/02/28/states-shouldnt-use-protectionist-schemes-to-limit-consumer-meat-choices/?utm_source=TDS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CapitolBell%22&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT1RNMU56Y3dZekJtWlRRMyIsInQiOiJaaGVWZ2tCQzZJN2ZSNWhiaFJ0eG5vWENPc2kxZkJkU1lQK2U2UkVEaXBNYitLdGdcLzJ5bDZMbjFyK2RSSHZSSEd2QjNvaUc5ejhpemszamdtV2lEeWdQVUg4dlU2UkRaT29zV25PR2R4c1dRd0d0ODQrMW0weTRXKytKTm01TSsifQ%3D%3D Free Expression: Did you know we are all governed by Pakistan’s blasphemy laws? https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/02/twitter-legal-warns-michelle-malkin-her-mohammed-cartoon-tweet-violates-pakistans-blasphemy-laws-which-are-punishable-by-prison-or-death/ 1A,14A: Supreme Court turns away case testing New Jersey law prohibiting disbursement of historic preservation funds to religious institutions. (Yo, churches! Get off welfare; you’re making a deal with the devil.) https://freebeacon.com/issues/kavanaugh-comes-out-strong-for-religious-liberty-in-comment/ 2A: ‘constitutional carry’ (no-permit needed) gun law enacted in Oklahoma https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/27/kevin-stitt-oklahoma-governor-signs-constitutional/ 10A: legislation introduced in South Carolina to establish a committee on federalism to evaluate federal overreach https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=392 Article 1, Section 9: habeas corpus is available when people have significant restraints on their liberty (sex offender registry), not just when they’re in custody (Third Circuit) https://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/164175p.pdf Electoral College: Colorado set to join blue state move to circumvent the Constitution with National Popular Vote Compact https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/432061-dem-states-move-to-bypass-electoral-college Appointments Clause: Robert Mueller is an ‘inferior officer’ not requiring Senate confirmation (D.C. Circuit) https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/opinions.nsf/0/D8B4E4A98FA295DE852583AD00547CD5/$file/18-3052.pdf George Washington’s active support was key to ratification of the Constitution https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/ratification-of-the-constitution/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=content_ency&fbclid=IwAR0t3AYhrpv__aWjkavxdfepUoa4-FSPnZ0m_8N7ga-rt66PnqifVm1a6yM Reparations unconstitutional under current Supreme Court jurisprudence prohibiting special treatment for particular racial groups https://fee.org/articles/reparations-would-cost-trillions-and-are-unconstitutional/?utm_campaign=FEE%20Weekly&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=70402144&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9AN8pEBDfxEBoqvmUGGvLhPPflGGjkjSchvfSajJtm6O4EK2OnBK-w9qVnHn73neGoOryb096TSTPV1gzvfRpfU0Mitg&_hsmi=70402144 Preamble to the U.S. Constitution can aid interpretation of substantive clauses and resolve ambiguity https://www.lawliberty.org/2019/03/01/the-relevance-of-the-preamble-to-constitutional-interpretation/ The Flag is a Rag’ - Shame on Nebraska State Sen. Ernie Chambers! (Champions of the Constitution Grassroots Network pushes back) http://www.liberato.us/rapid-response.html 14A Equal Protection: federal judge in Texas rules all-male military draft unconstitutional (declaratory judgment only; no court order). #WelcomeToEquality
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/02/federal-judge-rules-male-only-military-draft-unconstitutional/ 14A Equal Protection: Trump may issue executive order prohibiting government use of flawed and overreaching ‘disparate impact’ theory which dispenses with need to prove discriminatory intent in race cases. https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2019/02/14/trump_looks_to_end_numbers-only_bias_theory_governing_american_life.html 5A Fundamental Rights: Climate Kids submit brief to 9th Circuit in interlocutory appeal of whether ‘riight to a sustainable environment’ case should proceed to trial https://www.climateliabilitynews.org/2019/02/24/kids-climate-plaintiffs-juliana-climate-rights/ 5A Fundamental Rights: federal judge in Philadelphia dismisses claim there is a constitutional rights to a “life-sustaining climate system”, expressly disagreeing with Oregon judge who affirmed such a right in Climate Kids case https://www.theepochtimes.com/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-against-trump-climate-rollbacks_2810039.html 1A: Supreme Court turns away workplace ‘Fight for 15’ buttons dispute; how broadly to read Janus will have to wait for another day https://www.law.com/texaslawyer/2019/02/25/scotus-rejects-push-to-expand-janus-broadly-to-workplace-disputes/?slreturn=20190127153617 1A: Supreme Court hears case testing whether public access television is subject to free speech rules https://www.theepochtimes.com/supreme-court-skeptical-that-public-access-tv-is-the-public-square_2815468.html 1A: ”Defendant Has No First Amendment Right to Wear "Black Lives Matter" T-Shirt at Trial” http://reason.com/volokh/2019/02/22/defendant-has-no-first-amendment-right-t 1A: Washington statute that criminalized cyberstalking - "anonymous or repeated" speech intended "to harass, ... torment, or embarrass" is unconstitutional because it outlaws protected speech (federal judge, Washington state) http://reason.com/volokh/2019/02/22/cyberstalking-ban-violates-the-first-ame 1A: Mississippi engineer licensing board’s attempt to stop tire shop business from using the name ‘Tire Engineers’ violates commercial free speech rights (5th Circuit) http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/18/18-60144-CV0.pdf Free Expression - London police arrest street preacher, take his Bible https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/02/shock-video-london-police-arrest-black-christian-and-take-his-bible-for-preaching-jesus-is-on-the-way-accuse-him-of-racism-and-islamophobia/ 1A Free Press: 12-year-old reporter schools Arizona police officer on the First Amendment - yes you can record their faces and put them on the Internet https://www.wonkette.com/12-year-old-reporter-makes-arizona-cop-look-like-doofus-because-he-is-one Gun Rights: “Venezuelans Now Regret Giving Up Their Guns to Socialist Chavez Regime” https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/02/venezuelans-now-regret-giving-up-their-guns-to-socialist-chavez-regime/ 6A: California judge rules undercover baby parts videos will be public during the trial https://www.lifenews.com/2019/02/22/judge-denies-request-to-block-planned-parenthood-videos-exposing-sales-of-aborted-baby-parts/ 8A: Supreme Court sends death row case back to Alabama; condemned prisoners must understand what they are being executed for; this one had strokes and says he can’t remember his crimes https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/27/politics/supreme-court-alabama-death-row-case/index.html Commerce Clause: 40 projects on hold awaiting outcome of suit arguing Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls should only be used to maintain the Turnpike, not fund other transportation projects. https://www.philly.com/transportation/septa-projects-halted-pennsylvania-turnpike-suit-truckers-penndot-20190225.html Amendments: Equal Rights Amendment goes down to defeat in Virginia https://www.lifenews.com/2019/02/21/virginia-legislature-defeats-era-that-would-force-residents-to-fund-abortions/ Judicial nomination points up schism on the right - some conservatives questioning appointment of libertarian Neomi Rao who appears to be pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-open borders and a fan of making up new fundamental rights. https://www.conservativereview.com/news/fight-judicial-nominee-neomi-rao-reveals-big-schism-right/ Presidential contender Kamala Harris was born in California to two noncitizen parents - natural born citizen? https://www.thepostemail.com/2017/12/04/california-constituent-sen-kamala-harris-not-natural-born-citizen/?fbclid=IwAR0X4yc5d8dl1kBA0l_6E6JFpQxafkTUeTfcI5bEhG6_rjwqJfBW3rwjmaA Webinar: Conscience as the Most Sacred Form of Property. Explore Madison’s thought that natural rights are our property, with Gary Porter the evening of March 11th. $10 - register here - https://www.facebookstore.net/category_s/117.htm 8A: Supreme Court unanimously rules state and local governments may not impose excessive fines, which will sharply curtail their use of abusive civil asset forfeitures https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/20/supreme-court-states-cant-impose-excessive-fees-fines-forfeitures/2919411002/ 8A: Ending Civil Asset Forfeiture Abuse in Tennessee (new article by Knoxville Tea Party) https://www.potomacteaparty.com/civil-asset-forfeiture.html 8A: Supreme Court finds Texas man intellectually disabled, blocks his execution https://www.npr.org/2019/02/20/696178809/supreme-court-blocks-texas-from-executing-mentally-disabled-man 14A: city ordinance barring female toplessness discriminates against women, 10th Circuit panel rules. Women’s breasts are not erotic, that’s just a stereotype, opinion says. Glad we got that straightened out. https://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/tenth-circuit-ruling-attacks-stereotype-that-womens-breasts-are-erotic/ Separation of Powers: 16 states file suit against the President’s national emergency declaration, arguing Congress did not appropriate for the wall the money Trump is repurposing https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/18/politics/xavier-becerra-lawsuit-national-emergency/index.html Census: Supreme Court to rule quickly on whether citizenship question can be put on census form. (Article I, Section 2, Clause 3) https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-agrees-quickly-rule-citizenship-question-census-n971561 Appointments Clause: appointments to the Puerto Rico bankruptcy board held unconstitutional; board members deemed ‘officers of the U.S.’ but not confirmed by the Senate http://reason.com/volokh/2019/02/15/the-invalidation-of-the-promesa-appointm 1A: 14 of 15 criminal charges against Center for Medical Progress journalist dismissed in connection with undercover baby parts sting videos involving Planned Parenthood https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/21/court-dismisses-14-charges-pro-life-journalist/?fbclid=IwAR3T-TMrt20E2GhOCPq6ENapoiDi4FcgQ4NDjYy2PnP5O4nZAO-0Y5xRNtk 1A: 7th Circuit panel upholds Chicago ‘bubble zone’ ordinance prohibiting ‘sidewalk counseling’ near abortion clinics, but relies on discredited Supreme Court precedent https://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/seventh-circuit-properly-applies-discredited-supreme-court-precedent/ 2A: study finds that comprehensive background checks for gun sales did not reduce homicide or suicide rates in a 10-year period in California. https://health.ucdavis.edu/publish/news/newsroom/13362 2A: New York bill would require examination of years of your Internet activity before you could buy a gun https://dcdirtylaundry.com/all-your-google-searches-will-now-be-used-against-you-by-the-state-to-block-your-right-to-buy-a-gun/ 4A: police officer touching a tire is a search under property rights (trespass) theory of the Fourth Amendment (5th Circuit) http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/17/17-40299-CR0.pdf 4A: it is NOT reasonable for officers to assume that a woman who answers the door in a bathrobe has authority to consent to a search of a male suspect's residence (7th Circuit) http://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/rssExec.pl?Submit=Display&Path=Y2019/D02-14/C:18-1305:J:Barrett:aut:T:fnOp:N:2293819:S:0 5A: many eminent domain headaches await Trump’s border wall https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/trump-s-border-wall-faces-texas-size-backlash-from-land-owners 13A: New Hampshire bill would impose Medicaid quota on doctors https://aapsonline.org/new-hampshire-proposes-involuntary-servitude-for-medical-professionals/ 14A: Supreme Court case to test contours of idea lawyers can’t use peremptory challenges to exclude jurors for racial reasons https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/18/us/politics/black-jurors-constitution-curtis-flowers.html 14A: Washington State “misleading voter initiative seeks to repeal I-200, which banned state-sponsored discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, etc.” http://reason.com/volokh/2019/02/14/washington-state-voters-should-take-noti 21A: “residency requirements for retail liquor licenses in Tennessee has raised an array of legal and constitutional questions” https://constitutioncenter.org/blog Article V Convention: Arkansas becomes the 13th of 34 states needed to approve constitutional convention https://www.helena-arkansas.com/news/20190217/arkansas-joins-call-to-amend-constitution Libel: Justice Thomas wants Court to reexamine New York Times v. Sullivan defamation precedent and possibly make it easier for public figures to sue media outlets for fake news https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-cosby/justice-thomas-calls-for-reconsidering-landmark-us-defamation-ruling-idUSKCN1Q81T0 Judicial supremacy is inconsistent with popular sovereignty, i.e. the rightful authority of a self-governing people https://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/carson-holloway/us-constitution-rejects-premise-judicial-supremacy-and-so-should-all February 15, 1879 - the day women were first permitted to argue before the Supreme Court https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/on-this-day-women-first-allowed-to-argue-supreme-court-cases Kudos! 6- and 8-year-old boys stop, place their hand over their heart, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance as flag raised at their North Carolina town’s firehouse https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/13/derrick-ingram-thomas-jones-roseboro-pledge-allegi/ Christian student group wins court battle to choose own leaders (Constitution news round-up)2/14/2019
1A Religion: Christian student group wins in court, can choose own leaders
https://pjmedia.com/faith/christian-student-group-beats-university-in-court-can-choose-its-own-leaders/ 1A: federal judge upholds Arkansas anti-BDS law forbidding state agencies from dealing with companies that boycott Israel (other courts have gone the other way) https://www.jns.org/federal-court-upholds-anti-bds-bill-in-arkansas/ 5A Fundamental Rights: failure of South Dakota bill affirming parental rights to resist the transitioning of their gender-confused kids should terrify parents http://thefederalist.com/2019/02/12/lgbt-activists-teaching-judges-yank-kids-parents-wont-transgender/ Amendment to affirm a constitutional right for parents to “direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children” introduced in the House https://govtrackinsider.com/proposed-constitutional-amendment-would-enshrine-parental-rights-in-the-constitution-9e5304f2d8f7 14A Due Process: Supreme Court declines to stay execution of Muslim inmate in Alabama who had sued to have imam present in death chamber. https://abcnews.go.com/US/alabama-executes-muslim-inmate-sued-imam-present/story?id=60905497 1A: forcing students to fill in world history course worksheet with ‘no god but Allah’ does not establish a religion or compel speech (4th Circuit) #CreepingSharia http://reason.com/volokh/2019/02/11/lesson-on-islam-didnt-violate-establishm Free Expression: Islam very successful in suppressing criticism of its treatment of women; feminists overlook “child marriages, forced marriages, female seclusion, honor killings, gang rapes of infidel women, or the enslavement and sale of females for sex slavery.” Not to mention FGM. https://creepingsharia.wordpress.com/2019/01/20/islamophobia-invention/ Free Expression: English woman arrested for ‘misgendering’ trans activist on Twitter https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6687123/Mother-arrested-children-calling-transgender-woman-man.html Free Expression: tech giants that punish social media users for ‘misgendering’ are killing freedom of expression https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/02/12/how-tech-giants-are-banning-truth-and-undermining-freedom/?utm_source=TDS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBell%22&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTnpSbU16WmpOVEJoTWpkaCIsInQiOiJsMlBUWUtaeThNQXJMWjk0U3hNdklcLzV1bU91ZElxT3FzbEdcL012YVwvM3dES2E0MVwvS2I0ak02anhTZ1ZKRldrTUJXYk9jUmcrTmhHOHkzQU5HZXo1UFpvYzJtYVdSMjZHcTdCOW1RSlwvN3JnTnRIczl6eUVJTjRmS1pQNmlNdVIxIn0%3D 1A Right of Association: Women suing for sexual harassment at Yale fraternities seek to have them opened to women. #ABridgeTooFar https://www.cbsnews.com/news/yale-fraternities-lawsuit-women-claim-sexual-harassment-at-fraternity-events-ask-to-integrate-women/ 1A Right of Association: the section of the Delaware Constitution requiring judges to be Republican or Democrat is unconstitutional https://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/181045p.pdf 1A: gun groups file suit against New Jersey for law criminalizing the sharing of gun blueprints online https://freebeacon.com/issues/suit-filed-against-nj-attempt-to-criminalize-sharing-gun-blueprints-nationwide/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=aabad6c269-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_07_01_02_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-aabad6c269-45628225 2A: map shows many more states now allowing concealed carry than in 1986 http://reason.com/volokh/2019/02/07/gun-decontrol-1986-to-now 2A: Washington State sheriff refuses to enforce state’s restrictions on ‘assault rifles’ https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/31406-washington-state-county-sheriff-nullifies-state-statute-s-gun-grab 5A Due Process: new lawsuit claims holding immigration court by videoconference limits access to justice and is a pretext for speeding deportations https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/nyregion/immigration-court-video-teleconferencing.html 14A Equal Protection: trade association objects to Pennsylvania bill that would tax adult video games an extra 10% https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-02-05-esa-pennsylvania-video-game-tax-a-violation-of-the-us-constitution Electoral College: Dems pushing National Popular Vote Compact in their ‘trifecta’ states https://freebeacon.com/issues/dems-push-national-popular-vote-in-newly-controlled-trifecta-states/ State Constitutions: rational basis test for substantive due process and equal protection claims under state constitutions tougher than in Supreme Court ‘anything goes’ jurisprudence http://reason.com/volokh/2019/02/11/rational-basis-test-not-so-deferential-u Judicial ‘minimalism’ explained - courts should avoid broad sweeping declarations and decide cases on the narrowest ground possible https://www.cato.org/policy-report/novemberdecember-2014/originalism-v-minimalism Whatever notions you have about traffic camera speed traps being unconstitutional, forget it says Iowa Supreme Court http://reason.com/volokh/2019/02/11/automated-speeding-enforcement-constitut “George Washington Letter on God and the Constitution Revealed” https://www.theepochtimes.com/george-washington-letter-on-god-and-the-constitution-revealed_2798086.html |