Speakeasy Ideas

Speakeasy Ideas
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Speakeasy Ideas Podcast

Subscribe here for the family of Speakeasy Ideas podcasts, which includes Speakeasy Today and Speakeasy History with Dr. Thomas L. Krannawitter as well as The Law with D.K. Williams.

  1. 18/10/2020

    The Law episode 83: Presser v. Illinois

    In a U.S. Supreme Court opinion written between the passage of the 14th Amendment and when the Court started “incorporating” the Bill of Rights against the states, the Court upheld the conviction and $10 fine against Herman Presser. Presser had led a group of about 400 armed people calling themselves Lehr und Wehr Verein (The Teaching and Defense Association), a pro-labor socialist group, in a parade through Chicago. In what must have quite the spectacle, Presser led the parade on a horse and carried a cavalry sword. Such armed parades were against Illinois law. Sometimes this case is cited, erroneously, by gun control advocates. Find out why. LINKS The case itself: Presser v. Illinois (1886) Dave Kopel on Presser v. Illinois The Law with D.K. Williams Facebook page Follow The Law with D.K. Williams on Twitter @TheLawDKW

    25 min

  2. 14/08/2020

    The Law episode 82: Jacobson v. Massachusetts

    What is the extent of government authority to “protect” the common good during a public health crisis? Earlier this year, the United States Supreme Court denied a California church’s request to stop the enforcement of certain public health rules that negatively affected the way the church conducted religious services. In doing so, the Court relied upon the 115 year old Jacobson case that upheld a mandatory smallpox vaccination. The language used by the Court in Jacobson is frightening: “The possession and enjoyment of all rights are subject to such reasonable conditions as may be deemed by the governing authority of the country essential to the safety, health, peace, good order, and morals of the community.” We discuss where that standard leads. LINKS The case itself: Jacobson v Massachusetts (1905) South Bay United Pentecostal Church v Newsom (2020) – Request for injunctive relief denied. South Bay United Pentecostal Church of Chula Vista, CA, official site. The Law with D.K. Williams Facebook page Follow The Law with D.K. Williams on Twitter @TheLawDKW

    36 min

  3. 07/08/2020

    The Law episode 81: Bostock v. Clayton County

    Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of the United States — in a 6-3 decision in the case of Bostock v. Clayton County — held that homosexual and transgender people are protected from employment discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Act prohibits discrimination against anyone “because of sex.” Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, concluded that firing someone due to their homosexuality or transgender status is prohibited by that language. The Court discusses statutory interpretation and how, even if Congress did not contemplate a particular outcome, the words they choose when writing a statue, matter. We discuss how statutes often have consequences unintended by Congress. We also discuss an important question ignored by the Court: Does Congress have the legitimate constitutional authority to regulate the private, intrastate activity of individuals? LINKS The case itself: Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) The Law with D.K. Williams Facebook page Follow The Law with D.K. Williams on Twitter @TheLawDKW

    29 min

  4. 30/07/2020

    The Law episode 80: Chiafalo v. Washington

    In the conclusion to the rogue elector saga we have been following, the Supreme Court applied what I refer to as the “Erosion Doctrine” to unanimously hold that states can turn their presidential electors into mere rubber stamps, thus depriving them of any discretion when selecting the president. Over two centuries, the power of electors to use their discretion slowly eroded until this case, decided earlier this year, officially killing off that discretion and an original part of the Constitution with it. We discuss it. LINKS The case itself: Chiafalo v. Washington (2020) The Law with D.K. Williams Facebook page Follow The Law with D.K. Williams on Twitter @TheLawDKW

    36 min

  5. 24/07/2020

    The Law episode 79: Ramos v. Louisiana

    Earlier this year, in the case of Ramos v. Louisiana, SCOTUS overturned precedent by a 6-3 margin and held that states cannot convict someone of a criminal offense unless the jury verdict is unanimous. Evangelisto Ramos had been convicted by a 10-2 verdict and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in Louisiana. Ramos was granted a new trial by this decision. That seems simple enough. The real issue, however, was the deeper question of just how important precedents are, and when incorrectly decided precedents should be overturned. The subtext of that issue is all about a future possible challenge to Roe v. Wade. LINKS The case itself: Ramos v. Louisiana (2020) The Law with D.K. Williams Facebook page Follow The Law with D.K. Williams on Twitter @TheLawDKW

    36 min

  6. 19/04/2020

    The Law episode 78: RNC v. DNC

    Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a controversial 5-4 decision, overruled a lower court order expanding Wisconsin statutory deadlines for submitting mail-in ballots due to the state government’s response to the Coronavirus. The five justice majority were all appointed by Republican presidents. The four justice minority were all appointed by Democratic presidents. Was this a strictly partisan outcome? We discuss it. LINKS The case itself: Republican National Committee v Democratic National Committee (2020) The Verdict blog article referenced in the podcast: Why did the U.S. Supreme Court Endanger the Lives of Wisconsin Voters? Like The Law with D.K. Williams Facebook page Follow The Law with D.K. Williams on Twitter @TheLawDKW

    25 min

  7. 11/04/2020

    The Law episode 77: South Dakota v. Dole

    I could drink, legally, during my freshman year of college, but not my sophomore year. Then I was legal again my junior year. Why? Because of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. What authority does Congress have to set the drinking age for the states? That’s what South Dakota wanted to know. South Dakota said Congress had no such authority. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, disagreed. They upheld the act. We discuss it. LINKS The case itself:  South Dakota v Dole (1987) Drinking Map – Check out the drinking age history of every state. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation – What she is doing now. The Law with D.K. Williams Facebook page Follow The Law with D.K. Williams on Twitter @TheLawDKW

    41 min

  8. 04/04/2020

    The Law episode 76: Allen v. Cooper

    Pirates! Blackbeard! Queen Anne’s Revenge! Sovereign immunity! Enumerated powers! And, sexiest of all, copyright law! Stare decisis and legislative history, and separation of powers, too. The U.S. Supreme Court, just two weeks ago, dealt with them all. Did I mention PIRATES?! Avast, check it out, matey. LINKS The case itself: Allen v. Cooper (2020) Some of Allen’s video and a story on the reclamation of Queen Anne’s Revenge. The Law with D.K. Williams Facebook page Follow The Law with D.K. Williams on Twitter @TheLawDKW

    38 min
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About

Subscribe here for the family of Speakeasy Ideas podcasts, which includes Speakeasy Today and Speakeasy History with Dr. Thomas L. Krannawitter as well as The Law with D.K. Williams.

Information

  • Creator
    Speakeasy Ideas
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2020
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Speakeasy Ideas

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