Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'constitution'

Calif. Attorney General Pushes To Overturn Prop 8

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST

Californians passed a proposition in November banning same sex marriage. But California's attorney general Jerry Brown is asking to invalidate the measure, saying constitutional rights would be violated.

Rights Case Could Alter Handling Of Terror Suspects

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:14:00 EST

The Supreme Court ruled in June that detainees at Guantanamo Bay had the constitutional right to challenge their detentions in U.S. courts. On Wednesday, a federal judge will begin exploring whether detainees at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan have that same right.

Obama Could Appoint 2 Supreme Court Justices

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST

The next president may appoint at least two justices to the Supreme Court. How could Barack Obama's experience as a constitutional law professor play a role in his choices for judicial nominations?

Forecast For 2009: Anniversaries, Flavors And More

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST

It's the first day of 2009, and Melissa Block has a preview of some events and trends expected for this year. Vic Fischer, who worked on Alaska's state constitution a half-century ago, talks with Block about the celebration of 50 years of statehood. Park ranger Helen McKenna Uff says it's going to be a big year at the Edgar Allan Poe Historical Site in Philadelphia as Poe fans celebrate the poet and writer's 200th birthday. Lynn Dornblaser of the global research firm Mintel shares her top five flavors for 2009: lavender, cactus, persimmon, masala and chimichurri. Finally, Nicholas Staddon of Monrovia Co. — a leading producer of plants in the U.S. — shares his garden pick for 2009. He says small is big this year: Look out for the Baby Pete Agapanthus.

Russia's New Beauty Contest: Miss Constitution

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:45:00 EST

When it comes to constitutions, is seems Russia's has some flexibility. Vladimir Putin wants it changed to give future Presidents a longer term. Perhaps to sweeten that move, Russians are being offered another reason to love their constitution. A pro-Kremlin youth group is running a "Miss Constitution 2008" contest. A spokeswoman told Reuters the group is looking for gifted young women with sparkle.

Canadian Parliament Faces Swift Ouster

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

Canada is having a constitutional crisis. The conservative parliament that was elected less than two months ago is in danger of being ousted. The opposition party says the prime minister is not doing enough to deal with the global economic crisis. Naheed Nenshi, of the Bissett School of Business at Calgary's Mount Royal College, and Keith Boag, of the Canadian Broadcast Company explains how Canadians are sorting through a political drama.

Prop 8 Goes To The Supreme Court

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Californians voted in favor of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage earlier this month. Gay rights groups are now challenging the amendment in the California Supreme Court. We discuss what issues the court will consider.

Same-Sex Connecticut Couples Begin Tying Knot

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:10:00 EST

Across Connecticut, town clerks began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Wednesday — just a week after voters in California passed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage there. Connecticut and Massachusetts are the only states that allow same-sex marriages.

12 More Years For Russia's Putin...

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

President Dmitry Medvedev has proposed changes to the constitution that could allow former president Vladamir Putin a dozen more years in office. The Guardian's Luke Harding discusses what the changes mean for Russia and the world.

California Gay Leaders Assess Marriage Defeat

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

Last week's passing of Proposition 8 is the latest development in an ongoing battle among California voters over gay marriage. California's Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in May. The new provision overturns the court's decision by amending the state constitution to specifically define marriage as being between a man and a woman. A roundtable of guests familiar with Proposition 8 discuss why the provision failed, sparking an emotional reaction.

Same-Sex Couples Continue Marriage Fight

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Voters in California narrowly approved Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment restricting marriage to heterosexual couples. California was one of the few states where gay couples could marry legally. Same sex partners now are turning to the courts, hoping to restore that right.

'Personhood' Amendment on Colorado Ballot

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:10:00 EDT

Amendment 48 would define "personhood" as beginning at the moment of conception, giving fertilized eggs constitutional rights. But the measure raises a range of questions, such as, would embryos be counted in the state census or as extra passengers in the HOV lane?

Obama's Legal Past May Inform His Pick Of Justices

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:26:00 EDT

If Democrat Barack Obama wins the presidency, he will be the first White House occupant in a long time with a background in constitutional law. Fellow lawyers and friends say Obama would play a big role in personally selecting new Supreme Court justices.

Prop. 8 Reignites Calif. Same-Sex Marriage Battle

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:05:00 EDT

A ballot initiative could make gay marriage in California illegal again. Proposition 8 asks voters to amend the state constitution so that marriage is defined solely as a union between one man and one woman. After trailing in the polls, the measure is now surging, partly due to national support.

Celebrating Grace Paley's Uniquely Feminine Voice

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:35:00 EDT

Writer Alix Kates Shulman remembers the 1960s as an age where men dominated the literary scene — that is, until Grace Paley's quirky urban voice and modernist short stories began to challenge the notion of what constituted great reading.

Assessing Capital Punishment Trends In The U.S.

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:47:00 EDT

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court acted on two high-profile death row cases. For analysis, Farai Chideya discusses the Constitution and the death penalty with Carl Tobias, professor of law at the University of Richmond.

Fla. Town's Saggy Pants Law Ruled Unconstitutional

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Riviera Beach, Fla., followed several other southern towns in passing a law against saggy pants. The mayor exulted: "The people have defined what is indecent in our city." Now, a judge has defined what's constitutional, and it's not a law against letting your boxers show. The case went to court after a teenager was arrested and spent a night in jail for riding his bike with his pants partly down.

Kenya Struggles To Create New Constitution

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Following a deadly power crisis that was resolved when Kenya's leaders agreed to work together, efforts began to craft a new constitution. But it's a messy procedure. Promising a new constitution and delivering one are two very different things.

A Tribute To Horace Silver

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:23:00 EDT

Horace Silver is a piano-playin', pencil-packin' papa whose tunes constitute a family of jazz characters like "Sister Sadie" and "Senor Blues." His music filled Dee Dee Bridgewater's album Love and Peace: A Tribute to Horace Silver. This concert in his honor comes from the Discoveries at Disney Concert Hall series in Los Angeles.

Town Declares Curfew In The Face Of Violence

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 11:23:00 EDT

When violence in a neighborhood in Arkansas boiled over last week, the mayor declared a curfew. The city council supports the motion. But civil rights groups say this is a violation of the constitution.

Guantanamo: Calling All Lawyers

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

When the Supreme Court ruled that detainees at Guantanamo Bay have constitutional rights, an already massive litigation effort grew even larger. Defense attorneys and government lawyers are preparing for a huge volume of work.

Gun Ruling Reverberates with Politicians, Police

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday for the first time that the Second Amendment to the Constitution protects an individual's right to own a gun. Advocates of gun rights say there will be a flood of lawsuits attempting to have regulations on gun ownership eased, and they expect those efforts to be successful. Big city mayors and police chiefs are predicting an increase in gun violence.

Supreme Court: Gun Ownership an Individual Right

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:31:00 EDT

In a 5-4 vote Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court declared for the first time that the Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the right of individual Americans to keep and bear arms. The court said gun ownership is an individual right, not connected with military service, and that it can be regulated in some ways.

Justices: Gun Right Guaranteed to Individuals

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:29:00 EDT

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Second Amendment of the Constitution guarantees an individual right to bear arms. That's a huge shift in constitutional law; it's been almost 70 years since the high court ruled on the amendment. The decision came in a challenge to Washington, D.C.'s gun ban.

Justices to Rule on Individuals' Right to Own a Gun

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to weigh in Thursday on the constitutional meaning of the right to bear arms. It will be the last decision of the term.