The Constitution Study podcast

Latest Episodes:

475 - Memorial Day May 26, 2025

Show notes

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, – Declaration of Independence You may be wondering, why am I quoting the Declaration of Independence for a holiday other than Independence Day? Because, one of our nation's most important holidays is often treated as nothing more than the beginning of summer. That does a disservice to all who have sacrificed so much for the government to secure our rights.

474 - Understanding REAL ID May 19, 2025

Show notes

It took more than 20 years, but the REAL ID Act of 2005 is finally being enforced. While several people have talked about the requirements for a REAL ID, and whether or not they even need one, I haven't heard anyone ask one very important question, is it legal?

473 - To Allow Opt Outs, or Not to Allow Opt Outs, That is the Question May 12, 2025

Show notes

472 - Are You Religious Enough? May 05, 2025

Show notes

The State of Wisconsin exempts religious organizations from their unemployment tax system. Even though everyone agrees that Catholic Charities is controlled by a church, Wisconsin Supreme Court held that Catholic Charities is not "operated primarily for religious purposes", and therefore does not qualify for the exemption. Catholic Charities appealed to the Supreme Court to ask if that decision violated the First Amendment.

471 - Beginning of the End for the Johnson Amendment Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

How many of you know about the Johnson Amendment? If you've ever donated to a church or other charity, you've been impacted by this amendment. This limitation on freedom of speech has been in effect for over 70 years. And now, the House of Representatives is trying to remedy this infringement.

470 - Automatic License Plate Readers Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

There will always be tension between our desire for privacy and safety. We're all for privacy, until we find that an invasion of said privacy could have stopped some terrible event. But are we willing to trade our privacy for safety? "They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security." --Benjamin Franklin In the case of SCHOLL and BEDNARZ v. Illinois State Police the privacy question revolves around automatic license place readers (ALPRs) and what makes a search reasonable.

469 - The Latest SCOTUS Gun Rights Infringement Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

I don't know which of the three branches of government does the most to infringe on your rights. Take, for example, the recent Supreme Court decision in the case Bondi v. Vanderstok, where Mr. Vanderstok challenged the recent regulation from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives redefining weapons parts kits as firearms. It seems the Supreme Court has a hard time reading either the law or the Constitution.

468 - Whose Safety Matters More Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

Imagine you are stopped by law enforcement. Maybe you were doing something wrong, maybe not. At this point, when you are in the custody of law enforcement, whose safety matters more, yours or the officers? In the 2017 Fourth Circuit case United States v. Robinson, while not specifically put this way, the question came up, does officer safety trump your right against unreasonable search and seizure, even your own safety?

467 - Duty to Violate your Rights Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

As a lifelong gun owner, I understand the awesome responsibility of owning a weapon. After getting my concealed carry license many years ago, I came to understand the greater responsibility of having a deadly weapon on my person. But as a constitutional scholar, I've come to realize just how badly states are infringing on our rights, simply because we decide to exercise one of them. Today, I want to talk about "duty to inform" laws. After all, if the presence of a firearm is a threat to officer safety, than the officer's firearm is a threat to my safety.

466 - Heterosexual Discrimination Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

Ibriam Kendi is often quoted as saying "The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination." But is that true? Above the main entrance to the Supreme Court is a promise chiseled into the marble façade, "equal justice under law". How can we have equal justice under law if one side is always discriminating against another? Enter the case of Ames v. OH Dept. of Youth Services, where Marlean Ames claims she was discriminated in her job because of her sexual orientation. What makes this case uniques is, Ms. Ames is heterosexual, and the Sixth Circuit claimed that ment she had a higher burden of proof than a homosexual.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Constitution Study podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected