How would a more qualified person refute my dumb legal theory regarding the death penalty? [more inside]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 on Aug 27, 2009 - 18 answers

This morning I came across the following sentence on pg. 58 of John Kenneth Galbraith's A Short History of Financial Euphoria: "The Constitution forbade the federal government and, needless to say, also the states to issue paper money." Article 1, section 10 says that states can't issue paper money, but where does the Constitution say that the federal government can't?
posted by timmygoestothezoo on Jul 5, 2009 - 9 answers

I have some questions about torture regarding international and US law, especially the Geneva Conventions and the UNCAT. [more inside]
posted by Salvor Hardin on May 13, 2009 - 5 answers

Either I have found a secret flaw in the opinion, or I am misunderstanding something major about Marbury v. Madison. The later is more likely, being as this would have been brought up before as one of the most important SCOTUS cases... but I can't find it anywhere! [more inside]
posted by shadowfelldown on Mar 2, 2009 - 8 answers

Is Gaza considered a separate nation-state from the Palestinian Authority by the Israeli government? [more inside]
posted by parmanparman on Jan 15, 2009 - 5 answers

ForA(Best)FriendFilter: What can a smart, idealistic kid do out of college in the DC area which relates to law & the study of the constitution? [more inside]
posted by tmcw on Dec 24, 2008 - 9 answers

May George W. Bush refuse a pardon from Barack Obama? [more inside]
posted by Ironmouth on Nov 17, 2008 - 19 answers

In the United States, what legal rights are there for dead people? Does the constitution have stipulations for the rights of dead Americans and non-Americans who die in America? Also, how long - hypothetically - does a person need to be dead until their body becomes public property and, in the case of those who die leaving kin, are dead bodies 'owned', and for how long?
posted by parmanparman on Sep 11, 2008 - 15 answers

What are the reasons for and against constitutionally requiring a specific national language? [more inside]
posted by netbros on Aug 28, 2008 - 74 answers

What are the most common points of criticism of the Treaty of Lisbon, and how do they relate to the failed European Constitution? [more inside]
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane on Jun 13, 2008 - 7 answers

Does the 'use tax' charged by states for purchases made outside their borders violate the commerce clause? [more inside]
posted by mullingitover on Mar 12, 2008 - 3 answers

Two to three questions involving the pending FISA bill--specifically the immunity provisions. [more inside]
posted by dsword on Jan 24, 2008 - 13 answers

What movie clip/s could I show my 8th graders that would make them say, "Damn, I really do need to care about the Constitution!"? [more inside]
posted by allthewhile on Dec 4, 2007 - 28 answers

What are MeFi's favorite resources about American Indian law? I'm a fairly well-read person on the letters of the law- I read the appropriate journals and legal briefs- but I'd like a more comprehensive set of rhetoric about the native peoples of the Americas. [more inside]
posted by thethirdman on Jun 26, 2007 - 8 answers

Reading an unwritten constitution? [more inside]
posted by awesomebrad on Mar 29, 2007 - 14 answers

What do you feel is the biggest case, or group of cases, concerning online censorship and a breach of first ammendment rights to happen in the past five years? [more inside]
posted by fvox13 on Feb 26, 2007 - 11 answers

I just wanted to check this. Didn't Bush pocket veto the "interrogation bill?" And if he didn't, why didn't that happen? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by dances_with_sneetches on Oct 17, 2006 - 4 answers

How, with our system of law, can the Military Commissions Act be repealed? [more inside]
posted by frecklefaerie on Oct 1, 2006 - 25 answers

Is there a constitutional provision in the United States that all statutory laws must be written and/or available to the public for review? [more inside]
posted by chitlin on Jul 20, 2006 - 18 answers

Political Activism Question: I want to oppose the marriage amendment. [more inside]
posted by dpx.mfx on Jun 5, 2006 - 10 answers

What is the reasoning that says Article II of the U.S. Constitution gives the President blanket powers in matters of "national security"? [more inside]
posted by aaronetc on Feb 15, 2006 - 20 answers

Is the United States "at war" or not? If Congress only authorized the use of force against Iraq, and did not formally declare war, what is our status under the Constitution? What about Afganistan?
posted by sushrob on Jan 16, 2006 - 18 answers

Is it true that the original US Constitution is written on hemp paper? Cite? [more inside]
posted by furiousxgeorge on Dec 15, 2005 - 15 answers

Where can I get a really good downloadable PDF or Word copy of the Constitution with Amendments? So far I have only found crappy or incomplete copies. [more inside]
posted by ohio on Dec 14, 2005 - 5 answers

How many attempts have there been to pass a constitutional amendment that limits marriage to a relationship between a man and a woman? [more inside]
posted by xoe26 on Nov 20, 2005 - 5 answers

2nd amendment filter: Did "regulated" mean something completely different at the time? [more inside]
posted by 445supermag on Nov 7, 2005 - 22 answers

Besides Japan and Iraq, what other countries have constitutions that were drafted either by or under the direction or assistance of the U.S. (or allied occupation made up of at least the U.S.)? [more inside]
posted by sublivious on Oct 30, 2005 - 13 answers

Being a non-US citizen that has family living in the continental US I have noticed that border traversal has been getting exceedingly difficult and more intrusive. However, the US-VISIT program seems to take it a little far (IMO). [more inside]
posted by purephase on May 16, 2005 - 20 answers

I have about 100 copies of a wonderful little "keepsake" booklet that contains 100% of the unabridged US Constitution text and nothing else. I want to give them away (and not to any schools) and am trying to think of a fun way to do it. [more inside]
posted by limitedpie on Apr 20, 2005 - 11 answers

What should a healthy and fit human body be able to do? [+] [more inside]
posted by departure lounge on Dec 16, 2004 - 41 answers

What's so great about the U.S. constitution? From a political science perspective, a legal perspective, a historical perspective? Non-USians without a written constitution especially invited to reply.
posted by insideout on Dec 4, 2004 - 33 answers

PoliticsFilter: Were all 11 of the "defense of marriage" initiatives amendments to state constitutions, or were some just laws? (I know Oregon's was an amendment, but haven't been able to find out about all the others) If they are amendments, are state constitutions superceded by the U.S. Constitution?
posted by RylandDotNet on Nov 8, 2004 - 3 answers

Can a non-natural born citizen be the Vice-President of the United States? Article II specifies that the President must be natural born, but what about the VP?
posted by Frank Grimes on Sep 1, 2004 - 12 answers

WhatAmIMissingFilter: I've been waiting for an optimum time to ask this on the main page in an appropriate thread, but the opportunity hasn't arisen. Thus: Exactly HOW is the government getting away with enforcing these so-called "free speech" zones? Allowing for reasonable public safety measures, it's still clearly at odds with the constitution. (I'm sure places like Planned Parenthood would dearly "love" to relocate protesters to a deserted roped-off area 6 blocks away.) Is it just that no one has called them on it yet?
posted by RavinDave on Jul 26, 2004 - 22 answers

Does anyone know I can find a free online version of the Cliff's Notes (or equivalent with complete summary and commentary) on both The Book of Mormon and the US Constitution? All the links i found were teases for something i had to pay for. Man I'm cheap.
posted by Slimemonster on Mar 15, 2004 - 9 answers