The past two administrations, led by President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush, have overseen responses to the largest domestic terrorist attack in U.S. history, the beginning and imminent end of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the development of laws supporting non-Article III military commissions, the rise and dismantling of terrorist networks, and the evolution of various forms of warfare. There is much debate surrounding how these administrations may have differed or aligned in their interpretation of the Constitution when formulating national security policy in this area. How have the two administrations differed in their interpretation of executive power and effectuating policies to fight the war on terror? How has the Obama administration justified actions relating to the War Powers Act, military commissions, Authorization for Use of Military Force, and drone warfare? Finally, what is the progressive vision for national security policy, and how might that comport with and differ from this administration’s current policies?
Covering the Court: Inside the Supreme Court Press Room
With back-to-back blockbuster terms, the Supreme Court continues to capture our collective imagination, as well as impact the lives of all Americans. The journalists who cover the Court day-in and day-out have a unique perspective on the Justices and how cases get decided. This panel of Supreme Court reporters will take us inside the Supreme Court Press Room, reflecting on the October 2012 term, the personalities and shifting alliances on the Court, and the possibility of upcoming vacancies.
David Carliner Public Interest Award and Richard D. Cudahy Award Presentation
The Richard D. Cudahy Writing Competition on Regulatory and Administrative Law Award and David Carliner Public Interest Award were given during the 2013 ACS National Convention. The Carliner Award was presented to Kara Hartzler, an appellate attorney at the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. The Richard D. Cudahy Writing Competition which honors Judge Cudahy’s decades of distinguished service as one of the nation’s finest appellate judges went to Cary Adickman in the student category and Bruce Kraus, Partner, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, and Connor Raso, Attorney-Advisor, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in the lawyer category.
Paul M. Smith on Marriage Equality
Paul M. Smith, Partner at Jenner & Block talks to ACSblog about marriage equality. Smith was the lead attorney who successfully argued before the Supreme Court in Lawrence v. Texas, the landmark gay rights case which struck down sodomy laws throughout the U.S.
Dennis Herrera, SF City Attorney, on Marriage Equality
City Attorney of San Francisco, Dennis Herrera took time to talk to the American Constitution Society about marriage equality.
Professor David Cole on NSA's Surveillance
Professor David Cole from the Georgetown University Law Center took time to talk to the American Constitution Society about disclosures on the NSA's surveillance programs.