The Dance of Legislation

The Dance of Legislation
An Internet Hotlist on American Government & Public Policy

created by Steven C. Teel
Berkeley High School

Introduction
Woodrow Wilson knew: 'Once begin the dance of legislation, and you must struggle through its mazes to the breathless end-if any end there be.' You COULD look for books or magazines to find out how to get involved in making public policy, but for right now, why not use the power of the Internet as well? The links below will get you started in finding out what policy-makers are up to on issues you care about. Let's start with some laughs by going to the Political Cartoons link below.

The Internet Resources

A Users Guide to the Declaration of Independence - Why not learn more about the significance and meaning of one of the world's most influential documents? Learn more about the Declaration of Independence with a helpful guide to the text. This site includes a Founder's Library, An extensive collection of writings and documents by the American Founders and statesmen of the early republic.
American Factfinder - Your source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data.
Articles of Confederation -
Bills and Resolutions - Here is a brief explanation of the differences and formatting of bills as opposed to resolutions.
Bowling Alone - Learn more about Robert Putnam's observations about American participation in politics and government.
C-Span Congressional Directory - contact your rep. in Washington D.C.
CIA Torture and the War on Terror - Listen to NPR Fresh Air Interview with Steven Grey and learn more of recent federal legislation designed to deal with 'enemy combatants' in the war on terror.
Campaign Finance Reform - From the Brookings Institute, this site offers the most up-to-date information on McCain-Feingold, its history and implementation.
Capitol Spotlight - For the latest on what's happening on the Hill, C-Span combines with CQ, a great combination.
Class Matters: American Class & Culture - A team of NY Times reporters spent more than a year exploring ways that class - defined as a combination of income, education, wealth and occupation - influences destiny in a society that likes to think of itself as a land of unbounded opportunity.
CloseUp Homepage - Find out about CloseUp on television, this week's speakers, and lot's of other information on CloseUp's programs.
Congresssional Bills - Access copies of actual bills here.
Current Legislation - Information on current bills before Congress on your issue.
Cybernations - Have some fun here. Create a nation anywhere in the world and decide how you will rule your people by choosing a government type, a national religion, ethnicity, tax rate, currency type, and more in this geo- political, nation, and government simulator.
Desks of the U.S. Senate - All Senators of the Model Congress should find their desk and see what's inside! Sorry House members, you don't have a desk.
Easy Voter Guide - Here's a place that will help you to make your choices for this year's election. It is a non-partisan site sponsored by organizations such as the League of Women Voters.
Election Guide 2008 - The New York Times offers profiles of early primary states, results from the primary contests, campaign finance reports, where the candidates stand on issues, and more.
Electoral College Calculator - Plot your strategy for winning the next presidential election and learn a lot about the process.
Fact Check - This Annenberg site seeks to analyze political ads and public discourse in a non partisan fashion.
Federalist # 51 -
Federalist #10 -
Find Out What's Happening in the U.S. House of Representatives -
Find Out What's Happening in the U.S. Senate -
Gerrymander - View the original 'Gerrymander.'
Glossary of Political Economy Terms - Here is a most useful explanation of key economic and political terms.
GovSpot - This site is extremely useful for issue research. Gives information pro and con on key issues and sends you to pro/con interest groups that will add to your understanding of public policy choices.
Grameen—Banking for the Poor - Learn about Mohammed Yunus who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in encouraging the poor to become entrepreneurs.
Ground Zero of the Atomic Age - Details the history, impacts and future of atomic weapons and nuclear power.
Hannah Arendt Papers - Here are three essays on the role of experience in Hannah Arendt's political thought. To enter the world of Hannah Arendt is to encounter the political and moral catastrophes of the twentieth century. Her life spanned the convulsions of two world wars, revolutions and civil wars, and events worse than war in which human lives were uprooted and destroyed on a scale never seen before. How did all this shape her political views?
Instant Runoff Voting - A fascinating site that shows an alternative way of voting that would include more consideration of third party candidates.
Librarian's Guide to Internet-U.S.Government -
Lineberry: Government in America - Student resources available here will help you to study this formidable textbook.
LocalCensus - If you need statistical data on the United States, you can find it here on a variety of topics and can even access it by zip code.
Look Who's Footing the Bill - This is an inquiry into the implications of the National Debt for you.
National Budget Simulation - Try your hand at altering our national spending and tax priorities. Good luck!
National Mock Election Information - Your vote counts. Learn how to express your views before you reach eighteen.
New York Times Politics Navigator - Here is a valuable and handy hotlist of interest group and government sites that will help you to engage in the political process.
On the Issues - A great site to help find a role model for Politics and Power—the Model Congress.
Open Secrets - Here's where you will find sources of campaign contributions to individual lawmakers. A site trying to document the links between campaign contributions and influence on public policy.
Political Cartoons - Get some laughs here.
Political Moneyline - A fine site to find credible information about campaign finance and who is getting campaign money from whom.
Politics1 - Politics1 is published as a non-partisan public service to promote fully informed decision-making by the American electorate
ProQuest Direct Login - A terrific search engine for social issues. See your teacher for accessing this great resource.
Public Resource - This site succeeds in making government information more accessible, including court records.
Running For Office: Historical Candidates & Campaigns - The political cartoons in this exhibit, drawn by renowned cartoonist Clifford K. Berryman, illustrate the campaign process from the candidate’s decision to run for office to the ultimate outcome of the election.
Select a Political Party - You can respond to survey questions that will match your answers with a political party.
Stateline - Here is a great site to track what states are doing in fashioning public policy.
Team of Rivals - How did Lincoln do it? Click on 'Listen' and hear Doris Kearns Goodwin discuss the lessons of Lincoln's political genius—sharing credit with ease, learning from mistakes. If our leaders are to guide us successfully through this perilous century, they need to learn from this man, and if we are to make it, we do too.
The Capitol - This C-Span production tells you everything you wanted to know and what you would never think to ask about the Capitol buildings.
The Electoral College Vote - This National Archives site is the place to start for your understanding of the electoral vote for President and its place in our history.
The Federalist Papers -
The Johnson Tapes - President Johnson’s phone call on May 27, 1964. The war in Vietnam is the main topic, as LBJ talks to his good friend, Senator Richard Russell, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He greatly admired and respected Russell as a mentor, so this is not the 'Johnson Treatment.'
The Living Room Candidate: Presidential Campaign Commercials—1952-2004 -
The Political Compass - Here is a useful way of analyzing and learning more about the ideological left and right. Take the test and see where you are. Then see the bibliograhical references to learn more about the other side.
The Road to the White House - C-Span's guide to the 2008 Presidential election cycle.
This Nation - This site bills itself as providing a complete, introductory American government & politics textbook online.
Tough Choices, Tough Times - Here is a report from the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce. It asserts a crisis in our being able to compete with other countries unless we reform a failed system of American public education.
U.S. Budget - Here's the current getting and spending of our money.
U.S. House of Represenatatives - All about the House and How It Works
Urban Plan - Look what we will do during the last month of the Spring Semester!
Vote Smart - A great place to find specific information on any member of the United States House or Senate.
War Powers Resolution (1973) -
Washington, D.C. Weather Forecast - Do BHS Close-Up students need an umbrella?
What's Up on the Mall? - Current Exhibits at the Smithsonian Museums

Federal & State Government

A Visit to Copyright Bay - Enter the world of copyright law by enjoying the fun of a detective tutorial.
All About Congress - From the Dirksen Center—an extremely useful source on Congress with links to CRS.
All About Presidential Vetoes - See also the U.S. Senate site on this topic at: www.senate.gov/reference/reference_index_subjects/Vetoes_vrd.htm
Are Executive Orders a Blueprint for Dictatorship? - From the Cato Institute, here is a critical analysis of the power of executive orders.
Ben's Guide to U.S. Government - A straightforward introduction to our government and how it works.
Bill Tracker - Use the tools on this page to find out more information about key issues on Capitol Hill and to contact your elected representatives about them.
C-Span Covers States and Local Government - Here is a useful site to discover current action by states and local communities to solve our social problems.
C-Span Scheduling - See congressional hearings & floor action live; learn about the current Supreme Court and Presidency.
California Home Page -
California State Assembly -
California State Senate -
Center For Legislative Archives - A treasure for the study of congressional history
Center for the Study of the Presidency - The latest research on the institution of the Presidency may be found here.
Clerk of the House - Here is where you begin for any documents relating to the House of Representatives.
Congress At Work - All about Congress' current work
Congress Votes - Get information on how your role model voted.
Congressional Archives -
Congressional Budget Office -
Congressional Record - Find out what was said in actual debates on the floor of U.S. House and Senate on your issue.
Congressional Record Index - Another way to access a truly comprehensive resource for congressional debates.
Constitutional Amendments Never Ratified - Learn about six proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution which failed ratification. Should they have been passed?
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton - Learn about the woman who 'represents' the District of Columbia in the U.S. House of Representatives
Dirksen Center - All About Congress and How It Works
Early American Cartoons - View some of the first American political cartoons ever published.
Executive Departments -
Executive Orders Issued by President George W. Bush -
Explore the District of Columbia - Here is a gateway site introducing you to the treasures of the nation's capital.
Fed 101—the Federal Reserve Today - Fed101 takes visitors on an interactive journey through the Federal Reserve's history, monetary policy, regulatory functions, and financial services.
FedWorld -
Federal Poverty Guidelines - Who is in 'poverty' according to the federal government? Learn how the guidelines are calculated.
Federal Register - Here is the home of all executive agency regulations.
Federalist Papers -
Firstgov - Go here to search virtually any aspect of the federal government.
General Accounting Office -
Governing: Politics/Public Policy links -
Governing: State Government links -
Government Printing Office On-Line - A great place to gain access to federal government documents.
Government and Political Science Resources -
Government's Role in Central Banking - Links to Federal Government Impact on the Economy
Home Rule for the District of Columbia - Find out about this hot issue in Washington, D.C.
House Rules Committee - Visit this site to find all about House rules and parliamentary procedure.
IRS Taxes - So You Got a Job?
InfoUSA - Here is a succinct primer on American government developed by the Department of State.
Inside the White House - Take a unique personal tour of the White House from the perspective of a working President.
Internal Revenue Service -
John Adams' Thoughts on Government - Here is one of the most influential American letters ever written. Adams looks beyond independence to the requirements of a new democratic republic.
Key elements of Parliamentary Procedure - Tips from the National Association of Parliamentarians
Learn More About Your Role Model in the House -
Learn More About Your Role Model in the Senate -
Library of Congress—House of Rep. - search for legislative info. in the House
National Center for Educational Statistics - Here is the place to visit for extensive data on our nation's public schools.
OMB Budget Tables - Especially useful are the historical tables that show what federal agencies have spent from 1940 to the present.
Public Affairs Report - Institute of Governmental Studies Updates
Robert's Rules of Order - Here are the rules of parliamentary procedure.
Roll Call -
Rough & Tumble - A Daily Snapshot of California Public Policy and Politics
Search the Federal Government -
State & Local Government on the Net - The State and Local Government Internet directory provides convenient one-stop access to the websites of thousands of state agencies and city and county governments.
State & Local Governments (Library of Congress) -
State Government Information - This is a helpful Library of Congress site.
State Law -
State Taxes - Here are links to every state so you may learn how the states vary in their approaches to taxes.
Stateline.org - A great source for state responses to social problems.
Structure of the Federal Reserve System - Federal Government Fine Tunes the Economy
Survival Tips on Parliamentary Procedure - Simplified look at key aspects of using parliamentary procedure.
Tax History Project - Have some fun learning about American tax history.
Tax Protester FAQ - Here are thoughtful responses to many objections to taxation raised by tax protesters over the years.
Tax and Accounting Sites Directory - A great place to start in finding resources on American tax policy.
The American Presidency - Presidency in Action features the functional side of the American presidency, outlining the responsibilities of the President and the resources at his disposal. Includes essays; a graphically rich Organization Chart; and details about the offices the President relies on and the personnel inhabiting them.
The First Federal Congress—1789-1791 - An superb look at the seminal decisions made in the first U.S. Congress, from creating a judiciary to funding the national debt to the expansion of the Republic.
The Impact of Executive Orders on the Legislative Process: Executive Lawmaking? - Here are the Rules Committee hearings on this controversial question.
The Process of Impeachment - Explore the rules and procedures of impeachment in a historical context.
U.S. Attorneys - Inside the Federal Courtroom made simple.
U.S. Government Manual - Here is a complete description and organizational chart of the federal bureaucracy.
U.S./State/Local Government Gateway -
University of Michigan Documents Center -
What are Executive Orders? - Here is an explanation from the National Archives, Federal Register people.
What is an Executive Order? - Learn the fundamentals of this important Presidential power.
White House -

Interest Groups & Think Tanks

Agenda For Justice - A liberal activist site filled with 'progressive' arguments for social change.
American Civil Liberties Union - An excellent site for understanding current Supreme Court cases that relate to civil liberties.
American Enterprise Institute - A conservative think-tank.
Americans for Democratic Action - A liberal interest group that focuses on using the federal government to solve social problems.
Anti-Defamation League - An organization dedicated to combating bigotry and anti-semitism.
Brookings Institution - A liberal think-tank.
Campaign for America's Future - A liberal activist organization
Cato Institute Home Page - A libertarian think-tank.
Center For Public Policy - A conservative think-tank.
Center For Responsive Politics - A 'non-partisan' and 'non-profit' research group that tracks money in politics and its effect on elections and public policy.
Center for Immigration Studies -
Center for the American Woman and Politics -
Citizens for Tax Justice -
Claremont Institute - A conservative think-tank.
Competitive Enterprise Institute - The conservative answer to many liberal proposals.
Contacting Activist Groups -
Democratic Leadership Council - A liberal think-tank and activist organization claiming to forward a 'New Democrat' strategy for solving social problems.
Department of State - International Information Programs
Economic Policy Institute - A 'non-partisan' think tank that analyzes income distribution in the states and nation.
Family Research Council - Analyzes issues of interest to social conservatives.
Federation of American Scientists -
Free-Market links - Emphasizes conservative economic values.
Greenpeace -
Heritage Foundation - A conservative think-tank.
History of Economic Thought - A great place to gain background on economics, the website uses an historical approach.
Hoover Institute - Stanford University's conservative think-tank.
Hudson Institute - A conservative think-tank
Independent Women's Forum - A good site to visit to see women's ideas that differ from N.O.W. doctrine.
Institute for Policy Innovation - A conservative think-tank
Lexrex - Conservative ideas in approaching social problems
Libertarian Homepage -
Manhatten Institute - A conservative think tank.
National Center for Public Policy Research - Sources for conservative responses social problems.
National Council of LaRaza -
National Education Association - A teachers union speaks from the left.
National Organization for Women -
Pacific Legal Foundation - A conservative think-tank.
People For The American Way - A liberal interest group.
Political Science Resources on the Web -
Politically Black - Extensive links to information on black politics, leadership, and news sources.
Rand Corporation - For nearly 60 years, the RAND Corporation has pursued its nonprofit mission by conducting research on important and complicated problems.
Sierra Club -
Southeastern Legal Foundation - Many conservative links.
Special Access - USA Today has studied lobbyists who host fundraisers in their own townhouses near Capitol Hill. Select your lawmaker unless he or she did not get caught.
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies - The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of the legal order. It is founded on the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution, and that it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be.
The Independent Institute - Here is an Oakland-based think-tank that gives a conservative perspective to social issues.
The Lobbying Game - Experience the world of Congress and lobbying by participating in the game.
UCLA Civil Rights Project - Links to studies related to education and civil rights.
Worldwatch Institute - A liberal source focusing on global issues.

Issues Research

Alcohol & Drug Information: Research and Statistics - Includes many surveys on alcohol and drug abuse and related attitudes of America's teens.
Bureau of Justice Statistics - BJS collects, analyzes, publishes, and disseminates information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government.
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Lots of information about the United States, with respect to labor issues, with recent economic data included.
CNN Special Reports - Here is a site for an in-depth look at major contemporary political and historical events.
CNN Transcripts -
CRS Reports - This listing of CRS Reports focuses on the environment and related topics.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - Research on the economic implications of our budget choices.
Congressional Research Service Reports - A rich source of information on all issues.
Conservative Sources -
Copyright Tips and Issues - Learn about the legal pitfalls attending the creation a webpage.
Death Penalty - A good place to start in researching this issue.
Education At A Glance: Education Statistics - Reports of major research studies done on a wide variety of topics related to American education.
Energy Information Administration - A great place to get background on energy issues.
Environmental News Network - Updates on environmental issues.
FedStats - A great resource for government generated statistics.
Finding Data on the Internet - A wonderful collection of links to sources of data on a wide variety of subjects and isssues.
Freemarket - Conservative links on a variety of social issues
Guide to State Statistical Abstracts - Get statistical evidence for a particular state here.
Information on Defense Issues -
Institute of Governmental Studies Search -
Internet Legal Resources -
Internet Research Tutorial -
Jim Lehrer News Hour - Here you can listen or read transcripts of special news reports from this award winning PBS program which airs each week night. Subscribe to their on-line service for previews of broadcasts.
Learn About Opposition to the World Trade Organization -
Mining Co. Information on U.S. Government -
National Political Index - Search Many Topics in Government & Public Policy
National Public Radio - Hear broadcasts of special reports on major social issues.
Nationl Center for Policy Analysis - Gives a conservative perspective to social issues.
New York Times Search - Search for Issues & Government Information Using New York Times Navigator
On The Issues - Here is a good place to start for background, pros and cons, on major issues.
Opinion Pages - Editorial, opinion, and comment pages from on-line English newspapers around the world.
Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy - A conservative think-tank.
Policy Digest Archives - Conservative views on social issues.
Political Information - PolitInfo.com is an independent and non-partisan portal for political resources, news, and information. PolitInfo.com is one of the most comprehensive on-line resources for politics, political science, political information.
Political Wire - A comprehensive and useful site that covers issues, politics, and the processes of government.
Population Reference Bureau - A great place to find statistical information on people and how they are faring.
Presidential Speeches - Here is an archive of key historic presidential speeches.
Pro Death Penalty - This site offers useful information supporting retention of the death penalty.
Public Agenda Online: Is that poll trustworthy? - Useful guides offer a nonpartisan briefing on policy and polling, including 'red flags' where poll results may be misleading. Offers research resources and more.
Search.com -
Social Statistics Briefing Room - Provides easy access to current federal social statistics.
Statistical Abstract of the U.S. -
Statistical Resources on the Web - Agriculture, military, energy—you name it and here are valuable statistics to help back your arguments.
The Gallup Organization - One of the most famous companies that survey the American people for opinions and other information.
The Plain English Guide To The Clean Air Act - This is the best place to start in order to understand the 1990 amendments to the 1970 Clean Air Act. Here's a good lesson in how laws are implemented by executive agencies.
U.C. Berkeley Internet Search -
U.S. Census Data -
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - The most recent data on hazardous products and their safety record.

Periodicals

American Prospect Homepage - Articles from the liberal point of view.
American Spectator Online - For conservative views
Atlantic Monthly -
Business Week Magazine -
Commentary Magazine - Articles from a conservative perspective.
Daily Californian - Read the daily newspaper covering the University of California, Berkeley.
Dissent - A journal with liberal views on social issues.
Electronic Policy Network - A good place to find information on liberal approaches to social issues and locate organizations that study issues and promote changes in public policy.
Foreign Policy in Focus - A Gateway to Foreign Policy Issues on the Internet
Freedom Forum - News about free speech, free press, & journalism around the world.
Governing - Read some articles on state & local government from Congressional Quarterly.
Government Documents in the News -
Government Executive Magazine - A fine source for the latest developments in the world of the federal government.
Indianapolis Recorder - Read a prominent African American newspaper.
Mother Jones - Articles from a liberal perspective.
National Review-Back Issues - Articles from a conservative perspective.
New York Times - Homepage
Newsdirectory: Newspapers & Media -
Newspapers & News Sources -
Newsweek Magazine -
Policy Review - A thoughtful publication from the conservative Heritage Foundation.
Progressive Magazine - A more than liberal publication.
San Francisco Chronicle - Homepage
Slate - A fine opinion magazine valuable in researching social issues for debate.
The Common Conservative - Recommended sites for conservative views on social issues
The Nation - Articles from a liberal perspective.
The New Republic - Articles from a conservative perspective, but look for occasional surprises.
The Washington Times - A newspaper the answers the Washington Post.
The Weekly Standard - Current political analysis from the conservative point of view.
The Wilson Quarterly - A wonderful in-depth source for thoughtful analysis of history and government. Try their index for useful articles.
Time Magazine -
Townhall - Conservative views and news.
Turn Left: the Home of Liberalism on the Web -
U.S.News & World Report -
Washington Monthly - A 'gadfly' publication that's a lot of fun.
Washington Post - Homepage
World & National Newspapers -
WorldNet Daily - A conservative net daily.

Elections & Campaigns

America Votes - Presidential Campaign Memorabilia & History
American Living Room Candidates - View historic presidential campaign tv commercials from 1952-2000.
CNN-AllPOLITICS -
California Statewide Data Base - An excellent source of statistics on political California, particularly data on redistricting.
California Voter Foundation -
Campaign 2008 - Follow the Presidential race with C-Span
Campaign Ads - EASE History Campaign Ads is an interactive learning environment where presidential campaign ads are entry points to learn about campaign issues and their historical context, as well as the persuasive techniques and strategies that are part of political campaigns.
Campaigns and Elections - This magazine posts some of its articles for you to learn more about current campaigns and elections.
Carving Up the Vote - Here are terrific insights into the process and implications of gerrymandering.
Center for Public Integrity-campaign reform -
Clean Up Washington - The liberal Public Citizen organization, based in Washington, D.C., is one of the leading proponents of pubicly financed campaigns. This site shows you where the $ is going, which members of Congress are benefitting from whom.
Common Cause -
Common Cause on 'Soft Money' - Learn about the abuses of campaign finance from a special interest group that calls itself a public interest group.
Democracy Network - A project of the League of Women Voters on election information.
Democratic National Committee -
Election 2000 - Explore the closest election in American in American history in an historical context.
Electoral College - Learn about the electoral vote for the Presidency.
Electoral Process - This site explores alternative election methods, problems with access to the ballot, vote rigging, and campaign finance reform.
Federal Election Commission - Track the campaign contributions and learn who is receiving the money from whom.
Keep the Electoral Vote - Here is a site that informs you about the electoral vote in an interactive way and supports the Electoral College beyond my defense of it as a pillar of a moderate two-party system.
League of Women Voters -
N.Y.Times Political Links -
NY Times election information -
Politics 1 - A great guide to politics, parties, and candidates.
Project Vote Smart -
Project VoteSmart - Track Your Issue in Congress Today
Publius election information -
Reform Party of the United States -
Republican National Committee -
Rock the Vote Homepage -
Salon Politics - Issues discussed in an elective, political context.
Select a Candidate - You can register your opinions on various issues and then see which Presidential candidate's views match yours.
The Center for Responsive Politics - This site posts a wealth of analysis about PAC contributions.
The Federal Election Commission - Here are reports on campaign spending.
The Gallup Polls - What do Americans think about our social problems and proposed solutions? Here you can find reliable public opinion polls on current social issues.
U.S. Presidential Election Maps - View the country as it voted historically in presidential elections by comparing the popular vote with the electoral vote.
Welcome to E-Vote -
White House '04 - Rambling, funny site on election politics.

United States Supreme Court

'The Constitution is not a suicide pact.' - This Wikipedia site is useful in thinking about the scope of presidential powers in time of war.
'With an Even Hand'—Brown v. Board at Fifty - This Library of Congress exhibit is a superb place to gain valuable visual and factual insights into this revolutionary case.
All About California Courts -
American Bar Association - How the courts work—a valuable resource.
American Lawyer Media - A great place to get up-to-date information on the nation's courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
Answers on the Supreme Court & How It Works - Linda Greenhouse of the New York Times Answers Your Questions
Background on Hamdi v Rumsfeld 2004 - Wikipedia's attempt to unravel what the Court did in this case.
Basic Readings on the Supreme Court - This site includes handy summaries of important Supreme Court cases and their implications for American democracy.
Blasphemy - Curt Flood sues Major League baseball.
Brown v Board of Education 1954 - Here are the bare basics on this case.
C-Span on the Courts - Go here for Supreme Court news and other current judicial information.
CNN Law Center - A useful site to discover the latest federal and state law suits and court decisions.
CNN on the Supreme Court - Here is a wealth of information on the Justices of the current U.S. Supreme Court.
Commonwealth Edison Co. v. Montana, 1981 - Here is Justice Thurgood Marshall's majority opinion in a case involving a severance tax and the 'commerce' clause. The dissent is there too.
Cornell Law School—Legal Information - Here is the Court's schedule of oral arguments as wellas a biography and decision list for each justice. Decisions from 1992 to present are available here plus more than 600 of the Court's most important decisions from the founding of the Court to the present.
Cornell's Annotated Constitution - An outstanding resource for further understanding the U.S. Constitution
Criminal Justice Legal Foundation - This conservative site offers arguments in support of the death penalty and efforts to make certain that victims' rights are protected.
Curt Flood Act of 1998 - Complete text of the law limiting Major League Baseball's anti-trust exemption in labor matters.
Dialogue on Brown v. Board - This American Bar Association site is valuable in evaluating the impact and reasoning in the case. Contains reactions of Justice Thomas to the decision.
Documents Related to Brown v. Board of Education - Here is a rich source of primary documents that give sophisticated insights into the case.
Escobedo v. Illinois 1964 - Listen to the oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Federal Judiciary Homepage - Info. on Federal Courts
Fifty Years Later: Brown v Board of Education - Jim Lehrer News Hour celebrates the case and gives an informed look at background and subsequent compliance with this pivotal decision.
FindLaw - Get legal information on issues.
Hamdan v Rumsfeld 2006 - Wikipedia background on this important case, which led to passage of the Military Commisions Act of 2006.
Hamdi v Rumsfeld 2004 - Here is a succinct analysis of what the Court sort of decided.
Historic (prior 1900) Supreme Court Decisions -
Historic Supreme Court Decisions-by Judge -
Howard University Law School and Brown v. Board - Here is a brief but helpful history of Brown, Howard University Law School's role in it, and the impact of Brown.
Information Please on Supreme Court Justices - This site will give you detailed information on selected Justices from the beginning of the Republic to the present.
Interactive Constitution - Here is a great primer on the meaning of the Constitution. Straightforward and clear, this site is extremely useful in your study of the Constitution and its meaning for us today.
Jurist—Legal News and Information - This University of Pittsburg site offers the latest information and analysis of cases before the Supreme Court and legal news in America and the world.
Justice Talking - This student-targeted Web site is a collaboration of NPR's 'Justice Talking' program and the NEW YORK TIMES Learning Network. The site contains a guide to the U.S. Constitution, numerous lesson plans, audio archives of past 'Justice Talking' programs, exclusive links to relevant NEW YORK TIMES articles.
Legacy of Brown v Board - Jim Leher News Hour interviews explore the ramifications of the decision fifty years after the Court decided the case.
Map of the U.S. Courts of Appeal and the U.S. District Courts - Here are the 12 Circuits, including the Federal Circuit for the District of Columbia. Look closely and you can see further divisions for the U.S. District Courts.
Mapp v. Ohio 1961 - Here is some additional useful background on the case.
Military Commissions Act of 2006 - Wikipedia background on Congressional response to the Supreme Courts decision in the Hamdan case, including recent attempts to apply the law and legal challenges as to its constitutionality.
Miranda v. Arizona 1966 - Here is important background on the legal aid movement that pertains to this case. Note also the memo from Justice Brennan that reveals what occurs while a Supreme Court opinion is being drafted.
New York Times on the Supreme Court - Here are the latest articles from the Times on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Notable Cases for the 2006-2007 Term of the U.S. Supreme Court - Listen to arguments read about the issues addressed by the Court this term.
Oyez—U.S. Supreme Court Media - Great source on the Court and how it works.
Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896 - A short primer on the case.
Recent Supreme Court Rulings -
SELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL LAW DECISIONS -
Scotusblog - Here is a popular site that tracks the work of the United States Supreme Court.
Search and View Full Text of Supreme Court Decisions - Here are decisions for 1937 to the present.
Supreme Court Cases related to Brown v. Board - This site is handy in providing opinions as well as oral arguments, but more importantly, each case includes an easily accessed concise summary of the significant points made and how the cases relate to Brown and each other.
Supreme Court Docket - Here you can find the Court's calendar, lower court decisions in a pending or previously argued case, written briefs for each case, etc.
Supreme Court Historical Society - This site offers hstorical background on the Court including a recent intriguing examination of the Court's role in resolving the notorious 1876 Hayes-Tilden Presidential election.
Supreme Court Justices - Biographical data and other useful information on the U.S. Supreme Court
Supreme Court Landmark Cases - A quick way to acquire the basics on pivotal decisions.
Supreme Court Oral Argument Transcripts - Recent oral argument transcripts are here for the viewing.
Supreme Court Oral Arguments - C-SPAN presents Supreme Court oral arguments in the case of Parents C-SPAN presents Supreme Court oral arguments in the case of Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1. The Court will decide what role race can be used when assigning students to K-12 schools in an effort to achieve diversity.
Supreme Court Watch - Jim Lehrer News Hour follows the current U.S. Supreme Court and provides analysis of oral arguments and decisions.
The Federal Courts - This site is designed to introduce students to the American federal court system. It contains basic information about the structure of the federal courts, what kind of cases that federal courts hear, and how to use federal court decisions in research.
The First Amendment Center - This is absolutely the place to start research on freedom of speech, press, religious liberty, assembly, and petition.
The History of the U.S. Supreme Court -
The Strange History of Jim Crow - A useful site to understand Brown v the Board of Education.
The Supreme Court on PBS - The Court's history and decision making process are subjects of this site which supports the new films we will be viewing in our Constitutional law class.
Thelton Henderson - A conversation with the distinguished U.S. District judge who lives right here in Berkeley. He discusses his life and work.
Topix.net—Supreme Court News - Another handy source for our 'Law in the News' discussions.
U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal - Info. on the U.S. Courts of Appeal
U.S. Supreme Court Center - Posted by FindLaw, this is a valuable resource on the Court.
United States Supreme Court - This is the official website for the Court.
United States Supreme Court Monitor - The target audience for this site is legal professionals. Site includes articles, links to decisions, and editorials about the Court.
United States Tax Court - The FAQ section is particularly useful.
Visit the Supreme Court -
Wikipedia on Curt Flood and Flood v Kuhn 1970 -
With All Deliberate Speed - More background on Brown v the Board of Education
You Decide on College Admissions - Evaluate five candidates for admission and see how difficult the process really is.

Content by Steven C. Teel, steel@berkeley.k12.ca.us
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listamgovst.html
Last revised Fri Aug 28 15:34:11 US/Pacific 2009