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UCLA law professor learns Ferguson-related exam question is taboo
Fox News ^ | 12/12/2014 | Maxim Lott

Posted on 12/12/2014 3:24:50 PM PST by SeekAndFind

Law school exams often present legal conundrums ripped from headlines of the day, but one UCLA law professor is apologizing for basing a test question on what is apparently a taboo subject -- the fallout from the police shooting of a black man in Ferguson, Mo.

Professor Robert Goldstein said the exam question was designed to test students’ ability to analyze the line between free speech and inciting violence. It cited a report about how Michael Brown’s stepfather, Louis Head, shouted, “Burn this bitch down!” after a grand jury decided not to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown.

The question then asked students to imagine that they are lawyers in the St. Louis County Attorney’s office and had been asked to advise the prosecutor “whether to seek an indictment against Head” for inciting violence. The exam reads:

“[As] a recent hire in the office, you are asked to write a memo discussing the relevant First Amendment issues in such a prosecution. Write the memo.”

But students complained, and writer Elie Mystal at the popular legal blog “Above the Law” opined that the test question was “racially insensitive and divisive.” Mystal also incorrectly alleged that the question asked students to “advocate in favor of extremist racists in Ferguson.”

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: academicbias; burnbabyburn; deaththreats; democratscandals; dncbrownshirts; exam; ferguson; incitingariot; law; militantleft; naughtyteacherslist; ucla

1 posted on 12/12/2014 3:24:50 PM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

I rest my case.

2 posted on 12/12/2014 3:28:51 PM PST by gaijin
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To: SeekAndFind
"But students complained, and writer Elie Mystal at the popular legal blog “Above the Law” opined that the test question was “racially insensitive and divisive.”

Elie Mystal has no business or the foundation needed to become a lawyer.

There are no laws (yet) which restrict insensitivity or divisive content. Inciting violence is different. There are laws applicable to prosecution of such acts.

3 posted on 12/12/2014 3:29:36 PM PST by blackdog (There is no such thing as healing, only a balance between destructive and constructive forces.)
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To: SeekAndFind


4 posted on 12/12/2014 3:30:20 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: SeekAndFind

Political correctness rears its ugly head again. Some of these lawyer wannabes will probably come across issues that will make this logical question pale in comparison. But, some of law school has nothing to do with the real world.

Shame on the Prof for back pedalling.

If I found out that a lawyer I might hire was offended by a question like this, I would keep looking.


5 posted on 12/12/2014 3:33:35 PM PST by Sasparilla
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To: gaijin

Wow, a twofer.


6 posted on 12/12/2014 3:33:38 PM PST by facedown (Armed in the Heartland)
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To: gaijin


7 posted on 12/12/2014 3:38:38 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: gaijin

The prof forgot the new paradigm: “The truth, and nothing but the truth, unless it somehow involves an aggrieved minority.”


8 posted on 12/12/2014 3:40:17 PM PST by JennysCool (My hypocrisy goes only so far)
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To: gaijin

Smug, fat, and ‘wacis’ is no way to go through life.


9 posted on 12/12/2014 3:41:54 PM PST by GladesGuru (Islam Delenda Est. Because of what Islam is - and because of what Muslims do.)
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To: gaijin

10 posted on 12/12/2014 3:52:40 PM PST by ex91B10 (We've tried the Soap Box,the Ballot Box and the Jury Box; ONE BOX LEFT!a)
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To: SeekAndFind
Here's my favorite part of the article:

“If there are some law students who are such delicate flowers that merely being asked to assess whether certain controversial speech that's been in the news is constitutionally protected, in a class covering the First Amendment of all things, then maybe they should find another profession,” David Bernstein, a law professor at George Mason University School of Law, told FoxNews.com.

11 posted on 12/12/2014 3:57:47 PM PST by grundle
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To: grundle

They ALL are these days. Everyone is so damn worried about hurt feelings. Unless, of course, it’s a white Christian male. Then he can just suck it up.


12 posted on 12/12/2014 4:14:53 PM PST by TigerClaws
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To: gaijin
extremist racists

Are they a protected group?

13 posted on 12/12/2014 4:18:28 PM PST by Delta Dawn (Fluent in two languages: English and cursive.)
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To: Delta Dawn


14 posted on 12/12/2014 4:44:41 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: SeekAndFind
question was “racially insensitive and divisive.”

How?

Seriously, how?

15 posted on 12/12/2014 4:58:27 PM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: gaijin

A cowardly liberal Jewish professor and a bigoted, knee-jerk black ahole. Guess both will have to postpone exams because they have become traumatized by the events in Ferguson, New York, and the knife killings of Jews in Israel and NYC.

Oh wait! Dead Jews don’t merit a day off. Never mind!


16 posted on 12/12/2014 5:17:52 PM PST by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: gaijin

Hey Mystal. I see a lot of books in your bookcase. Ever read any, such as “The Constitution” of the United States?

Apparently not. End of argument, end of observation, end of sanity.


17 posted on 12/12/2014 5:19:01 PM PST by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: SeekAndFind

They can graduate with a JD with a minor in Drama


18 posted on 12/12/2014 5:19:56 PM PST by NonValueAdded (Pointing out dereliction of duty is NOT fear mongering, especially in a panDEMic)
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To: SeekAndFind
advocate in favor of extremist racists in Ferguson.

Why is it that when I first read that phrase, I thought that it was referring to the black mob who felt looting and arson were appropriate responses to the outcome of a court case?

19 posted on 12/12/2014 8:41:38 PM PST by CurlyDave
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To: SeekAndFind
“[As] a recent hire in the office, you are asked to write a memo discussing the relevant First Amendment issues in such a prosecution. Write the memo.”
But students complained, and writer Elie Mystal at the popular legal blog “Above the Law” opined that the test question was “racially insensitive and divisive.” Mystal also incorrectly alleged that the question asked students to “advocate in favor of extremist racists in Ferguson.”

Wow, a whole new set of parameters for discussing the legal/constitutional issues for specific circumstances.

I didn't see where the professor asked them to consider race, only events/conditions - all very apporpriate and necessary to look at the legal issues involved in assesing whether a Constitutional Amendment applies.

Now, because folks know that Blacks are more likely to have made "bad decisions" on this than Whites, it is racist to dicsuss a situation as it applies to the Constitution.

They want the Constitution and the Rule of Law dead - they don't understand that if they really get their way, many of them will be dead too and the remainders of their population will likely never be able to be so outspoken again...

20 posted on 12/13/2014 3:30:21 AM PST by trebb (Where in the the hell has my country gone?)
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