Racial Profiling Legalized in Arizona

In 2010, Arizona enacted S.B. 1070, which, by its very terms, necessitates racial profiling. The definition of racial profiling is "the reliance on race, skin color and/or ethnicity as an indication of criminality, reasonable suspicion, or probable cause, except when part of a description of a suspect, and said description is timely, reliable, and geographically relevant." Although the new statute says that law enforcement officers "may not consider race, color or national origin in the enforcement of this section," that language is followed by the words, "except to the extent permitted by the United States or Arizona Constitution." Indeed, S.B. 1070 effectively requires the consideration of race, color and national origin because it is unfathomable how a law enforcement official could avoid considering those factors in deciding whom to investigate under the new law. Even the most well-meaning officer cannot possibly determine whether an individual may be undocumented without making judgments based on apparent race, color and national origin

Let the Sun Shine on the Supreme Court

Though the Supreme Court allows public attendance and print media coverage of argument sessions, Supreme Court Justices have long been reluctant to allow news cameras into the courtroom. Justice David Souter famously stated, The day you see a camera come into our courtroom it\u27s going to roll over my dead body. This essay, originally presented as part of the Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly Volume 34 Symposium: Cameras in the Court, traces the history of cameras in the courtroom and the Justices\u27 various reasons to oppose their entry. The essay argues that it is in the Supreme Courtroom that the law of the land is made. When the Court argues about how the next President is selected, whether a woman can choose to have an abortion, whether a detainee may be held in custody for the rest of his life, or whether the government will take the threat of global warming seriously, the public has a right to be there. The essay concludes that there is no cogent reason to deny the public a window into the high court

Blood Pressure and Job Domains Among Hotel Housekeepers

Hotel housekeepers have challenging working conditions, putting them at risk for poor health such as hypertension. Despite their risks, few studies have measured their blood pressure (BP). The purpose of this study was to explore hotel housekeepers’ blood pressure and the associations between work and BP. Methods: A community engagement approach was used to recruit study participants. Data sources included questionnaires, and BP measurement. Results: Over 25% of the 39 hotel housekeepers reported hypertension diagnosis and/or antihypertensive medication used. Across the job domains, job satisfaction was correlated with diastolic BP, and workload was correlated with systolic BP. There were difference in blood pressure reading, diagnosis and job domains between workers affiliated with union and those with no union affiliation. Discussion: Hypertension is a major concern among this worker group and warrants further investigation. Studies targeting union and non-union workers are needed, given their differences. Researchers will likely benefit from a community engagement approach with hotel housekeepers