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Arizona dispatch: students from 70 law schools and universities debate 20 proposed amendments to the US Constitution at model convention

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Arizona dispatch: students from 70 law schools and universities debate 20 proposed amendments to the US Constitution at model convention


JP Leskovich is a rising 3L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and JURIST’s News Managing Editor. He filed this dispatch from Phoenix. This is the second in a series of dispatches he’s filing as an embedded reporter for JURIST at the Model Constitutional Convention sponsored by the Center for Constitutional Design at ASU Law.  

Student delegates at the Model Constitutional Convention being held at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law this Memorial Day weekend debated 20 proposed amendments to the US Constitution in their sessions Saturday.

The proposals covered a range of topics, including environmental protection, national service, future constitutional amendments, court reform, impeachment, gun control, electoral campaign periods, term limits, lifting the cap on the number of representatives in the House of Representatives, the right to marry, limiting presidential pardon power, prohibiting political gerrymandering, instituting restorative justice, abolishing death-qualified juries, Congressional representation for the territories, codifying tribal sovereignty, restricting eminent domain, restricting investment for members of Congress, and prohibiting discrimination based on sex and gender.

Contrary to the first day of the Convention, where we deliberated in smaller committees, the whole Convention—all 110 of us serving as official delegates—debated these amendments in plenary sessions. This resulted in wide-ranging debates on these topics, with heated but constructive conversation about our constitutional future. We were governed by a modified Roberts Rules, which provided us with structure so we could get things done in the time allotted (granted, it did take us nearly 8 hours!).

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In addition to debating the proposals as written, we introduced and voted on a number of amendments to the proposals. This allowed the Convention to express its democratic will and change the proposals. For example, the Equal Rights Amendment was amended to include “sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation,” instead of just “sex.” There were a number of moments where we had to call “division,” which required the chair to count each of the votes. The fact that we need to call “division” so many times showed how contentious many of these amendments were and how difficult it can be to reach a consensus.

One of the first proposals that we discussed was one that would enshrine tribal sovereignty in the US Constitution. Tribal nations in the US are sovereigns, but their sovereignty is often infringed on. This proposal would codify the current status of Indian law in the US to protect tribal sovereignty from Supreme Courts that may not understand the intricacies of Indian law and therefore limit tribal sovereignty.

“Historically, the Supreme Court is not good at doing Indian law,” said Crispin South, a Choctaw law student at Arizona State University who represented Oklahoma and introduced the proposal. “I think Justice Brennan once called Indian law cases ‘chicken shit’ cases.” He pointed to Montana v. US and Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta, saying that “those cases really for no reason abrogated the sovereignty of tribal nations with very feeble justification.” Therefore, he said, this proposed amendment is necessary to “right some precious wrongs and create a firewall for the current Indian law paradigm.”

During debate, delegates expressed support for recognizing tribal sovereignty and treating tribal nations as equals. As the delegate representing Wisconsin, I emphasized that there are 11 federally recognized tribes in the state and that constructive government-to-government relations are critical to ending the long chain of broken promises and broken treaties. South said he felt good about the debate:

I think it went well. The one bit of opposition we did get was requiring tribal nations to adopt the US Bill of Rights and I think Congress has really already done its job in enacting the Indian Civil Rights Act in that respect. So I don’t think it would be wise at this point to constitutionally require that the Bill of Rights be incorporated against tribes.

Another proposal that received considerable debate was giving the territories full voting rights in Congress. There seemed to be widespread support, with some delegates agitating to provide the territorial delegates to the Convention the ability to vote this weekend. Some expressed concerns about granting territories with small populations two Senators.

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I spoke with Rafael Montero, who was a delegate representing Colorado but is from Puerto Rico, about territorial representation and what it was like to hear people debate his own rights. “I felt the lack of information in regards to the territories and their political status, especially in regards to taxation and how taxation works in relation to how the government already has power over the territories.” He went on to say that, “on the other hand, there were people that I felt very grateful for and in solidarity with for supporting and advocating for those rights.” He emphasized that it’s important for territories to have voting representation in Congress because they are already being governed by the federal government and the President.

There were some more contentious amendments proposed, like one that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex and gender. Some more conservative delegates expressed concerns about codifying abortion rights and transgender rights. And some of the women delegates noted that it was mostly men expressing opposition. This was definitely the most tense and contentious debate, but it still remained mostly respectful and productive.

In my first dispatch for this Convention, I expressed optimism that we could be a beacon for a new and more just constitutional order. After a day of debate, I am still optimistic that young Americans can build a better democracy, but that optimism is much more tempered and cautious. The threshold is high, and it is hard to build a broad enough coalition in a nation so divided. We are voting today, so we shall see.

Still, the fact that so many US law students and undergraduates gathered to discuss our constitutional future shows that there is a critical mass of young people that are hungering for democracy to work better.

Opinions expressed in JURIST Dispatches are solely those of our correspondents in the field and do not necessarily reflect the views of JURIST’s editors, staff, donors or the University of Pittsburgh.

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Man in critical condition after being shot in Phoenix; police searching for suspect

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Man in critical condition after being shot in Phoenix; police searching for suspect


PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A man is in the hospital after being shot in Phoenix, and police are looking for the suspect involved.

The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. near 16th Street and Indian School Road.

Officers arrived and found a man who had been shot. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Police say they are still looking for the suspect and are using K-9 offices to assist with the search.

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A rough Sunday for Drew Thorpe and 3 more takeaways from the Chicago White Sox-Arizona Diamondbacks series

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A rough Sunday for Drew Thorpe and 3 more takeaways from the Chicago White Sox-Arizona Diamondbacks series


PHOENIX — Drew Thorpe wasn’t nearly as sharp in the second start of his big-league career.

The right-hander allowed seven earned runs — three in the first inning — for the Chicago White Sox in Sunday’s 12-5 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in front of 37,694 at Chase Field.

Thorpe walked five and didn’t record a strikeout in 3 1/3 innings.

“Just kind of didn’t have my best stuff,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t have my best command, obviously. It’s pretty hard to work around it when you don’t have it with the stuff I have.

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“I beat myself, right. Five walks, that’s not how I am. The only thing you can do is flush it and get to the next one and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Thorpe allowed one earned run on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks in his major-league debut Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park.

The Diamondbacks got to him early. Joc Pederson drove in two with a double — he was out trying to make it to third. Christian Walker followed with a solo home run, making it 3-0 in the first.

Thorpe got knocked out of the game during a six-run fourth inning for the Diamondbacks.

“He’s got to be able to pitch and command the strike zone,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “That’s going to be his bread and butter. That’s going to be how he performs at this level. If that’s a little off, then he’s going to have to make some adjustments and if it’s way off like today, he’ll struggle a little bit.

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“He’s a good competitor so you can’t overthink this one.”

The Sox lost two of three in the series and went 2-5 on the trip. Here are three more takeaways from the weekend.

1. Explaining Saturday’s intentional balk that aided the Sox.

Chicago White Sox catcher Martín Maldonado in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Sox catcher Martín Maldonado has a connection with Diamondbacks pitching coach Brent Strom from their time together with the Houston Astros.

“I’ve been in this game for a long time, their pitching coach knows me really good,” Maldonado said Saturday.

That might have been a factor in a unique sequence during Saturday’s third inning. Maldonado doubled and moved to third when Thyago Vieira intentionally dropped the ball for a balk.

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“Maldonado is very crafty,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told Arizona reporters, including MLB.com, after the game. “And he was given signs. He was (perfect). He didn’t miss one. And so I just went out there and said, ‘Let’s force a balk.’”

Andrew Vaughn followed with an RBI single, the first run for the Sox in an eventual 9-2 victory. Regardless of the outcome, Grifol thought it was a good move by Lovullo.

“It helped Martín scoring from third instead of scoring from second,” Grifol said before Sunday’s game. “There might have been a play at home, but you know what? I applaud what (Lovullo) did. He identified it.

“There’s multiple ways of fixing it instead of having the pitcher do something uncomfortable in the moment. Balk him over to third and get the next guy out. And I applaud him for it.”

2. Lenyn Sosa benefiting from ‘the freedom to play free.’

Chicago White Sox' Lenyn Sosa hits a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth inning during a baseball game, Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Chicago White Sox’ Lenyn Sosa hits a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth inning on Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Lenyn Sosa singled in the sixth inning Saturday. He hit a three-run home run the next inning. And he doubled in the ninth.

The third baseman went 3-for-5 with one of the team’s four home runs in the game. He’s 18-for-50 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 14 games since being recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on May 31. He went 2-for-4 Sunday.

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Sosa said through an interpreter after Saturday’s game that the confidence from the coaches has given him “the freedom to play free, the way I was playing in the minors.”

“I would rather play to have fun, to enjoy the game, and of course to help to do whatever it takes to have the team win,” Sosa said. “I’ve been enjoying the game playing with no pressure.”

Grifol said Sunday that mindset is “the only way he’s going to have success.”

“He’s not going to have success playing like he was before, just playing tight and not wanting to make mistakes and worried about making mistakes,” Grifol said. “Part of development is allowing players to do their thing and another big part of development is the players accepting instruction and constructive criticism, knowing that it’s coming from a good place. Coming from a place getting them better as an individual and getting us better as a team, as an organization.

“The No. 1 thing is to go out and play free. Don’t worry about making mistakes, and if you do make them, open your mind and let’s talk about it and get better for the next day. That’s development.”

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3. Sox designate OF Duke Ellis for assignment and add C Chuckie Robinson to the 40-man roster.

Chicago White Sox center fielder Duke Ellis stands in the dugout before the start of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field n Chicago on June 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago White Sox center fielder Duke Ellis stands in the dugout before the start of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Before Sunday’s game, the Sox designated outfielder Duke Ellis for assignment and selected the contract of catcher Chuckie Robinson from Charlotte to add him to the 40-man roster, then optioned him to Charlotte.

“(Robinson) had an out (in his contract), and he’s got a lot of value to the organization,” Grifol said of the move.

Robinson originally signed as a minor-league free agent during the offseason. He’s hitting .234 with six home runs and 25 RBIs in 41 games with the Knights.

“He’s a guy we really liked in the spring,” Grifol said. “He’s got a lot of energy. We didn’t want to lose him.”

Ellis, who was optioned to Charlotte on Wednesday, went 0-for-4 with a run and four stolen bases in eight games with the Sox this season.

“I really like Duke, we’ll see how that plays out,” Grifol said. “Two premium things — one is a premium position guy (in Robinson), and the other is premium speed (in Ellis). Sometimes you’ve got to make a tough decision, and that was it.”

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Family-Owned AriZona Pours Into Fashion Collections And Collaborations

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Family-Owned AriZona Pours Into Fashion Collections And Collaborations


Growing up in an urban setting provided familiar staples resonating with the community and its intrinsic cultural artifacts. Besides streetwear fashion and how the garments are worn, the drink choices have developed a familiarity with the communities.

One of those drinks is the AriZona beverage line, renowned for its iconic 22oz cans, it’s Half & Half: Iced Tea and Lemonade blend, dubbed the “Arnold Palmer,” and the many other flavors that became favorites, including a special edition, can that featured NBA legend and part-time DJ, Shaquille O’Neal. Founded in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1992, now, AriZona has become more than just a drink; it’s a lifestyle with apparel to appropriate your sartorial mood.

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Embracing boldness and out-of-the-box ideas, a legacy tied to urban communities, the AriZona lifestyle reflects a sense of adventure and authenticity. As this family brand continues to evolve, its foray into the world of fashion and merchandising has captured the essence of this lifestyle, resonating with fans across the globe.

Wesley Vultaggio, Chief Creative Officer, and Spencer Vultaggio, Chief Marketing Officer, also the sons of the founder and owner Don Vultaggio [a 6-foot 9-inch former truck driver], have had the same passion as their father did from day one. They describe it stating, “Producing the AriZona merch has been an exciting journey for us. Our father started it and we’ve kept on with the tradition of introducing exciting merch and point-of-sale items for the trade and consumers. We’re committed to staying ahead of the curve and delivering relevant products that resonate with loyalists, and new fans of the brand.”

Giving more flavor to their design palette, AriZona, and its c-suite sibling leaders tap into the essence in which the brand validated its essentiality. “Our design process starts with an ear to the street, tapping into current trends and understanding what our consumers are passionate about. We draw inspiration from streetwear, popular culture, and of course, our iconic beverage label creative.”

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“From there, it’s all about collaboration and creativity,” the Vultaggio brothers express. “We work closely with talented in-house designers and established Creatives to bring our vision to life, ensuring that each piece reflects the AriZona ethos and aesthetic. Whether it’s a bold graphic tee, a sleek water bottle, or a limited-edition collaboration, every item in our merch lineup is crafted with attention to detail and a passion for style. We like to explore new ideas and push the boundaries for what’s possible. Our goal is to create merch that looks great and inspires our fans to live life to the fullest.”

At the heart of the AriZona lifestyle is a commitment that embraces individuality and celebrates its roots. The Heritage Collection pays homage to AriZona’s iconic status, representing a nod to its origins and timeless appeal. Crafted with care and attention to detail, each product in the collection embodies the heritage while infusing a fresh twist for modern consumers. From classic flavors to timeless designs, the Heritage Collection celebrates what makes AriZona iconic in its bold can designs.

The evolution of AriZona merch has been a journey marked by excitement and creativity. Drawing inspiration from streetwear, popular culture, and the brand’s iconic beverage labels, the design process is a collaborative effort that aims to resonate with loyalists and new fans alike. With an ear to the street, AriZona’s merch lineup reflects the ethos and aesthetic, offering products that inspire fans to live life to the fullest.

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Building on its success within skate and surf culture, AriZona’s expansion into the ski/snowboard line is deemed a more natural progression into developing fashion. An active lifestyle and a spirit of adventure capture the essence of this outerwear collection.

The recent launch of the kid’s collection reflects AriZona’s commitment to engaging with the new generation of consumers. As parents themselves, the brand’s founders understand the importance of catering to all ages and demographics. The kid’s collection allows families to share in the AriZona lifestyle together, fostering a sense of community and connection.

AriZona has also collaborated with some of the most iconic brands in the industry, creating significant product drops that connect with fans on a deeper level. From streetwear labels like Anti-Social Social Club to sportswear giants like Adidas, each collaboration celebrates its joint successes and pushes the boundaries of possibilities.

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“We’ve had the pleasure of teaming up with some incredible brands to create significant product drops that connect with our fans,” the brothers detail. “Our collaboration with Anti-Social Social Club brought together trending streetwear style with our iconic beverages. Our partnership with Adidas Originals infused our bold flavors into their classic silhouettes. Each initiative has been a celebration of our joint successes.”

By exploring the intersection of art, fashion, and culture, AriZona continues to inspire and excite fans with its innovative partnerships. “Most recently, teaming up with emerging sunscreen brand Vacation Inc., where together we explored the intersection of art, fashion, and classic culture to create a collection that embodied the vintage spirit of AriZona. Collaborations allow us to push the boundaries of what’s possible and connect with our fans in new and exciting ways. We’re always looking forward to what’s next.”

Throughout its evolution, AriZona has remained committed to providing great taste at a great value. As a family-owned and operated business, the brand’s commitment to authenticity and affordability has remained constant. While AriZona has expanded its product lineup and explored new markets, it has stayed true to its roots, delivering high-quality products that resonate with fans worldwide.

“One thing that has remained constant is our commitment to providing great taste at a great value,” the brothers detail. “Again, we’re family owned and operated, so, most often, talking to the decision-makers. Our board meets daily over lunch, [making] our decisions quickly, collectively, and effectively. From the very beginning, our iconic Big Can at 99 cents has been a staple, offering consumers a delicious beverage at an unbeatable price. But while our commitment to affordability has stayed the same, we’ve also evolved in many ways.”

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The Vultaggio brothers continue, “We’ve expanded our product lineup to include a wide range of flavors and beverage options, from teas and juices to water[s] and energy drinks – snacks, and adult beverages. We’ve embraced collaborations and partnerships that have allowed us to connect with new audiences and explore new markets. And through it all, remained true to our roots, staying authentic to who we are as a brand and continuing to deliver the high-quality products that our fans know and love.”

For the founders of AriZona, personal style is a mix of highs and lows, reflecting its ethos of authenticity and individuality. From the Heritage Blossom Hoodie to the Black Heritage Field Coat, AriZona merch has become a staple in their wardrobes, embodying the bold spirit of the brand.

Wesley Vultaggio concludes, “[We] love a mix of highs and lows. We create pieces we actually want to wear, and like our Dad (and our employees), we wear AriZona merch because we want to, not because it’s mandated. [Spencer wears] the Heritage Blossom Hoodie all the time, while I love the Black Heritage Field Coat. Our father wears an AriZona shirt every day and has a regular cycle of the t-shirts.”

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AriZona’s reputation as a neighborhood drink with a premium allure has fostered its sartorial ventures, inspiring collaborations and partnerships that reflect its style and taste. By drawing inspiration from its diverse cultural influences, AriZona continues to push boundaries on its fashion and merchandise catalog.





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