R.I.P. Justice Antonin Scalia

[MikeandRaph87]

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, 79 was appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1986 to the highest court. His death was unexpected and at this time is believed natural causes. He returned to Texas to attend a private party and did not wake up this morning. The fiery conservative enters history books today and has had a long held impact behind the scenes. This tilts the courts and maybe adds fire to the election as that person will likely appoint the replacement.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/us-world/article/Senior-Associate-Justice-Antonin-Scalia-found-6828930.php

[oldmanwinters]

In my opinion, changes in the Supreme Court Justices are a bigger deal than 4-year presidential elections.

I'm a conservative, and I liked Scalia.

[Autbot_Benz]

he was a very hateful man a bit homophobic too. I say good riddance.

[Katie]

Good riddance? Thats pretty harsh. Its ok not to agree with the guy's political ideology...I don't...but good riddance? He's not some third world dictator.

I disagree with most of his stances, but I won't celebrate his death.

[plastroncafe]

There's no way the bench will sit short a justice for nearly a year.
The current administration will appoint a new Justice long before the next one takes office next January.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

There's no way the bench will sit short a justice for nearly a year.
The current administration will appoint a new Justice long before the next one takes office next January.

Yup. Uncle Barry's got another... what is it, 10 months? He's totally filling the spot. Last new justice was Sotomayer, wasn't it?

[plastroncafe]

The internet tells me the longest confirmation for a Justice is 100 days, that that was Thomas. Guess we'll be seeing that beat.

This being said...I'm sad for his family, friends, and anyone else who grieves for his loss.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

I say good riddance.

A man dies and all you can think is 'good riddance' because he didn't match your political stances? Geez... :ohwell:

[plastroncafe]

I think the ire that man inspired was a bit more than just a difference of opinion. It's not as though Scalia was just making political small talk over Thanksgiving dinner, the man sat on the bench of the most powerful court in the nation.

[oldmanwinters]

For those who disliked Scalia because of his conservatism, just remember he was a champion for video game free expression:
http://kotaku.com/antonin-scalias-landmark-defense-of-violent-video-games-1758990360

:D

[Candy Kappa]

A homophobe that was against women's right to Bodily Autonomy.

Celebrating someone's death is a bit overdoing it, but I'm not grieving either.


The video game thing was nifty, though. Better then Hilary :lol:

[CyberCubed]

The problem is since he was 79, he obviously lived in olden times when rights for women and gays were not as big as they are now. They need to get rid of these old crows and replace them with younger judges who grew up in today's modern society.

Seriously, they're practically from another lifetime. Obviously they don't know about the social norms and problems of the young people of today. Anyone over 60 was born in the 50's so what do they know?

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

The problem is since he was 79, he obviously lived in olden times when rights for women and gays were not as big as they are now. They need to get rid of these old crows and replace them with younger judges who grew up in today's modern society.

Seriously, they're practically from another lifetime. Obviously they don't know about the social norms and problems of the young people of today. Anyone over 60 was born in the 50's so what do they know?

It's patently unfair to dismiss everyone from older times as unenlightened and uneducated. Judge people by their own individual merit or lack thereof, not simply on their time period.

[MikeandRaph87]

The exact cause of Antonin's death will take several days to confirm, but it is believed he suffered from a sudden massive heart attack in his sleep while at the hunting resort. Like him or not, he is a profound intellectual who fought for the law he believed in.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/texas-tv-station-scalia-died-of-a-heart-attack/2016/02/14/938e2170-d332-11e5-9823-02b905009f99_story.html

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Regardless of the favor or disdain of individual judges, I wonder why we continue to allow judges' appointments to be for life. It insulates them from accountability to their constituents and allows them unchecked authority...

Although, in a way, I guess the fact that their appointments are for life does allow them a certain insulation from Presidential regimes; a President can usually only appoint one or two justices to the Supreme Court and is prevented from stacking a court with all Republicans or all Democrats.

I dunno. I still say the system is flawed, but it's been a few years since my government courses.

[snake]

The problem is since he was 79, he obviously lived in olden times when rights for women and gays were not as big as they are now. They need to get rid of these old crows and replace them with younger judges who grew up in today's modern society.

Seriously, they're practically from another lifetime. Obviously they don't know about the social norms and problems of the young people of today. Anyone over 60 was born in the 50's so what do they know?

Why don't we just put 12 year olds on the court? There. Hip with the kids and in touch with the problems of the young people of today.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Why don't we just put 12 year olds on the court? There. Hip with the kids and in touch with the problems of the young people of today.

A very fair argument, even though exaggerated. There aren't that many uprising young up-and-coming political heroes... the machine continues to be run by the old white guys.

[plastroncafe]

Regardless of the favor or disdain of individual judges, I wonder why we continue to allow judges' appointments to be for life. It insulates them from accountability to their constituents and allows them unchecked authority...

Although, in a way, I guess the fact that their appointments are for life does allow them a certain insulation from Presidential regimes; a President can usually only appoint one or two justices to the Supreme Court and is prevented from stacking a court with all Republicans or all Democrats.

I dunno. I still say the system is flawed, but it's been a few years since my government courses.

They don't have unchecked authority, because they are still accountable to the Legislative and Executive branches.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

They don't have unchecked authority, because they are still accountable to the Legislative and Executive branches.

Yeah, checks and balances, but it seems like once they're on the Council of Nine, they are good to go for life. Run the gauntlet, make it, worry no more.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

The problem is since he was 79, he obviously lived in olden times when rights for women and gays were not as big as they are now. They need to get rid of these old crows and replace them with younger judges who grew up in today's modern society.

Seriously, they're practically from another lifetime. Obviously they don't know about the social norms and problems of the young people of today. Anyone over 60 was born in the 50's so what do they know?

So I guess anyone who's just "too old" to fit in with this hip and crazy new generation shouldn't even bother opening his mouth, huh? Things change over time, sure, but that doesn't mean you should discount what Grandpa has to say. I'd much rather take an old fuddy-duddy with experience and intelligence over a relatively younger person who just knows what the kids are talking about.

The Supreme Court isn't about fitting law to match each generation's flavor. It's about interpreting and establishing the constitutionality of controversial law.

[Papenbrook]

I think the problem is the lack of diversity within the Supreme Court. By that, I mean gender, race, etc.

-------

My thoughts/condolences are with Scalia's friends, family, and loved ones.

[plastroncafe]

Time is changing that, slowly but surely.

[CyberCubed]

So I guess anyone who's just "too old" to fit in with this hip and crazy new generation shouldn't even bother opening his mouth, huh? Things change over time, sure, but that doesn't mean you should discount what Grandpa has to say. I'd much rather take an old fuddy-duddy with experience and intelligence over a relatively younger person who just knows what the kids are talking about.

The Supreme Court isn't about fitting law to match each generation's flavor. It's about interpreting and establishing the constitutionality of controversial law.

The majority of judges are old who lived in a society that no longer exists. They grew up 50-60 years ago, lived in a time where social norms were different, and many of them are stuck in their old ways. Its not their fault because the world they lived in is what they know, but it doesn't reflect today's culture.

I mean this is common sense. Younger generations are more in touch with what goes on today than a 70+ year old judge who remembers when color TV was invented.

[Prowler]

While old age doesn't automatically make one ignorant of today's issues or intolerant of things that younger generations are tolerant of, I think CyberCubed has a point.

Anyway, how did his alleged homophobia reflect on the legal system? Was he against legalizing gay marriage or something?

[Candy Kappa]

Was he against legalizing gay marriage or something?

yup. Even compared homosexuality with murder, grade A fellow.

[ToTheNines]

yup. Even compared homosexuality with murder, grade A fellow.

Someone probably told him that God kills a kitten every time you cornhole another man in his formative years.

[Bry]

A homophobe that was against women's right to Bodily Autonomy.

Celebrating someone's death is a bit overdoing it, but I'm not grieving either.

Basically my view of it. I'm not going to cheer over the man's death, but I'm absolutely glad he's not a member the Supreme Court anymore.

[oldmanwinters]

So in the myriad of conflicting reports and confusion over the circumstances of Scalia's death, most reports I've read leave out the detail that his body was found with a pillow over his head, as if it's not suspicious. And yet nobody wanted to do an autopsy or even officially examine the body before pronouncing him dead.

Interesting.

[plastroncafe]

Oooh got a citation for that pillow thing? That's the first I'm hearing of it.

[oldmanwinters]

The observation of the pillow comes from ranch owner John Poindexter:
"We discovered the judge in bed, a pillow over his head. His bed clothes were unwrinkled," said Poindexter.

"He was lying very restfully. It looked like he had not quite awakened from a nap," he said.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Texas-ranch-owner-recalls-Scalia-s-last-hours-6830372.php

I'm sure some people regularly sleep with pillows over their faces to block out light, but still... seems like a good reason for close examination than this received, especially for a Supreme Court Justice.

[plastroncafe]

The observation of the pillow comes from ranch owner John Poindexter:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Texas-ranch-owner-recalls-Scalia-s-last-hours-6830372.php

I'm sure some people regularly sleep with pillows over their faces to block out light, but still... seems like a good reason for close examination than this received, especially for a Supreme Court Justice.

Yikes. Yeah, that's probably something that shouldn't have been released to the pubic.

[CyberCubed]

He's 79 years old. I seriously doubt anyone tried to murder him.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Sigh... whenever my state is in the news, it's ALWAYS bad. ALWAYS.

[snake]

I think the problem is the lack of diversity within the Supreme Court. By that, I mean gender, race, etc.

And what change would that make? It doesn't matter if you're a woman, it doesn't matter what race you are. You need to be qualified for the job and upholding justice. This isn't a bullsh*t diversity quota game, it's the most powerful court in America.

[plastroncafe]

And yet for some reason it's been white and male for most of its history. Curious that.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

And yet for some reason it's been white and male for most of its history. Curious that.

However, as we've been able to break down race/gender barriers, we've made pretty great strides in reaching a more diverse and representative bench.

Not that there isn't still more to do, but we have made some good progress.

[plastroncafe]

However, as we've been able to break down race/gender barriers, we've made pretty great strides in reaching a more diverse and representative bench.

Not that there isn't still more to do, but we have made some good progress.

Oh undoubtedly. Without question.
I'm curious to see who makes the short list. I've seen mention of a judge who was unanimously agreed upon to fill a seat in a lower court. If anyone is going to hang a wide-brimmed lampshade on Republican Obstructionism, it'll be them.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Oh undoubtedly. Without question.
I'm curious to see who makes the short list. I've seen mention of a judge who was unanimously agreed upon to fill a seat in a lower court. If anyone is going to hang a wide-brimmed lampshade on Republican Obstructionism, it'll be them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DFqXFgUEi0

A very nice breakdown of the situation by John Oliver. Watch 'em if you can handle facts.

[Refractive Reflections]

The majority of judges are old who lived in a society that no longer exists. They grew up 50-60 years ago, lived in a time where social norms were different, and many of them are stuck in their old ways. Its not their fault because the world they lived in is what they know, but it doesn't reflect today's culture.

I mean this is common sense. Younger generations are more in touch with what goes on today than a 70+ year old judge who remembers when color TV was invented.

Right... Just like how more millennials know more about Kim Kardashian's life and other celebrities than they do about the geopolitical climate of the world. ...Just don't forget this logic CyberCubed, next time these younger members give their opinion about the direction of the TMNT franchise since they would be more "in touch" of what's going on... ;)

I think a more accurate statement here is that younger generations want a supreme court justice that fits more of the liberal viewpoints of today's society.