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-...nd-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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Autbot_Benz

I say good riddance.

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

[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-la...mes-1758990360

[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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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/polit...f99_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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by snake

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by plastroncafe

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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.