What Are the Reactions to Justice Scalia's Death?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, exploring the immediate reactions, implications for the political landscape, and reflections on his legacy. Participants express condolences, speculate on the political ramifications, and share personal anecdotes related to Scalia's influence and character.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express shock and sadness at Scalia's passing, highlighting his impact on the Supreme Court and the political climate.
  • There are concerns about the potential political ramifications of his death, particularly regarding the nomination of his replacement and the implications for ongoing Supreme Court cases.
  • Some participants reflect on Scalia's intellect and his ability to focus on critical questions during oral arguments, noting his influence on his colleagues.
  • Others comment on the emerging political battles in the Senate regarding the nomination process, with specific mention of Mitch McConnell's stance on blocking any nominee from President Obama.
  • Participants share personal experiences and thoughts on the nature of political upheaval in the current climate, with varying views on the significance of Scalia's death in relation to American democracy.
  • There are mentions of conspiracy theories surrounding Scalia's death, with some participants expressing skepticism about such narratives.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the shock of Scalia's death and its potential political implications, but there are multiple competing views regarding the significance of these implications and the nature of political stability in the U.S.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions touch on the uncertainty surrounding the political landscape and the potential for significant shifts in the Supreme Court's composition, but these remain speculative and unresolved.

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Wow. R.I.P.
 
Whoa, indeed! What a shock! Condolences to his family and friends.

This will be a 9.0-Richter-scale-level shakeup to an already-strange Presidential campaign.
 
Evo said:
Wow. R.I.P.
+1 Wow.

This will certainly create a new major issue in the 2016 presidential campaign, and in the administration and the Senate.

Supreme Court Justice Scalia dies
https://www.yahoo.com/politics/supreme-court-justice-scalia-dies-222420293.html

What Justice Scalia’s death means for pending Supreme Court decisions
https://www.yahoo.com/politics/what-does-justice-scalias-death-mean-for-pending-000410173.html
Justice Antonin Scalia, the Supreme Court’s conservative firebrand, died Saturday, leaving the fate of a controversial and high-stakes term very much up in the air.

The Reagan appointee had heard and potentially already cast votes in several high-profile cases that could decide issues from whether universities can continue to use affirmative action to if unions can collect fees from nonmembers to survive.
Some unfinished work.

Why Scalia’s death could lead to a historically messy political fight
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...lead-to-a-historically-messy-political-fight/
 
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He was a great intellect. Out if respect for his memory, I think we could delay discussion of the political ramifications until his body cools to room temperature,

I listen to the audio transcripts of most scotus oral arguments. I am struck by how often I hear the justices say to the lawyers "answer Justice Scalia's question.". Justices Ginsberg and Kagan say that most often. Scalia had the talent to zero in on the most important question on any case.
 
anorlunda said:
I listen to the audio transcripts of most scotus oral arguments.

May I ask where you obtain those from? I am most interested in hearing how a Supreme Court case in the US unfolds, given my interest in (mainly NZ) law.
 
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  • #10
Now the battle lines are forming in the Senate, after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vows to block consideration of any nominee that Obama puts forth, in order to wait for the next (hopefully Republican) President. ("Hopefully" from McConnell's point of view of course, not from mine...)

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/14/politics/antonin-scalia-nomination-capitol-hill/index.html

I wonder how McConnell would react if Obama were to nominate Ted Cruz? :devil:
 
  • #11
Scalia and Ginsburg point to possibilities of bipartisan partnership
http://news.yahoo.com/scalia-ginsburg-point-possibilities-bipartisan-partnership-213726097.html
On the bench, justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg could not have had more different views on law and politics. But surprisingly enough, they were also the closest of friends.

Scalia, known to friends as Nino, was a constitutional originalist – a fierce conservative who dissented to nearly all of Ginsburg’s liberal decisions and vice versa. They disagreed on issues including gay marriage and the Voting Rights Act. And yet the two have been fast friends since the 1980s, when both served on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
Even in a professional capacity, they were supportive of one another. In the 1996 landmark case, United States v. Virginia, which struck down on women’s exclusion at the Virginia Military Institute, Scalia was the sole dissenter. But before Ginsburg could write her majority opinion, he gave her a copy of his dissent so she could adequately respond.

“He absolutely ruined my weekend, but my opinion is ever so much better because of his stinging dissent,” Ginsburg said, as reported by Ms. Carmon for The Washington Post.

Obama's potential nominees
https://www.yahoo.com/politics/who-will-obama-nominee-scalia-supreme-court-213450996.html

GOP Cynicism on the Supreme Court Reaches a New Low
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articl...m-on-the-supreme-court-reaches-a-new-low.html

Perhaps the Senate can learn from Scalia and Ginsburg.
 
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  • #12
Given the popularity of Trump and Sanders revolutionaries, the chances for political upheaval are very real at the moment. Some people welcome that, some fear it. IMO, 4-left, 4-right, 1-swing mix in the Supreme Court is a stabilizing influence on the country. A major switch left or right could seriously destabilize American democracy even more.

It would seriously overstate the danger at his point to compare America to the declining Roman Empire, but if we keep piling up destabilizing factors, something has to give.
 
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  • #13
anorlunda said:
It would seriously overstate the danger at his point to compare America to the declining Roman Empire, but if we keep piling up destabilizing factors, something has to give.
Sure, just like it would seriously overstate the destabilizing effect of placing a paperclip on a cruise ship. So I'm not sure why say it?

The thing that was most unique about the USA in operation was the peaceful and stable sharing and transition of power. There is a wide gulf between a particularly ugly campaign season and true instability. These "destabilizing" factors don't amount to anything of significance.
 
  • #14
Texas Ranch Owner Describes Justice Scalia's Last Night
https://gma.yahoo.com/texas-ranch-owner-describes-justice-scalias-last-night-062100296--abc-news-topstories.html

Scalia had dinner, then retired early feeling fatigued. He was supposed to go hunting on Saturday, but did not appear at breakfast or lunch, so the owner went to his room. When there was no answer, the owner entered the room and found Scalia lying peacefully. "His hands were on his chest and he seemed "relaxed," Poindexter said."

Apparently, Scalia had seen his doctor twice last week. "Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara, who pronounced Scalia dead, told ABC News the death certificate will say the cause of death was natural, and that he died of a heart attack. She said no autopsy was necessary."Texas judge disclosed details about Scalia's health
http://news.yahoo.com/scalias-body-being-flown-back-died-natural-causes-095953333--politics.html
 
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  • #15
It would be ironic if these battles end up in the Supreme Court. :oldeyes:
 
  • #17
i'm saddened by his parting
and by the political grandstanding.

The tinfoil sites are rife with conspiracy theory

i can say from personal experience that "feeling bad" might well be the only warning of an imminent heart attack.
First two times i was able to get to a hospital
next two were actually in hospitals where i awoke surrounded by very worried faces one of them pulling away the paddles.

so, who knows..

Agree or disagree with him, his logic and command of the language were of highest caliber. And he respected the genius of our founders.

Judge, you done good. RIP.

old jim
 
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