US Supreme Court Justice Scalia, 79, found dead, 13 Feb 2016

[Hope4More]

Just keep in mind that the SCOTUS will still hear the cases they planned to hear this year before Scalia's death. And when (not if) they deadlock 4-4, the ruling of the lower court will stand.

That's pretty significant, especially for the immigration executive order that they are going to hear.

It is really significant, for the time being, including for public sector unions (spared for now), etc. But....any of those issues the Court had agreed to hear and tied on can be brought back, and I'm sure the most contentious and significant issues will be.

It'll sure be interesting to watch this nomination process play out. It's already comical as all get out to have Trump morph into the voice of reason , saying Obama is entitled to his nominee, and to have the (fill in the blank) rigid "constitutionalists" such as Cruz say this elected President of the United States doesn't have the right to so.

Tied in knots, and the battle has yet to begin.

 

[IzzyBlanche]

Just a random, O/T thought here spurred by the Republican threats to block any Obama SC nominee, among other factors

When did our democracy turn into party loyalty, rather than our representatives in Congress representing their constituents' views?

Are Ted Cruz's constituents in Texas (just using him as an example for my arguments' sake) overwhelming him with messages, in the less than 48 hours that we found out Scalia died, urging him to block any Obama nominee even before said nominee has been named?

I don't think so.

JMO, our representative form of government has largely evolved from representing the people to representing the political parties and those that fund them.

Sad.

 

[Hope4More]

Just a random, O/T thought here spurred by the Republican threats to block any Obama SC nominee, among other factors

When did our democracy turn into party loyalty, rather than our representatives in Congress representing their constituents' views?

Are Ted Cruz's constituents in Texas (just using him as an example for my arguments' sake) overwhelming him with messages, in the less than 48 hours that we found out Scalia died, urging him to block any Obama nominee even before said nominee has been named?

I don't think so.

JMO, our representative form of government has largely evolved from representing the people to representing the political parties and those that fund them.

Sad.

When? Me! Me! Raising my hand...

For many politicians, the days of party loyalty seem the Golden Age of yore, long since vanquished. There is no such thing as party loyalty or discipline anymore. Every politician is essentially a free agent, free to be obligated to the highest bidders and funders of their re-election campaigns.

The more accurate question is when did Congress start representing the interests of the few over the interests of everyone else? At the risk of sounding hopelessly cynical, about 5 minutes into their first session.

It's always been this way, that money buys access and access buys a sympathetic ear at minimum. What has changed, IMO, is the extent to which legislation is now purchased outright, literally being written by special interests and buried deep into larger omnibus bills that can't be voted down.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

Just a random, O/T thought here spurred by the Republican threats to block any Obama SC nominee, among other factors

When did our democracy turn into party loyalty, rather than our representatives in Congress representing their constituents' views?

Are Ted Cruz's constituents in Texas (just using him as an example for my arguments' sake) overwhelming him with messages, in the less than 48 hours that we found out Scalia died, urging him to block any Obama nominee even before said nominee has been named?

I don't think so.

JMO, our representative form of government has largely evolved from representing the people to representing the political parties and those that fund them.

Sad.

Our representatives are representing the views of the people that elected them. The "people" are not just liberals and socialists.

 

[bluesneakers]

Our representatives are representing the views of the people that elected them. The "people" are not just liberals and socialists.

He should be representing all his constituents, not just the ones who voted for him. He represents Texas in the Senate.

 

[IzzyBlanche]

Our representatives are representing the views of the people that elected them. The "people" are not just liberals and socialists.

The people of the United States elected Barack Obama for two terms to represent them. By yours and any other logic, that means a majority of the "people" trusted him to appoint judges to the Supreme Court.

 

[Hope4More]

Destructed.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

The people of the United States elected Barack Obama for two terms. By yours and any other logic, that means a majority of people trusted him to appoint judges to the Supreme Court.

He can nominate all he wants. I think he needs to choose someone close to center if he has any hope of seeing his nominee confirmed. Just my two cents.

 

[Hope4More]

He can nominate all he wants. I think he needs to choose someone close to center if he has any hope of seeing his nominee confirmed. Just my two cents.

Won't matter if he chooses a centrist. The relevant Republicans have visions of a sugar plum reliably right nominee of their own choice dancing in their heads.

 

[bluesneakers]

Won't matter if he chooses a centrist. The relevant Republicans have visions of a sugar plum reliably right nominee of their own choice dancing in their heads.

He could nominate Scalia's clone and they would fight him.

 

[IzzyBlanche]

He can nominate all he wants. I think he needs to choose someone close to center if he has any hope of seeing his nominee confirmed. Just my two cents.

BBM for focus

Such as?

No snark intended. Honest question.

Whom do you see as such a candidate, someone close to center that Cruz (again, just as an example) and his ilk would approve of?

Spoiler: It's a trick question. You can't name anyone like that, and neither can Obama. Ilks abhor centrism; it's the right way or the highway.

IMO of course.

 

[LaLaw2000]

I am sad to see that the death of a Supreme Court Justice has turned into such a political discussion.

Rest in peace, Justice Scalia.

 

[IzzyBlanche]

I am very sad to see anyone failing to recognize that the process of replacing a deceased Supreme Court justice, who voiced extremely controversial opinions, is inextricably wound up in politics.

 

[Snick1946]

He could nominate Scalia's clone and they would fight him.

Yes they would.

I cannot fathom the hate so many have for this president. Nothing wrong with disagreeing with his policies but so much of this goes far deeper. It's almost like so many republicans seem to think the guy has 'cooties' or something. You can debate whether he ought to refrain from making an appointment. But to argue as so many seem to be that he has no right to do so crosses the line. And to just say that nobody he names will get the time of day is abominable.

 

[al66pine]

The people of the United States elected Barack Obama for two terms to represent them. By yours and any other logic, that means a majority of the "people" trusted him to appoint judges to the Supreme Court.

Yes, "a majority of the "people" trusted him to appoint judges to the Supreme Court."
But the power is not unlimited. By the Constitution, President's choice is subject to the Senate's advice and consent.

The Senate, elected by voters who trust their senators to advise & consent on POTUS' choices, among other duties under the Constitution. Checks & balances, FWIW.

 

[Fifth Avenue]

While I didnt agree with his every opinion, I think he was brilliant.
The circumstances of his death are odd.
He was pronounced dead via phone? Coroner didn't see his body.
No autopsy ordered, also family didnt request one either.
Found pillow over his head.
Very strange

[video=twitter;699000431293235204]https://twitter.com/JamesVGrimaldi/status/699000431293235204[/video]


Sent via Tapatalk

 

[SCHMAE]

I am sad to see that the death of a Supreme Court Justice has turned into such a political discussion.

Rest in peace, Justice Scalia.

Amen. I was thinking this yesterday. Every mention of his passing is riddled with the upcoming ' fight' about his replacement. Sad day in our country. We lost a justice and it shows how little we value human life and how much we love witch hunting red and blue !

 

[SCHMAE]

While I didnt agree with his every opinion, I think he was brilliant.
The circumstances of his death are odd.
He was pronounced dead via phone? Coroner didn't see his body.
No autopsy ordered, also family didnt request one either.
Found pillow over his head.
Very strange

[video=twitter;699000431293235204]https://twitter.com/JamesVGrimaldi/status/699000431293235204[/video]


Sent via Tapatalk

There is a lot of strangeness. We may have to go downstairs if it gets too heated but there is a lot of wth to discuss.

 

[Mountaingazer]

I agree. I think my post wasn't clear enough.

No worries!

 

[Mountaingazer]

While I didnt agree with his every opinion, I think he was brilliant.
The circumstances of his death are odd.
He was pronounced dead via phone? Coroner didn't see his body.
No autopsy ordered, also family didnt request one either.
Found pillow over his head.
Very strange

[video=twitter;699000431293235204]https://twitter.com/JamesVGrimaldi/status/699000431293235204[/video]


Sent via Tapatalk

From the instant I read the news of his death and the few details provided I have had an odd feeling about it all.