Senior U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia found dead at West Texas ranch

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

Associate Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead of apparent natural causes Saturday on a luxury resort in West Texas, federal officials said.

Scalia, 79, was a guest at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, a resort in the Big Bend region south of Marfa.

According to a report, Scalia arrived at the ranch on Friday and attended a private party with about 40 people. When he did not appear for breakfast, a person associated with the ranch went to his room and found a body.

U.S. District Judge Fred Biery said he was among those notified about Scalia's death.

"I was told it was this morning," Biery said of Scalia's death. "It happened on a ranch out near Marfa. As far as the details, I think it's pretty vague right now as to how," he said. "My reaction is it's very unfortunate. It's unfortunate with any death, and politically in the presidential cycle we're in, my educated guess is nothing will happen before the next president is elected."

The U.S. Marshal Service, the Presidio County sheriff and the FBI were involved in the investigation. Officials with the law enforcement agencies declined to comment.

A federal official who asked not to be named said there was no evidence of foul play and it appeared that Scalia died of natural causes. A gray Cadillac hearse pulled into the ranch last Saturday afternoon. The hearse came from Alpine Memorial Funeral Home.

Scalia was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan.

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

[Dashinka 23,380]

RIP Justice Scalia. The next few months will be very interesting.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

I am appalled that strict constitutional politicians like Ted Cruz would suggest Obama should let the appointment sit, for the next President. Just becuse Obama and many Dems have no respect for it, does not mean the other side should follow suit.

As much as it sucks that Obama will try to appoint some fringe radical, constitutionally it is his right

[ExPatty 502]

I am appalled that strict constitutional politicians like Ted Cruz would suggest Obama should let the appointment sit, for the next President. Just becuse Obama and many Dems have no respect for it, does not mean the other side should follow suit.

As much as it sucks that Obama will try to appoint some fringe radical, constitutionally it is his right

It is his right if the Senate, which is currently run by Republicans, approves it. Although he may do a recess appointment, which is ridiculous of course.

If the republicans are smart they will make this a rubicon issue this year. SCOTUS is ruling 5/4 all the time now. If the republicans not only lose the presidency this year but also allow obama to replace a conservative justice, the whole party needs to be dissolved for ineffectiveness.

If Hillary wins, the country is effectively lost to progressives anyway, because the next president is going to--even before tonight--put in a couple of justices, easy.

This is going to partially eclipse the election for relevance over the next few months.

Edited February 14, 2016 by ExPatty

[Sousuke 1,214]

The sky is literally falling.....

This is the worst news I've had at the national level in a long time for me.

[TBoneTX 43,425]

I heard someone remark, "If the Republicans cave before the election, there goes the Constitution forever."

Edited February 14, 2016 by TBoneTX

[jam2016 10]

RIP Justice Scalia!

Whoever replaces Scalia, I sure hope he/she is

1. Someone who reads and understands the Constitution the way it was meant to.

2. A Non-partisan who does the job of upholding the law.

3. Someone with a heart who can sees both sides of the coins while preserving our Constitution.

4. Someone who remembers why the separation of power was devised more than 228 years ago.

Edited February 14, 2016 by jam2016

[Dashinka 23,380]

I am appalled that strict constitutional politicians like Ted Cruz would suggest Obama should let the appointment sit, for the next President. Just becuse Obama and many Dems have no respect for it, does not mean the other side should follow suit.

As much as it sucks that Obama will try to appoint some fringe radical, constitutionally it is his right

Since when did Obama, or any liberal for that matter care about the constitution? It would be good for the Senate to drag out any confirmation and stay in session all year to avoid a recess appointment as we could use a SCOTUS session deadlocked. Edited February 14, 2016 by Bill & Katya

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Since when did Obama, or any liberal for that matter care about the constitution? It would be good for the Senate to drag out any confirmation and stay in session all year to avoid a recess appointment as we could use a SCOTUS session deadlocked.

Did you actually read the part, where I said Obama has no respect for the constitution.

What is with read for understanding in here

[Dashinka 23,380]

Did you actually read the part, where I said Obama has no respect for the constitution.

What is with read for understanding in here

Oops, missed that part. My apologies.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Oops, missed that part. My apologies.

No one here ever admits they are wrong.

Reported

[Dakine10 5,452]

Since when did Obama, or any liberal for that matter care about the constitution? It would be good for the Senate to drag out any confirmation and stay in session all year to avoid a recess appointment as we could use a SCOTUS session deadlocked.

Anthony Kennedy was both nominated by Reagan and confirmed in an election year. Obviously they are not against the concept or the precedent of doing this, so to see them issue a blanket rejection of any potential candidate now because we are in an "election year" is disappointing. It is partisan politics at it's worst.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Anthony Kennedy was both nominated by Reagan and confirmed in an election year. Obviously they are not against the concept or the precedent of doing this, so to see them issue a blanket rejection of any potential candidate now because we are in an "election year" is disappointing. It is partisan politics at it's worst.

Totally agree, but you know if the roles were reversed the outcome wouldst be the same.

[Rob L 3,811]

Totally agree, but you know if the roles were reversed the outcome wouldst be the same.

Probably/Maybe but as per the constitution:

It is the Presidents Job to put forward a nominee, it is the Senates job to vote up or down on that nominee. I missed a few procedural steps, but that is the law of the land.

Regarding the Republican position of refusing to process the nomination and allow a vote according to the rules of the Senate:

If I came into work tomorrow and announced that I do not like my job description that I signed up for, that I will not respect the rules of the board and shareholders and that I will purposely not do my job to derail another critical function of the company, what should I expect as far as my tenure with that company?

Prediction: At the end of the nomination process GOP Senate leadership will have an approval rating 1/2 of that of cockroaches

[Dashinka 23,380]

Anthony Kennedy was both nominated by Reagan and confirmed in an election year. Obviously they are not against the concept or the precedent of doing this, so to see them issue a blanket rejection of any potential candidate now because we are in an "election year" is disappointing. It is partisan politics at it's worst.

We shall see how it plays out. I fully expect Obama to nominate someone as is his right, and who knows how the Senate will treat the nominee. We must remember that Justice Kennedy was a replacement for Robert Bork who was nominated in July 1987. Kennedy was confirmed in November of 1987 which technically was within the election year, but more than 14 months before Reagan left office. I fully suspect the Senate will drag things out as long as possible much like the libs and Dems did for Bork just as Nature Boy suggested. Maybe then we will end up with a moderate justice in the same mold as Kennedy. However, that was a time when they actually compromised in Washington, something Obama has rarely done.