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Three conservative justices absent themselves from SOTU
American Thinker ^ | 02/13/2013 | Rick Moran

Posted on 02/13/2013 6:59:48 AM PST by SeekAndFind

I'm sure it's happened before, but I can't recall any previous State of the Union speech where justices refused to attend based on disagreements with the president.

From Politico:

"The conservative wing of the U.S. Supreme Court was absent from President Obama's Tuesday State of the Union address.

Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia declined to join their six other colleagues at the prime time address to Congress.

During Obama's 2010 address, Alito was seen whispering the words "not true" during Obama's speech. Obama used his address to blast the court for their 2010 Citizens United case which altered the rules on corporate and union funding of elections.

In the aftermath of that speech, Alito complained that the justices were expected to sit in the House chamber "like the proverbial potted plant" and that it was now an awkward experience."

If I were a justice of the Supreme Court, I certainly would resent being used as a prop in a president's theatrical presentation. But, at bottom, the justices are a part of one of three co-equal branches of government. In that sense, attending the State of the Union is both a question of tradition, and a symbol of the majesty of the Constitution.

They should have been there.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alito; bhofascism; bhosotu; clarencethomas; fubo; obama; scalia; scotus; sotu; supremecourt
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To: SeekAndFind

The Justices didn’t need to be there. Nothing in the Constitution requires their presence and it’s good for them to remind The One that he is not ominpotent and all-controlling.


41 posted on 02/13/2013 9:18:44 AM PST by MeganC (Liberals fool people by walking upright.)
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To: jiggyboy

Condolences and prayers up to Justice Alito.

Never easy to lose people you love.


42 posted on 02/13/2013 9:23:30 AM PST by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: Lazamataz

Exactly.


43 posted on 02/13/2013 9:32:59 AM PST by NEMDF
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To: Mouton

Didn’t (couldn’t watch), but the one pic I’ve seen looks like Bonehead had a disgusted look on his face - from 0’s fibs and drivel. Not sure about the Wodka ;)


44 posted on 02/13/2013 9:44:42 AM PST by Jane Long
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To: txrangerette

bttt


45 posted on 02/13/2013 9:46:57 AM PST by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: NFHale; jiggyboy

Mu condolences to Justice Alito on the passing of his mother.

Now, having said that, even if his mother were alive and healthy, I doubt if he would attend.

Alito has not been attending the SOTU for sometime and for good reason.

See here:

http://news.msn.com/politics/alito-again-absent-from-obamas-state-of-the-union-speech

and here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/us/state-of-the-union-can-be-a-trial-for-supreme-court-justices.html


46 posted on 02/13/2013 10:09:39 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

This should, I doubt it will, but should be the start of a cascade of events. The zenith will be members of congress walking out (not as a stunt, like the rats do from time to time, but with no intention of returning). It will culminate in either peaceful secession, or war.


47 posted on 02/13/2013 10:11:51 AM PST by demshateGod (The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.)
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To: BuckeyeTexan
I disagree with the author. I don’t think Justices Scalia, Thomas, and Alito had an obligation to attend based on tradition or symbolism.

I'm with you.

48 posted on 02/13/2013 10:18:52 AM PST by Jeff Winston
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To: Lazamataz

Darn that PMS. It’s a killah! LOL!


49 posted on 02/13/2013 10:38:13 AM PST by XenaLee (The only good commie is a dead commie.)
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To: SeekAndFind

And who could blame them for not attending....after Barry chastized them the last time....as if they were naughty little kids that had misbehaved....when all they did was uphold the frigging LAW.

Too bad there are only three now that have integrity. I’m sure Barry is working on that pesky little problem of those three dissenters as we speak.


50 posted on 02/13/2013 10:43:46 AM PST by XenaLee (The only good commie is a dead commie.)
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To: Lazamataz; txrangerette
"Touchy."

Really! How many threads actually stay on topic? That is the NORM.

51 posted on 02/13/2013 11:17:22 AM PST by NoGrayZone (For evil to triumph it is only necessary for good men to do nothing.)
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To: SeekAndFind

There is no requirement for the president to address the congress in a public forum, nor for the congress to let him do so.


52 posted on 02/13/2013 11:20:26 AM PST by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! True supporters of our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: SeekAndFind
In that sense, attending the State of the Union is both a question of tradition,...

It was traditional for the president to send it in type form.

53 posted on 02/13/2013 12:17:50 PM PST by loboinok (Gun control is hitting what you aim at!)
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To: NEMDF

Don’t.


54 posted on 02/13/2013 12:18:38 PM PST by Lazamataz (Republicans have the same policies as the Democrats, except for the part where they win elections.)
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To: NoGrayZone; txrangerette
Really! How many threads actually stay on topic? That is the NORM

If you would be so kind as to post that stuff to someone else and leave me out of it, I would appreciate it.

I’m here to respond to the poster’s point.

That’s all.

55 posted on 02/13/2013 12:21:19 PM PST by Lazamataz (Republicans have the same policies as the Democrats, except for the part where they win elections.)
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To: txrangerette

I am also very glad the 3 SC judges did not attend Obama’s gala. I didn’t watch it either. It would have been a huge waste of my time.


56 posted on 02/13/2013 12:25:38 PM PST by Maryhere ("HE comes to rule the earth")
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To: Lazamataz; txrangerette

If only you didn’t post on the thread. To bad young man, you’re SOOL.

You post, she posts, he posts, we all post.

POST POST POST!!!!

Now I feel the need to stalk you. You can blame yourself!


57 posted on 02/13/2013 12:29:10 PM PST by NoGrayZone (For evil to triumph it is only necessary for good men to do nothing.)
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To: txrefugee

The challenged party gets choice of weapons, and duels are part of the medieval tradition of trial by combat. And the two litigants can choose a champion. So POTUS’ champions would be martial-arts and combat trained Secret Service agents. Who would the SCOTUS justices’ champions be? Their clerks? Would silenced pistols be allowed as a choice of weapons?


58 posted on 02/13/2013 12:31:34 PM PST by Eleutheria5 (End the occupation. Annex today.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Note to Rubio, or whoever the next President is:

Please change the idiotic but now-traditional “jack-in-the-box” State of the Union speech. Either deliver a written report, or DEMAND that no applause take place other than the welcome and the close of the speech. It would LESSEN rancor between the parties

(.....though part of me WOULD like to see Rubio unleash a few howitzers to the accompaniment of much standing applause!)


59 posted on 02/13/2013 12:48:57 PM PST by cookcounty
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To: Lazamataz

Deal.


60 posted on 02/13/2013 12:56:16 PM PST by NEMDF
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