SCOOP
Alito’s mother died, that’s why he wasn’t there. FWIW.
The American Thinker didn't even bother to find out. They are just too busy finding fault with conservatives.
I can't blame Justice Thomas for not going either. Obama has directly criticized him.
And Scalia probably didn't want to get sick.
Oops — yes Alito’s mother died, but he hasn’t been there for three years now, indeed because it’s shabby politics:
As for Alito’s reasons for not attending, he said at an October 2010 event in New York that the State of the Union speeches have “become very political events and it’s very awkward for the justices,” who are not expected to show any response to any politically charged rhetoric.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/13/us-obama-speech-court-idUSBRE91C04020130213
Condolences and prayers up to Justice Alito.
Never easy to lose people you love.