Three conservative justices absent themselves from SOTU

American Thinker ^ | 02/13/2013 | Rick Moran

[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.

[Cyber Liberty]

Darn.

[PapaNew]

Not the greatest but enmity is better than an acquiescing merge among the three branches of government.

[PapaNew]

When the President of the United States of America regularly behaves as a dictator and tyrant who circumvents the United States Congress and the United States Constitution, it is incumbent upon those whose duty it is to uphold the Supreme Law of this land to stand upon their absence from the State of the Union Address as an act of symbolism.

Good point. Although not an ideal scenario, enmity is better than an acquiescing merge among the three branches of government.

[ecomcon]

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.

We have no Constitution.

[A'elian' nation]

A better idea would be to transform the meaningless and vapid State of the Union Speech into Prime Minister’s Question Hour like they have across the pond.

Those are supremely entertaining, but nary a one of our politicians has half a brain or coherent thought to parry with the wit of an Englishman.

This poseur president would have nowhere to hide; not even behind a teleprompter, and he would be thoroughly unmasked as the fraud that he is.

American politics are all soundbites and fury.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Dueling is for gentlemen. There are none of those in this administration.

[Girlene]

Megadittos, Lancey.

[Girlene]

I was hoping that Scalia would show up wearing that Renaissance hat he wore at the inauguration.

a little FYI....the hat was a gift from the Thomas More Society. whose mission is:

"The Thomas More Society is a not-for-profit, national public interest law firm that exists to restore respect in law for life, marriage, and religious liberty. Based in Chicago, the Thomas More Society defends and fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro bono legal services from local trial courts all the way to the United States Supreme Court."

[CincyRichieRich]

Roberts had to be there as I suspect he’s still getting blackmailed.

[goldi]

Thanks for the info.

[originalbuckeye]

When I saw Roberts grinning and glad-handing the Bamster, I wanted to puke. Instead I changed the channel to reruns of Criminal Minds. Same thing as the SOTU with the Bamster presenting.

[originalbuckeye]

Yes. Hate the up and down. The ‘date night’ thing is so that the Bamster can pretend he has support across the gallery. The TV shots allow it to look like lots more are standing than really are. Symbolism over substance EVERY TIME!

[matt04]

I accidentally watched it for about 30 seconds when I entered the wrong channel.

[Girlene]

Welcome. :-)

[Politicalmom]

I believe Scalia always gives a Constitutional lecture during the SOTU.

[itssme]

So Cal Thomas said it was “rude” of Ben Carson to make his comments at the breakfast meeting? Hey, Cal, we're dealing here with socialists/communists/marxists....the gloves are off, you can put away your copy of Emily Post....there is no such thing as rude when dealing with an enemy. Our job is to be rid of them, so get goin’, Cal. Man-up and fight!

[Terry Mross]

There shouldn’t be a “there” for the SC Justices to go to. the president should FROM TIME TO TIME send a report to congress and stop making it a dog and pony show. This way the prompter would even be needed. Hell, obama wouldn’t even have read it once Jarrett is through writing it. she could send it over and tell him about it.

[lentulusgracchus]

There are a lot more things to worry about rather than who goes to hear the ramblings of this President. I bet most Americans didn’t watch.

They didn't. Ratings for the SOTU were way down, even with five networks broadcasting it live.

I would be interested to know how UPN/Paramount's syndicated reruns of House did against Barky in that time slot.

[Truth2012]

Obama isn’t my president either. We are supposed to make non-violent stands against tyranny.

Good for them.

[halfright]

I was hoping the whole damn bunch would stay home. Sh*thead in Chief has bypassed them for executive fiat.....