The Honorable Antonin Scalia; Most of all, the justice was a servant of the Constitution

The Washington Times ^ | February 15, 2016 | Horace Cooper

[jazusamo]

Justice Antonin Scalia's passing extinguished a great light in American jurisprudence. As the tributes and fond remembrances all attest, America grieves this loss.

Appointed by President Reagan in 1986, Justice Scalia served the nation from the Supreme Court's bench for three decades with a candor, wit and sagacity that few men in history can claim. No doubt that the good justice will be remembered for his pointed pen and rhetorical flair that made all his opinions -- whether you agreed with him or not -- well worth reading.

Sometimes irascible, very often funny, but always genuine, Justice Scalia's opinions, dissents and concurrences did not pull punches. On the court's own lack of judicial restraint he chided: "This Court seems incapable of admitting that some matters -- any matters -- are none of its business." On race in America he wisely observed: "The relevant proposition is not it was blacks, or Jews, or Irish who were discriminated against, but that it was individual men and women, 'created equal,' who were discriminated against. And the relevant resolve is that it should never happen again."

And then there was his famous reminder to those not ready to uphold a killer's conviction because the eye witnesses "only" saw the killer's face: "Facial features are the primary means by which human beings recognize one another. That is why the Lone Ranger wears a mask instead of a poncho."

But Justice Scalia's lasting legacy lies not in the catchy sound-bite or wicked turn of phrase. Nor does it rise and fall with some legal revolutionary movement -- although some understandably might remember him that way. Rather his contribution, his great gift to the country and the law was not innovation, but principle.

[jazusamo]

Thank you Justice Antonin Scalia for your service and dedication to our country.

[BridgeOutAhead]

Not him....any two of the other 8...but not him. I can’t think of a more significant political death in my lifetime since Kennedy. We may not be screwed but we’re close.