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

My San Antonio ^ | Updated 3:53 pm, Saturday, February 13, 2016 | Gary Martin

[Pan_Yan]

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 really unfortunate with any death. And now, politically, in the presidential cycle we're in my educated guess is nothing will happen before the next president is elected."

[corlorde]

I have zero confidence the current crop of RINOS in Congress will muster any kind of fight with anyone Obama cares to nominate. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised at all if they fast track the first Obama nomination without much, if any, protest.

[builder]

Good lord, we don't need that type of comment.

[RummyChick]

So? It doesn’t change the fact that Alito sided with her on a banning late term abortions case

[Vermont Lt]

I think Obama wants to get out of town and climb on the gravy train. There are people who think Obama wants to remain President or go to the Supreme Court. I think the opposite.

The only President in my lifetime that appeared that he wanted to stay was Clinton. The rest of them looked they they could not wait to disappear.

I could see them nominating Hillary, and bringing Biden out of the barn.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Dear Lord, pray for the Scalia family, and the future of our nation.

[exit82]

He won’t get to stack the Court if the pubbies refuse to move on his successor’s nomination. That will be the great test for our “Republican Senate.”

And a test of the two Senators running for the Republican nomination for President.

[Daffynition]

What’s Weiner doing these days? He’d due for a pay raise. ///sarc

This event has changed everything! Prayers for our Nation.

[Theodore R.]

People in KY can petition Mitch all they like; I don’t think it will matter in the least. They had a chance to remove him easily and would not consider doing so.

[Hawthorn]

>> Hole it up in the Judiciary committee <<

Not so complicated. Judiciary can just vote down any nomination.

Or the Majority Leader, who controls the calendar, can simply refuse to allow the matter to be brought to the floor.

End of story, until January 20, 2017, when:

Newly elected POTUS Joe Biden will nominate Michelle Obama, and new Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will ram through a confirmation vote (after he abolishes the filibuster).

[drop 50 and fire for effect]

They are, but they have been for a generation.

I think your comments about Trump were inappropriate for this thread. I support Cruz wholeheartedly, and have reservations about Trump. But this thread is neither the time nor the place for that discussion.

[VerySadAmerican]

Man, a muslim on the SC. I don’t doubt it.

It’s the fault of all those who in 2008 and 2012 voted this guy in. And all those politicians like W and McCain and Romney who helped him. As far as I’m concerned everyone of them is an enemy of this country.

[trisham]

I hope that you’re right. I fear that we have dark times ahead.

[The Toll]

Exactly. Obama will put up Mumia and Turtle will be ok with it.

[Baldwin77]

Wow, you’ve reached a new level of low.

[null and void]

His Wikipedia page already has it. Can you believe that?

Yes.

Did the Wiki page change before or after the announcement?

[Mr Apple]

The court had only 8 justices from July 1, 1987 to Feb 3, 1988 while the Bork and then A. Kennedy appointments were being thrashed out.
There will be NO appointments until the next president.

*************

I'm not questioning your assessment, but may I ask you -are you positive about this?

[Tuxedo]

I think Obama wants to get out of town and climb on the gravy train. There are people who think Obama wants to remain President or go to the Supreme Court. I think the opposite.

Agreed - now that he has seen the Clinton Cash Machine, he and Moosh want to get on that train.

[SE Mom]

Oh dear God. Godspeed, Antonin. Thank you.

[ClarenceThomasfan]

I am devastated over Justice Scalia’s death. I feel like one of my uncle’s has passed.

But I try to look at the silver lining. With the SCOTUS rulings on homosexual marriage, the death penalty, global warming and other topics, the court is already at the left.

Poor Justice Scalia was trying to hold the line but Justice Roberts has been such a disappointment, Scalia’s valient efforts were to no avail.

[Right-wing Librarian]

They aren’t smart. They’re BOUGHT. Expect more of the same roll over, they’re NOT on your team. They’re UNIPARTY.