by James Oliphant
It sounds like Justice Antonin Scalia's move toward sunlight may be permanent.
Speaking on the program "Q & A" this weekend on C-SPAN, the acerbic Supreme Court justice addressed why he decided to become more available to the media. His appearance on C-SPAN marked a series of interviews on "60 Minutes," National Public Radio, MSNBC and elsewhere. He said it was more than just promoting his recent book on legal advocacy.
Scalia that friends and family had urged him to become less reclusive, and he said that he believes that the world has changed.
"I sort of came to the conclusion that the old common law tradition of judges not making public spectacles of themselves and hiding in the grass has just broken down," Scalia told host Brian Lamb. "It's no use. I'm going to make a public spectacle of myself whether I come out of the closet or not."
Speaking of his high public profile, Scalia seems to be proud of the fact that his is the most popular bobble-head doll put out by the legal journal The Green Bag. But he confessed to not knowing about a popular website that sells Scalia-themed t-shirts.
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Comments
What Oliphant STILL refuses to acknowledge is that Scalia had insisted for decades that he avoided the public spotlight because he was concerned that anything he said or did might make a childhood of relative anonymity more difficult for his children.
He's said before that he wanted them to have as normal a childhood as possible for someone whose father is a Supreme Court Justice. Now that his youngest child is 26 he's starting to let his guard down a little bit more and started doing the appearances that all judges do when they've written books or reach the point in their careers where it's time to reflect on 20 years on the nation's highest bench.
That Oliphant will continue to write these posts trying to attack Scalia for taking on a more public profile without acknowledging this known fact is truly bizarre.
Posted by: Jeff | May 5, 2008 4:39 PM
I watched him with Tim Russert yesterday. He is a bit of a nut but also has some interesting insights. He definitely doesn't suffer fool and has little patience in general. That said I think he made some good points. Let's face it he was there to sell books!!! Obama 2008
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | May 5, 2008 4:45 PM
This a great thread Mr Oliphant, I think the country has the right to know how the Republic Party has stacked the US court system with "activist judges" like Scalia.
Keep the post threads like this one coming!
Scalia is nothing more than a Republican sock-puppet.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T72vgAEX66M
Posted by: John E | May 5, 2008 5:00 PM
What a travesty of Justice, Scalia as a member of the Supreme Court. With the Bush crew, it has lost a lot of its perceived independence and its integrity!! What is troubling is, they do not seem to care, their agenda is a rabid Republican agenda and they will enforce it, even if it violates all precedent. Thank God, we have the process of impeachment, if we need it!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | May 5, 2008 5:33 PM
Oh yeah, America!
The fascist iron fist is out of the 'compassionate conservative' velvet glove!
He's so happy 'cause he knows it doesn't matter who wins in November, (from an activist judge's perspective, that is.)
Posted by: C.Morris | May 5, 2008 6:39 PM
I'd like Scalia more if he'd remained anonymous. When his term is over, I'm sure he'll be ranked right up there with past justices like Roger B. Taney, Samuel Miller, and Billings Brown.
Posted by: Tom O | May 5, 2008 6:39 PM
What is Congress waiting for?
These pigs did not recuse themselves like they shoulda since they had Bush 2000 campaign workers as relatives!
Posted by: Impeach Scalia and other Bush 2000 writers NOW | May 5, 2008 9:56 PM
The more you hear about him the less you like him. He thinks the Constitution is a "dead document" How bizarre....
Posted by: Okie | May 6, 2008 12:54 AM
The most "activist" judge on the court can say all he wants. It doesn't change the fact that he's a complete tool and automatic thumbs up vote for the religious right.
Posted by: syj | May 6, 2008 7:50 AM