Posted on 04/27/2008 6:40:25 PM PDT by Dawnsblood
Justice Antonin Scalia on Sunday characterized himself as a social conservative and "a law-and-order guy" whose views do not impact his interpretation of the Constitution.
In an interview on CBS' "60 Minutes," Scalia addressed issues from abortion to flag-burning.
Were he to approach his job differently, Scalia said, he would adopt the position of abortion opponents who interpret the Constitution to mean that a state must prohibit abortion.
But the authors of the Constitution did not write about abortion, so he does not support the approach favored by abortion opponents, said the justice, who is promoting a new book, "Making Your Case: The Art Of Persuading Judges.
Similarly, Scalia upholds a First Amendment right to flag burning, though he doesn't personally like the practice.
Scalia is known for his colorful writing style, especially in dissent. All his colleagues have been targets of his biting criticism, a subject that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg addressed on camera.
"As annoyed as you might be about his zinging dissent, he's so utterly charming, so amusing, so sometimes outrageous, you can't help but say I'm glad that he's my friend or he's my colleague," said Ginsburg.
Ginsburg said she takes Scalia's occasional criticism as a challenge to be met.
"How am I going to answer this in a way that's a real putdown?" Ginsburg said.
Stahl looked like a complete fool - As usual. Take away her smile and you are left with - Nothing!
Justice Antonin Scalia on Sunday characterized himself as a social conservative and “a law-and-order guy” whose views do not impact his interpretation of the Constitution.
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Unlike the Socialists, Ginsberg et al. The law of the land is basically a WRITTEN LAW to be interpreted literally -— not with liberal bias and spin, to suit political agendas.
The socialists on the court do not see it that way, needless to say.
Probably the same way the town chess wiz would cream Kasparov, Ruth.
He's still a Queens guy and I am proud to claim a certain kinship as we share the same high school experience and Jesuit education.
“But he can also use his pen as a sword to attack the writings of his colleagues. For instance, he once called a Breyer decision ‘sheer applesauce.’”
I was surprised to learn that he and Ginsburg are such good friends. That photo of them on an elephant was hilarious.
I didn’t think Scalia looked that good. It seemed like some of his answers were “I’m right, that’s why.” Don’t know whether that was editing by 60 Minutes or that’s just the way he is on camera.
I understand he’s even taken her out shooting a few times...
“But the authors of the Constitution did not write about abortion,”
Dadgum. A Supreme Court Justice who actually has read the constitution. Amazing.
Maybe that will positively influence her vote in the Heller case. :)
When she brought up waterboarding being unconstitutional Scalia asked why it would be unconstitutional. she responded because it's cruel and unusual punishment. He said but it's not punishment. She sat there looking stupid, arguing with him as if he was the dense one, "Because they have a gun to their head and they're waterboarding them. That's not punishment?" (I expected to hear her add "DUH!!") and Scalia kept saying, no, it's not. And further more, I would have said "The Constitution doesn't apply to you if you're not an American citizen." He probably did but they edited it out.
I'm surprized 60 minutes would run a piece that reveals how STUPID their reporter really is.
Wow!
He really humiliated her didn’t he?
I might be a distant relative of Justice Scalia! My Mama met him when he came to the college at which she worked, and in speaking with him, mentioned that her Grandmother’s maiden name was Scalia. Then she found out his family was from the same Sicilian village as her Grandmother! She never got to find out anymore, but we thought that was cool!
IIRC, Ginsburg has written previous opinions supporting the individual right to keep and bear arms, as the Founders intended.
Scalia wants to sell books, plain and simple.
That was a great interview.
I think she came into the interview not wanting to like him but in the end she was charmed by his intelligence and his wit and actually admires him.
I too am surprised that 60 minutes didn’t do a hit piece on his but actually let him speak and show what an intelligent person is is.
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