On The Career Of Antonin Scalia: Quotes, References, and Further Reading
Unless extraterrestrials land on the Washington Mall and begin probing politicians live on TV, Twitter, and Twitch, the biggest American political news story this month will have been the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the age of 79. A strict conservative, Justice Scalia was the longest serving Supreme Court Justice in the history of the United States of America; adored by those on the right, loathed by those on the left, the New Jersey-born father of nine was a touchstone of fascination on all points of the political spectrum. His death effectively leaves the Supreme Court tied 4-4 on pretty much all matters until his replacement is appointed, which, in the current political climate, will be a Tolkienesque battle the likes of which haven’t been seen since [REDACTED].
As his death leaves eight remaining members of the United States Supreme Court, here are eight literary quotes, references, and suggestions for further reading.
1) [Thunder] Alas, the storm is come again! My best way is to creep under his gaberdine; there is no other shelter hereabout: misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows. I will here shroud till the dregs of the storm be past.
3)Reading about all these moments and relationships that make little sense considering his virulent opposition to most post-18th century changes to America, however, it was not unlike the post-election actions of another Republican: Abraham Lincoln. While most of his unofficial team of rivals did not support his side, and he theirs, it has to be stated for the record that Justice Scalia did not exist wholly in an echo chamber. Perhaps we all need a poke next time we block someone on Twitter who casually disagrees with us.
4 )Undoubtedly many lawyers, plaintiffs, defendants, and affected parties dealing with Justice Scalia felt at times like they were characters in Catch-22 (or The Handmaid’s Tale, when it came to his perennial foes, women and control over their bodies), wounded and wrapped up by words that Justice Scalia wielded like weapons in his battle to protect what he viewed as the original intent and scope of the Constitution..
“A law can be both economic folly and constitutional.”
An honorable mention: The Bhagavad Gita
There will be a fierce election year battle to replace Justice Scalia, with Senate Republicans determined to stall the process until the news President of the United States is inaugurated (in violation of the precedent set by Ronald Reagan’s nominee Justice Kennedy’s appointment to the Supreme Court in 1988, which was as much a Presidential election year as 2016), and President Barack Obama determined to fulfill his duty to have nine Justices of the Supreme Court.
On the short list that has been floating around for a few years is Judge Sri Srinivasan, a Judge on the D.C. Court of Appeals. In much the same way Representative Keith Ellison’s swearing-in on (President Thomas Jefferson’s personal copy of) The Qu’ran created a stir in 2010, expect a kerfuffle to occur if Judge Srinivasan is chosen, as he swears his oaths upon a copy of the Hindu holy text The Bhagavad Gita.
- Trinculo, THE TEMPEST, Act 2, Scene 2
3)Reading about all these moments and relationships that make little sense considering his virulent opposition to most post-18th century changes to America, however, it was not unlike the post-election actions of another Republican: Abraham Lincoln. While most of his unofficial team of rivals did not support his side, and he theirs, it has to be stated for the record that Justice Scalia did not exist wholly in an echo chamber. Perhaps we all need a poke next time we block someone on Twitter who casually disagrees with us.
4 )Undoubtedly many lawyers, plaintiffs, defendants, and affected parties dealing with Justice Scalia felt at times like they were characters in Catch-22 (or The Handmaid’s Tale, when it came to his perennial foes, women and control over their bodies), wounded and wrapped up by words that Justice Scalia wielded like weapons in his battle to protect what he viewed as the original intent and scope of the Constitution..
“A law can be both economic folly and constitutional.”
- Justice Antonin Scalia, CTS Corporation v Dynamics Corporation of America
An honorable mention: The Bhagavad Gita
There will be a fierce election year battle to replace Justice Scalia, with Senate Republicans determined to stall the process until the news President of the United States is inaugurated (in violation of the precedent set by Ronald Reagan’s nominee Justice Kennedy’s appointment to the Supreme Court in 1988, which was as much a Presidential election year as 2016), and President Barack Obama determined to fulfill his duty to have nine Justices of the Supreme Court.
On the short list that has been floating around for a few years is Judge Sri Srinivasan, a Judge on the D.C. Court of Appeals. In much the same way Representative Keith Ellison’s swearing-in on (President Thomas Jefferson’s personal copy of) The Qu’ran created a stir in 2010, expect a kerfuffle to occur if Judge Srinivasan is chosen, as he swears his oaths upon a copy of the Hindu holy text The Bhagavad Gita.
