Justice Alito speech on polarizing issues prompts calls to reform Supreme Court

[Judi Lynn]

Source: ABC News


Justices typically don't talk about issues actively before the Supreme Court.
By Devin Dwyer
November 13, 2020, 7:03 PM
• 8 min read

Justice Samuel Alito set off fresh calls for Supreme Court reform on Friday after delivering a highly opinionated speech to a conservative legal group that touched on polarizing issues currently under review by the court.

"If there were enforceable recusal standards at the high court, this would be a ripe opportunity for a motion to disqualify," said Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, a nonpartisan independent watchdog group that has lobbied for a formal code of conduct for the justices.

"It would encourage them to think twice before making political speeches to partisan organizations and further eroding the public's trust in their impartiality," Roth said.

Alito's remarks, delivered virtually on Thursday night to a conference hosted by the Federalist Society, focused on what he called the "unimaginable restrictions on individual liberty" imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. He also spoke about abortion rights, same-sex marriage and the Second Amendment.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/justice-alito-speech-polarizing-issues-prompts-calls-reform/story?id=74194553

[madaboutharry]

1. Alito has been a right wing flack from day one.

He would sit shaking his head and making comments during Pres. Obama’s State of the Union Speeches.

Even judges have political opinions, but Alito is unable to see anything through an impartial lens. Political partisans can’t be fair minded judges.

[erronis]

2. The partisan hacks don't care anymore. Whether in the executive, legislative, judicial branches.

Either they know that the game has been rigged, or they have given up.

My 100% hunch: They think the game is theirs. The payoffs have worked. They will live in a life of plutocratic ecstasy.

Except - it doesn't really end up that way. A few years of gloating followed by decades of watching your plutocratic empire crashing into embers. Your spawn being vilified.

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. Another low IQ religious idiot

If Georgians are allowed to vote we can fix the supreme court so that the adults are in charge.

If we thought we saw voter suppression and outright fascist anti-democracy behavior before we ain’t seen nothing yet; what these disgusting fascist mass murderers will do in the Georgia runoff race Will set records

[Golden Raisin]

4. I'm sure Chief Justice Roberts will pull Alito aside

privately for a stern chat about the dignity and impartiality of the Court.

[RVN VET71]

8. Roberts' opinion of Alito will be kept to himself,

and he won't "chat" with him because he knows Alito is a partisan judge who is beyond the reach of reason and, well, patriotism. Roberts is not a liberal, of course, but he would like to be remembered as a Justice who at least tried to maintain decorum on the Court and respect for the rule of law. I think Gorsuch is on his side in this. He's a staunch, even arch, conservative, but so far seems a man of non-partisan honesty regarding his dealings on the Court.

Alito, sadly, is just a big bulging douche-bag. But I wonder if the speech before the Federalist nazi-symps was just the opening salvo, a way to let McRapey, Uncle Thomas, and the Handmaiden know they can be open about their staggering "originalist" beliefs.

[Polybius]

17. Even if he did, Alito can just tell him to go to Hell

Roberts can't do anything to him.

[Karma13612]

5. None of this should surprise us.

He is a partisan hack who deserves to be impeached and relieved of his judge-ship (?).

But, of course since another partisan hack is in charge of the senate (and as powerful as the President apparently), then we stand no chance of court reform. And we can’t replace Alito while said leader of the senate is still around.

Guess I’m tired and don’t see any more silver linings.

I’m 66.

I’m pretty sure I won’t see the tide change in the few years I have left.

To the young people on DU, please know that I am still fighting for whats best. But you all need to really really fight to bring change that is sorely needed.

My gosh, what a mess this country is in politically.

[RVN VET71]

9. Few years you have left? You have about 20, demographically,

as long as your health is OK and you take care of yourself. 66 leaves plenty of time to, as the song says, "get your kicks!"

I'm 75 and may not see the fullness of the Biden-Harris 8 years -- but I'm going to do my damnedest to do so, with a mind that is clear enough to understand what's happening. And my secret hope is that I live long enough not only to see the little Trumplings (Donnie, Eric, Ivanka, and (sorry to say now) Tiffany not only go to prison but emerge, pale skinned, bewildered and broke.

Trump, I'm guessing, may be going to prison to die -- and that does not make me sad, not at all.

I'd also like to be alive when the announcement is made, to hear that Fatso's last words were something like "I built an empire from nothing, but Life was rigged against me!" (Extra bonus would be being able to sneak into wherever the Pig-in-Chief lay buried and tinkle on his grave. I say "tinkle" because as old as I'd be by the time it happened, that'd be the best I could do!)(I acknowledge that I'd have to get on the end of a long line of fellow passers.)

[Karma13612]

13. Gosh I needed this pep talk to day!

Yea, my mom lived to 95 so I have a ways to go.

My melodramatic comments were meant to express my concern that it might still take decades to see a swing back to proper progressive changes this country and our planet needs.

I would be thrilled to be sitting in my chair in my nursing home watching the TV that is powered by solar and wind. That I was only one of 100’s of millions of Americans enjoying universal healthcare. That our state count was finally 52. That the middle east was quiet. That having to designate yourself as anything other than “American” is no longer needed. No more individual labels that separate us instead of uniting us.

That McConnell and the Republicans are no longer driving the agenda.

Thanks for making me laugh!!

[RVN VET71]

14. Karma, anytime!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

6. K&R

[mdbl]

7. someone needs to tell Alito

there is a difference between free speech, fraudulent speech, hate speech and slanderous speech. He obviously thinks it's all the same.

[RVN VET71]

10. Sadly, he knows the difference

and doesn't care, applying it only when talking about Liberals. He won't let you say "F--k the Flag" -- if it were his decision, such a phrase would be made illegal if not treasonous. But if you want to say that same-sex marriage is a perversion, destructive of the American family because lustful perverts want to destroy America -- hey, that would be considered fine, even admirable, by this douche-tub.

[ResistantAmerican17]

11. Amy Covid Barrett wasn't even that forthcoming at her sham hearing.

[BlueIdaho]

12. Any Justice that speaks at a political event

Should be removed from office.

[DeminPennswoods]

15. There's a reason he's been

nicknamed "Scalito".

[Polybius]

16. I can never understand why the right-wing doesn't idolize and worship Alito like Scalia and Thomas

They were larger than life icons to right-wing nutcases. Alito does everything they want and they hardly mention him. I guess because he's not charismatic like Scalia? Nah, that's not it because Thomas isn't either.

[Duppers]

18. We need to change the # of Justices.

But that cannot happen until we control the Senate.

[SunSeeker]

19. He should be impeached. nt

[ck4829]

20. K&R