If you're looking for a news story that combines multiple story lines, you'd be hard pressed to find a better one involving the story about Associate Justice Antonin Scalia's sudden death last Saturday, and the legal, political and cultural implications that are resulting.
There's the legal process to name Scalia's replacement on the court. The U.S. Constitution is clear that the current president has the authority to name a replacement. It's also true that the Constitution enpowers the U.S. Senate to approve, or disapprove, of that nominee.
As of this writing, President Barack Obama has not named his nominee, but he has said he intends to name one soon and that that person will be well qualified. Some Republican senators have announced plans to either reject Obama's nominee, or delay the process. Some have called for the president to leave the picking to the newly elected president early next year.
This has already had an impact on the wild presidential primary campaigns on both Democrat and Republican sides. And, if it wasn't already wild enough, there are also some spouting conspiracy theories about how Scalia's death was handled, suggesting foul play.
I'd like to know your thoughts about any of this. You have wide latitude here -- you can comment on whether you think Obama should nominate someone, or should he leave it for the next president. Or, you can comment on what you think will happen (based on evidence and commentary), or what you hope will happen (based on your personal views).
An excellent source of Supreme Court news is scotusblog.com. Click on this link to see a variety of articles about different aspects of this story.
After reviewing these articles and other news articles, please return here with your comment. Please be sure to include your first name, last name initial and your class (TTh class, Online class or Honors class). Also, please remember to be respectful of others, especially with those with whom you disagree.
