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Subscribe to RSSSix Supreme Court Justices plan to attend tonight's State of the Union address, the same number as last year.
A court spokesman confirms the number, but the court isn't saying which of them will attend. Even so, it's possible to make a very good guess.
It's a cinch that the justices nominated by Democratic presidents will be there -- Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan. As for the other two, Anthony Kennedy is very likely to attend, as he has at the last four addresses.
That leaves the sixth spot. We know it won't be Samuel Alito, who is in Hawaii for a long-standing speaking engagement. He wasn't on the bench Monday when the court handed down opinions, either.
My guess: Chief Justice John Roberts. He has attended every one of the speeches since he came on the court. And despite the dust-up over last year's State of the Union -- when President Obama criticized the court's ruling in the big campaign spending case and Roberts later called the annual event "a political pep rally" -- the mood this year is different.
Members of Congress want to emphasize their ability to behave in a civil manner. Against that backdrop, a decision by Roberts to stay away would seem especially obvious. For that reason, it's highly likely he'll there tonight.
And now, the data: In the past 16 years, six is the largest number of justices to attend a State of the Union (or speech to a joint session of Congress in the years when it's not formally the State of the Union address). In 2006-2008, just four attended. Two came in 2002. Justice Stephen Breyer was the only justice to attend in 2001 and 2003-2005. And no justices at all came in 2000.
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Maybe he can attend a private teabagger gathering with his pal Scalia, instead.
Given what's been disclosed the last couple of days about his SCOTUS cohorts... my guess is he'll lay low!
He wouldn't want to attract any MORE unwanted attention to the scams that are happening right under his nose!
Doesn't matter if they show up at the SOTU address or not. Let the ones who are refusing to attend the SOTU address sit at home and clip the jagged, sharp nails on their cloven hooves for all I care.
Some of the members of our SCOTUS has already shown DISDAIN for Pres. Obama and the American people, (who is supposed to be working FOR us) and have become an EMBARRASSMENT to this country.
As one poster a while back put it, we now have a pack of wild RATS sitting in the Supreme Court - for life, who are interpreting the laws - AGAINST the good people of this country. They are:
R-oberts
A-lito
T-homas
S-calia
These dudes have not tried to hide their DISDAIN for Pres. Obama and the laws of this country, and doesn't seem to "undersand" that they MUST NOT interpret laws based on thier Republicon/bagger/winger PARTISAN political leanings, and to try and cripple the Obama Administration.
They are just an EMBARRASSMENT to this country, who deserves NO RESPECT.
I find Alito's behavior extremely troubling. Alito seems entirely lacking in what is generally called "judicial temperament."
It has been a 150-year-long tradition that the President-elect and Vice-President-elect comes to a tea that is hosted by the Supreme Court Justices. The only justice to ever refuse to attend was Alito who told reporters that he had not forgotten that both Biden and Obama voted against his confirmation.
It was Alito who did the "Not true!" blurt-out at Obama's last State of the Union speech. He was referring to the 5-4 SCOTUS decision to allow unlimited corporate campaign contributions by undisclosed donors via issue ads laundered through not-for-profit political organizations. Alito was mistaken, he was the one who was wrong.
And again Alito is snubbing Obama by being the only Justice not to attend.
This is not the behavior that we would expect from a sitting Supreme Court Justice, but rather the pouty sullen behavior that we would expect from a five-year-old. "I'll show him --- if I can't shout out things while he is speaking, I won't even go."
Alito is one of the most partisan and ridiculous Justices in my lifetime and one who brings dishonor, partisan GOP politics, and lack of decorum to the Bench.
This guy is even worse than Thomas who "forgot" to disclose his wife's politically-connected income and jobs as required by law. He forgot for 13 years even though each year he was told by the OPR that he was supposed to do so. He probably didn't even know that she was a lobbyist for far right-wing groups and was making considerable income from her right-wing radical work.
Okay, just add Alito's name to the list of those who skipped the workshop on Diplomacy. Boehner and Reid just might be able to pencil in a date for him to join them for the makeup session.
I abhore our Supreme Court for their participation in the Bush 'victory'. I think that this was an illegal action on their part.
I am sick and tired of the pompous sorts--justices, politicians, those whose salaries we pay--for skipping out on various niceties. It's what separates us, supposedly, from the apes. Third, Alito is a liar, simply stated, regarding his wife's activities. Why did he get appointed? I wouldn't.
I sense the political connectiveness of these people and, sorry to say, are in the hip pockets of the corporations and secret powers that be.
If he doesn't attend, who cares. Republicans could care less how society views them especially someone that is a Supreme Court Justice. I'll wait to see what the journalists have to say how we should all react. It should be absolutely awe inspiring and I will follow you like the zombie you expect of me. I love the media.
ONLY if his Corparate masters wantem to be there.
I've noticed lately that the Frank lutz talking points have'nt been getting much traction. Rep. Cantor has been saying this little diddy "Cut & Grow". I'ma guessing that since "Cut & Run" went over with the American Voter, may as well try some more Cut & (insert whatever word). I noticed NJNB using something I heard yesterday, on 1st Thoughts thread. So I know she got the Talking Points memo.
I don't know how you Cut & Grow anything, but as witnessed by the November election's, American Voter's memory's are'nt that Long.
Can someone Splain this Cut & Grow strategeree, because the Concept is'nt growing with the MSM.
Cut 'N farts?
The Obama Administration has been using "Cut & Invest".
Will VP Biden be sitting behind Obama during the speech? Or has that seat been sold to GE CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt?
Getting campaign dollars from corporate America does have its price.
And besides, Joe doesn't want to sit next to a Republican (Boehner).
Why would Vice President Biden want to willingly subject himself to a sunburn?
Isn't a SPF high enough to ward off what Agent Orange is emitting!
What are the odds that the Weeper of the House will cry?
Feisty,
Now you wouldn't be making fun of his skin color would you? So what if he's orange.
But Feisty- a guy could catch a buzz from the '2nd hand' fumes!
The best skin cancer money can buy! Good Luck with that Johnny!
Hey now that's an idea! Maybe we use the money to pay down the debt and Johnny could get some free rays to keep his store bought tan fresh. Gee whiz I thought maybe Johnny would sit this one out he seems to miss everything else of any significance.
The body language of the Weeper of the House will be fun to watch!
My favorite is when he's all glassy eyed and lowers his chin like he's trying to stifle a burp! lmao!
Poor Reaper....oops, I mean Weeper of the House! He always looks like he's ready to 'upchuck' from his need for another drink! Twitching and biting his lower lip!
He'll really have to 'get his drink on' after the Bachman rant!
Anyone notice that the Righties have dropped the phrase 'activist judges'...... Guess they can't call their own names!
Thomas, Scalia need to be impeached!
Chilled said:
Shame on you! The Weeper of the House calls that his "sexy come hither" look. He's practiced it a long, long time...LMAO (way too funny!)
The Weeper Boehner and that entire pack o' "DO NOTHING" Republicons will probably hire waiters to serve them drinks as Pres. Obama is delivering the speech so they can booze it up. They ain't got no "decorum." Michelle Bachmann appears to be perpetually on crank and it has already liquified her brain, and probably the reason she's going rogue with her OWN response to the SOTU speech.
Okay. Justice Alito planned it so he wouldn't have to be there, but what's Justice Scalia's excuse?
A hangover from his recent Tea Party-sponsored secret appearance?
Too much oolong, perhaps?
Where's the drum beat to IMPEACH Scalia and Thomas?
We all know they both deserve it. Scalia for defiantly showing partisanship (why doesn't he just resign and run for office - because he'd lose?) and Thomas for lying about Anita Hill to get onto the bench (as verified by his wife's drunken phone call to Anita).
That should be obvious unless he is running for office in the Deep South or one of those fly over states out west.
Those funny guys over at the SCOTUS! They just love them some tea. The Tea Party that is!
The Grand Old Tea Party?
So how did the phone call prove he lied? The rest of the world eagerly awaits your reasoning on that one.
And people wonder why my morning radio show hosts include politics in their Showbiz News segment.
Were all of you calling for the heads of the SCJs who didn't attend Bush's SOTU speeches? Or is this just politics as usual bash anyone with a conservative leaning because they dare disagree with your leftist tendencies? Personally, I don't care. Go if you want to go, stay home and watch it on TV if you don't, better yet, tune in to Dirty Jobs because at least it claims honestly to be entertainment where the speech is full of a lot of empty promise and little else no matter what president is delivering it.
Yawnnnnn......America is just so boringly stupid....
What are the odds that the Weeper of the House will cry?
None at all.... unless someone mentions how tough HIS childhood was. That's the only time he cries...never from sympathy or empathy for the suffering of others to whom his Republican party line would refuse any assistance
"boo-Hoo, Buckaroo"
why do i get the feeling that all you regular liberal posters are sitting in a nbc office somewhere getting piad to write this drivel. i cant beleive that one of you is always the lead poster by accident. from now on i will simply skip the comments. they never change. it is like a huge mutual masturbation society. farewell
Mrwoods, you need to get up early to beat us to the punch. And NO I do not work for NBC or any other outlet, I am just a concerned citizen, paying attention. Good bye!
I think that Alito is such a child. During my up-bringing, I was always made to go places that I did not want to go: church, family reunions, special dinners, etc. At the time, I could not see why I had to attend. Now that I am an adult, I know that it is important to acknowledge people and special aspects of their and our lives. Alito should not expect any respect if he is not mature enough to show some. And Clarence Thomas is the sorriest excuse not just for a member of the Supreme Court, but for a man, Period.
If Boehner gets out of hand all Biden has to do is lean over and ask him if he ever saw Ole Yeller. Boehner will start bawling like a baby
Historically episodes of 24 were on Mondays.
There is no requirement for the Justices to attend the SOTU address.
They do so out of courtesy for he executive and legislative branches of government.
At the last SOTU address discourtesy rather than courtesy was shown to the SCOTUS by the President.
Maybe one or two of them resented it?
I don't care who attends or doesn't....
I hope that there is no cheering and clamoring and standing ovations or if there are that there are an equal number of boos, hisses ans foot stomping by those that disagree with the message. That would seem to be fair for both sides, since it has devolved from a government process worthy of respectful attention to a political pep rally anyway.
I am hopeful the President presents a good plan and the Congress agrees to work with him, that to me is the bottom line.
Roberts as Chief Justice must have some obligation to bring action against Any Justice that violates ethics and if not Law? SO he should stay home and work on just that. I could care less if he goes along with Conservative snubs of the Office of The President of the United States. That whole thing has gotten so old, it is no longer working as they want it to.
Ray
President Obama showed no respect to the SCOTUS in last year's state of the union address and yet you expect the SCOTUS Justices to show respect for him this year.
Remember the SCOTUS is an equal branch of government to the Executive branch, not subordinate to it.
I for one do not care if they are there or not. Right now I would settle for them being impartial and not participate or support events that gives the idea they may not be.
Robert,
Showing up sends a strong message that Roberts believes the court made a good ruling last year.
But not showing up in protest is just childish.
Just my 2¢.
Dennis
The fact that President Obama choose to disrespect the SCOTUS on national television last year was the childish act and far from Presidential.
I predict that CJ Roberts will be there and would expect the President to act Presidential
Robert,
So the President isn’t permitted to say that he disagreed with the SCOTUS ruling or was it that he did it to their face instead of, like most politicians, behind their back?
Or was it because it was so public instead of behind closed doors at some fund raiser?
Actually Ray, the Chief Justice has no power to discipline the other justices. His role is purely an adminstrative one over the conduct of the court's business. Maybe you didn't pay attention in that constitution class. For that matter going by the vacuous idiocy of most of your posts, I bet you missed most topics in school.
We really do need to remove as many ideological judges sitting on benches across the country. Control of the court system need to be take away from BIG BUSINESS and ideologues from both sides and returned to the people. As an impartial court system goes, we all have as good a chance for a fair trial in Iran than the United States.
All I am saying is give impeachments a chance. We have nothing to lose and a free, impartial court system to gain.