Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is now actively calling for disobeying the government, as during a recent speech he told students that if taxes get too high, they should revolt.
According to CBSDC:
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia told a crowd of law school students that if taxes in the U.S. become too high then people “should revolt.”
Speaking at the University of Tennessee College of Law on Tuesday, the longest-serving justice currently on the bench was asked by a student about the constitutionality of the income tax, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports.
Scalia responded that the government has the right to implement the tax, “but if it reaches a certain point, perhaps you should revolt.”
When a sitting Supreme Court justice tells anyone to revolt against their government, that’s a problem. It is difficult to tell if Scalia was snarky or serious, but with his record, and loyal service to the Koch brothers it’s likely that he was serious.
Last year, Democrats introduced a bill that would have opened the door to impeachment for Justices Scalia and Thomas. Democrats are seeking mandatory ethics rules for all Supreme Court justices. Scalia and Thomas have been frequently featured guests at Koch conferences. Their conflict of interest involving campaign finance laws has been obvious, but neither justice has felt the need to recuse themselves from these cases.
Justice Scalia puts his partisan views ahead of the Constitution. He has written opinions that favor criminalizing gay sex, “Many Americans do not want persons who openly engage in homosexual conduct as partners in their business, as scoutmasters for their children, as teachers in their children’s schools, or as boarders in their home. They view this as protecting themselves and their families from a lifestyle that they believe to be immoral and destructive.”
Scalia has defended torture, “I am astounded at the world reaction to Guantanamo,” he declared in response to a question. “We are in a war. We are capturing these people on the battlefield. We never gave a trial in civil courts to people captured in a war. War is war and it has never been the case that when you capture a combatant, you have to give them a jury trial in your civil courts. It’s a crazy idea to me.”
Scalia is a partisan hack who is serving a lifetime appointment on the highest court in the land. He may be the worst Supreme Court justice in the history of the nation, and now he is calling for people to disobey their government.
Antonin Scalia has got to go.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
I’m seeing impeachment of Scalia and Thomas. It’s time.
So if we retake the House and hold the Senate, can we move this forward? That is reason enough to vote Democratic..these two and the CJ should never have been allowed near the Supreme Court.
Sounds to me that he should be put in front of a firing squad and shot because he is trying to wage war in The United States, just because he’s a Supreme Court Justice shouldn’t make a difference. Everyone that can should pay income taxes and the filthy rich should pay the same percentage as the working class.
This partisan hack who thinks he is above the law needs to go quickly! He makes a mockery of all the honorable justices that went before him and serve with him now! He is the Marie Antoinette of the Supreme court flaunting his privilege and power in the face of we the people!
Clarence Thomas the mute stooge of big business whould never have been confirmed. The two are despicable treasonous henchman for the rich!
Why isn’t this kind of stuff being investigated by Issa? Just kidding. His wife works for the Koch owned Heritage Foundation besides all that was mentioned here. He and Thomas need to go. Hopefully, after the elections we can work on that.
May God Richly Bless Antonin Scalia with a very very Long life on the US Supreme Court He has kept the USA from going under
The Supreme Court 5, why isn’t NSA, CIA or the FBI investigating these ‘people’, they are the ones behind the destruction of our Country. I get that they accept Lobbyist money and vote to destroy the Constitution not this! Is sedition an impeachable offense?
LOL, not to mention selling your rights to citizens united
God of Darkness. There, fixed it for you.
Scalia is testing the high Court with that statement and likely feels the persons who paid the 5 US Supreme Court Justice to allow Citizens United to be a person and recently passing unlimited donations to fix elections. If the people don’t demand Impeachment then the country will be taken over. This is a Coup D’etat by wealthy Americans.
I think I’d want to know if he meant a *tax* revolt, which is basically a non-violent refusal to tender one’s payment (and ends, usually, in garnishment of salary and seizure of assets), or insurrection. Both are advocacy of lawbreaking, but only the latter is sedition. It seems clear he is already taking part in public corruption, and though, under present circumstances, he cannot be impeached, he can nonetheless be prosecuted for federal felonies on the same basis as anyone else. Theoretically, he could be sitting in Big Max and still voting on cases. I am hoping this would be too shameless even for Republicans.
U.S. Code › Title 18 › Part I › Chapter 115 › § 2385
18 U.S. Code § 2385 – Advocating overthrow of Government
Whoever…advises…or teaches the necessity, desirability, or propriety, of destroying the government of The United States…Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both, and shall be ineligible for employment by the United States or any department or agency thereof, for the five years next following his conviction.
The right wing blogs and on-line forums are full of people who routinely advocate for, or agitate for
rebellion in one form or another. These sorts of comments are readily found in rt wing pro-gun forums; but certainly in anti-tax and anti-government web sites and blogs.
While Scalia may not have literally meant a violent rebellion against the tax laws, his recommendation will play into the fertile minds of domestic extremists.
Time to bring back the Sedition Act of 1798. John Adams was right.
It was a stupid thing to say but he’s not going to be prosecuted for sedition and I wouldn’t want to see it done anyway. He does have the right to criticize the government as long as he’s not urging anyone to direct action against it. I dislike the guy but I think terms like sedition should be reserved for the most extreme cases. Sedition trials always seem to lead to witch hunts
They may figure the tax is too high just becuase they have to pay it.
Its embarrassing that a law student has to ask if the tax is legal, for gods sake its one of the reasons the constitution was written.
I’ve always said 10-15 year Term Limits are in order here, as they are usually appointed while well past mid-50s and should be released by 70-75…..
drizzle drazzle drozzle drome, time for
that one to go home
This judge has money so he can talk and say things like this, but one thing people like him forget is that karma has a way of coming around when you aren’t looking. He seems to have forgotten all those who were plotting on the president first term that night have mostly all fallen by the wayside one way or another. No one never knows which way karma will hit but when it hit it hits. Look what happen at the election, they made full of the president because he let Romney win one debate called him names, they outspent him because they had top donors and knew they were going to win even rigged machine and still lost. Just goes to show money don’t buy everything it will make you think you can buy everything. That is why Romney couldn’t believe he lost because he outspent the president and he was the businessman, and the president was the community organizer. Seem like the community organizer knew how to organize his campagin the correct and winning way.
The irony here is that Scalia has been instrumental that American citizens have had less influence in their election system (through legalized corruption of the process by corporations). The cause of the Tea Party revolt (the first one, not the Koch-funded theater project) revolved around “Taxation without Representation.”
The previous worst justice in the history of the Supreme Court, Roger Taney, heaves a huge sigh of relief.
Whether you are Democrat or Republican you have to agree when a member of the Supreme Court start dismissing the laws of the United States, then it’s time to go. He is not in the right frame of mind to hold his seat on the court.
Criticizing the federal government, engaging in public protest, letters to the Editor, … Morse code — it’s all fine.
Alas, far too many self-appointed spokespeople of the so-called “tea party movement” have been promoting “Second Amendment remedies” as the preferred means of “revolt”.
Of course, the sad irony is all of these alleged historical scholars (are you listening, Sarah?) have been ignoring the fundamental difference between the original Boston Tea Party activists and their modern moronic counterparts — the former did not have the opportunity to attain political representation via the ballot box, whereas the latter seem to believe that elections only count when THEIR candidate is voted into office.
Furthermore, all of this fomenting of anti-government sentiment over taxation ignores the fact that current tax rates are significantly lower than they were during the latter half of the 20th century.
So, let me see if I’ve got this straight.
It’s fine and dandy for a Republican to send people 10,000 miles across the globe to die** in bullsh*t wars?* I mean, that’s just their life, and all.
But paying a little more in taxes is an inconvenience that justifies taking up arms against the country?
Seriously, that idiot’s thinking is so fuc*ed up it’s impossible to even attempt to work out the convoluted, but nonsensical, “logic” that goes on inside his head.
Does this moron even think before he opens his stupid yap? Jesus, donkey-diddling, Christ!
The craziness has infected the Supreme Court.
* The U.N. inspectors said before the War on Iraq began that there were no weapons, within a near certainty, and that it would be a matter of only weeks before the certainty was 100 percent.
Now, the Iraqi government we installed is set to force 9-year-old girls to marry and legalie marital rape.
** Or in some cases worse, being horrifically maimed either physically or mentally…
Also, sorry for the cursing. It’s just gotten so crazy here. We are a laughing stock around the world. Our infrastructure is crumbling to the point that the majority of our bridges are about worn out and structurally unsound. We have a huge population of homeless veterans, and those scarred in our wars offing themselves every day.
Practically every week a toddler is getting Second-Amendmented to death.
The government has been spying on us since 9-12-2001.
We’ve basically become a Third World country with a big-ass military and nukes.
And snake-handlers are taking control of our government. (Not literally, but theocrats with no understanding of government, or, well, anything, are perched to take over.
So it goes.
I think this group of Supreme Court Justices have paved their own road to impeachment. I think there needs to be an amendment to our U. S. constitution for term limits for these people. They think they are above the law and we the people need to bring them down to reality.
If revolting against the government is what Scalia preached — He must be impeached!!
I fully agree with you. Scalia’s thinking is clearly impaired, and he’s no longer (if ever) the kind of legal “scholar” that belongs on the Supreme Court making decisions regarding the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress, individual states, and cases it agrees to hear.
Mr. Scalia has proven time and again that he is just not qualified for the highest court in the land. He’s made no effort to hide the fact that he holds some very strong opinions not of the legal type, but political in nature.
Then, there’s the matter of his ethics (or lack thereof). All of these things, when looked at together, point to a man whose usefulness as an arbiter of what is constitutional is long past. He needs to be removed from the bench. Given that he’s in a lifetime job, Scalia is a perfect case to open a debate about a way to remove a justice from the court when he/she is no longer considered a contributing member of the Court. There needs to be a way to remove incompetent justices.
Republicans have turned this country into the stomping ground for evil and injustice where the victims are the poor and the working class.
Like it or not we are stuck with piece of….
He´s not in his right mind and has not been for about 20 years all his opinions should be revoked and he should be kicked off the bench !
There needs to be a way to get rid of SC justices like him. He is blatantly partisan to the point of being unable to be fair or balanced, and is unashamed to broadcast it. Thomas is no better than Scalia, though, and he has a horrible record of nearly always voting against the underdog in a situation where there’s a clear imbalance of power. I would love to see these two not only impeached but also permanently removed from the USSC. They have been responsible for a considerable amount of damage, because they have been in league with the Koch brothers.
Personal federal income taxes are at a 60 year low.
Time to remove Scalia from the bench, he is unworthy of being a justice,
When the dem,s take back the house. They MUST START IMPEACHMENT AGAINST THESE CORPORATE OWNED JUDGES.
I would love to see that. However, I’ll only believe it when I see it. This country is descending into hell and it’s not on a slow train.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ??????????
Spoken by a true Republican, and probably one who’s doing well financially.
Under what? Tony is the leader of the Alzhiemers Justice Support Group.
I have heard Justice Scalia speak several times in one on one discussions, interview sessions with Q&A at law schools, and other non partisan presentations. More often than not I disagree with his point of view, reasoning and conclusions. He is knowledgeable and certainly understands how the law works. I think in this case he was just being snarky ol’ Tony, throwing something out there and watching the reaction or who took the bait. He’s wrong of course but that’s just his style (or lack of it).
This GOP justice TWERP didn’t happen to mention that no matter how few dollars the federal Government has coming in he will, by federal law still get his paycheck and pension for life did he. I know for a fact he never mentioned any such thing while getting huge tax cuts while a white republican president was in office. Huge tax cuts from a white republican president who was borrowing trillions from China to pay for his two wars around the world and a prescription drug program that was costing a million dollars an hour that was totally unpaid for, that was put on the federal credit card and paid for by loans from China too. The words justice and truth from today’s conservative republican controlled top court have nothing in common. But then the GOP political party as a whole has nothing to do with truth and justice, just lies and hate, and that is the truth.
Remember that the HOUSE has to vote for impeachment & this House will NEVER do it! So SAD!
The House has to vote to impeach & though they are both guilty of “High Crimes and misdemeanors” This House will NEVER vote to impeach.
And what he said is perfectly true. As radical as it may sound to some of you, it is not only your right but your responsibility to revolt against a government that taxes you too much.
But what is too much? Its not like taxes in this nation are particularly onerous. Our tax system is unfair though. Unfair to the majority of tax payers due to unreasonable tax breaks for the wealthy and for big business.
When did the idea of revolution become alien to the American people? Our nation was founded upon the concept of revolution against oppressive and unresponsive government. And its getting to that point again today.
Now Scalia is quite a bit to much in the camp of the Koch brother freaks for my liking so I’m not sure the type of revolution ran by the people who would rise to the top under it would be beneficial to the majority and would lead to even further civil unrest.
Civil war is coming if the rich don’t stop their manipulation of our political system.
Quite frankly that law seems to be unconstitutional in and of itself.
No law can be made by representatives of the people that would prohibit said people from removing that government by their will.
If government refused to step down and allow new elections to be held immediately then the people by the constitution retain the right to use whatever force is necessary to remove them, including so called second amendment remedies.
You and the government must understand that they enjoy their privilege by the will of the people. when said people decide they have had enough then the government is to either adapt or be replaced. There is no option for them to refuse to do so.
To believe otherwise is to engage in sedition against the only government in this nation that matters, “We The People”.
That is exactly the point. When are taxes too high? I am betting anyone that wants to weaken the country so the 1%can take it can say any taxes are too high. And we have those people right now
HA! The only taxes he’s concerned about are the pathetically small amounts the 1% SOMETIMES pays.
Now that the same corrupt Supreme Court has ruled that Corporations are people, we need a law that says all money’s earned here or overseas is subject to taxation, even that of Corporations and Mitt Romney!!!
If you want to test just how unfair the current laws & loopholes are,just try putting your money in an account in the Cayman Islands and see what happens. Everything favors the richest of the rich these days. You don’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell against these greedy thugs.
Common-law is not what we have in common. Common-law is a system, philosophy, and strictly adherent to precedent law.
All statutes; whether Federal, State, County, or Municipal governments; are laws; not based in authority alone, such as Civil Code, (what one should do or not do), but morality. One needs to read the last few lines of President Washington’s address for concurrence.
Common-law is, from its jurisprudence, the history and practice of law is rooted in the word “ought.” Ought is a moral obligation, from the Greek Moral Philosophy, which the Romans translated into ethics.
In my work I have uncovered much falling away from the basic truth of a republic; a desire to do good, for the public good, (res publica).
Are you familiar with the Court’s Rules of Civil Procedure? Well in 1931, American courts were so corrupt, the Judiciary was at risk. The corruption was so bad, the Rules, had to re-instituted in 1938.
Seek wisdom; the understanding of knowledge
Most states do not recognize common law any more
How do you edit a post before review and acceptance?
Or since this will be reviewed, would you mind correcting the grammar, as regards G. Washington. It’s also the last few paragraphs, regarding morality and religion, quote unquote, “does not policy equally enjoin this?
Thank you,
Please don’t post.
You should see an edit button at the bottom of your post. If that doesnt work let me know
It amazes me that so few seem to have painfully and sorely, with a passion, delved into the IRS’ history! Everyone should read the book Creature from Jekyll Island by G.Edward Griffin. It made all the difference in the lives of many conscientious people that we have known and read about. The I.R.S. is not legally a part of the United States Government,and the 16th Amend. was not fully ratified by all the states. Justice Scalia, as far as we are concerned, was aware of some things most of the public has missed, or doesn’t want to take the time to find out. He was leaving it open for the students, and citizens to have to think for themselves, and be wise in understanding that reality exists in that governments are prone to live out this quote: “Wealth and power are more intoxicating than gin!” People need to know history and who is running the show, which too often is “classified” for the “good” of the people, but even more for the GOOD of the government and not for the people.
Does Justice Scalia understand the Constitutional requirement for a situation to become a war? We are not now at war, and haven’t been since 1945. In the absence of a declaration of war, the war powers of government do not apply. I strongly suggest that the justice give serious consideration to retirement.
I detest Scalia as much as anyone who values impartialiaty and wisdom in a judge; however, I have long ranted that tax revolt remains the powerful tool to resist extreme legislative, judicial or executive malfeasance. the principle is exactly the one any person would use to justify discontinuing payment when a product or service is completely unsatisfactory, So I beg to differ from any who would use this comment by Scalia to suggest incompetence. There are many other legitimate reasons to attack his continued tenure on the high court.
This nincompoop needs his wings clipped. I hope he has no children. It should be against the law for a numb nuts like him to multiply.
Take pictures of Scalia & Thomas & the Koch bro. I wonder how fast they go viral???????
Good text but don’t forget GREED
IMPEACHMENT OF THIS UNAMERICAN TREASONIST JUSTICE
John, when I see this man, all I see is alcohol fat, and a heart attack on the way. I say the sooner the better.
you can have ignorance or freedom. Never both.
If you’re going to sit in a tower and bemoan Scalia, nothing will happen.
find a Congressional rep. Tell their advertising staff: ” I will vote/donate to this candidate IF every day that the House is in session, you introduce a bill of Impeachment against Scalia and Thomas. Every day.”
Rinse and repeat with a different Rep. in your state. Any BS, tell them you will actively campaign against them.
Keep your promises.
The Congress would rather throw them under the bus than give up their cushy jobs. The trick is to make it more painful for them NOT to act than it is to duck out and flim-flam.
We all have internet. Use it.
As much as I intensely dislike Judge Scaly, his comment doesn’t rise to the level of Sedition.
First, the legal definition of Sedition:
“If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.”
Two important points in his comments that doesn’t make what he said an act of Sedition: first, he used the word “perhaps”. Second, the law clearly states that two or more people have to be a part of the conspiracy. He is a Seditionist, but not for what he said here…
Read the Daily Kos today. re: Tea Party gun toting’s march on Washington they want to oust the president and take over Washington.
This has got to stop!
That’s the problem. If billionaires pay the same percentage it is not fair. If I make 50K per year and pay %10 that leaves me with 45K disposable income for rent, food, gas, cable, etc. If Warren Buffett pays %10 of 1,000,000. That leaves him 900K disposable income for rent, food , gas etc. Not to mention the organizational perks of wealth- transportation, galas, access to networks, free items, etc.
We desperately need tax reform. While i agree with you that everyone should pay taxes (Even those on welfare and in prison so that they can be a part of this democracy) there needs to be a graduated income tax- perhaps 1% for people below the poverty line to 5% for those in the lower middle and 7% for those in the higher middle,,,etc. Personally I think you should be able to deduct 2 children or two pregnancies (in case of multiple births), people should not be rewarded for overpopulating. My 2 cents.
Today’s congress mewls, ONLY. Mewling will not get Scalia or the few other treasonous Supremes impeached, no matter how much they do deserve it.
We should return to the tax rates that were in effect in 1978.
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Right now, SC Justice Scalia might be comfortably … financially and otherwise, but, his situation may deteriorate in the future. THEN, I’d like to hear what Scalia has to say!