Discussion: White House: Obama To Pay Respects To Scalia Friday, Won't Attend Funeral

feathered_head · February 17, 2016, 8:07pm

Just posted the same thought before I saw your comment. The reaction to his non-attendance on the Politico comments board is unhinged. It would be just as unhinged if he did decide to attend.

ralph_vonholst · February 17, 2016, 8:16pm

I’d attend Scalia’s funeral, if only to make sure he was really dead. Egads, what if it didn’t take?

sonsofares · February 17, 2016, 8:19pm

I hope to see a photo of a bunch of pillows left in respect.

david_e_brown · February 17, 2016, 8:19pm

Interesting that a purported originalist would choose to dismiss as childish a report that is mandated by the constitution:

"He shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.

— Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution"

and was delivered in person by the original President, George Washington.

ncsteve · February 17, 2016, 8:27pm

When Cheney finally exsanguinate the last unicorn and shuffles off this mortal coil, Lynn may as well set up a rope line and charge admission for that.

alliebean · February 17, 2016, 8:29pm

Hopefully his hell hound daughter can finally cut the freaking cord at that point.

ncsteve · February 17, 2016, 8:34pm

Unless he takes up residence on the back of her head like Professor Quarrell’s. Which reminds me that someone also has of find and destroy all his horcruxes. I’m pretty sure they were all those torture session tapes he kept stored in that big safe in his OVP office when he wasn’t wanking to them.

chammy · February 17, 2016, 8:35pm

Oh how hard I laughed at that one Ralph Thanks for the belly laugh

chammy · February 17, 2016, 8:36pm

I love my President. I have a fantasy of being able to go the WH on January 20th and lock all the doors so they can’t leave.

lestatdelc · February 17, 2016, 8:37pm

Well, I know Presdient Obama is a cool-level headed guy. But I know I could not attend the funeral if I was POTUS simply because I would run the risk of upsetting decorum by doing a Gregory Hines on the grave.

chammy · February 17, 2016, 8:38pm

I just adore him period and everything that comes out of his mouth and every smile and smirk. He also deserves to be able to give as many “fucks” as he wants considering how horrible these people have treated him,

alliebean · February 17, 2016, 8:40pm

I’m guessing it’s a logistical and security issue. He doesn’t want to interrupt. That said, I would PAY to see him Gregory Hines on the grave. Big money.

feathered_head · February 17, 2016, 8:41pm

I remember when Obama was not invited to Chelsea’s wedding. The antagonism of the 2008 primary was still present – and on cue, the outrage chorus ginned up that the non-invite was a sign of disrespect. However, Obama handled it gracefully. I’m sure the decision to attend or not was privately discussed between Obama and Hillary – as it is now between him and Scalia’s family. If his non-show was based on petty animosity, he would not be meeting with them privately and further – they would refuse to meet with him.

chammy · February 17, 2016, 8:42pm

I said early on and long before he died, that I would enjoy dancing on his grave and I don’t regret stating how I felt. He may have been a strict constructionist and some say he was a good justice, but he was an arrogant racist.

alliebean · February 17, 2016, 8:45pm

Can you imagine the logistical security nightmare? I’m sure that’s exactly the reason he wasn’t invited. Let’s take their day and make it about him. Maybe she should have invited and he declined, but that might have looked worse.

castorita · February 17, 2016, 8:45pm

Conservatives: just get over it. Scalia and his far-right buddies dissed the President by not attending the SOTU in recent years. Put your big boy pants on and do your jobs by conducting good-faith hearings on the SCOTUS nominee.

doctorbiobrain · February 17, 2016, 8:57pm

It’s so disrespectful for Obama to be president during Scalia’s funeral. If he had any shred of decency, he’d step down immediately and appoint Shadow President Cheney to his rightful place in time for the ceremony. It’s what Scalia would have wanted.

pdxer · February 17, 2016, 9:02pm

Given the destruction of this country brought on by Scalia, I’d say the President is right.

dickweed · February 17, 2016, 9:07pm

Really it took 3 seconds? They lasted longer than I expected!

They’d bitch and moan if he went too…just sayin’…

doctorbiobrain · February 17, 2016, 9:09pm

I really don’t like this line of reasoning. Are we third graders? No. Then how about we not act like them.

The reason Obama shouldn’t attend is because he’d be a distraction, and most likely, Scalia wouldn’t even have wanted him there. Nor would his family or friends. So staying away is the best way to show respect to the dead. But if attending the funeral was the right thing to do, then Obama should do it regardless of how Scalia behaved. That’s what being a grownup is all about. I myself get great satisfaction out of being the bigger person and not sinking to the level of my enemies.

And overall, anyone who feels the need to get payback against a dead person doesn’t have their priorities straight. Scalia’s dead and his reign of rightwing terror is over. That’s reward enough, yet I’d have been just as happy if he had retired into the sunset; just as long as a Republican isn’t picking his replacement. And if you really wanted a bit of payback, having Obama attend with a big smirk on his face would be the answer. But that’s just not his style, which is one reason he’s president and we’re not.