Justice Scalia defends comparing sodomy ban to murder ban

[jsr]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/scalia-defends-comparing-sodomy-ban-murder-ban-article-1.1217502

Justice Scalia defends comparing sodomy ban to murder ban
"If we cannot have moral feelings against homosexuality, can we have it against murder? Can we have it against other things?" Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said during a lecture at Princeton University, when asked to defend his legal opinions about homosexuality.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

...Speaking at Princeton University, Scalia was asked by a gay student why he equates laws banning sodomy with those barring bestiality and murder.

"I don't think it's necessary, but I think it's effective," Scalia said, adding that legislative bodies can ban what they believe to be immoral.

Some in the audience who had come to hear Scalia speak about his book applauded but more of those who attended the lecture clapped at freshman Duncan Hosie's question.

"It's a form of argument that I thought you would have known, which is called the 'reduction to the absurd,'" Scalia told Hosie of San Francisco during the question-and-answer period. "If we cannot have moral feelings against homosexuality, can we have it against murder? Can we have it against other things?" ...

[LisaLynne]

1. And this guy is on the Supreme Court, with that sophomoric "logic".

That's sort of akin, to me, of those who think "well plants are alive" is some sort of actual argument against vegetarianism or "if evolution is true, why are there still apes around today". It's beyond childish. People like Scalia actually think we don't have an answer for such elementary questions. Yeah, we already thought through that, like when we were 12, you asinine idiot.

[arthritisR_US]

2. His stupid reduction falls on its face because

murder is a choice whereas homosexuality is not. What a moron.

[LisaLynne]

3. Plus, murder is taking away the rights of the murder victim and depriving them of something ...

(their rights) whereas two consenting adults engaging in sexual activity is not.

[sufrommich]

4. Racists had "moral feelings" about black people eating

at the same lunch counter as them too.

[sadbear]

7. And what about those moral feelings against interracial marriage?

Scalia used to be good at crafting a semi-coherent argument to defend his assholery. Those days are gone. History will not look kindly upon him.

[Brickbat]

5. Is he, like, performance art?

[OldDem2012]

6. Wow. Just wow. nt.

[WeekendWarrior]

8. This guy needs to recuse himself

from making any rulings about anything. He is obviously incapable of being an unbiased judge.

[LisaLynne]

13. Or reasoning/thinking in any sophisticated manner. nt

[gollygee]

9. Answer to his question is yes

Re: "If we cannot have moral feelings against homosexuality, can we have it against murder? Can we have it against other things?"

Yes, you can not have moral feelings against homosexuality and at the same time have them against murder and other things.

Most people determine morality with the question "Is anyone hurt by this?" No one is hurt in a consenting adult romantic relationship. Obviously people are hurt by murder.

[Marrah_G]

10. So the good judge has never engaged in oral sex?

And if so, does he feel like he murdered someone?

[jsr]

12. How Does Justice Scalia Mount His Spouse?

http://nobodysbusiness.typepad.com/nobodys_business/2005/04/how_emdoesem_ju.html

A law student named Eric Berndt has been catching a lot of flak for asking Justice Antonin Scalia during a public forum at NYU a few days ago, "Do you sodomize your wife?" According to NYUnews,

"Scalia refused to answer the question while the crowd gasped and the administrators promptly turned off Berndt's microphone. "

Granted, it's not a very polite thing to ask. But context is everything. Scalia, unbelievably, makes it his business to pass judgment on what consenting adults do in the privacy of their bedroom.

[Baitball Blogger]

11. This man is so incredibly twisted.

[GeorgeGist]

14. Scalia is evil.

[CrispyQ]

15. He's an embarrassment to the court & to human decency. --nt

[rustydog]

16. Is he so morally righteous over, say, BP deciding not to spend

a relative pittance on safety equipment at Deepwater Horizon, a decision resulting in the deaths of 11 human beings for profit?

Where's his righteous indignation on the Catholic church hiding rapist priests, child rapist priests? Where is your outrage at America's current stance on TORTURE?

Come on Scalia show us your moral fiber, your compass, your integrity...Or did you put it in the trash with your heart?