Comments on: Stewart on Stahl on Scalia on 60 Minutes

By: HappySurge

HappySurge — Thu, 01 May 2008 07:29:08 +0000

What Scalia meant by 'it's not punishment' was that 'cruel & unusual punishment” wouldn't be the way to address torture, because it's not a sentence, in a sense. It's not the response to an act. It is a method of coercion. He's not saying torture is constitutional. He's saying what hte reporter specifically targetted as a route to go after torture isn't legally up to par. 'Cruel & unusual punishment' covers sentences and such. Stewart reacted to it, and it's very funny, but i get what he was saying. The trouble with Scalia is he doesn't say outright 'that's not the legal argument to make against torture.' He makes himself sound psychotic instead.

By: Jim_Satterfield

Jim_Satterfield — Thu, 01 May 2008 03:08:47 +0000

But, Davebo, our Republican President loves torture and that's good enough for the likes of DLS…and those who buy his comments.

By: Davebo

Davebo — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:32:54 +0000

Actually DLS, perplexed is the feeling I get seeing you more concerned about a fake tv news show than the sanction of torture at the highest level of our government.

Scratch that, not perplexed. Disgusted.

By: Slamfu

Slamfu — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:25:23 +0000

It was another eye opener into the mindset of the administration when those feeble, FEEBLE excuses are passed as legitimate arguements for deciding such an issue as torture. I always thought it to be pretty self explanitory but I guess when you are grabbing for the power to do as you please you can freeze up the entire justice system with semantics.

By: GeorgeSorwell

GeorgeSorwell — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:48:42 +0000

“To the contrary,” Scalia says. “Has anybody ever referred to torture as punishment? I don’t think so.”

Wow! And he's the smart conservative on the court?

Smart enough to say what the base wants to hear, I suppose.

By: DLS

DLS — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:59:59 +0000

“Perplexed” is far too kind when referring to the likes of Stewart — and those who buy his comments.

By: runasim

runasim — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:12:16 +0000

Regardinng the recent case on botched executions, Scalia asked (I'm paraphrasing):: Where in the Constitution does it say that the prisoner being executed shouldn't feel pain?'

My question to Scalia: Which law mandates that a judge stop being a human being?