Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the passing of her Dear Friend

[MohRokTah]

[pintobean]

1. She has class

and my condolences for the loss of her friend.

[MohRokTah]

2. I posted this for the grave dancers.

Please realize, two people can be polar opposites in their legal opinions and yet still be the best of friends.

Notorious RBG has been deeply pained by the passing of one of the dearest friends she ever made during her life. Please respect that pain. I know I do.

[Warren Stupidity]

9. Scalia was a dishonest shithead and a horrible judge.

[nichomachus]

10. And she didn't suffer as a result of what he did.

So she can be magnanimous. But this is typical in DC.

[MariaThinks]

30. i guess the people who have health insurance and food on the table

or who are not black youth being killed by guns and murderous cops can laugh along with the treacherous scalia.

[Adrahil]

16. I love the notorious RGB, but....

... people like Scalia are actively harmful. It isn't just a matter of opinion we're talking about. That man was in a position to actively harm people in this country, and he took every opportunity to do so. How she could be friends with that shitstain is beyond me.

Good-fucking-Riddance.

[BuddhaGirl]

29. "How she could be friends with that shitstain is beyond me"

"It's a very important thing to learn to talk to people you disagree with" -- Pete Seeger (1919-2014)

It may seem impossible to some, but it really IS possible to be friends with someone who is your ideological opposite.

[Adrahil]

40. Talk? Sure. Befriend? No. I cannot be friends with evil men. nt

[SusanCalvin]

55. I agree. To talk is not the same thing as to befriend.

I could not be friends with someone I viewed as doing major evil.

[brush]

60. Ditto!

Not possible for me. It's like when I hear that some celebrity that I like is a conservative repug, I cross them off my list because I know what that party stands for and the hurt it has done to the country and my people.

[marions ghost]

85. "I cannot be friends with evil men"

Me neither. How could she? I must admit I do NOT get it. And it kind of lowers my opinion of her--was she really so liberal? Or was it the liberal part that made her put up with him, out of general tolerance and judicial comraderie and all that? DC two-faced getalong?

Ugh. He reminds me of some relatives of mine I DO NOT make time for. And that has been by far the best solution.

[liberalnarb]

37. We should at the least show sympathy for his family.

He was a scumbag, not a good person. But they are not responsible for his actions. And I'm sure regardless they loved him. I'm not the type that says you shouldn't speak ill of the dead. If they were a bad person, then their death doesn't change that. But my philosophy is that you can "speak ill of the dead." but show some decency. Don't dance on their grave.

[Adrahil]

41. I wish them no harm. But I cannot and will not mourn his loss. nt

[SickOfTheOnePct]

19. Yep

And I'm betting she would be appalled at the grave dancing. I know I am.

[yeoman6987]

26. +1,000,000

[sus453]

39. I think so

too. I find what he stood for to be lower than low, the worst. But he was a human being like all the rest of us, anf it's the end of a life; so to me it seems sort of low class to dance on anyone's grave.

[MariaThinks]

31. i think we are too lenient with 'opposing positions' and trying to justify lies and injustice

scalia enabled bush to steal the white house.
scalia wanted to take health care away from American citizens.

he believes that corporations are people so that American elections can be bought.

- better to be a grave dancer that the grave maker or those who enable grave makers.

[cstanleytech]

67. No, he just didnt believe that the law that provided health as written was constitutional

not that I agree with him on that nor do I agree with him on the majority of his opinions.

[MariaThinks]

90. he also didn't believe in democrasy when he stopped the vote counting in gore vs bush

he also believes that corporations are people and that the rich should have a freer voice than the poor.

[liberalnarb]

38. Thanks for posting. DU is above this.

I respect Ruth. But I also have sympathy for Scalias family. They were victims of the loss of a love one. Whether he was a bad person or not. Celebrating death is something I wouldn't put past the rwers, but DUers? Come on guys! These past few days have been disappointing.

[7962]

80. My thoughts exactly. How can these folks criticize "them" now?

But you know the answer, "But he really WAS a bad guy" so that makes it ok

[liberalnarb]

86. It would be nice if they could wait for the body to get cold before they start dancing

[7962]

95. Yes!

I think there are a lot of hypocrites around here.
How many OPs have I seen where "Have you read the comments to this story? Disgusting!!" is repeated by many. And yet we see the same crass crap from a lot of folks right here.

[jberryhill]

51. Yeah, I'd feel different if he took me to the opera

Instead, he decided to shit on people in my family.

If he had retired, I wouldn't give a shit about him dying.

[passiveporcupine]

61. I seriously doubt she is reading DU or probably most social media

If people thought she was a DU member or even a browser, I suspect the tone here would have been far different.

I personally don't care for grave dancing. It makes me think of Hillary laughing about leaders we've killed. It's not becoming on her or anyone. Although I have to admit I laughed at a few of the funnier comments posted by comedians here.

Death isn't funny, no matter who it is. But, I can understand it. He did a lot of harm to this country, despite Ginsburg's feelings for him.

It is a relief that he is gone, but I was immediately saddened for Ginsburg upon hearing of his death, because I know how close they were.

[Logical]

63. He was homophobic and an enemy to minority's. But honor him if it makes you feel better. nt

[Katashi_itto]

70. Fuck that. Scaila was a POS.

[MADem]

76. He was certainly lucky to have RBG as a friend. nt

[Act_of_Reparation]

92. I doubt Scalia's operatic outings with RBG come as much consolation to those he fucked over.

So I'm having a hard time giving a fuck what his friends have to say about him.

[Marr]

101. Thank goodness you're here to stand up for people like Scalia.

He was so very put-upon.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg knew Scalia personally. Most knew him only from the far-right decisions he made, and the personal indignities they felt in their own lives as direct a result. You defend that bigoted pig's memory if you like. I will not.

[KentuckyWoman]

3. Thanks for posting this.

rec.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

4. Thanks for posting

I posted this LA Times article from last summer in a separate thread, but it seems appropriate here:

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-court-odd-couple-20150622-story.html

He's brash and burly and believes in strict adherence to the Constitution's original text. She's soft-spoken and slight and believes in a "living Constitution" that can change with the times. On controversial cases, they are often the most likely of any pairing of the nine Supreme Court justices to disagree.

Despite their standing as the intellectual lions of the left and right, Ginsburg and Scalia have forged an uncommon bond on a court where close friendships outside of chambers are rare.

Their areas of agreement may be few — which is likely to be the case this month when the justices decide whether gay and lesbian couples have a right to marry — but they maintain a tone of respect.

Scalia, 79, and Ginsburg, 82, frequently dine and vacation together. Every Dec. 31, they ring in the new year together. Their relationship has even inspired an opera, set to debut this summer.

[silverweb]

5. Very gracious of her.

[Glorfindel]

6. Justice Ginsburg is the personification of class and dignity

I'm sorry she lost her friend.

[brer cat]

8. Well said, Glorfindel. nt

[shenmue]

24. Someone's chopping onions

[MariaThinks]

32. i guess all the people who would have died if scalia had his way would feel the same

I'm not happy with her at all.

[Adrahil]

42. I could not agree more. This man was an enemy. NT

[MariaThinks]

44. thank you

[GGJohn]

66. I seriously doubt if she really gives a fuck if you're happy with her or not. eom.

[Chakab]

71. ...and I don't give two shits about the fact that she excused Scalia's bigotry and overall desire

to turn the US into some sort of theocracy based on his Catholic beliefs because they had nice conversations at dinner.

The man was a piece of shit who was actively working along side those four other assholes on the Court to roll back every advance that has been made on social issues in the US for the past half century.

Sorry, if you don't understand the reaction to Scalia's death because you likely aren't a member of a group that has been actively targeted by his rulings, but I am, and I feel entitled to do as much grave dancing as I want, irrespective of whatever the fuck the RBG and the morality police here on DU have to say about it.

[GGJohn]

72. Good luck with all that hatred in your heart.

Hatred is a wasted emotion, IMO, and burns you out, I can say that from experience.
The day I let my hatred go was the day I found peace and serenity in my life.

[Chakab]

73. Sorry, I'm not going to be lectured about "turning the other cheek" when dealing with somebody

who wants to knock me down and kick my teeth out. I'm going to punch back.

[GGJohn]

74. As I said,

good luck with that hatred, sooner or later, it will burn you out, I just hope you let it go before it does burn you out.

That said, Peace to you and yours.

[MariaThinks]

91. maybe she should - you don't know who i am or what influence i have

but imagine away.

[GGJohn]

98. Yeah, right, ok.

[jberryhill]

52. Yes, a very privileged class

...whose privilege insulates them from the impact of their "differences of opinion".

Nobody in Ginsburgs family is an African American voter in Texas.

[SusanCalvin]

56. Bingo. nt

[Rex]

7. One of the biggest differences, Scalia had no class yet Ginsburg is overflowing with it.

Just like the parties, one has no class or taste and the other does.

[GGJohn]

11. Thanks for posting this,

and don't pay attention to the haters here.
RIP Mr. Scalia and cross gently.
Condolences to his wife and children.

[mountain grammy]

18. The hater died at a luxurious Texas ranch last weekend.

The posters here are his victims. We are all his victims. Do I hate someone who can and does harm the general population? Guilty. But the real hater is dead and soon buried.

[Kingofalldems]

27. Well put.

[MariaThinks]

33. you are so right

and the people here hate us for hating, yet feel nothing but love for the guy who enabled and wanted Americans to die without healthcare and felt it was okay to steal the election for bush.

what is wrong with people?

Trump is the only one who publically called out the murderous and incompetent bushes for letting 911 happen and making up lies for invading Iraq. When I've pointed this out I've gotten scolded by the same 'poor scalia' type crap.

this really turns me off our side.

[GGJohn]

47. Really?

Expressing condolences to him and his family is expressing love for him?
What a ridiculous statement.

[GGJohn]

43. Whatever, go ahead and live with the hate,

I, OTOH, refuse to let the hatred into my heart.
Peace to you and yours.

[BuddhaGirl]

46. +1

Hate is a most destructive emotion.

[mountain grammy]

48. I have no hate. Peace to you and yours as well.

[jberryhill]

53. And lock up the gays in respect of this great man

...who, to the end, wanted them locked up.

[SammyWinstonJack]

49. True. nt

[spanone]

12. k&R...

both of them knew a time when politics were somewhat civil.

[MariaThinks]

34. yeah, like scalia was a poor victim who also showed compassion and civility

what kind of world do people make up?

[randome]

13. Wow. I never knew.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]A 90% chance of rain means the same as a 10% chance:
It might rain and it might not.[/center][/font][hr]

[mcar]

14. I love that woman

Pure class

[MariaThinks]

35. i used to. After reading that diatribe i have changed my opinion.

[GGJohn]

68. So, even though she's been a great champion of liberal causes,

has had an enormous impact on the country, just because she was good friends with Scalia, you now don't like her?

[MariaThinks]

89. I don't think its acceptable to condone the anti-black, anti-gay, anti-liberal agenda that scalia

had. I'm sure kim jong un is great with a friend or two or funny, but I don't think his horrible actions can be overlooked.

oh - and scalia of course stole an American election for bush while claiming to be a 'great American'.

The hypocrisy is unrelenting and disgusting.

[CTyankee]

15. politics makes strange bedfellows, indeed.

Perhaps they held each other up. He might have been there for her when she lost her husband. She loved Italian opera and perhaps he did too. They lived in a little shell of a world but had to rely on one another for some strength and tenacity. She never deserted her liberal beliefs, tho, despite their friendship. So what's the big deal...

[Beartracks]

69. "She never deserted her liberal beliefs."

Excellent point.

I know many here at DU have no need for religion, but some of the basic precepts, like the Golden Rule and "love thy enemies as yourself" are hallmarks of magnanimity, generosity of spirit, and, frankly, liberalism.

To now "hate" Ginsburg because she happened to find something worthy of kindness and friendship even inside of a hateful man such as Scalia is just wrong.

Come on -- Luke could sense some good in Darth Vader, Jesus loved sinners, and Ginsburg found something to like even about Scalia. She knew him beyond the public persona and the court decisions and the legal philosophies -- which is to say, she knew him on a level far closer than anyone at DU can ever claim. No one here has a right to judge her.

====================

[Hekate]

17. Thank you MohRokTah. This place loses sight of the humanity in our opponents....

....and on its worst days, that in even our friends.

[redstatebluegirl]

20. If only the rest of Washington and DU could be like this.

[MariaThinks]

36. for the record, i am not passing any legislation that will result in people losing health insurance

or stealing an American election. That was scalia.

[FourScore]

21. I truly respect her personal and professional friendship with Scalia.

Such a friendship is rare and wonderful. However, I do not care at all for Scalia's court decisions. He may have had all these wonderful attributes as a person, but the end result of his work was detrimental to so many. To say so is not to grave-dance. It is simply stating a fact. Having said that, my heart goes out to RBG and Scalia's family and friends who are experiencing a terrible personal loss.

[lark]

22. Ginsburg is totally classy.

Scalia was an ass, but guess he was an affable and smart ass so she put the very best spin possible on his passing. it would be rude to point out that he was a politically driven jurist who truly cared nothing about the constitution except when he would use it to his own political advantage. When it was inconvenient, it was totally ignored. He was not consistent, he was a RW jerk.

[1939]

58. I would expect that

if Ginsburg was the first to pass that Scalia would have been equally as classy. When you have class, you do not allow policy differences to obstruct.

My closest freint in my old age, an old friend from Vietnam, is somewhat to the right of Louis the IV. He refers to the president as "that marxist thug". He is still my friend as our shared experiences overweigh our political difference.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

23. Good people sometimes make very bad mistakes.

This is a very good example.

The damage done by fat tony will hurt American for generations. Any support for him is support for the damage done and yet to be done.

[wildeyed]

25. I love her.

Obviously. And she proves, yet again, that she is a better person than most. We are lucky to have her on the bench.

[Maru Kitteh]

28. I do feel badly for her, however, the man never forewent an opportunity to harm

to hurt, to impede the natural course of simple human progress and well-being.

So on his grave I dance.

I cannot imagine what her solace may be, but I hope she finds it and her pain is eased soon. She is a remarkable person.

[24601]

45. She knew him personally and professionally while I never met him nor even saw him from a distance. I

defer to her judgment as it's based on on 1st hand experience. If anyone chooses to not trust her judgment, fine. But I do.

[SusanCalvin]

57. I don't.

No matter how good a companion he was, his actions were evil.

[former9thward]

88. When I was in law school

I took a summer course that he taught 8 years ago. In person he was very funny and personable. At the end of the course he took 3 of us out for dinner at an Italian restaurant in Arlington, VA where he talked to us about the inner court workings.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

100. Oh, he took you out to dinner?

I'm sure it was because you are such a massive bleeding liberal, as you display in every single post on this board!

[former9thward]

102. Oh, please.

He didn't know anyone's politics in the class. Why would any SC Justice care what a lowly law student thinks? I guarantee none of them do. You have very distorted view of the world if you think that stuff matters. Any law school student would go to dinner with any SC Justice no matter who they were. #liveintherealworld.

[lumberjack_jeff]

50. It's a big club.

Although we'll never be invited, I'm glad that they enjoy their membership.

I'm sure his death was a loss to his friends and family. Luckily, I'm neither.

[BeyondGeography]

54. It's great that these kids could ride an elephant and go to the opera together

Really.

[Jake Stern]

59. While one can respect Ginsburg's mourning the passing of her friend Scalia,

she has the luxury of not being impacted by the decisions in which he was with the majority.

I am not so blessed. Neither are millions like me.

He voted to deny me the health coverage (expanded medicaid) that has allowed me to seek timely medical attention without having to choose between health care and bills.

He voted to give corporations more of a voice in government than me.

He voted to deny my brother the right to marry the man he loves.

He voted to allow corporations to deny contraception coverage forcing my niece to pay out of pocket for something her insurance should cover.

Choose to dance on his grave because I have seen the real effects those votes had.

[jberryhill]

62. You didn't get the opera tickets?

Some people got opera tickets.

Others were executed.

Oh well, just differences of opinion.

[RufusTFirefly]

64. R. B. Ginsburg, classy as usual

What good does hate do? Nada.

Change is what matters.

I have a couple of dear friends who hold truly appalling viewpoints.
Do you think I'll make the world a better place by rejecting them?
On the contrary, I'll only add fuel to their tragically misguided fire.
I try very hard to convey my views by what I do, not what I say.
I think in at least one or two cases that I'm making progress.

"Love is the only answer, hate is the root of cancer then."

[libodem]

65. Would be classy

For her to resign next year and give Bernie a chance to nominate Barack.

[Betty Karlson]

75. Pure class from an esteemed judge. eom

[littlemissmartypants]

77. I deeply esteem RBG. eom

[7962]

78. Wow! She has SO much more class than a lot of people on DU.

Those who celebrate the death of someone who SOMETIMES made court decisions they didnt like.
Most must not realize that the majority of SCOTUS decisions are not 5-4. As a matter of fact, many more were 9-0 than 5-4.
These grave dancers have no standing to post stories or statements about how "heartless" or "cruel" the GOP is when one of THEIR members says something insulting

I cant think of anyone I dislike (who isnt a terrorist or something like that) more than Dick Cheney. But I dont wish that his heart would explode like I've seen so many times here in reference to scalia.

[RandiFan1290]

79. Aww so delicate

Maybe you can find a 'safe space?'

[7962]

81. Yeah, i see a lot of calls for "safe spaces" among the right!

We have a LOT of hypocrites here. And so many of them are too bitter to even see it in themselves.
I imagine we wont see any posts from you criticizing the right when they say stupid things.
When RBG passes on, how quick will we see OPs bemoaning the grave dancing from the right?
As several above have stated, I thought DU was supposed to be better than that.

[RandiFan1290]

82. You are really concerned

Might want to take a break if DU bothers you so much

[7962]

83. DU doesnt. But you grave dancers are sad examples of the caring progressive.

No better than those on the right, obviously.

[RandiFan1290]

84. President Obama gets to replace Scalia

You know that is what REALLY bothers you

[former9thward]

87. You may want to read the Constitution.

Obama gets to nominate a successor to Scalia. He does not get to replace him. What happens to the nomination is up to the Senate.

[7962]

94. Yes, I see where I mentioned that. Somewhere. Well, nope.

Quite a stretch to equate being critical of people celebrating the death of a Justice to being bothered by who gets to pick a replacement.
Guess thats why I didnt say anything of the sort.

[prayin4rain]

93. So, what if Scalia issued the legal opinions that he issued because he

thought they were the correct legal opinions, not because they were his personal beliefs?

[SHRED]

96. Part of the "DC Bubble" she's in apparently

Scalia was horrible.

Kissinger is horrible.

[KG]

97. I lulz'd

[pinebox]

99. Maybe those trash talking Notorious RBG should heed this