Calling out justices

January 28, 2010
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Anyone watching the State of Union Wednesday night catch the somewhat awkward moment between the president and the U.S. Supreme Court? Sitting front and center during the speech, the justices were called out for their ruling Jan. 21 that government can’t ban political spending by corporations in elections.

As President Barack Obama spoke about how the ruling will open up our elections to corporations here and abroad to spend without limits, the justices present for the speech sit there, mostly stoic, as attendees jumped to their feet to applaud the president.

Did you see Justice Samuel Alito scrunching up his face and shaking his head at the president’s comments? You can view a clip of it here. He also appears to mouth something, like “not true.”

I’d be uncomfortable if the president, during his State of the Union speech and in front of millions of people watching on TV, called me out for a decision he didn’t like. I imagine some of the justices were, but in order to make the big decisions on our nation’s laws, they must have thick skin.
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  • In-House AttorneyJanuary 28, 2010 4:05 PM
    Thank you for providing consistent commentary on issues of concern to Indiana\'s legal community. However, is it too much to ask that you spell President Obama\'s name correctly? His name is Barack, not Barrack. It\'s a small difference, but I think the President has earned the right to have his named spelled correctly.

    Thank you.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • jmehalikJanuary 28, 2010 4:09 PM
    My mistake. Thanks for calling it to my attention and thanks for reading.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Out of Touch PoliticiansFebruary 2, 2010 3:35 PM
    Certainly his name deserves to be spelled correctly because if he found out he might call you out too!!!!!
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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