Justice Scalia Speaks to Tea Party Caucus

The usual double standard was in play as Supreme Court Justice Scalia met with the Tea Party Caucus Monday. It is routine for a Supreme Court Justice to meet with incoming Freshmen Congress people and other invited politicians at the beginning of a Congressional session. Scalia is known as a constitutional scholar and a much sought after speaker.

The critics pounced as soon as the invitation was extended to Scalia. The New York Times, of course, did the bidding of the far left.
“By meeting behind closed doors, as is planned, and by presiding over a seminar, implying give and take, the justice would give the impression that he was joining the throng — confirming his new moniker as the ‘Justice from the Tea Party,’ “ the editorial board wrote

"University of Maryland law professor Sherrilyn Ifill called the event “grossly inappropriate.”

“Federal judges should refrain from conduct that undermines the appearance of impartiality,” she wrote in POLITICO Arena on Monday. “But as Scalia revealed in his belligerent defense of his duck-hunting trip with then-Vice President Dick Cheney, he is unconcerned with the public’s perception of the judiciary. He has become the “in your face” justice, wearing his political conservatism on his sleeve.”

I think college professors should refrain from bleating about the perfectly acceptable behavior of a Supreme Court Justice, simply because he is speaking to a group with whom she does not agree. Where was she when others spoke before conservative and liberal groups alike? Where was she as Justice Ginsberg opening criticized conservatives?

It is reported that three Democrats were in attendance of Scalia's speech. All are known to be strident partisans, no doubt sent there to be sure Scalia didn't overextend his boundaries. All three have made dreadfully biased remarks against the Tea Party movement. Needless to say, Scalia - known for a stellar personal reputation of the highest ethics and professional judgement - did not speak on any matters currently in litigation, notably the health care reform legislation.

And this:
Former White House counsel Ed Gillespie compared Scalia’s appearance to Thurgood Marshall talking to the Congressional Black Caucus in the 1990s.

Any comment, Professor Ifill?