Powerful tweets reacting to the death of Justice Scalia that portray his complex legacy
On Saturday afternoon, Supreme Court justice and reactionary titan Antonin Scalia died of natural causes at Texas resort Cibolo Creek Ranch.
See images of Antonin Scalia through the years:
His death has prompted a wave of strong reactions from both the liberal and conservative camps. News of Scalia's death incidentally came before the Republican primary debates, scheduled to take place on Saturday night. Some have argued this development raises the stakes for the upcoming general elections given the lasting implications of a president's choice in Supreme Court justice when a seat becomes available.
Never one for subtlety, Justice Scalia found the perfect way to remind America that it actually matters who we pick for president this year.
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) February 13, 2016
Considering that next president will likely pick the person to replace Scalia expect the Koch Bros+Big $ Republicans to really stop Trump
— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) February 13, 2016
However, neutrality was scant on social media with seemingly most users expressing a range of passionate responses, including Scalia's being hailed as "one of the greatest Supreme Court Justices in history" by Dick Cheney's daughter, Liz.
Justice Scalia was an American hero, one of the greatest Supreme Ct Justices in history. Our thoughts and prayers are with his dear family.
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) February 13, 2016
Justice Scalia was a defender of the constitution, an important conservative voice in the court. He will be missed. https://t.co/cOB3juvx7A
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 13, 2016
Cruz statement on Scalia death. pic.twitter.com/EUQkyW8dqt
— Meredith Shiner (@meredithshiner) February 13, 2016
Wow. We can't give a just-passed SC justice respect for doing what he believed was best for his country, because politics.
— John Carvalho (@John_P_Carvalho) February 13, 2016
Then there was the antithetical extreme. A seemingly endless slew of tweets from people celebrating Scalia's death quickly emerged, arguing that given his staunch conservatism — especially his vocal disapproval of same-sex marriage — the country will be better off without Scalia presiding.
I'm not giddy about the death of #Scalia. But I do feel like a large boot has been removed from off our country's neck.
— Bill Harnsberger (@BillinPortland) February 13, 2016
I've never celebrated anyone's death before but Scalia went out of his way to make millions of people who weren't just like him miserable.
— shauna (@goldengateblond) February 13, 2016
I personally pay for the first same sex wedding that happens on Scalia's grave. Open bar.
— Sushal Distan Singh (@YungCoconut) June 27, 2015
Can't wait to piss on Scalia's grave.
— Mitch Lake (@mlake9) February 13, 2016
Where's Scalia's grave gonna be? I want to start saving up my urine now.
— Jess Nevins (@jessnevins) February 13, 2016
lmk if u wanna take a shit on scalia's grave
— (((ALLCAPSOFFICE))) (@ALLCAPSOFFICE) December 17, 2015
"dance like nobody's watching" has officially been replaced by "dance like you're on scalia's grave"
— michael gourdin (@trillotto) June 27, 2015
They’re gonna have to install a toilet on Antonin Scalia’s grave to accommodate all the people who will be lining up to piss on it.
— West Anthony (@DrWestAnthony) June 26, 2015
It's gonna be so awkward of all those corporations Scalia said were people don't attend his funeral
— Beth Benson (@NotoriousBRB) February 13, 2016
And at least one critic of Scalia's role in the Citizens United case chimed in:
For Scalia's vehement opponents, they will likely be relieved at the prospect of President Barack Obama nominating a new Supreme Court Justice to take his place. And with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg at 82 years old, the next president may will be faced with the same task — a task which, as Scalia proved, could have ramifications for decades to come.