Has Justice Scalia lost his mind? Why is he using 24's Jack Bauer as an example to argue law?

Question

"Jack Bauer saved Los Angeles. ... He saved hundreds of thousands of lives," Judge Scalia said. Then, recalling Season 2, where the agent's rough interrogation tactics saved California from a terrorist nuke, the Supreme Court judge etched a line in the sand.
"Are you going to convict Jack Bauer?" Judge Scalia challenged his fellow judges. "Say that criminal law is against him? 'You have the right to a jury trial?' Is any jury going to convict Jack Bauer? I don't think so.

"So the question is really whether we believe in these absolutes. And ought we believe in these absolutes."

This is bizarre on two different levels;

1. Scalia is Mr "strict interpretation" of the constitution. There is no privacy because it doesn't state it, no wall of separation. An absolutist.

2. He uses a fictional TV show as an argument to ignore the law. Here's a Jack Bauer tidbit;

"Tell me where the bomb is or I will kill your son."


And this flake is on the SCOTUS.

.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070616.BAUER16/TPStory/TPNational/Television/

Answer 1

Oh that is hilarious. I am starting to understand why one of the Republican candidates mentioned Jack Bauer at a debate a few weeks ago and got huge cheers. They are incapable of separating fact from fiction. I always knew this but its nice to finally have the proof.

Answer 2

You are all just a little on the "nutty" side, as a few have said, he was saying it tongue in cheek. I, knowing that the show 24 is fictional, wish we had a Jack Bauer like agent to get rid of the terrorist. Whether you like it or not, the terrorist want all of us dead, they don't care if you are a Republican or a Democrat. And, for those of you talking about using a TV show as reference and thinking it is real, which is clearly not the case, what about all of you lovely "liberals" who so much loved "the West Wing" and wanted to use it in examples....give me a break. And, you really must have too much time on your hand to be reading the newspaper you are reading.

Answer 3

Jack Bauer is former Special Forces and has saved the world countless times. Jack Shepard is a doctor. No question, Jack Bauer.

Answer 4

Excuse me, Ken C but I for one, do not pay Supreme Court Justices to be talking about the law "Tongue in cheek", he is either delusional or doesn't take hs job seriously enough, either way he needs to go. The Day of the Moron is fast coming into its twilight, time for the imbeciles in High Office to climb back on the short bus and head off to whatever rest home is waiting for them. With the long sleeve canvas sweaters.

Answer 5

I think Scalia, like many of our judges and politicians, have been irrationally flipping out since 9/11.

That's not to suggest 9/11 wasn't serious, but flipping out never helps anyone overcome adversity.

Answer 6

lol!

well, in his defense, 24 is a great way to try and understand the government and how the real world works. A lot of people watch 24 and can relate to what he's saying. it's easier to paint a picture using examples in 24 than trying to understand the usual mumbo jumbo & double speak that those guys use...

Answer 7

It clearly shows even the most advanced RePubs lack the ability to discern reality from FOX Television ie 24

So how's that WMD thing working out for them.

Answer 8

Apparently Justice Scalia has lost his friggin mind.

Answer 9

Good god.

I'm trying to think of what it was but I recall another administration person using a TV show as evidence to prove a point.

These people have really lost touch with reality.

Answer 10

and the conservative boat just keeps sailing farther and farther away from reality...

if you've not got anything else? turn to TV shows for an example I guess?

that's a bit beyond grasping at straws if you ask me...