Our condolences to the family and friends of Justice Antonin Scalia ("Death rocks high court," Feb. 14). The position of Supreme Court justice is probably one of the most important in the country. It behooves the president and the Senate to select a successor without imposing any political ideals on the process. The individual should not favor either conservative or liberal, Republican or Democratic positions. The task of the justices is to interpret the Constitution without personal bias. It is not a political position and should not be used as such. Please put aside your politics and choose a learned and intelligent individual who will do what is right for all people of this country.
Pamela Olberg, Minnetonka
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Within 60 minutes of the announcement of the death of Justice Scalia, Republican leaders already had drawn a line in the sand that they would obstruct anyone that President Obama might appoint. Even a resurrection of Scalia himself would not pass muster in the Senate.
So later that day, the potential alternatives to an Obama appointment were on full display in the Republican debate. According to the candidates themselves, Donald Trump cannot be trusted because he would appoint someone even more liberal than Obama. Ted Cruz is a pathological liar who is able to speak a few words of Spanish when pressed. And Marco Rubio is a robot who needs batteries to run and also lies on every occasion possible. And, of course, it gets even worse if Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders wins and the Senate is already up against a perception that it has denied a solution for a year.
Is this really a better alternative than allowing Obama to nominate someone that he knows will have to pass the advice and consent of the Senate while everyone is watching?
Michael G. Emerson, Eden Prairie
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The unexpected death of Justice Scalia is a great loss to the U.S. Although I often disagreed with his interpretation of the Constitution, I respected his stance, integrity and dry wit. The fact that his death has become no more than a political football appalls me. In Civics I, we all learned about the checks and balances of powers written into the Constitution to ensure that no one branch has total control of our government. I hope the president and the Senate will have the wisdom to select a person whose record shows a commitment to reasoned opinions that take into consideration the welfare of our union.