Something is wrong with Samuel Alito
The CNN articles about the inner workings of the extreme court have been utterly fascinating to read. While much of the coverage has been about Roberts, this writer wants to make sure one little nugget about another justice does not get lost. This concerns another Justice — Justice Alito.
The witch-phobic right-winger is, according to this report — thinking about retirement. “Reflections in private.” The article describes Alito as becoming quieter and quieter in recent months. He has begun to think about retirement privately, it’s said.
Alito has recently been on the losing end of several extreme court decisions. Sources say in this CNN article that Alito went too far to the right, even for some of the conservatives. The article explains that Alito has “seldom faced this level of internal of opposition.”
Alito also has not written many opinions this year. He wrote only four. That is the least of any justice on the bench. He also missed a few days in court. One day, when he DID come to work, he appeared distracted with reading materials.
So yes, an Alito decision might be coming. But let’s hold our horses. If, as we expect, Harris wins, would Alito retire in a Democratic presidency? Most say no. I am going to break with the majority and say yes — though he may not even know it yet.
What do I mean by that? Well, think about it. Retirements take time. Indeed, even if one is not retiring, leaving a job generally doesn’t come quickly. People usually mull this over for MONTHS; nobody jumps out of bed and says:
Well, I just won’t ever go to work again. (That did happen in one of the best comedies ever made, “Office Space”, but of course, that’s fiction.)
See once that kernel of an idea floats into one’s head, — it is difficult to get it out again. Retirement. Yes, once one has that vision, one might not want to let it go. I said once that Alito seemed tired and irritable.
So Harris gets elected. Will Alito reluctantly put aside his dreams and stay on the bench for another four years, maybe eight? It’d be tough. Every time he looks in the mirror, he might see sleek yachts setting sail across the water.
Every time he opens the door he might see himself and his partner in crime, Martha, eating pomegranates on some island somewhere.
Whenever he’s on the losing end of a decision, he may see private planes leaving for exotic locations. And every time he reads yet another piece about how he sucks, possibly he will imagine open-air villas, tropical breezes, and the seductive swaying of palm trees.
So yes, we might see an Alito retirement. Most importantly, Alito has not denied this. He has been silent on it. It’s the silence of the Sam, and hopefully, it’ll at some point include a resignation letter starting with “Dear Madam President:”
