Comments on: Location, Location, Location

By: A.J. Sutter

A.J. Sutter — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:38:47 +0000

I think Bruce is right in the abstract as to separation of powers, though Keri maybe you meant that Justice Stevens specifically, being a judge, wouldn’t care in this situation. To complete the rock-paper-scissors symmetry, members of Congress should get sworn in at SCOTUS.

By: Keri Brooks

Keri Brooks — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:23:41 +0000

I don’t think attending President Obama’s swearing-in would raise the same concern. It seems that Justice Stevens is objecting to the swearing-in of judges (judicial branch) at the White House (executive branch). The same concern wouldn’t apply to executive officers being sworn in at the White house.

By: Bruce Boyden

Bruce Boyden — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:19:20 +0000

Didn’t Stevens attend the swearing in of President Obama at the Capitol? That would seem to raise the same concern.

By: Paul Horwitz

Paul Horwitz — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:17:03 +0000

Helen, you’re focusing (as I read you) on perceptions by onlookers. Might Justice Stevens also be concerned about self-perception? That is, he doesn’t want to be unduly influenced internally by his exposure and proximity to Executive Branch officials and functions. It could be a form of self-restraint.