# Obama nominates Judge Merrick Garland to the SCOTUS. **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 16, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160 "2016-03-16T14:13:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/321 "2016-03-22T17:23:13Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > More proof that there is no reason to take seriously anything said by a comedian. You do understand the nature of comedy, right? If an audience reacts to a comedian by going “hmmm…food for thought” instead of laughing, they may need to find another line of work. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/322 "2016-03-22T17:40:08Z")
The best comedy has both effects. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/323 "2016-03-22T18:37:34Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > You do understand the nature of comedy, right? If an audience reacts to a comedian by going “hmmm…food for thought” instead of laughing, they may need to find another line of work. Yes, comedians can’t be sued for slander or libel. They can lie to your face. About you or someone else. It’s all just a part of their comedy routine. Nothing personal. Or necessarily truthful. After all, nobody said their jokes had to get a laugh from every audience, or audience member. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/324 "2016-03-22T18:38:35Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Or reality show hosts. Or politicians. Your turn. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/325 "2016-03-22T18:42:23Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Yes, comedians can’t be sued for slander or libel. If immunity from defamation suits is your interpretation of “the nature of comedy,” you may not fully understand the concept (leaving aside the fact that comedians _can_ be sued for slander or libel under the proper circumstances). ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/326 "2016-03-22T19:49:38Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Or politicians. > > Your turn. 😃 Or conservatives. Game. Set. Match. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/327 "2016-03-22T20:10:09Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The best comedy has both effects. See Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, etc. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/328 "2016-03-22T20:13:39Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Or conservatives. Game. Set. Match. Or the Democrat collective. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/329 "2016-03-22T20:17:01Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > If immunity from defamation suits is your interpretation of “the nature of comedy,” you may not fully understand the concept (leaving aside the fact that comedians _can_ be sued for slander or libel under the proper circumstances). Comedy is comedy. You laugh at, or with, the comedian. Some people seem to believe that comedy routines are the same as facts. See Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, etc. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/330 "2016-03-22T21:10:20Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Comedy is comedy. You laugh at, or with, the comedian. Some people seem to believe that comedy routines are the same as facts. > > See Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, etc. Yeah I don’t envy you and I can see it’s a hard life. Humor, or wit just isn’t a good look for conservatives these days, or ever. So it’s the comedians fault, after Obama. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/331 "2016-03-22T22:02:05Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > Yeah I don’t envy you and I can see it’s a hard life. Humor, or wit just isn’t a good look for conservatives these days, or ever. [For instance.](http://www.salon.com/2016/03/21/back_off_wingnuts_fox_news_slimes_samantha_bee_doesnt_understand_comedy_again/) ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/332 "2016-03-23T03:58:23Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Because the judiciary committee is a Senate body that is duly constituted for the “advice and consent” role - under the Senate rules, which the Constitution _does_ mention. It is my understanding that the Senate rules can be changed by a simple majority vote, so that’s not really binding. Some people are saying that the Republicans are shirking their constitutional duty by not holding personal meetings with Judge Garland, some say there must be hearings before the Judiciary committee, and others, like the President and Sen. Kirk, are calling for a vote on the Senate floor. I don’t think that any of those actions–personal meetings, hearings, or floor votes, are **required** under the Constitution. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/333 "2016-03-23T04:04:13Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > It is my understanding that the Senate rules can be changed by a simple majority vote, so that’s not really binding. > > Some people are saying that the Republicans are shirking their constitutional duty by not holding personal meetings with Judge Garland, some say there must be hearings before the Judiciary committee, and others, like the President and Sen. Kirk, are calling for a vote on the Senate floor. > > I don’t think that any of those actions–personal meetings, hearings, or floor votes, are **required** under the Constitution. Strictly speaking, no, they are not. Difficult as it might be for anyone to understand who was required to read _The Federalist Papers_ in HS or college, our FFs, for all their practical experience in colonial/state government, and for all their careful attention to Enlightenment political theory and to Locke and Montesquieu and the example of the British Constitution, failed to quite **sufficiently** anticipate and provide safeguards against pure partisan assholery. The which all of this is, on the Pub side and not on the Dem, and no little least thing more, as you very well know, **D’Anconia.** An ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/334 "2016-03-23T13:33:22Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > I don’t think that any of those actions–personal meetings, hearings, or floor votes, are **required** under the Constitution. I agree. But I think some action on the nomination is constitutionally required beyond McConnell’s middle finger. That is not to say that I think there is a remedy for this violation, other than at the ballot box, though. ---
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/335 "2016-03-23T15:03:54Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > More proof that there is no reason to take seriously anything said by a comedian. > > (I’m surprised to hear that Poundstone is still alive. I thought she had died of some alcoholism-related organ failure?) Paula Poundstone is a comedian? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/336 "2016-03-23T15:48:08Z")
> [@Tigers2B1](#): > > Paula Poundstone is a comedian? That’s what it says on her tax returns. She still pops up with some regularity on _Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me…_ and spends the rest of the time gigging, according to her Twitter feed. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/337 "2016-03-23T17:13:08Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > Yeah I don’t envy you and I can see it’s a hard life. Humor, or wit just isn’t a good look for conservatives these days, or ever. > > So it’s the comedians fault, after Obama. It’s not the comedians fault. They are just looking for a shtick that someone will pay them to perform. The content is based on what pays more. Their heavily-edited-for-laughs-instead-of-the-facts comedy routines are what pays the bills, if they can find an audience for their comedy. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/338 "2016-03-23T17:24:30Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > …failed to quite **sufficiently** anticipate and provide safeguards against pure partisan assholery. The FF’s assumed that the voters would be the safeguard against government assholery. If We the Voters do not like our current bunch of duly elected representatives, we’re expected to vote in a new bunch of elected representatives. The voters change the President from Republican to Democrat. The voters changed control of the U.S. House and control of the U.S. Senate from Democrat to Republican. The people have spoken. We’ll just have to keep on voting until we find a bunch that can work together. Bernie! Bernie! Bernie! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/339 "2016-03-23T17:31:46Z")
The problem is that The People are idiots. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160/340 "2016-03-23T18:46:16Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > It’s not the comedians fault. They are just looking for a shtick that someone will pay them to perform. The content is based on what pays more. Their heavily-edited-for-laughs-instead-of-the-facts comedy routines are what pays the bills, if they can find an audience for their comedy. I’ve never seen anything from John Oliver, Jon Stewart or Samantha Bee that was taken out of context for laughs. Really, there is no need, given the ample ammunition politicians dish up regularly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-judge-merrick-garland-to-the-scotus/749160.md?page=18)