Tipping the Scalias of Justice

Cheney-Scalia Connection Raises Questions About Energy Task Force Case

In December, the Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from Vice President Dick Cheney, who had been ordered by lower courts to release documents related to his secretive energy task force meetings. In January, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Cheney -- long-time friends -- went duck hunting in Louisiana. For some reason, this prompted worrywarts from the Center for Public Integrity and New York University Law School to raise questions about Scalia's ability to remain impartial in the case. The code of conduct for federal judges says that they "should not allow family, social, or other relationships to influence judicial conduct or judgments." In a statement released Friday, Scalia said, "I do not think my impartiality could reasonably be questioned." OK, then!