<p>Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia past away yesterday at age 79.  ;At the time he was a guest at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, in West Texas. Attending a party of about 40 people, he retired early and was discovered yesterday morning deceased.  ;</p>
<p>Justice Scalia was the longest standing Justice, appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1986, and considered a brilliant jurist.  ;He was a solid conservative voice throughout his tenure, often leading the way on conservative issues. He repeatedly called upon his colleagues to strike down the pro-choice <em>Roe vs. Wade</em> decision, came out against racial preferences and opposed same sex marriage.</p>
<p>President Obama announced he would fill the position, but most have doubts he will be able to do so during the &#8220;lame duck&#8221; portion of his Presidency. ;</p>
<p>If Scalia is replaced with a liberal judge, the Court could be lopsided to the left for several years.  ;The next President will likely make several appointments, since Justice Kennedy (conservative) is 79 years old and Justice Ginsberg (liberal) is 82. A conservative president would end up with a solidly conservative court. A liberal President might have a bit more difficulty since Congress is currently ruled by a Republican majority.</p>
<p>If the next President happens to win two terms, he/she will likely also replace Justice Breyer (liberal) who is 77.  ; ;</p>
<p>Scalia is survived by his wife, nine children and over two dozen grandchildren.</p>