ANTONIN SCALIA

The sudden demise of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia sends tremors through all branches of the American political sphere.  He was a man of extraordinary intellect.  He was also a feisty, creative personality, blessed by both culture and wit.  His conservative profile was made out of granite.

In the current poisonous political atmosphere this sad occurrence could not have happened at a worse time.  The Republicans risk seeing the composition of the Supreme Court altered, if the President gets his way, picking up a justice close to his philosophical outlook, which favors the bench over the letter of the Constitution.  The battle will be merciless and the President might find himself blocked by a Republican majority in Congress which will be united for once, rather than being obliged to reward a lame- duck Democratic president with a "farewell" gift.

Likewise, the Republican contenders will have to appear united in "mourning", while remaining at loggerheads elsewhere in the presidential campaign. 

Scalia, who was a great opera lover, must relish the drama he created with the timing of his final curtain call.  He was a Maestro to the end!