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November 24, 2009
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Justice Antonin Scalia visits Cheyenne
(2008-09-12)
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia attends a National Italian American Foundation gala dinner in Washington
(wpr) - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia drew laughs and applause from a Cheyenne audience as he disparaged the popular notion that the Constitution is a living document that must evolve with the times.

Scalia described himself on Friday as an "originalist," meaning it's necessary to stick to the Constitution's original meaning.

While some other justices maintain that the death penalty violates the constitutional prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, Scalia says he disagrees.

"It's why we have Western movies," Scalia says. He says the term "felony" used to mean crimes that a person could be put to death for. When stealing horses was a capital offense, he says people stood trial and were either quickly hanged or released.

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