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American people need to know cause of death

By Staff | Feb 19, 2016

The devastating news that a U.S. Supreme Court Justice has died is enough to bring grief to the nation. It also brings questions on to who the successor might be as well as how that successor will be selected. Whether President Obama recommend a nominee or it lays over to the next president is not the topic of this week’s editorial.

Rather, the question foremost is why would there not be an autopsy done on Justice Scalia?

News and social media outlets are putting forth all types of “facts” about the Justice’s death and creating conspiracy theories where, perhaps, there are none.

However, the uncertainty of the cause of death will do nothing but perpetuate these types of theories and create a continued wedge among the American people. A definitive cause of death would either confirm that the Justice died from natural causes or open an investigation into possible foul play.

From reading the news stories, it is hard to imagine that a medical examiner would simply hold a telephone conversation with a doctor and determine that the death is of natural cause. If I were a family member, I would wish to know that cause. It is hard to believe that the Justice’s family is not calling for a definitive answer.

While an autopsy result may not quiet all of the conspiracy theorists, it would go a long way in providing an answer to the American people. Without that medical “proof,” the possibilities become almost endless and may lead to continued division among the people as the accusations of foul play continue.

While it is often a decision of the medical examiner or of the family to request an autopsy, one would think that with the loss of a Justice who was in relatively good health from given statements and reports, there would not be a question. Especially with the continued battle over a potential liberal versus conservative appointment to the Court in the mix; along with a battle on whom the nominating president may be-an accurate answer with regard to the cause of death is essential.