Quickly Man, Bring Us The Fortified Wine

Chief Justice Roberts, your fainting couch will be here shortly.

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday the scene at President Obama's State of the Union address was "very troubling" and the annual speech has "degenerated to a political pep rally."

Obama chided the court, with the justices seated before him in their black robes, for its decision on a campaign finance case.

Responding to a University of Alabama law student's question, Roberts said anyone was free to criticize the court, and some have an obligation to do so because of their positions.

"So I have no problems with that," he said. "On the other hand, there is the issue of the setting, the circumstances and the decorum.

"The image of having the members of one branch of government standing up, literally surrounding the Supreme Court, cheering and hollering while the court — according the requirements of protocol — has to sit there expressionless, I think is very troubling."

Well holy crap, there's politics in Washington during the SOTU address.  My stars and garters, let me get the smelling salts and a cold compress, I don't think Johnny here is going to be able to attend the Peach Cotillion after all.

Here's a concept.  Obama had the balls to call you out.  You're still holding a grudge six weeks later, and will probably hold it for the rest of your tenure as Chief Justice.  Just because you put on a nifty robe doesn't mean your immune to criticism, especially from a President smart enough and interested enough in the world around him to see the forest for the trees.

Get over it.