Notable aspect of the oral argument in Watson

The transcript from today’s SCOTUS oral argument in Watson v. United States (06-571) in now available here.  As well previewed in this article from the Christian Science Monitor, the facts are a bit more engaging that the legal issue raised by a sentence enhancement from a gun-for-drug transaction. 

The transcript is an interesting read, though what stood out for me was how Justice Breyer (and even  Justice Ginsburg) seemed so eager to stretch the applicable federal statutes to find a way to skunk the  defendant, while Justice Scalia (and also Chief Justice Roberts) seemed most troubled by the government’s arguments.