Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Retires
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court and a key swing vote on issues such as abortion and the death penalty, said Friday she is retiring.
O’Connor, 75, said she expects to leave before the start of the court’s next term in October, or whenever the Senate confirms her successor. There was no immediate word from the White House on who might be nominated to replace O’Connor. [...]
O’Connor’s appointment came amid speculation that the aging court would soon have a vacancy. But speculation has most recently focused on Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, 80, and suffering from thyroid cancer. Rehnquist has offered no public clue as to his plans. [...]
Possible replacements include Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales... [...]
As a “swing voter,” however, O’Connor sometimes votes with more liberal colleagues. (source)
This is bad news indeed. I was hoping that one of the more conservative judges would retire, such as Justice Rehnquist. His replacement would mean a status quo for the court. With O’Connor gone, and undoubtedly replaced with someone much more conservative, the court will soon be a very right-leaning court.
This from Matt Foreman, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:
This is a sad day for the Supreme Court and for America. Justice O’Connor has frequently been an essential vote and voice of reason in crucial decisions involving basic constitutional rights. We call upon President Bush not to capitulate to the demands of extremists, and nominate a successor who will -- like Justice O’Connor -- be driven by the law, not reactionary ideology.
We also call upon the president to honor the advice and consent role the Constitution gives the Senate in the nomination and confirmation of Supreme Court nominees, including meaningful consultation with both parties and supporting a thoughtful, deliberate and thorough review of the nominee’s record.
2 Comments
Leave a comment
I agree with you Dan. Things will have to get much worse before they get better, and believe me, they will! I will not be here to see them get better. Unfortunately, what is being put into place will be with us for the next 30-40 years.
With the exit of O'Connor, the court will shift to the far right. Aside from all the shit hitting the fan in the press, whoever Bush wants to be her replacement will happen, with the possible exception of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, because any one else will be confirmed by the majority of Congress. I think Gonzales has too much baggage – he's too hot a potato for this battle. But, there are many others that he could name that would be just as bad. For example, Judge Emilio Garza. This is what CNN had to say about him:
"Many court watchers believe Bush is likely to nominate a Hispanic as the next Supreme Court justice. If Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is not nominated, then Garza could be the pick. Garza is a solid conservative known to strongly oppose Roe v. Wade. Born in 1947 and a former U.S. Marine captain, he was appointed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by the president's father in 1991. He also was a finalist for the Supreme Court seat that went to Clarence Thomas."
I've given up on anyone really giving a damn about equal civil rights for gays. You are right Dan, it doesn't effect most people, so what the hell, who cares if the government does some gay bashing? The real root of this problem is that everyone should care. At the heart of equality for gays is the cornerstone upon which this country used to be about; justice and liberty for ALL.
If people don't give a damn about that for the most despised group in the country, then this country deserves to lose that liberty! Liberty for some, means NOTHING.
And you want to know the real kicker in all of this? If our government were to say that gay bashers should received fewer rights than everyone else (such as not allowing them to marry the person they loved), I would be the first one to stand up and protest that. There should be no exceptions where equality is concerned.
Things need to get much worse before they get better! It is futile to try and hold on when both the executive branch and the legistlative branch are republicans.
Let them ban abortion, maybe then people will wake up. Gay rights is not enough of an issue for people to take to the streets.
Dan