Rehnquist Has Cancer, Will Keep Working

[demokatgurrl]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041025/ap_on_go_su_co/rehnquist_cancer_16

WASHINGTON - Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, the leading conservative figure on the Supreme Court for a generation, has thyroid cancer but will continue working while receiving treatment.

Rehnquist, 80, underwent a tracheotomy at Bethesda Naval Hospital in suburban Maryland on Saturday. While no details about his condition were released, a statement issued by the court said he is expected to be back at work next week when justices resume hearing cases.

<snip>

Rehnquist frequently has been mentioned as a possible retirement prospect, although he has hired law clerks through June 2006. On his birthday Oct. 1, he did not mention stepping down.


No matter who is elected president next week, a vacancy is likely during the next presidential term. Both Bush and John Kerry (news - web sites) have avoided describing a litmus test for a Supreme Court nominee, although their differences on abortion are cut along partisan lines. The future of the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion is the most visible symbol of the court's ideological split.

[Gato Moteado]

1. Rehnquist Has Cancer, Will Keep Working....

....to Undermine Democracy.

[demigoddess]

14. Wimp!!! He has to work or O'connor and Ginsberg would look more

macho than he is. Ha ha.

[Hawkeye-X]

2. Well, it's time for him to go

and promote David Souter as Chief Justice, pissing the hell off Fat Tony and his crony, Fat Clarence.

Both will quit in protest.

Hawkeye-X

[Nightjock]

3. White House smokescreen

Don't look at the missing explosives story!!!!
Look at this....

[cubsfan forever]

13. I thought that, too

Must be great minds think alike, eh?

[DianeK]

4. so what happens if...

the presidential election ends up back at the us supreme court and Rehnquist is unable to be there due to his illness and we have a 4/4 decision, isn't it true that cheney will be the tiebreaker?

[Hawkeye-X]

5. No. Cheney is not the tiebreaker.

We, the people of the United States of America, are the tiebreakers, and we, the people of the United States of America, choose Kerry!

Hawkeye-X

[nixonwasbetterthanW]

9. On a 4-4 vote, whatever was the previous ruling stands.

So, for instance, in Bush v. Gore, had the vote been 4-4, then the Florida Supreme Court's vote to count all the ballots would have stood.

[Gman]

6. For Bush v. Kerry, 2004

Scalia would prop Rehnquist's cold dead body up in a chair to get 5th vote for Bush v. Kerry.

[demokatgurrl]

11. I don't think I can bear much more of these scenarios

without jumping out my window.

[musical-dem]

7. If this isn't a good reason to GOTV, I don't know what is!

Granted Rhenquist is a conservative voice on the Supreme Court, we can't afford to lose him at this point in time. WE MUST DEFEAT BUSH!!!!!!!

[physioex]

8. I am sure the old goat will...

Be back just it time to steal yet another election....

[SammyBlue]

10. Never have I wished for something like this on someone

But in Wretchquist's case, I will make an exception.

Since 1972, this ultra-conservative Nazi has done his best to destroy the constitution and the fabric of democracy.

He was one of the 5 morons on Bush V. Gore to stop the recount.

He supports forfeiture laws and his court, while Chief Justice, has all but destroyed the 4th amendment.

I hope he dies! After the election, when Kerry is President.

If that happens, one down and three more to go (Kennedy, Thomas <or as I call him, the mistake> and Mr. Orgy himself, Scalia).

Good riddance, William. . .I hope you rot in hell for the damage you have done to my country.

[realcountrymusic]

12. Abso-Freakin-Lutely correct

I hope his death entails significant suffering.

RCM

[Wols]

15. I'm not gonna wish a painful death upon the guy

That seems pretty harsh. However, if Bush wins can you imagine what kind of fundamentalist imbecile he's gonna put up? I imagine his candidate will make Scalia look like Thurgood Marshall. If Kerry wins we will have a chance to restore a modicum of sanity to the Court. The fact that fanatics like Scalia and Thomas are on the court- it makes a mockery of the whole thing.