Rehnquist Missing As Supreme Court Returns

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON - Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, sidelined by thyroid cancer, was missing Monday when the Supreme Court returned to work after a two week break.




Rehnquist had been released from a Maryland hospital last Friday after undergoing surgery to have a tube inserted in his throat to help his breathing and had planned to be at the court for Monday's two-hour session. But he said in a statement that "at the suggestion of my doctors, (I) am continuing to recuperate at home."


The court has released no details about his weeklong stay at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, except to say that he had a tracheotomy. Nor would it say how serious the cancer is.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=558&ncid=716&e=3&u=/ap/20041101/ap_on_go_su_co/rehnquist_cancer

Rehnquist Undergoing Radiation and Chemo

In the statement, Rehnquist said he was receiving outpatient radiation and chemotherapy. Cancer of the thyroid, a gland in the neck that produces hormones to help regulate the body's use of energy, is generally treatable but can be more aggressive in older people.


"According to my doctors, my plan to return to the office today was too optimistic," he said. "While at home, I am working on court matters, including opinions for cases already argued. I am, and will, continue to be in close contact with my colleagues, my law clerks, and members of the Supreme Court staff.

[barbaraann]

1. They're up to something.

Probably a recess appointment.

On edit: Or appointing Scalia or Thomas Chief Justice. EEK!

[maddezmom]

2. updated headline: Rehnquist Undergoing Radiation and Chemo

I doubt he's going back.....

[lil-petunia]

24. anyone who experienced or had a family member for through this

they KNOW that he is out of commission for a long time to come. Perhaps, permanently.

The harsh reality (for the GOP) is that several conservative judges have privately regretted their prior vote. with an 8 person court, and swing voters in control, the GOP must be unhappy.

[GoldenOldie]

7. As a 16yr survivor of larnygeal cancer

I knew that the media statement that he would return on Monday was a lot of spin. Even if he just receives radiation, and especially at his age, this will totally exhaust him. If he is receiving radiation along with chemo means that he getting double doses of treatment with both treatments having serious side affects.
On top of all of this he is having to speak between breaths which takes a bit of time to adjust to. I can picture them propping the old phony up and wheeling him into the Courthouse to show everyone that he still commmands.

I am sure the Bush and Company have plans to fill this seat before they leave office.

[7th_Sephiroth]

16. smoking weed helps ease the side effects

i wonder if he will do it

[Hawkeye-X]

25. This man should smoke PLENTY of it

and rule for the MM legislation to be approved and USED.

Hawkeye-X

[Gman]

23. I agree they're up to something

Rehnquist will retire shortly after the election. Be prepared for a recess appointment at any time starting 11/3. If Bush loses, he will also make a recess appointment to replace Scalia or Thomas who will be appointed Chief Justice.

This will no doubt only be the beginning of the havoc and destruction Bush will cause between the election and when he leaves office in January.

[Carolina]

36. I know that POTUS

can make recess appointments at lower court levels, but does this apply to the Supreme Court?? I think/hope not, but I'm going to do some serious homework.

[Gman]

38. I'm assuming they POTUS can

make recess appointments to the SCOTUS barring contrary information. Please let us know what you find out from your homework.

[Emboldened Chimp]

26. Yeah, they're getting ready to fix another election.

[Hand]

3. He's dying

The article says that he's receiving outpatient chemo and radiation therapy. The side effects of this kind of treatment are ravaging, and in general they're intended only to buy time for the patient, not to effect a cure.

It's a painful and debilitating regimen to undergo and rarely is completely successful. I doubt that he'll ever return to the bench. At his age, it would almost be better to forego treatment altogether.

ON EDIT: I see maddezmom and I are thinking along similar lines. We'll need a new chief justice soon--which makes GOTV even more important.

I regret that Rehnquist must suffer through this, but quite honestly my regret is filtered by the recognition that a) he's lived a long time; and b) he's committed many, many evil deeds. I'll hope for a better rebirth for him.

[jmcgowanjm]

11. You're a nice guy, Hand

In 1964, Rehnquist demonstrated his segregationist
sentiments when he fought the passage of a Phoenix
ordinance permitting Blacks to enter stores and
restaurants.

Between 1958 and 1962, when Rehnquist was a private
attorney in Arizona, he served as the director of
Republican "ballot security" operations in poor neighborhoods
in Phoenix. Rehnquist was part of Operation Eagle Eye, a
flying squad of GOP lawyers that swept through polling places
in minority-dominated districts to challenge the right of
African Americans and Latinos to vote. At the time,
Democratic poll watchers had to physically push Rehnquist
out of the polling place to stop him from interfering with
voting rights.

http://www.the-hamster.com/aprrant.html

Sound familiar?
I think Rehnquist was arrested in '62 but I can't find a link.

[Hand]

13. No, I'm not...

I'm just censoring 90% of my thoughts!

:evilgrin:

[Strabo]

29. That's not all he's done...

He was appointed by Nixon, confirmed, and took his seat on the Court on January 7, 1972. A year and two weeks later, he joined the dissenting opinion on Roe V. Wade. Prick.

No need to welcome me to DU. Long time lurker. :)

[Zhade]

32. Karma? After all, he gave us the cancer of the b*sh administration.

Not cheering for his death, just making an observation.

[Beetwasher]

4. Pragmatically Speaking, This Means There May Not Be a 5-4 Decision to

decide the election this year...

[AP]

8. God has intervened?

However, I think Rehnquist would drag himself to the office in order to break a tie, chemo notwithstanding.

[Ganja Ninja]

9. God hates Bush and the GOP.

Isn't obvious?

[JPace]

17. What a morbid thought....dragging himself to the

court with tubes attached for breathing and radiation
exhaustion. I hope when I die I am not using the last
of my energy trying to control the lives of others.

Its not just his body that is sick.

[johnnyrocket]

19. I suppose a 4-4 decision means there's no ruling.

Isn't that how the court works?

[Beetwasher]

22. 4-4 Would Mean It Gets Kicked Back Down To The Lower Court

and I believe whatever the lower court decided would stand...

[Nickster]

27. That's what Gov Rendell said when he was on Randi's Show n/t

[yardwork]

34. If that had happened in 2000, then FL Supreme Court would have allowed

the recount to continue, which means that Gore would have won Florida officially and would have been our president for the past four years.

[BayStateBoy]

31. He Can Vote from His Death Bed.

If conscious, he would undoubtedly participate.

[msgadget]

5. CNN is spinning it

Saying it can affect the election in the other side's favor. What they need to start doing is reminding people of his history of working against civil rights, which would work in OUR favor. Oh, crap, right after the story they interviewed W. x(

[jmcgowanjm]

6. He ain't comin' back

If he's doin' chemo, at age 83, no way.

It's just so hard to let go of power.
(Another theme of Tolkien's)

Just one more item to add to the list
of postponements 'til after Tuesday.

[TrogL]

10. Can Dubya replace him before January?

What other damage can Dubya do before the inauguration?

[molly]

20. NO! he can try but he can't

[Mandate My Ass]

21. Yes, a lame duck president can make a recess appt.

Good for one year IIRC or forever if he is approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

[yardwork]

35. I have a feeling that the Senate Judiciary Committee would not go along

For one thing, the Democrats/one Independent are going to win back control of the Senate, so the Judiciary Committee will be chaired by a Democrat and have a Democratic majority.

[amber dog democrat]

12. Color him GONE.

This job stopped being fun 4 years ago anyway. My guess is that O'Connor, and Stephens are looking at retirement too. Too bad it could not be Thomas and Scalia.

[lil-petunia]

14. Scalia is eying that top seat.

He has been panting over it for his entire term.
He KNOWS he is smarter than anyone else.

[amber dog democrat]

15. Hell, give it to Thomas

That'd be really interesting. Scalia as the CJ is a very scarey thought.

[whalerider55]

37. nevah happen

ya need 60 senate votes for SCOTUS approval, I believe. Scalia couldn't get sixty, especially if kerry wins.

then, kerry should appoint David SOuter chief justice- moderate, appointed by Bush 1 (recommended by Sununu), and fill Souters seat with a mod.....

whalerider55

[gratuitous]

18. Gotta rest up to cast that fifth vote

If you thought Bush v. Gore was bad (and it was), wait until Bush v. Kerry for some judicial gymnastics. How will the Supremes deny the will of the people, the Constitution AND the Electoral College results in order to re-install their favorite?

Stay tuned, and keep your powder dry.

[stlsaxman]

30. SCOTUS wrote in Bush v. Gore that intervention would only happen once...

Anyone else remember that as well? They said "these are special circumstances".
If the Justices are true to their word, they will not.

But if they do... grab an ax and a torch- we're going to warshington.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

28. You all know that he's waiting until after the election to resign.

He doesn't want his illness to effect the election - the little weasel.

[yellowcanine]

33. Challenging voters in Arizona? He is experienced at that.