'was Sandra Day O'Connor "coerced"

[hyphenate]

into retirement?

Perhaps some strong armed tactics from the right--perhaps extortion, perhaps something else they might have on her that would have been exposed had she not agreed to "retire" at some point so that the chimp could get another radical judge into the works?

As for the ones who voted "aye" on Alito from the Dem party--we already know that Byrd was "warned" and measures taken to assure his vote, and probably those others that were from the left as well were "reminded" on some way to vote for him.

I have enough experience right now to think that it happened through the influence of those on the far right, and that absolutely NOTHING can be taken for granted now.

On the other hand, I think Rehnquist was a gift dropped into the lap of the right, and they took it and ran with it, giving them the chance to replace two judges.

I am not surprised at anything the right will do to keep the power in this country in their possession.

[Crazy Dave]

1. I don't remember where....

I might look it up later but I think she's got a real good job/position at a university somewhere and that's she's really looking forward to it. But you never know, maybe she's really leaving in disgust.

[MADem]

Her husband is very ill--she wants to hang out with him before he croaks

That's the real reason. She tried to hang in there, but she needs to take care of her own stuff....

[MADem]

5. Her husband is very ill--she wants to hang out with him before he croaks

That's the real reason. She tried to hang in there, but she needs to take care of her own stuff....

[crikkett]

2. didn't hear about Byrd being 'warned'

can you enlighten me please? Link?

Appreciated!
C.

[hyphenate]

8. It refers to another matter entirely

funding for mining safety in the state of West Virginia, where all those miners, in two separate accidents, died. Funding for additional safety measures and equipment originally had been cut by the repuke congress. I consider that a warning to Byrd and the other leaders of the state to make things easy for the pukes in the state. I'm sure there is much more going on behind the scenes than we are aware of, though, but the slimey assholes have made sure that Byrd and the others in WV bend over backward to accommodate them right now.

[lvx35]

3. Note O'Conner's retirement came right after the eminent domain ruling

Which the right hated, even worse than the left. I was convinced that ruling had something to do with it, and somebody said "step down".

[TallahasseeGrannie]

4. I have read

that her husband is terminally ill. Whether it is true or not, I don't know.

[Vinnie From Indy]

6. Those "art" photos from her college days no doubt!

n/t

[Virginia Dare]

7. Normally I'm the first one to jump in

on the conspiracy theories, but I just don't think there's anything there. Her husband is very ill, and she wanted to spend more time with him. I know it's a cliche, but I think there's actually a kernal of truth to it here.

[GR]

9. Please Explaing Your Comment About Byrd Being Coerced?

I hadn't heard that...Do you have a link or reference?

[hyphenate]

11. See my above answer

My feeling is that any Dem "trouble-maker" is fully investigated (and probably wiretapped) as to their achille's heel, and Byrd's is obvious--he loves the people in his state, and they love him. Seeing so many dying from the recent mining "accidents" is probably a nice little reminder that they have the ability to stop or encourage additional aid for safety measures and equipment.

[Maat]

12. I agree with you ..

that this type of coercion goes on all of the time. I'm not certain it did here (with Byrd), but things do look just a bit suspicious.

I believe that we have a dangerous junta in power that sees no problem in spying on their adversaries, and/or using the data they glean for nefarious purposes.

I'm Justice O'Connor had had enough of these snakes in Washington D.C., and just wanted to enjoy not only her husband's last years, but hers.

[elfin]

10. No - she wanted to leave

earlier - but then her reported negative statement about Gore and her part in the 2000 mess made her stay for appearances sake. I think when she saw how awful Dubya is, she stayed until after 2004 on the chance a Dem would be in office -- but personal life intervened with her ill husband and she resigned then.

Even then, she waited for Rehnquist to die before resigning.

I do think if her husband didn't need attention, she would have hung in even longer.