In honor of Justice Stevens

[usregimechange]

"The fact that the nation’s attention will shift so quickly to speculation about his successor, rather than an appreciation of him, is unfortunate." -Tom Goldstein

This thread is not about who his replacement will be but about honoring the service and career of Justice Stevens. Please, limit your thoughts and comments to this.


Career Highlights

Fourth-longest-serving Justice in the history of the United States

Second oldest Justice ever

Served in the United States Navy from 1942–1945 as a commissioned intelligence officer

Awarded the Bronze Star

Personal Highlights

Watched Babe Ruth’s “called shot” during the game 3 of the 1932 World Series

Attend University of Chicago Laboratory Schools 71 years before Malia and Sasha Obama

Like President Obama was resident of Hyde Park in Chicago Illinois

Is known for his bow tie and for being a gentleman to advocates and peers

Famous Quotes

On Bush v. Gore
“Time will one day heal the wound to that confidence that will be inflicted by today’s decision. One thing, however, is certain. Although we may never know with complete certainty the identity of the winner of this year’s Presidential election, the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the Nation’s confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law.” ~Justice John Paul Stevens, Bush v. Gore.

On the Freedom of Speech
“The interest in encouraging freedom of expression in a democratic society outweighs any theoretical but unproven benefit of censorship.” Justice Stevens, Reno v. ACLU.

On the Separation of Church and State
"Whenever we remove a brick from the wall that was designed to separate religion and government, we increase the risk of religious strife and weaken the foundations of our democracy" ~Justice John Paul Stevens, Zelman v. Simmons-Harris.

On the War Powers
“For if this Nation is to remain true to the ideals symbolized by its flag, it must not wield the tools of tyrants even to resist an assault by the forces of tyranny.” ~Justice Stevens, Rumsfeld v. Padilla.

On the Constitution as a Living Document
“Perhaps even more important than our specific holding today is our reaffirmation of the basic principle that informs the Court’s interpretation of the Eighth Amendment. If the meaning of that Amendment had been frozen when it was originally drafted, it would impose no impediment to the execution of 7-year-old children today. The evolving standards of decency that have driven our construction of this critically important part of the Bill of Rights foreclose any such reading of the Amendment. In the best tradition of the common law, the pace of that evolution is a matter for continuing debate; but that our understanding of the Constitution does change from time to time has been settled since John Marshall breathed life into its text.” -Justice Stevens, ROPER V. SIMMONS

Thank you for your service Justice Stevens...

[joeybee12]

1. If he had only done one thing in his career, and it was his scathing dissent of Bush v Gore...

...that would have been enough. Of course, he did more, but he called that steaming pile of s**t, written by 5 steaming piles of s**t what it was.

[usregimechange]

6. And his ending comment will be remembered for a long time

[Samantha]

13. I cut that comment out, made a sign of it alone and put it in a frame

I posted it at work. It is the only comment of a political (or legal) nature I have ever put on my wall at work.

I cannot tell you the state of mind I was in when I read that opinion. I thought I might be going crazy since I could not comprehend any of the rationale. The more I read the more upset I became. I was boiling ready to burst when I came to his dissent. Knowing he was appointed to the Court by Ford, as I read his words, my breathing started to return to normal. I knew then there was nothing wrong with me; it was those five justices who authorized the per curium (I hope I remembered and spelled that correctly) decision that was beyond belief. I could not understand how any of the five justices truly expected the majority of Americans to support that reasoning. Of course, I later understood they didn't care whether we did or not....

I will never forget Justice Stevens for that dissent. He is, as they are saying tonight, an icon of intelligence and integrity. Someone else will take his chair, but he can never truly be replaced.

Sam

[usregimechange]

14. Well said

[usregimechange]

2. Just turned on CNN and they are just talking about who will replace him verses him

[onehandle]

3. Appointed by Republican President Gerald Ford. Back before the GOP lost its mind. nt

[usregimechange]

4. A fact that Stevens has noted many times

[usregimechange]

5. Obama to comment on his announcement shortly, MSNBC

[usregimechange]

7. Newsweek: John Paul Stevens's Legacy in Five Cases

1. Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (2006)
2. Apprendi v. New Jersey (2000)
3. Massachusetts v. EPA (2006)
4. Gonzalez v. Raich (2005)
5. Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council (1984)

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2010/04/09/john-paul-stevens-legacy-in-five-cases.aspx

[usregimechange]

8. "The End of an Era, for Court and Nation"

"Justice John Paul Stevens, who announced his resignation from the Supreme Court on Friday after 34 years, may be the last justice from a time when ability and independence, rather than perceived ideology, were viewed as the crucial qualifications for a seat on the court."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/10/us/politics/10judge.html?pagewanted=all

[usregimechange]

9. National Journal's "The Ninth Justice" is up again:

http://ninthjustice.nationaljournal.com/

[usregimechange]

10. New National Law Journal blog: "Speaking of Stevens"

http://legaltimes.typepad.com/justicestevens/

[usregimechange]

11. kick!

[G_j]

12. K&R

[usregimechange]

15. Stevens' Career In Pictures:

http://ninthjustice.nationaljournal.com/2010/04/stevens-career-in.php

[usregimechange]

16. Americans United Praises Justice Stevens' Record On Church And State

Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has announced his intention to retire. Stevens, who has served on the high court since 1975, has been a stalwart defender of church-state separation.

http://www.au.org/homepage/features/archive/2010/justice-john-paul-stevens.html?utm_source=au%2Bhomepage&utm_medium=homepage%2Bbanner&utm_campaign=Featured%2Bon%20homepage