Chief Justice Dies at 80

[Scorpiоn]

What a pity.
[quote]WASHINGTON - Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist died Saturday evening of cancer, ending a 33-year Supreme Court career during which he oversaw the court's conservative shift, presided over an impeachment trial and helped decide a presidential election. His death creates a rare second vacancy on the nation's highest court.

Rehnquist, 80, was surrounded by his three children when he died at his home in suburban Arlington. His wife died in 1991.

"The Chief Justice battled thyroid cancer since being diagnosed last October and continued to perform his duties on the court until a precipitous decline in his health the last couple of days," said court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg.

Rehnquist was appointed to the Supreme Court as an associate justice in 1971 by President Nixon and took his seat on Jan. 7, 1972. He was elevated to chief justice by President Reagan in 1986.

Arberg said plans regarding funeral arrangements would be forthcoming.  Bush was notified of Rehnquist's death shortly before 11 p.m. EDT.  "President Bush and Mrs. Bush are deeply saddened by the news," said White House counselor Dan Bartlett. "It's a tremendous loss for our nation." The president was expected to make a personal statement about Rehnquist on Sunday.

The chief justice passed up a chance to step down over the summer, which would have given the Senate a chance to confirm his successor while the court was out of session, and instead Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement to spend time with her ill husband. Bush chose Roberts, a former Rehnquist clerk and friend, to replace O'Connor.

Rehnquist said in July that he wanted to stay on the bench as long as his health would allow.

Rehnquist announced last October that he had thyroid cancer. He had a trachea tube inserted to help him breathe and underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Details of the chief justice's illness and his plans had been tightly guarded. He looked frail at Bush's inauguration in January and missed five months of court sessions before returning to the bench in March.

On the court's final meeting day of the last term, June 27, Rehnquist appeared gaunt and had difficulty as he announced the last decision of the term

[flyboy 28]

Heard about that. Really sad.


Just a quick question, is this considered a political thread? Just asking. (Sorry Scorp )

[RichieB16]

Just a quick question, is this considered a political thread? Just asking. (Sorry Scorp )

Oh probably, because it is about a political issue.  But, it was posted as "news" so as long as nobody makes a big deal about it I'm sure its fine.  (Of course, I have been wrong before  ::)).  

[Scorpiоn]

I edited out political things (like future nominees) in the story.  I only left things about his career and death.

[Politically Incorrect]

Politics: "The often internally conflicting interrelationships among people in a society."

HMMMM sounds like a forum

[Fozzer]

...nothing remotely political....

It's just interesting news, which we all enjoy reading... ...!

Paul.

[Politically Incorrect]

I know Fozz I was being sarcastic, all this worry about political issues had to make certain that people knew that a forum in a general sense is a place of politics
Ideas, disagreements, discussions all politics! If you allowed absolutly no politics you would have no forum.

[Hagar]

all this worry about political issues had to make certain that people knew that a forum in a general sense is a place of politics
Ideas, disagreements, discussions all politics! If you allowed absolutly no politics you would have no forum.

I have the feeling this is what causes most problems nowadays. Everyone is so scared of offending somebody they rarely express or discuss their true feelings by saying what they really think. From where I'm sitting this can only get worse. The only way to sort out controversial issues is to talk about them & root out the fundamental cause of the problem, no matter how much it might hurt.

PS. I was brought up to say what I think. Most people respect me for it although they might passionately disagree. If this upsets somebody, so be it. I try to be diplomatic & would never deliberately offend anyone. At least they know how I & many others like me feel.

[Hai Perso Coyone?]

What Fozz said...News about important political figures isn't exactly politicl is it?

[Fozzer]

Hi Pol...!
I wasn't having a dig at you...trust me, old Mate...!

I love a good-old poke at stupid, annoying politicians*, and mind-numbing born-again Christians, etc*.....

..as long as I dont get dragged into the argument... ...
...(..runs away..)...!
LOL... ...!

Paul...a professional poo-stirrer... ... ...!

* you know who they are... ...LOL...!

[Hagar]

What Fozz said...News about important political figures isn't exactly politicl is it?

On the other hand I don't understand the point of this topic. An important public figure dies at the age of 80. I assume he was important as I've never heard of him. Come to think of it, I couldn't name the Chief Justice in my own country. My dear mother died at the age of 70 after working hard all her life. While I'm sorry for his family, the only thing I find unusual about this is that he was still in office at that age after 33 years in the job. I have no idea who is responsible for appointing him but this would have been under several different Presidents so I assume he did the job reasonably well. Maybe it's time for a new broom.

[Fozzer]

..... Maybe it's time for a new broom.

..until he comes along I can hopefully blast down Route 66 at 180 MPH with impunity, on my 'bike... ...!

LOL... ...!

Paul..."Sorry, yer 'onor..."... ...!
LOL...!

[JBaymore]

While I'm sorry for his family, the only thing I find unusual about this is that he was still in office at that age after 33 years in the job.

Hagar,

It said nothing about how he did the job...... the Supreme Court in the US is a "lifetime appointment".  Unless the person decides to retire themselves....... they are there for good.  Which is why the appointment of the positions is often so contentious here in the USA.

The idea supposedly "removes" the person from the "political influences" that might affect therir possible judgements on any given case, and it also prevents a change in political party in the overall administration from suddenly removing any justices they don't "like".

The more typical reality of the system is that whatever "bent" the person has when they are appointed...... that is the way they will tend to "lean" for life.  This is ALSO why the appointments are often so contentious  ;).

best,

.................john

[Hagar]

[quote]the Supreme Court in the US is a "lifetime appointment".

[JBaymore]

Hagar,

You're likely right in a sense.