Hang In There, Mr. Chief Justice
Just a quick comment tonight: Chief Justice Rehnquist announced that he does not have plans to retire. When he finally gave a statement that many thought would be his announcement that he’s leaving the bench, what he said instead was:
“I want to put to rest the speculation and unfounded rumors of my imminent retirement. I am not about to announce my retirement. I will continue to perform my duties as chief justice as long as my health permits.”
The reaction from the White House was reported as follows:
The White House welcomed the announcement. “The chief justice is doing an outstanding job, and we are pleased he will continue his great service to the nation,” said Scott McClellan, the president’s spokesman.
I doubt that was true. I believe they were counting on Rehnquist to retire so that Bush could nominate Roberto Gonzales and then have one more nomination with which to placate those in the conservative far right fringe who will implode at the news that Bush chose someone “not conservative enough” for them.
I wish I could be a fly on the wall tonight in the homes of those who will be praying about this. I wonder, will they be praying that the conservative Rehnquist will remain healthy or that he will not. It would be interesting to note how many will find themselves wishing ill toward a fellow conservative so that Bush can get to nominate two justices. What a dilemma.
If I believed in praying to anything, liberal me would find myself tonight praying that Rehnquist remains healthy enough to stay on the bench until 2008. Odd twist.
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Watch subject. Bush goes ballistic about other countries being evil and dangerous, because they have weapons of mass destruction. But, he insists on building up even a more deadly supply of nuclear arms right here in the US. What do you think? Is killing thousands of innocent civilians okay when you are doing a little government makeover?
If ever there was ever a time in our nation’s history that called for a change, this is it!
We have lost friends and influenced no one. No wonder most of the world thinks we suck. Thanks to what george bush has done to our country during the past three years, we do!