And another one bites the dust

[natbumpo]

Looks like Chief Justice Renquist will be retiring any day now. This is going to be a very interesting few months. 3 confirmation hearings most likely - 1 for O'Connor, 1 for Renquist and 1 for whomever (Scalia most likely) gets nominated for the Chief job.

[RayJ1977]

Is there some new news on Rehnquist? Bush will probably just make the Chief someone not already on the court...I don't think he has the political weight to withstand 3 liberals-vs.-conservatives confirmation processes in the next 6 months.

Also, I heard O'Conner's retirement is contingent only upon the Senate approving a replacement...which means she may not have heard her last case just yet, since the court term begins the first week in October. Wouldn't that be interesting?

[Benwa]

Oh boy! He could fill the supreme court with midgets. I mentioned he should put a midget in place for O'connor. Imagine three midgets! Coolest Supreme Court Ever!! I have an idea of how he can announce them. He says he made a decision and the seemingly tall nominee comes out wearing the long robe. But then *hoo-yah*! The robe comes off and theres three midgets, one on the shoulder of the other one. They hop out, do an impressive tumbling routine. They should be wearing some obnoxiosly patriotic unitard too.

Maybe monkeys would be better. Maybe something cute like koala bears. We declare the Supreme Court to be super snuggly! "Man they are violating my rights, but there so goddam cute! I'll make a deal, I'll give up my right to free speech if I can feed one of them a leaf."

[maxwell78]

LOL! :lol:

I'd make that deal. :D

[RayJ1977]

Nice Ben...but you totally ripped off Mitch Hedberg on koala bears. Plagiarist.

[Benwa]

Not plagiarism. More of an homage. Thats what you call it after an artist meets a premature death.

[natbumpo]

There were rumors he was retiring on Friday. But it seems to be imminent. I believe a chief justice also has to go through confirmation hearings though. Not positive, but I think...

[RayJ1977]

Chief does. But if it's a single appointment...if Rehnquist leaves and Bush appoints Judge Smith from the 4th district to be Chief...there will only be one set of hearings and one vote. If he appoints Judge Smith to replace Rehnquist, Judge Jones to replace O'Conner, and Scalia as Chief...now we're talking 3 hearings and votes.

[natbumpo]

Chief does. But if it's a single appointment...if Rehnquist leaves and Bush appoints Judge Smith from the 4th district to be Chief...there will only be one set of hearings and one vote. If he appoints Judge Smith to replace Rehnquist, Judge Jones to replace O'Conner, and Scalia as Chief...now we're talking 3 hearings and votes.

Right and I 'm sure this is what is going to happen.

[RayJ1977]

Rehnquist himself was appointed directly to Chief before being on the court. Bush would like a Chief Justice to be chief for a long time...and all the current members are pretty old...even Scalia. It would in some ways make sense to appoint Alberto Gonzalez directly to chief...you'd have a Bush appointee heading the Court for 30 years.

No need to get snarky.

[RayJ1977]

And my point was only that 2 political wars in a year are far more favorable than 3.

[natbumpo]

I wasn't getting "snarky". Sorry if it came off like that.