Justice O'Connor to Retire

[nspeds]

<p>I am surprised no one posted this. The unfortunate details are located here: </p>

<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/auth/login?URI=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/01/politics/01cnd-oconnor.html&OP=78b1d6d3Q2F8@DF87Q22nXQ5CQ22Q22(Z8ZttQ5B8tQ518t98UQ22rg(gnX8t9nq7)Q22nQ22qqQ22Q5CQ25,(0r[/url]"&gt;http://www.nytimes.com/auth/login?URI=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/01/politics/01cnd-oconnor.html&OP=78b1d6d3Q2F8@DF87Q22nXQ5CQ22Q22(Z8ZttQ5B8tQ518t98UQ22rg(gnX8t9nq7)Q22nQ22qqQ22Q5CQ25,(0r</a></p>

[GuaTe]

<p>This is big stuff. Bush’s appointee will have influence for decades to come… The question is, will he choose a moderate, level-headed, experienced and nonpartisan judge, or will he go with another rightwing hardliner like Clarence Thomas. </p>

<p>I think the latter…</p>

[nspeds]

<p>As does Brian Leiter, a professor at UT - Law School:</p>

<p>

As the country and the Court have drifted rightward on many issues, Justice O’Connor has proven to be a moderating influence. If she is replaced with a Justice Thomas clone, then we will soon be living in a different country (an even more reactionary one, if you can conceive of that). Replacing her will, in short, involve an uglier political battle than would replacing Chief Justice Rehnquist (who is also expected to retire), who while not as lunatic and morally depraved as Justice Thomas to be sure (but who is?), is still on the far right of the current court, and so is unlikely to be outflanked to the right by his replacement.

</p>

<p><a href=“http://leiterreports.typepad.com/blog/2005/07/justice_oconnor.html#more[/url]”>http://leiterreports.typepad.com/blog/2005/07/justice_oconnor.html#more&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[GuaTe]

<p>Halfway down this page on CNN there is a link to a gallery of potential nominees to replace O’Connor.<br>
<a href=“http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/07/01/resignation.next/index.html[/url]”>http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/07/01/resignation.next/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Very few look to be reasonable. One guy who seems like a good choice to me is Alex Kozinski. Here is the CNN blurb on him: </p>

<p>A mainstream conservative, with libertarian views on free speech, Kozinski sits on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Born in 1950, he emigrated from communist Romania when he was 12, became a federal district judge by 32, and a federal appeals judge by 35. He is considered a brilliant writer – his court opinions provide a lively read – candid, articulate, and has a sense of humor. His long paper trail and public candor on a variety of issues, however, could hurt in the confirmation process. He is one of the few federal judges who regularly give media interviews, even once writing an online “diary” for Slate.com.</p>

[thesbohemian]

<p>I feel a new law growing in my womb as I write. I’m glad I’m leaving the South so I can abort that biznatch … Looks like we’ll soon be entering the era of single-issue state elections.</p>

[coqui]

<p>its about time…jp</p>