Breaking - Rehnquist Dead

Breaking news from CNN.....................................
As if this week could possibly become more complicated. Could Bush be saved once again by a SCOTUS vacancy, or will his failings this week undercut his ability to nominate an ideologue? Regardless, the shit keeps piling on. ................................................................................................. link

•  I just saw it too on my CBS affiliate

  by who threw da cat on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:08:12 PM PDT

  •  O'conner is still a justice

    there is only one open seat.

    by Thistime on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:21:53 PM PDT

    •  I needed that reminder.

      Thanks.

      by Maryscott OConnor on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:26:44 PM PDT

      •  I think we all did

        n/t

        by katfish on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:38:27 PM PDT

  •  Good riddance

    His legacy will forever be his disgraceful and partisan election 2000 Gore v. Bush decision disenfranchising millions of voters. Let him burn in hell.

    by dvo on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:24:07 PM PDT

    •  You know, it's funny...

      ...I've been saying the same thing about O'Conner, but everyone seems to want to cut her some slack.

      When the Supremes ruled 5-4 to turn us into a sham democracy and hand the presidency to Bushco despite the increasingly clear intent of the voters, I was outraged, but I consoled myself - "Four years of incompetence, how bad could it be?"

      Now, I know. That decision changed the course of history, for the worse, in ways that only our grandchildren and the generations beyond are going to fully understand.

      That is the legacy of this court.

      by forethought on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:55:22 PM PDT

      •  Someone has to say it

        it was his decision and the fact that he's dead does not change anything. I am not responsible for his legacy, his actions are and I absolutely refuse to play political correctness game just because he's dead. Thousands of american soldiers, thousands of 9/11 victims, thousands of NO victims are dead because of his decision. I am only stating the obvious.

        by dvo on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:00:47 PM PDT

        •  wrong

          It's common knowledge on DailyKos that Ralph Nader is responsible for all of those deaths.

          You guys need to settle on one scapegoat.
          

          by Ray in TX on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:06:47 PM PDT

      •  asdf

        ...I've been saying the same thing about O'Conner, but everyone seems to want to cut her some slack.

        i think it's more about tactics than anything else. praising o'connor makes it easier to demand a standard of "moderate" legal positions to the left of thw scalia-thomas-rehnquist triumvirate as well as any bush appointee, in order to get some traction. were this a kerry presidency, we'd all be ruthlessly slamming o'connor as a partisan hack.

        by wu ming on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 10:10:05 PM PDT

•  God save us.

  This has been a crazy month.

  by emjaycue on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:08:28 PM PDT

  •  agreed...

    His death is really fucking scary... not only do we have to worry about New Orleans, the estate tax and Roberts, now we also have to worry about Rehnquist's replacement. All the horrible things which have happened in the last 2 months makes me want to scream. This government is transforming our country's values and respect for the Bill of Rights into a shadow (or even facade)of how it should be. I seriously want to cry.

    by LawSkoolPunk on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:15:26 PM PDT

  •  O'Connor is on the court until

    her successor is confirmed.

    by Thistime on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:21:17 PM PDT

•  Wow - u beat me to it

  It is a whole new ballgame now.

  by DWCG on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:08:30 PM PDT

•  DAMNIT!

  Damn, damn, DAMN!

  by NCYellowDog on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:08:54 PM PDT

•  Fuck

  Why does god hate america?

  by sgilman on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:09:23 PM PDT

  •  you have to ask?

    look at the number of people who earnestly voted for bush a second time.  

    by lapolitichick on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:11:14 PM PDT

•  Screwed

  We were screwed before, but now we are royally screwed.  Heaven help us all.  May he rest in peace.

  by CD in TX on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:10:03 PM PDT

  •  It's not like it was not obvious this was coming.

    He clearly didn't resign to better set up BushCo to get two conservatives. As I say below, I think this is easier accomplished one nominee at a time.

    by Joan in Seattle on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:13:52 PM PDT

•  Only hope that

  he repented for the horror he helped inflict on this country.

  by Marie on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:10:38 PM PDT

•  My reality ...

  ... is in a blender.

  I'm going to cross my fingers that Bush decides to ask O'Connor to come back as CJ.

  by socratic on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:10:45 PM PDT

  •  O' Connor could come back

    On her on at this point.  Of course CJ is up to Bush.

    by Guckhead on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:13:55 PM PDT

•  sigh

  may he rest in peace, conservative or not. he fought valiantly.

  by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:10:47 PM PDT

  •  Agreed.

    I remember fondly his "fuck off, I'm not dead yet" snipe at the pundits/media.

    by Notorious K on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:17:09 PM PDT

  •  huh??

    Remember his confirmation hearings? He fought valiently to prevent blacks from voting. Not to mention many other horrid opinions. Not least Bush v Gore, which got us where -- alas -- we are today.

    by Paolo on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:19:09 PM PDT

    •  Rehnquist was not a good man

      Give condolences to the family. Everyone deserves that.

      Rehnquist deserves little more. Rehnquist was a right-wing extremist and carried all the sins of right-wing extremists. I hope Rehnquist confessed those sins before he died.

      by rebellingboxer on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:30:13 PM PDT

      •  seriously...

        people should stop being partisan long enough to pause for a person's death.

        by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:38:38 PM PDT

        •  Like the right-wingers did for Sen. Wellstone?

          The neo-cons uncorked champaign and set off fireworks when Sen. Wellstone's plane crashed.

          by rebellingboxer on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:46:47 PM PDT

          •  WE ARE NOT THEM! n/t

            by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:49:16 PM PDT

            •  ...and that's why they are winning.

              The right wingers never relent in their fight for everything that is wrong with this country. That's why we falling behind in every struggle.

              Stop being ashamed of fighting for what is decent and noble in the world.

              by rebellingboxer on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:05:18 PM PDT

              •  again: stop

                no one is talking about "fighting." I said rest in peace, and you equate that to "giving up"?? the hell is that about?

                look, if you want to say you're glad he's dead, then fine. But please, don't EVER get on the soapbox and claim righteous indignation about ANYTHING republicans do, because you'll have some seriously unclean hands.

                by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:37:52 PM PDT

                •  Don't you get it? THEY think everything is a fight

                  We act like we're in a college debate. The right thinks they are in a street fight. We bring our nicely typed briefs to the podium, and they immediately proceed to beat us over the head with hubcaps and trash cans. We whine that such behavior isn't fair... and they keep on winning elections for looking "strong."

                  Get a spine.

                   

                  by rebellingboxer on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:43:58 PM PDT

                  •  yeah, okay

                    you're tough. you're glad rehnquist's dead. grr. look at you, you're a fighting dem. go away now.

                    by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:46:42 PM PDT

                    •  Johnny: "Go away now"

                      You're officially crossed over into that territory where you are now communicating more respectfully about Rehnquist that you are a fellow Democrat.

                      Next time you wonder why why Democrats lose elections... stop wondering. This type of behavior is why.

                      by rebellingboxer on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 10:23:13 PM PDT

                      •  asdf

                        I'd hesitate to call a person my "fellow" anything if they think it's a Democratic value to not even give a moment's respect to a man's passing.

                        by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 11:09:13 PM PDT

                        •  Johnny armed with a flamethrower

                          Flame on, Johnny Torch.

                          by rebellingboxer on Sun Sep 04, 2005 at 12:16:06 AM PDT

              •  by the way,

                 just to not confuse by giving a 4 then disagreeing, the 4 was accidental...i 4'd the wrong comment.

                by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:50:30 PM PDT

          •  No offense, but

            how is that different from the justification Freeper-types give for torture being okay?  Because the "ragheads" (their word, not mine) behead people?

            There's only one answer to both questions: We're supposed to be the good guys.  We don't stoop to their level.

            by ChiGirl88 on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:27:23 PM PDT

            •  We don't stoop to their level... and we LOSE.

              If you want to stop losing elections from looking like wusses, you better start doing "stoopin'"

              by rebellingboxer on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 10:25:48 PM PDT

              •  yeah, show 'em you're not a wuss.

                type on an online message board and tell everyone you're glad a man died. nothing tougher than that.

                you might as well be a freeper, glad the christopher reeve died, glad that wellstone died, etc.

                by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 11:11:44 PM PDT

                •  You're the one typing wild rhetoric here, Johnny

                  You're the one willing to say hateful things to a Democrat to defend Rehnquist, Johnny.

                  by rebellingboxer on Sun Sep 04, 2005 at 12:11:39 AM PDT

        •  Why?

          When somedies dies who supported what we believe to be evil, should we be like the professional mourners of old who put on sackcloth and ashes and pretended to weep?

          To be sorry for his family, yes.  To be sorry for the man he might have been, professionally, with more heart, yes.

          Otherwise, I see no need to act as if we're overtaken by grief for him.  There are plenty of other things to grieve for these days....I keep thinking of the body in a wheelchair in the NO convention center, pushed aside with a blanket over her head.

          by revsue on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:01:23 PM PDT

          •  oh stop.

            seriously. you don't need to pick a side every time someone dies. He is dead. We can discuss his life, his legacy, and the ramifications of his death. But get off people's ass because they won't spit on him the moment he died.

            by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:25:09 PM PDT

            •  You're the one attacking Democrats, Johnny.

              Nobody is forcing you to type defenses of Rehnquist, and attacking fellow Democrats. You are doing that all by yourself.

              by rebellingboxer on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 10:30:56 PM PDT

              •  I said 'rest in peace.'

                Three words. Rest in peace.

                You are inhuman if you want to pick a fight over that. instead, you and the other guy have carried on like little whining children: "Why should he rest in peace? He was evil!!!1!!11!"

                if you think that there is no difference between wishing a man peace in his passing and somehow supporting him or condoning his policies, then you are simply incapable of having intelligent discourse.

                by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 11:15:11 PM PDT

                •  You're the one that's turned the flamethrower on.

                  You're the one willing to say hateful things to a Democrat to defend Rehnquist, Johnny.

                  by rebellingboxer on Sun Sep 04, 2005 at 12:14:33 AM PDT

  •  Thank you, Johnny Gentle

    For reminding us that Rehnquist, too, was human and deserves some moments of respect.

    I lost a friend a year ago to esophagal cancer which, like thyroid cancer, is close enough to the vital organs that you don't stand much of a chance. Like Rehnquist, he kept getting put back in the hospital for an infection (in his case, of his feeding tube). In the end, the doctors were fighting an impossible battle; the medecine they gave him to stop bleeding at the stomach site caused a stroke but they couldn't treat the stroke. They effectively lost control over my friend's equilibrium, just as officials in NOLA lost control over the delicate equilibrium at the levees.

    Every time someone dies, evil Republican or not, it seems appopriate to remember that we will never win this battle for equilibrium permanently. Every loss of human life is a testimony to our own fragility.

    Yes, I realize they didn't treat Wellstone with the same respect and dignity. But we're not them. Let's not act like it.

    by emptywheel on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:59:19 PM PDT

•  We Must Save The SCOTUS

  Filibuster Roberts and every other Bush Nominee.
  The court has operated with less than 9 before.

  by House on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:11:03 PM PDT

  •  Yeah!

    That's the answer!

    That's like refusing to concede the results of the November elections. Just filibuster every nominee, brilliant.

    by ZT155 on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:17:23 PM PDT

    •  The incompetence that this Administration brings

      to the table is stinking so bad that they deserve no appointments. With two vacancies a majority can still rule without a tie.

      And yes every Bush appointee should be filibustered. He will not cross the aisle with any choice other than a nutter.

      by House on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:26:06 PM PDT

•  Dad just came into the office

  To tell me,

  The first thing I said: SHIT

  The second thing: we're screwed up the ass

  Does anyone else feel like the end of the world is coming (ok maybe a little over dramatic! but c'mon look at this month...and last...)

  by katfish on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:12:19 PM PDT

  •  the end

    Yea, the end is indeed near.

    by JR on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:24:42 PM PDT

•  Sorry when anyone dies, but

  if he had to die, I am glad it was before Roberts' confirmation. This sets up a negotiation scenario. You get him if we get her. It would be easier for them to get two Scalia's sequentially rather than concurrently, don't you think?

  by Joan in Seattle on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:12:20 PM PDT

  •  My head is spinning so much its hard to say.

    But you could be on to something. And with Bush looking so abysmal this week, maybe it will work against him

    Thats the most optimism I can squeeze out at the moment.

    by ablington on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:14:29 PM PDT

    •  Huh?

      Aren't we always saying that?

      Damn. I'm still in Crawford and now my high from the past month is completely gone.

      by outragemeter on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:21:15 PM PDT

      •  This week changed things

        The way the hurricane crisis was mis-handled by the Bush administration is getting noticed by everyone, not only us on the left.  

        Last night on Bill Maher, while interviewing Anderson Cooper, Maher said, on the way the media has been reporting this story, that it's bad that it took a hurricane to do it, but "Maybe we've got our press back."  

        I agree.  There's a visible difference in the way the Bush administration is being covered this week.  People in the media you'd least expect - Paula Zahn, for crying out loud, grilling Mike Brown?!! - are suddenly asking the right questions.

        by ChiGirl88 on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:43:42 PM PDT

  •  It is better that this is before

    First of all, it may give Specter cover to cancel the hearings this week, which he should have done anyway because of Katrina.

    Second, the we can use the break--Bush won't appoint anyone for weeks yet--to play up the "time to appoint a moderate" card as Roberts's conservative positions get drawn out on the Senate floor.

    by folkbum on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:20:08 PM PDT

•  God job davinic

  The first of many diaries of the same exact subject......

  by ZT155 on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:12:30 PM PDT

  •  There are karmic rewards...

    ...for those who sit at home and watch CNN on a Saturday night.

    by davinic on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:14:39 PM PDT

    •  actually, this is front paged

      and is just hogging diary space

      by claude on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:33:34 PM PDT

      •  Actually, jackass

        This diary had about 50 comments before the topic was frontpaged. Apology?

        by davinic on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:38:50 PM PDT

        •  call me jackass...

          ...and then ask for an apology?

          LOL

          by claude on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:44:49 PM PDT

          •  if the shoe fits...

            by davinic on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:56:59 PM PDT

        •  furthermore...

          Wake Up and take a deep breath.

          by claude on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:57:34 PM PDT

          •  if you can see past your nose (n/t)

            by claude on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:59:12 PM PDT

          •  Wake up?

            Jesus, I haven't been around this place lately, but what a shithole it's become.

            I checked the front page to see if this was diaried. It wasn't.

            I posted the diary. I check the front again. No post. I checked to see if any other diarists beat me to this. I mean, my DirecTV is on a 5 second delay after all.

            None were. In the meantime, over 50 posts gather in this diary, as none was available on the front page. In the meantime it became recommended. Then, 10 minutes after this was posted, it was posted on the front page by Hunter.

            Should I delete this topic and blow away all the comments? How exactly have you added to anything?

            by davinic on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:03:20 PM PDT

            •  OK. Let's lighten up

              several other people deleted theirs, after the rush became apparent.  I din't quite see the timelime as it all occured.  I merely submit for your consideration that you aid in the community effort to conserve diary space, given that there are hundreds of comments up on the front paged story. Try to appraciate TealVeal's humor.

              by claude on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:12:00 PM PDT

              •  Get a fucking clue.

                Do you really think the 100 people who've responded to this would appreciate me deleting their comments?

                by davinic on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:13:55 PM PDT

                •  rude

                  what are you, about 16 years old?  Notice how fast you got unrecommended? You are sliding off into diary oblivion.  Bye bye

                  by claude on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:35:43 PM PDT

                  •  riiiiiiighhhht

                    You post negative comments at ME in THREE separate diaries. In one, you manage to post, reply to your own post, and reply to your reply. Wow! Talk about being productive.

                    Anyway, how much are you paid for being the Kos diary cop?

                    by davinic on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:46:52 PM PDT

•  Pause.

  The man gave the majority of his adult life in service to this nation -- in the Department of Justice and on the Supreme Court.

  We can talk about his legacy later.  Tonight, at least, feel sympathy for his family, be glad his suffering has ended, and mourn the loss of a public servant.

  by Adam B on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:12:42 PM PDT

  •  My feelings exactly...

    It's not the time to do anything other than what you suggested.

    by Larry Bailey on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:17:38 PM PDT

•  Chief Justice O'Connor

  That needs to be the talking point now.  We need a quick and fast confirmation process for chief, and evaluate Roberts to fill O'Connor's seat.

  It's the best we can hope for.

  by DWCG on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:12:46 PM PDT

  •  what?

    She already resigned.

    by Delirium on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:38:50 PM PDT

    •  Yes but

      Leahy, Specter and Schumer all agree she should be asked by Bush. Reportedly, she was interested in the idea.

      by jorndorff on Sun Sep 04, 2005 at 09:47:34 AM PDT

•  We're not screwed

  • Bush will have to pick replacement at a time of relative weakness.  Probably can't pick a crazy right now.  Could be the AG.
    
  • Can't move Roberts up to the Chief slot - would then have to find two new people.
    
  • This could slow down Roberts - Dems will (hopefully) want to understand what the "package" looks like before they vote on one.

  by fpc on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:13:09 PM PDT

  •  It's not as if Rehnquist...

    ...was a centrist.  Unless his replacement is a total wingnut, we're right where we started.
    

    by KTinOhio on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:21:38 PM PDT

    •  I disagree...

      We had to wait 30 years for Rehnquist to go away.

      If it's Roberts then we have to wait through another few decades of Roberts decisions.

      It's not merely a "liberals - conservatives = amount of goodness" ratio.

      Every single nominee must be challenged. Do not let them slip by just because the previous justice was as crazy and contrajudicial as the current nominee.

      by Shapeshifter on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 10:51:16 PM PDT

  •  Only one more

    If he mover Roberts to CJ nomination, he only needs one more.

    If he picks Scalia or Thomas for CJ, he in fact gets 3 nomination fights-- bet he won't risk that...
    

    by Mozh on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:27:46 PM PDT

    •  Doh!

      Yeah, I realized this when I read it again after posting.  The folly of fast fingers.

      by fpc on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:33:41 PM PDT

  •  NO!

    Not Gonzales! Never!

    Gonzales thinks pornography is a bigger threat than terrorism and civil rights abuse combined.

    No to Gonzales.

    by Shapeshifter on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 10:49:14 PM PDT

•  aoeu

  How can we trust the judegement of a man who dilly dallied in the face of such a destructive storm to chose a competant replacement?  The Court should be left at 7 (or 8 if Sandra Day O'Connor does not retire) until we get a new President.

  by TealVeal on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:13:11 PM PDT

  •  Totally agree...

    Bush must be stopped. He has shown the world he is a Fool that has no clue how to run a country. He cannot be trusted with anything let alone choosing a court Justice and  2 appointments.  

    by Chamonix on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:19:18 PM PDT

•  You know, maybe the timing ain't all bad

  With the spotlight on Bush's evil (I'm sorry, I can't think of any more appropriate word) and the thousands of lives he cost New Orleans, it may actually force Dems to get some spine, double-quick.

  Well, it's a nice dream, anyway.

  by thingamabob on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:13:12 PM PDT

  •  Hoping!

    by missliberties on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:21:16 PM PDT

  •  Dems with spines...

    ...and pigs with wings.

    by asskicking annie on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:46:00 PM PDT

•  Ten to one

  Ten to one Bush's appointee will be the guy who plays the Marlboro Man.

  by asdfasdf on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:13:31 PM PDT

•  AP Report link

  The AP report can be found here

  And they didn't even spell his name right in the URL.

  by DavidW in SF on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:14:08 PM PDT

•  Explain to me

  What's stopping Bush from appointing 2 right-wingers? Since when did he give a shit what Democrats think?

  by jfern on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:14:10 PM PDT

•  Bush should be at his funeral...

  ... in a couple of weeks.

  hink

  by MrHinkyDink on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:14:28 PM PDT

•  Rove is smiling

  Katrina and the royal fuck-up perpetrated on New Orleans just became page 3 news.

  by Dr Dive on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:14:41 PM PDT

  •  New Orleans will not become

    Page 2...that is nuts. get real.

    by Chamonix on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:16:46 PM PDT

  •  Not in the Sunday Papers

    On the East Coast, probably. The actual paper versions, anyway.

    by EastFallowfield on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:17:21 PM PDT

  •  No - it's a front-page trifecta

    "America - Falling Apart at the Seams"

    1. With Two Vacancies and a Vicious Battle Looming in the Senate, is the SCOTUS Headed for the Shitter?
       
    2. Criminally Insufficient Katrina Relief - the Buck Stops at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
       
    3. Mess O'Potamia - The Quagmire That Won't Go Away That Was Built On A Heap of Lies
       

    by frisco on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:23:03 PM PDT

  •  That's not really possible

    We don't even know the extent of the damage yet, and they will be counting bodies for WEEKS here.  The economic damage has yet to be felt by anyone outside the region.  But it's coming.

    What it WILL do is affect headlines for the next 24-48 hours.  The reality is that if you have a family member affected by Katrina, you could probably give half a squat about Rehnquist right now.

    by dalemac on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:28:53 PM PDT

  •  Cynical me...

    My first reaction was, they offed him to change the topic on the Sunday news shows from Katrina to SCOTUS...

    by TxTiger on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:33:10 PM PDT

    •  Lot more that cynical you

      More like cynical whole bunch of people

      by rebellingboxer on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:38:43 PM PDT

•  Two Things

  First, the confirmation hearings for Roberts will not be delayed.  Second, it will now be harder to block Roberts because Republicans will now frame the supreme court in crisis.

  by Stevo on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:15:14 PM PDT

  •  Counter frame

    The country is in crisis. We can't afford to trust the people who brought us Lake George.

    by Mozh on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:30:16 PM PDT

•  Pat Robertson's Prayers Have Been Answered N/T

  by vmckimmey on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:15:21 PM PDT

  •  Actually not

    This wasn't one that freak was praying "for".  Why does God hate Pat Robertson?

    by Guckhead on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:18:59 PM PDT

•  So....when you don't believe in a God,

  you can't exactly say, "God save us", but seriously....we'd better get to work saving ourselves fucking fast because things are getting worse on a daily basis.

  by Elise on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:15:44 PM PDT

  •  God sure has been smiting Republicans lately.

    by NorCalJim on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:35:03 PM PDT

•  The Bush administration is

  the real DISASTER. THE Democrats in the Senate must go on strike. Bush must not be allowed to make another decision. They must STOP HIM NOW. I call on all US Senators that have had it with BUSH TO STOP HIM NOW. Focus on NEW ORLEANS ONLY. WE must save this city and these people.

  by Chamonix on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:15:46 PM PDT

  •  My thought exactly--n/t

    by station wagon on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:00:48 PM PDT

•  It's that Episode of "The West Wing"

  about Donna's parents' cats.

  And Glenn Close.

  by folkbum on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:16:10 PM PDT

  •  We can only hope

    But I don't think that will happen.

    Do we even have a Glenn Close?

    by Mozh on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:31:33 PM PDT

•  Anyone notice

  how quickly CNN went into the fawning biographical.  Mere minutes.  They had this stuff sitting around, waiting for the official announcement of his death.

  Almost makes me think Karl Rove whacked him to see if he could knock Katrina off the tube... which would be kinda tinfoilish if it wasn't first suggested by my apolitical wife.

  by dalemac on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:17:02 PM PDT

  •  I'm with your wife

    That's the first thing I thought of - well, no, the first thing was just a string of expletives, and then the second thing was the fuckers somehow timed this to get their fuckups off the TV screen!  Arrgh.

    by geordie on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:19:38 PM PDT

  •  of course

    you are right on in the "pre-canned obituary"  They do them on evrybody of note when they start to falter.  It's almost like wikipedia that way.  I highly doubt they had him wacked.

    Front paged now

    by Edanger6 on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:20:04 PM PDT

  •  Not unusual

    Newspapers, TV news networks and the media in general are ALWAYS prepared for high level deaths. You can bet dollars to donuts that the NYTimes has an obit for Bush I and II, Jimmy Carter and just about every cabinet level public official ever.

    Just part of their job. Nothing nefarious.

    by weirdscenes on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:21:17 PM PDT

•  Michael Brown

  Having done such a tremendous job as Arabian Horse Czar and FEMA director, George W should nominate Michael Brown as the next Chief Justice of the United States.  

  by Chimpy von Chimpibush on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:17:57 PM PDT

  •  My thoughts exactly

    Brown will be nominated for supreme court justice due to his excellent work as FEMA director

    by bjeanh1 on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:32:52 PM PDT

•  Scalia Ascends to Chief Justice?

  That's my fucking nightmare, in a nutshell.

  by kingubu on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:18:41 PM PDT

  •  That would make 3 nominations

    Me hopes chimperator is not strong enough for that.

    Plus, Scalia did say he thinks sex orgies relieve stress. That should get some panties in a twist...

    by Mozh on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:33:25 PM PDT

•  Fuck!

  by missliberties on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:18:51 PM PDT

  •  Janis Rogers Brown/Phyllis Owens

    by missliberties on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:19:24 PM PDT

•  When it rains, it pours

  RIP

  by weirdscenes on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:19:11 PM PDT

•  We all knew he was gonna die.

  and Bush would pick the replacement. All the news was starting to be filled with BUSHCO and how great things are going in New Orleans with their Bullshit Propaganda.

  by Chamonix on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:22:03 PM PDT

•  Oh my God, they killed Rehnquist!

  Those bastards!

  Who would have thought they would resort to this to stem the news flow of Katrina and New Orleans?

  by gttim on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:22:22 PM PDT

•  Full neo-con racism about to be displayed

  Bush never ordered the flags flown at half-staff for the victims of Katrina. Bush never ordered a day of mourning for the victims of Katrina.

  Now the neo-cons are going to try and go into Reagan-mode with the wailing and gnashing of teeth and try to sweep all the coverage of the ongoing dying in New Orleans for Rehnquist state funeral bullshit.

  I'm sorry when anyone dies. The family has my condolences. That all we need to say. He was at an advance age. He had incurable cancer. That's life. Rehnquist died in a clean, comfortable bed with his family around him. That's a lot more than can be said about the thousands that died in New Orleans.

  by rebellingboxer on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:23:36 PM PDT

•  OMG

  that means they have the perfect topic to change the subject and get everyone's attention off of NO and the Gulf Coast.  I'm truly sorry for Rehnquist's  family, but fuck - why now?  

  The battle lines will be drawn and the show down will begin over another SCOTUS vacancy.  Shit, shit, shit...

  I want regime Change, but not with the SCOTUS - now now

  by Sally in SF on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:23:41 PM PDT

  •  There will be riots if they try that

    Every city in America will riot if they try to sweep the ongoing death and destruction in New Orleans out of the media with state funeral rubbish for a old right wing extremist that everyone knew was going to be dying very soon.

    by rebellingboxer on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:36:24 PM PDT

•  God listens to Pat Robertson ?

  Who could be next?  God Help us!

  by GUGA on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:23:52 PM PDT

•  Competing major national stories

  this should be quite interesting.  

  Must admit, I don't really give a shit about his background, seeing file footage of him, or watching the CNN crawl that is now all about him & Roe v Wade.

  by littlesky on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:24:21 PM PDT

•  Bad man

  When Rehnquist was a Supreme Court Clerk he advised the Justice he was working for to rule against Brown v Board.

  Also you watch Bush go for someone like Estrada, Ted Olson, or Orin Hatch.

  by upsavr on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:29:52 PM PDT

•  I wonder if the

  O'Connor for Chief Justice movement will gain steam?

  by kid oakland on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:30:30 PM PDT

•  Historic

  Rehnquist was the first chief justice to preside over the impeachment of a president and to lead a majority in interfering with electoral processes to appoint a president.

  Alex
  Choose Our President 2008

  by ourprez08 on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:34:05 PM PDT

•  we have one saving grace

  Bush has NO political capital now.  Thanks to Cindy Sheehan and the Katrina fiasco, he has been neutered politically.  There's no way he can push through an extremist now.  He'll be lucky to even keep his job.

  by PAprogressive on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:36:16 PM PDT

•  Taking bets

  How long are the TV's going to stay on Rehinquist tonight?

  Back to politics as usual I guess. People aren't dying in New Orleans any more.

  by jfs1000 on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:45:21 PM PDT

  •  CNN spent the entire 11-12 hour on it

    but now are going to a repeat of the 3 hour how you can help special.

    Katrina is no longer of import anymore. Bush is dancing in the White House now.

    by xndem on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:03:27 PM PDT

•  This just strikes me as

  completely bizarre, but (watch out for bad spelling) Sonja Gupta from CNN is sitting in the New Orleans airport talking about Rehnquest and chatting about his cancer and medical condition.  Aren't things getting a little out of wack and moving into the twilight zone?  They moved from the Hurricane coverage to Rehnquest in a split second, had a film all ready, and a bunch of speakers and interviews all lined up ready to go.  

  by hopscotch1997 on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 08:46:17 PM PDT

  •  MSNBC is back on Katrina @ 12.20 am

    That's a small hope.

    by deafmetal on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 09:20:27 PM PDT

•  Juxtipose State Funeral with Pile of Corpses

  Let's see the Repugs put together a big State funeral with Bush and all the trimmings and have the MSM (if they have the guts) juxtipose that image with the piles of dead bodies in NO and all the mass nameless graves that will be set up.

  In one sense, kind of hard not to due a State funeral for a deceased Chief Justice, but I can't imagine it looking good for the President comparing those two sets of images.

  by davidslane on Sat Sep 03, 2005 at 10:05:46 PM PDT