How 'bout a big thank you Rec to this man for hangin' in there for the last eight years!

[Truth2Tell]

A great American. You could tell he was tired. He has served with heroic honor long beyond the call of duty.

Maybe soon he can rest.

:patriot:

[Captain Hilts]

1. Oh yeah - we need to protest in his FAVOR!

[Hekate]

2. My gods, yes. Hold on a little longer, sir. Thank you for your service to the country. nt

[Arugula Latte]

97. No, he made it. Congress won't confirm any Bush S.C. appointee at this time.

:)

[blm]

3. I've often thought about his strength in waiting Bush out.

Great thread, Truth.

[Muttocracy]

4. BIG thank you. 88!

[TWiley]

65. .

[Tallison]

87. Wow - and I thought he was 78...

but still was impressed. 88! :smackshead:

Imagine the weight of knowing you're the only thing standing between Bush and millions of women's right to determine their own reproductive destinies...

[Two Sheds]

5. Guys, don't say "rest" to an 88 year old man

we need to aim more sprightly thoughts at him.

[Truth2Tell]

8. Fair enough, how about

may he find less stressful and more rewarding activities to enjoy. Time with family and old friends maybe. :)

[Two Sheds]

9. Nope, too deathy

tell him he's a dang fireball and ask him how he does it...Jan 20th will get here before you know it.

[wryter2000]

10. As a 60 year old, my thoughts went right there

I wish for him a whole lot of fun. Maybe he can chase some 70 year old skirt.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

47. My mom likes to say, "You rest, you rust."

:P

[Faygo Kid]

6. Justice Ginsburg, too, who has been ill.

Just a couple more months, and they can retire.

For that matter, wouldn't you love to see Scalia/Thomas/Roberts/Alito step down for whatever reason?

[wryter2000]

12. I would like to watch Scalia collapse under the weight of his own evil

Imagine, that bastard thought reinforcements might be on the way.

[Chulanowa]

29. Maybe he'll catch hoof and mouth disease and it'll spread to the rest of that herd of sheep

[Spiffarino]

41. May he get a fungus in his horns. n/t

[1monster]

35. I'm picturing scenes from two of the Indian Jones movies: The first one from The Lost Ark

where the nasty little German in the Black suit (how many movies did the actor have a similar role?) and many of his cohorts were melted in a whirlwind when the Ark lid was lifted.

And the second one from the movie where Indy and his father were in the chamber with the Holy Grail and the greedy fellow grabbed the wrong chalice and crumbled to dust.

Hmmm... Which scenario is more satisfying?

[fudge stripe cookays]

54. Definitely the melty one.

:D

[road2000]

55. Yeah.

That guy always reminded me of Karl Rove. He can melt along with them.

[JI7]

85. Scalia smokes and drinks a lot plus eats very unhealthy food

[rosesaylavee]

31. I would like to see Scalia and Thomas impeached for the 2000 'selection'

I don't know how that would happen - but it sure would be almost as wonderful as this last Tuesday. Almost.

[The Wizard]

73. Both should have recused themselves

Scalia's son worked for the law firm representing Bush and Thomas' wife was on the Bush transition team.
If it's not a conflict of interest, it's the perception of a conflict of interest. Both should be impeached for injecting partisan politics into the judicial process, and not only the process, but the final step in the process.
Scalia also issued the stay that stopped the recount in Florida before any decision was made.

[rosesaylavee]

77. Ok. That works for me. Let's impeach them.

[jwirr]

66. I think President Obama should have a nice dinner with Thomas and

remind him who he is.

[Libertyfirst]

7. Justice Stevens, we are in your debt..

Thank you for your labors on behave of constitutional government. You are one great American hero.

[pinto]

11. Kudos.

:thumbsup:

[Doodler71]

13. With both hands and his teeth... I'm so very grateful that he

has been holding on for all of us.

He is a patriot.

[Bjorn Against]

14. Yes, he showed his true love of his country over the past eight years.

I have no doubt that he would have retired had Bush not been in office, he held on because he knew the country needed him and he could not allow Bush to choose his replacement. I am sure he will retire shortly after Obama takes office, and he will retire with a great deal of honor.

[Surya Gayatri]

15. K & R

There's a song that was making the rounds a couple of years ago, just after the debacle of 2004: "HANG ON STEVENS, STEVENS HANG ON" sung to the tune of "Hang on Snoopy, Snoopy hang on". Does anybody remember it? SG

[BumRushDaShow]

91. The song was actually "Hang on Sloopy"

with an "L". LOL :P

[mdmc]

16. yes

[philly_bob]

17. Can't wait to read your autobiography, Justice Stevens! n/t

[MasonJar]

18. Thank you to two great Americans! Stay if you want and leave if YOU wish!

[MadMaddie]

19. Amen! He is a hero!

[Truth2Tell]

20. Some Justice Stevens Greatest Hits:

Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (2006), Majority Opinion Striking Down Military Commissions

Military commissions set up by the Bush administration to try detainees at Guantanamo Bay lack "the power to proceed because its structures and procedures violate both the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the four Geneva Conventions signed in 1949."


Wallace v. Jaffree (1985), Majority Opinion Striking Down School Prayer

“The proposition that the several States have no greater power to restrain the individual freedoms protected by the First Amendment than does Congress is firmly embedded in constitutional jurisprudence. The First Amendment was adopted to curtail Congress' power to interfere with the individual's freedom to believe, to worship, and to express himself in accordance with the dictates of his own conscience..."


Bush v Gore (2000) Dissenting Opinion On Stolen Election

“Time will one day heal the wound to that confidence that will be inflicted by today's decision. One thing, however, is certain. Although we may never know with complete certainty the identity of the winner of this year's Presidential election, the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the Nation's confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law."

[hootinholler]

21. Still get goosebumps

Reading that Bush V. Gore excerpt.

-Hoot

[MyOwnPeace]

22. Bet......

these were on Sarah Failin's list of favs too!

Oh, wait, she hadn't been handed a list!

(well, actually, she had - but it was for shopping!)

[Enthusiast]

34. Now that is the mind of a reasoned

and measured man!

[bvar22]

23. My favorite Supremo !

Closing sentence of Justice Stevens' Dissent in Bush v Gore, December 12, 2000

"Although we may never know with complete certainty the identity of the winner of this year’s Presidential election, the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the Nation’s confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law.

I respectfully dissent." ---Justice John Paul Stevens

Good on you, John Paul!
:patriot:

[renate]

49. True dat... and just imagine... he was EIGHTY years old in 2000

I hope he loves his job because I think most 80- to 88-year-olds wouldn't mind having a little spare time for reading and traveling and just plain relaxing after a lifetime of hard work. This great man stuck it out for eight more years for the sake of his country. He is a true patriot... in many ways, considering what would have happened to the Supreme Court if he'd retired, he played a HUGE role in preserving our country. In fact, I can't think of anyone who might have, quietly, done more than he did to keep America from sliding inexorably off the edge of the cliff. God bless him.

:patriot:

[RollWithIt]

74. I often wonder why he didn't retire in 2000.... in June...

Or 99. I know by then Clinton had filled 2 seats. But still.

[Uncle Joe]

24. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Truth2Tell.

[ColbertWatcher]

25. A well-earned retirement. Bravo! n/t

[Bernardo de La Paz]

51. He hasn't retired. . . nt

[ColbertWatcher]

59. Yes, but he has earned one. n/t

[pleah]

26. K&R for his Honor.

I had no idea he was 88. Wow.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

27. No one has served his country better in the last eight years

Justice Stevens has served this country with honor and distinction over his lifetime, not only in the Navy in WWII but as a steadfast and courageous guardian of the Constitution and everything it stands for.

After Chimp v. Gore, the only way he was going to leave the court before Chimpo left office is if he'd been toe tagged.

Thank you for your service, Justice Stevens. You will be remembered as a great American jurist and a true American patriot. May you have a long, healthy and happy retirement. :patriot:

[chill_wind]

28. K & R. n/t

[WillyT]

30. Big K & R !!!

:patriot:

[Octafish]

32. Proud to K&R

Most of all: Infinitely thankful to K&R.

[nichomachus]

33. I hear Scalia wants out too

My sources in DC tell me that he has a real hard-core agenda to promote and while he can do that somewhat from the court, he feels hampered by the fact the cases don't always align with his right-wing agenda. He would really like to teach and write to spread his fascist ideas. And he can't do that from the court.

Why he didn't resign during Bush's term is the unanswered question. Maybe he was hoping someone more right-wing than Bush would get elected. Or, maybe he stayed on in case his vote was needed to steal another election. Whether this is all true or not, I wouldn't be sorry to see him go -- and to see Obama name three justices in the first year or two.

[kestrel91316]

36. Fat Tony?? Fat Tony will NEVER quit. He's way too happy working his evil

[nichomachus]

39. No, I think he has more evil in him than the court allows him to spread

The court is actually confining. You only get to rule on the cases that come to you, and then you have to negotiate with eight other people to spread your nonsense. I think he's so fat because it's all this evil wanting to get out.

[catrose]

37. THANK YOU, Justices Stevens and Ginsberg

[colsohlibgal]

38. Thank You JPS!

Al Franken, when he was still doing his radio show, had a band record 'Hang On Stevens", to the tune of "Hang On Sloopy", it was pretty funny. This was a few years ago and obviously Justice Stevens did hang on, thankfully.

You go John Paul Stevens!

[Mabus]

48. Here's "Hang On Stevens"

Found at Whittier Area Peace and Justice Coalition's website.

Song: http://www.whittierpeace.org/sound/hangonstevens.mp3

Here's the lyrics (http://www.whittierpeace.org/fun.htm):
HANG ON STEVENS
courtesy of The Al Franken Show
Performed by:
Mike Ruekberg and 2 Tickets 2 Paradise
Lyrics by Ben Wikler
Idea by Al Franken

LYRICS
Hang on Stevens, Stevens hang on
Hang on Stevens, Stevens hang on

Stevens might be eighty six years old
But I think he looks spry when he's wearing that robe
Stevens I don't care if you loose your mind
Just wait until Bush leaves before you resign

And in the same vein…
Hang on Ginsburg, Ginsburg hang on
Hang on Ginsburg, Ginsburg hang on

Cancer sucks and I hope it never comes again
But even if it does please just stay on the bench
Just keep on keeping on girl, you're doing just fine
Until January Twenty of Two Thousand and Nine

Everybody…
Hang on Stevens, Stevens hang on
Please!
Hang on Ginsburg, Ginsburg hang on

Even Kennedy hang on, Kennedy even you
Even Kennedy hang on, Kennedy even you
Please live long Breyer
Live long, live long
Oh live long Souter
Live long, live long
Oh live long Ginsburg
Live long, live long
Oh live long Stevens
Live long, live long
Just stay on that court
hang on, hang on
Just please stay on that court
hang on, hang on
Shake it, shake it, shake it Stevens
hang on, hang on
Shake it, shake it, shake it Ginsburg
hang on, hang on

Hang on Stevens, Stevens hang on
Hang on Stevens, Stevens hang on

[Iwillnevergiveup]

40. REC #73

Such a brave and brilliant patriot! His written dissent for Bush v. Gore sends chills.

[lonestarnot]

42. Yes!

:applause: :patriot:

[treestar]

43. Yeah!

He deservess a fun retirement.

This is one of the biggest plusses of the Obama win! The SCOTUS will not turn into a right wing fantasy!

[ejbr]

44. When he retires

I might send Ann Coulter some "dubious" creme brulee.

[ismnotwasm]

45. K&R

That is a very excellent thought. :patriot:

[redqueen]

46. Yes

We owe him.

[jonestonesusa]

50. Big, Big, Big Rec for Justice Stevens!

Thank you for serving the cause of justice on a divided court!

[Dystopian]

52. KandR for justice and Justice Stevens. Heartfelt thanks. n/t

peace~

[tilsammans]

53. A big thank you to Justices Stevens & Ginsberg! n/t

:patriot:

[nam78_two]

56. Yay Justice Stevens

:)

[nam78_two]

57. Dupe.nt

[beac]

58. Grazie mille, Justice Stevens!!

:applause:

[McCamy Taylor]

60. An American Hero! I am so grateful to Justice Stevens!

:loveya: Floaty hearts for real justice!

[Piewhacket]

61. I knew I was hanging with the right group of folks...

I almost despaired that I was alone. Aparently not.

Thank God for Stevens, alas he must feel he stands nearly alone, or so it might
seem to him as he works on the cases before hem.

I was once told by a former Assistant US AG, then a civil rights prof
that a lawyer who argues a case before the USSC malpractices his client
unless he utterly and contemptuously ignores Stevens. It might be good lawyering,
but heartbreaking to imagine so disrespecting a great American as
John Stevens.

Thank you John. Keep healthy. Have heart. Have hope, Help is finally coming.

IMPEACH SCALIA AND THOMAS.

[Laelth]

62. Here's to the Great Justice John Paul Stevens

We are deeply in your debt. I am honored and humbled to k&r.

:toast:

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Auggie]

63. K&R

[jwirr]

64. Thank you sir. What others are close enough that they will resign soon?

[Skittles]

67. I LOVES ME SOME JOHN PAUL STEVENS

I am very grateful for him - yes INDEED

[Pryderi]

68. He's wonderful, but I hope he retires in 2009.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

69. thank you Justice Stevens n/t

[Dangerously Amused]

70. Love and respect to that great man!

K&R

[panch0d0g]

71. A big THANK YOU to Justice Stevens!

[Dinger]

72. Was He The One (In Selection 2000) Who Said Something About

the "real loser of this election is the American People, . . ." or something like that?

[RollWithIt]

75. He said....

The real loser was America's faith in the impartiality of their judges. Basically he called out the five Republicans for voting on party lines.

[MNReformer]

88. Actual text of the last paragraph of his dissent

What must underlie petitioners' entire federal assault on the Florida election procedures is an unstated lack of confidence in the impartiality and capacity of the state judges who would make the critical decisions if the vote count were to proceed. Otherwise, their position is wholly without merit. The endorsement of that position by the majority of this Court can only lend credence to the most cynical appraisal of the work of judges throughout the land. It is confidence in the men and women who administer the judicial system that is the true backbone of the rule of law. Time will one day heal the wound to that confidence that will be inflicted by today's decision. One thing, however, is certain. Although we may never know with complete certainty the identity of the winner of this year's Presidential election, the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the Nation's confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law.

[investintrains]

76. God bless John Paul Stevens

God bless John Paul Stevens now and always
in each way and all ways

God give us an elected court as parliamentary democracies
have... on the Supreme and appellate levels

Imho, a different justice elected every 1 or 2 years for
terms of 9 to 18 years...
so that 5 people can no longer quash the desires of 360 million

[cloudythescribbler]

78. and may I add, PHEW!!!!!

[Historic NY]

79. Its called life time service to your country..more importantly knowing the law.

[upi402]

80. Thank you Justice Stevens!

:patriot:

[defendandprotect]

81. "Knock on wood" and don't tempt fate--!!!

Let's get past Jan 20th ---!!

[haydukelives]

82. kick

help is on the way

[jvaljean]

83. HUGE thank you!!!

He is a true American!

[Flaxbee]

84. Yes, absolutely.

I'm not a religious woman, but I prayed to any deity I could think of to keep him healthy and safe these past 8 years. He is also just a fantastic jurist. I'll be sad to see him retire, but at least he can do so without worry. But - I do hope he does retire while we have a Democratic administration!

Thank you, Justice Stevens. I read many of his opinions while in law school, and he is a truly admirable man.

[elleng]

86. How could you 'tell he was tired?'

.

[Truth2Tell]

98. Fair question

I base that on characterizations in a couple books and in the press.

So that observation is hearsay. I actually can't "tell" myself.

[Vidar]

89. Couldn't agree more. Bravo, Mr. Stevens!

[BlueIris]

90. Oh, HELL, yes.

Kisses, Justice Stevens.

[CanOfWhoopAss]

92. Thank You Sir!

http://www.whittierpeace.org/sound/hangonstevens.mp3

[BumRushDaShow]

93. Justice Stevens, a Gerald Ford appointee, showed how one could do what was right

and not what was expedient to promote some radical RW agenda.

This elder of the court, having served with great thinkers like Thurgood Marshall and William Brennan, truly believed that all were created equal and that the Constitution was not "just a piece of paper". We need a new version of that great triumvirate BACK in the Supreme Court.

I salute you Justice Stevens for hanging in there and putting up with the likes of Scalia and Thomas. :patriot:

[mentalslavery]

94. Massive Massive

Big ups!

[drm604]

95. Thank you Justice Stevens.

I don't know how we can ever pay you back.:applause:

[Lindsey]

96. Bless you, Justice Stevens. n/t