In S.F., Ginsburg addresses standoff on appointments

[alp227]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

(08-09) 15:43 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lamented the partisan stalemate over judicial appointments Monday, telling a legal convention in San Francisco that the Senate should re-establish the cooperative spirit that attended her own confirmation 17 years ago.

Ginsburg spoke at the annual meeting of the American Bar Association, which awarded her its highest honor, the ABA Medal. A pioneering women's-rights attorney before becoming a judge, she was introduced by outgoing ABA President Carolyn Lamm as "one of the most elegant role models for women lawyers in this country and around the world."

She is the fourth woman to receive the award, established in 1929.

Ginsburg, now 77, was a law professor and American Civil Liberties Union lawyer when President Jimmy Carter nominated her to the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., in 1980.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/09/BA2N1ERDU0.DTL

[mr_liberal]

1. Ginsburg needs to retire.

She's risking being replaced by a Republican president, but I dont think she cares.

Im really disappointed by that. She has said she's not retiring till she's 82. That could very easily be right in the middle of the first term of a Republican president if Obama loses in 2012.

[hlthe2b]

2. that's ridiculous.... She is vibrant despite previous health problems

that seem to be addresessed and under control. I wonder what it is about Ginsburg that makes you want to have her resign? Ginsburg is a real progressive. Even under Obama, any replacement might well be far less so.

[mr_liberal]

3. Did you even read my post?

If Obama loses she will be replaced by a republican president.

Thats the risk she's taking for just a couple extra years on the bench. She's being selfish.

I can just imagine you if she does retire for a Republican president. Youll be on this site then asking why she just didnt retire a couple years earlier when Obama was president.

[hlthe2b]

4. Breyer is nearly her age. Why is it you only are concerned

about her? I have faith that she would resign if she knew her health problems might suggest risk of having to leave under a RETHUG admin. Why is it that you don't have the same faith in her?

Again why is it you aren't worried about Breyer and why is it you believe SHE is the one being selfish. We are lucky to have her on the court--for as long as she is able. Why is it that YOU don't feel that way about HER?

[defendandprotect]

5. Ginsburg is one of the best liberals we have on the court . . . .

I am concerned about her health -- and I'm sure she has it in mind.

[mr_liberal]

7. Her health shoudnt matter

she should retire for Obama, not wait till after 2012.

[defendandprotect]

11. No ... there's no guarantee that Obama would appoint anyone as liberal . . .

too many questions about Obama, himself --

In fact, Obama should retire for the good of the counry in 2012 --

Let's get a real Democratic liberal in his place!!

[mr_liberal]

6. I am concerned about him as well.

But he hasn't had any health problems and I believe he is at least 4 years younger than she is. he could possibly make it past two terms of a republican president if need be. she cant, and in fact has stated she wont.

She has said that she is planning on retiring when she is 82. That means she will retire for whoever wins in 2012 no matter whether she has health problems or not.

[hlthe2b]

8. Anyone of them could die suddenly...

shit happens and you simply can not predict... The average age of death or retirement for USSC justices is incredibly old. I frankly am not anxious to lose a good reliable progressive-- trying to hedge the bet does not always work to our favor.

[mr_liberal]

9. Obama will nominate a liberal or a moderate/ liberal

thats a lot better than having her replaced by a Republican.

she has said she will retire when she's 82. Its not something that you have to predict Its something we know.

[hlthe2b]

10. and, if she feels Obama will not be reelected, she could

decide to step out early. I trust her.

[mr_liberal]

13. The she shouldnt have said she's

staying till she's 82.

Plus we wont know in 2011 if Obama can be reelected or not. And 2012 would be too late for her to retire becuase that would be an election year.

she woudl have to decide before then, and I think that's what she has done. She's gambling on an Obama second term just so she can serve a couple extra years with Soto and Kagan.

[defendandprotect]

12. We have no idea what Breyer's condition may be -- he could be hit by a car tomorrow ...

there are no guarantees in life!

[David__77]

14. He should as well.

He's turning 72, and I think that others should get a turn. I do not like the idea of people in the same position for too long. Retirement from one position needn't mean the end of civic life.