John Roberts is considering stepping down...according

[LaydeeBug]

to radar online, and my mom, who i am on the phone with... need to dig a link i know, but what if it's true?

[LaydeeBug]

1. my connection is slow... hope she isn't getting snowballed...

looking...

LINK:

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/03/exclusive-us-supreme-court-chief-justice-john-roberts-considering-step-down

[DURHAM D]

2. The only reason he would step down is a scandal.

It would have to be a major scandal.

[LaydeeBug]

5. LINK

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/03/exclusive-us-supreme-court-chief-justice-john-roberts-considering-step-down

i bet it's his adoptive kids...

[deurbano]

57. The blond Irish/Salvadorans?

As an adoptive (international adoption) parent, those adoption stories (TWO blond, Irish children adopted from El Salvador!) were preposterous, and, if true, had to break Irish law (if the kids were Irish citizens)… and/ or US visa laws (how did they get US visas for Irish orphans born in El Salvador?) … and/or Salvadoran law (how did the Salvadorans authorize the adoption of children of non-citizens?)… plus, the whole process unfolded while the kids were still little babies?

My theory is that the kids are the biological offspring of Roberts, with the donor eggs from an Irish citizen (his wife has family in Ireland, so maybe one of her relatives?), but with two gestational surrogates from El Salvador. Maybe that was a way around the more restrictive (?) laws of Ireland regarding egg donation and adoption…. but especially a way to hide the extreme measures they were taking in terms of assisted reproduction. (As I recall, the Roberts purport to subscribe to a very conservative form of Catholicism that prohibits such extreme measures.)

[musette_sf]

95. + 1

welcome to DU
oops, I see you've been around longer than me. Sorry for low post count assumption :-)

and I think the whole stinking deal of how the Irish kids got to El Salvador needs to be exposed. I don't think it has anything to do with surrogacy or donor eggs... I think there was an arrangement to ship the kids somewhere where adoption laws were lax at best. I wouldn't be surprised if the Opus Dei/Legion of Christ crew have a whole Underground Babyroad scheme to smuggle healthy white infants from Irish church orphanages to locations where adoptions are pretty much no questions asked as long as you grease the authorities' palms sufficiently. And I wouldn't be surprised if the Irish RCC was making some baksheesh on these deals.

[Sanity Claws]

6. Could be health

he has a neurological problem, IIRC. It came to light when he fell one summer.

[laughingliberal]

11. I did not know that. But, health was one of my first thoughts on reading this. nt

[Ocracoker16]

30. Roberts had seizure in summer of 2007 on vacation

It was reported that he had a seizure 14 years before that. Usually having 2 seizures results in a diagnosis of epilepsy, but Roberts and his doctors dodged questions about what his diagnosis was.

[laughingliberal]

51. Now that you mention it...I do remember that. Interesting. nt

[Ex Lurker]

84. It would have to be more than that for him to resign

Epilepsy can usually be well controlled by medication, and two seizures in 14 years doesn't sound like a severe case.

[malaise]

97. He has epilepsy but this was a hoax today n/t

[tridim]

14. Remember this picture?

Obviously there's nothing wrong with what I believe he's hiding, but from the GOP perspective it's the worst thing ever.

[solara]

47. I have a feeling you are right about his reasons for possibly stepping down, but if everything

was 'business as usual", I don't believe he would even consider leaving the bench.

I think he must have made a huge error in judgement one cold night in hell and now it lurches towards him and the light of day, inevitable and destructive.

Ted Haggard comes to mind


:patriot:

[havocmom]

58. Larry Flynt's bounty on Family Values hypocrisy comes to mind

along with the shell game played with Irish law regarding adoption

[solara]

60. Yep.. unfortunately it may just be an unfounded rumor..

:patriot:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

50. Hahahahaha! First thing I thought of was this photo!

:rofl:

[MissDeeds]

61. I agree with all you said

Nothing wrong with what he may be hiding, but the wing nuts would go ballistic. Interesting nonetheless.

:popcorn:

[liquid diamond]

89. What? How does that picture suggest he is gay?

[wordpix]

100. the GOP might not like it, but who would be calling for his resignation b/c maybe he's gay?

:shrug: I don't get it. Washington's much more enlightened than that, even the repukes here.

[Touchdown]

67. Some people say....

That his beautiful blue eyes, are transplanted from a kidnapped Hungarian boy sold into white slavery.

I'm just repeating what I heard.O8)

[Bitwit1234]

80. He has epilepsy maybe it is getting worst.

He has had two attacks since he was sworn, THAT WE KNOW OF. He shouldn't be there in the first place with that type of disease. No telling when he would have an attack and his mental facilities short out. The man had the prestige of being Chief Justice he should RETIRE AND SPEND SOME TIME WITH HIS FAMILY. After all isn't that what good republicans do when forced out.

[JackRiddler]

82. No, it would have to be a nuclear scandal. Only a major crime...

or solid evidence of extreme judicial wrongdoing, such as taking bribes in exchange for a ruling, could do. Otherwise he can be on video boozing and fucking with a half-dozen men and women, and it won't force a resignation if they're all over 18.

[conscious evolution]

98. I agree

SC justices are in for life.The only thing that could force a justice out is an impeachable offense such as bribery,treason or other high crimes.

With so many politicians deciding not to run for reelection,along with this rumor,I am starting to wonder if Obama got his hands on wiretaps and other recordings/info revealing criminal acts and is using that info to force them out.

[wordpix]

101. +1 well said

[DrDan]

3. his replacement would represent Obama's most significant legacy

[Political Heretic]

23. Which he will likely screw up by practicing the politics of collaboration

Leaving us with a centrist, corporate friendly economically conservative but socially "liberal" judge unwilling to do anything to change a corporatist status quo, even when it undermines the very principles of constitutional democracy.

[unblock]

32. sotomayor might already have a lock on that

but another justice like her would be wonderful!

[DrDan]

36. a Roberts replacement would put the majority back on the correct side

[unblock]

69. in terms of numbers, sure, but that doesn't undermine sotomayor's contributions to obama's legacy

she being part of the new (we hope) majority.

moreover, she'd be a strong candidate for chief justice, and obama's second nomination to the court would just be another justice. so, majority, yes, but we could be looking at a "sotomayor court" that might have the lasting impact the warren court had.

all this is speculation on speculation; we'll just have to wait and see.

[DrDan]

77. my point is that a Roberts replacement would give us back the majority

I was not implying/suggesting anything about the individual justices.

A majority in the USOC would be his most signicant legacy imo - moreso than any legislation passed.

[unblock]

78. agreed

[wordpix]

102. and that is why the repukes will keep him standing there, even if he's a cadaver

[Warpy]

4. I don't know why he would

He's young and in good health and has a good paying job for the rest of his rotten, weaselly life.

The ones who need to step down are Scalia (dementia) and Thomas (incompetence).

[LaydeeBug]

8. I think there were reports of yesteryear that suggested that his kids

were "bought" or something. I am just speculating...

[Sal Minella]

34. "Good-paying job" is relative. Thomas has complained that he doesn't like

being a Supreme Court Justice "because you can't make any money at it."

btw I agree thoroughly with "Scalia (dementia) and Thomas (incompetence)."

[Donnachaidh]

7. was it him or Scalia who went begging for a per diem last year?

I seem to recall watching something on Cspan and the judge (I really do think it might have been Roberts) was whining because he couldn't make any *money* as a SC judge, so could they pretty please give him a per diem to offset his sudden *poverty*.

I don't remember who it was in Congress but he was basically told (in a very nice way) *tough shit* - and no, it wasn't Bunning.

[eleny]

9. I read that he's unhappy with the wages he makes

It was an article posted here some time ago. I don't know if the justices ever got the pay hike he wanted. But I'm sure I read that he was griping.

I imagine he knows what big bucks he could be making.

[bullwinkle428]

Certainly after that last big ruling...he HAS to know how big that

pot of gold could possibly be!

[AzDar]

19. This.

Spot-on...
:thumbsup:

[eShirl]

63. Time for his reward for that?

[wordpix]

103. I think you're onto something---& now he has to leave to spend time with the family

[peace frog]

43. Clearly it's a retired judge's dream job

But Roberts is young and in his prime earning years and here he is, stuck bringing home small potatoes from his Chief Justice gig.
Sure, step down, pal! Think of all the moola you can earn elsewhere, and scram outta there.

[Ex Lurker]

85. I don't doubt what you're saying but

it's something I don't understand. Sure he's not getting mega wealthy, but he he makes a nice salary by any reasonable standard, he has lifetime job security, and it's the most prestigious position in the legal profession. As far as social status, he would be welcome at any posh country club or at any cocktail party. His kids, if he has any, could get in any college in the country, assuming they have the prerequisites. And his name will be in the history books. Sure, he'll never be a billionaire, but there are things more important than money.

I'm not saying the Roberts is a great jurist or a stellar human being, far from it. I'm just saying the guy is in a sweet position, and would be nuts to give it up for a mere paycheck.

[Art_from_Ark]

108. If he's unhappy with his wages, he can always

RESIGN!

Problem solved.

[mzteris]

10. no legit news source as yet

that would be hugh!! :) Maybe he can take scalia, thomas and alito with him.

[Donnachaidh]

12. found the link about pay --

http://allspinzone.com/wp/2009/01/01/latest-whine-chief-justice-john-roberts-about-his-pay/

[laughingliberal]

16. I support him in going back to the private sector and making the big wages he deserves. nt

[Donnachaidh]

18. we'll even throw his ass a party.

He's done enough damage already. :puke:

[laughingliberal]

25. A BIG party!!! nt

[LaydeeBug]

41. Today is my birthday!!! Let this be true!!!!

and I would put "I'm series!!!111!!!!" there, but it really is my bday and I really do want this to be true.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

65. Happy birthday, LaydeeBug!

:party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party:

[wordpix]

104. I second that! I really feel sorry for him, making a measly $217K/year for the rest of his life

:nopity: :sarcasm:

[951-Riverside]

70. and people still believe government officials when they say they're quitting...

to be with family or to work in the private sector. :eyes:

[BurtWorm]

13. Don't toy with us, radaronline!

That's a cruel thing to do...


:bounce:

[PVnRT]

15. I'll believe it when I see it

[tekisui]

17. Be still my heart! Please let it be so!!!!

[quiet.american]

20. Let me be the first to let him know he has my full support for doing so! nt

[Soylent Brice]

21. don't fuck with me like that!!1

PLEASEOHPLEASEOHPLEASEOHPLEASEOHPLEASEOHPLEASEOHPLEASEOHPLEASE
let this be true.

[tekisui]

22. FOX News is about to go live with an annoucement.

as per twitter

[tridim]

29. Link? If true, whoa!

[mod mom]

35. twitter is not reporting Fox say he is NOT stepping down.

:( you know it was too good to be true. Corporate bigwigs around the globe would implode!

[tekisui]

38. I was about to cancel my day and celebrate.

But, really didn't think it was true. Still hoping....

[On the Road]

45. That is, of Course, What Nixon Said

as well as others who ended up resigning. But we'll see. It seemed to good to just come out of the blue like this.

[mod mom]

52. a girl can dream....

;)

[RamboLiberal]

24. Earlier thread in GD on this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7842345

[Stinky The Clown]

26. Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please

Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please

[davsand]

27. See ya!!!

Don't let the door hit ya!

[shotten99]

28. Don't tease, but I'll pray!

[Kingofalldems]

31. May I be the first---Up or down vote!!

There you go repubs.

[eleny]

33. If it's true I hope his replacement is someone who would push Scalia over the edge

We deserve a twofer.

[Contrary1]

37. Update:

Update: RadarOnline.com has obtained new information that Justice Roberts will NOT resign. The justice will be staying on the bench.

[izzybeans]

39. A total gimmick to drive traffic there way.

[eleny]

40. it was fun while it lasted

[tridim]

46. I'd really like to know where this "information" is coming from..

and why said information was released and retracted.

I doubt radaronline will be forthcoming.

[MineralMan]

53. It was pulled out of someone's butt.

Pure publicity stunt. I'd never even heard of that site before. Now, lots of people have. Let's just hope it doesn't get used as a source very often on DU.

[tridim]

56. That would be my guess too, but it's just a guess.

Shit like this can destroy a blog's credibility. I'm sure radaronline knows this.

Naming the source might save their ass.

[Individualist]

54. I had never heard of RadarOnline. Now is know it's a site with no credibility.

[SharonRB]

55. I knew it was too good to be true.

Bummer!

[Sebastian Doyle]

42. It would be great news if he did step down

but a damn shame it couldn't have happened before that Citizens United fuckfest. :evilfrown:

[MineralMan]

44. Publicity stunt by radaronline. Bogus story.

[solara]

48. bummer

:patriot:

[Contrary1]

49. No way would any of Bush's clowns step down while a Democrat is in the White House...

unless it was something beyond their control.

[havocmom]

59. Retracted per huff post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/04/john-roberts-stepping-dow_n_485842.html

[tridim]

62. So, everyone believed the orginal story and now everyone believes the retraction without question?

If Radar Online's credibility is lost based on the story, how can we trust the retraction? Who sits on Radar Online's board? Who was their original source? Did the same source issue the retraction?

Yes, I really want this to be true. :)

[eShirl]

64. everyone believed it?

[tridim]

It made significant ripples, people believed it.

Maybe "everyone" was the wrong word.

[Individualist]

66. ...because he/she said so

:eyes:

[Gin]

71. he has the weirdest eyes.....how great it would be if he stepped down

but...I doubt it will happen

[Individualist]

76. When I said he/she, I wasn't referring to Roberts

[havocmom]

109. Personally, I'm from Missouri, so I just point out what they are reporting

What I believe is often quite different and takes lots of evidence. ;)

[Blue Owl]

68. someone really knows how to push DU's buttons

damn them.

}(

[951-Riverside]

73. radaronline has lost all credibility with me then. Not going to bother reading another article...

[DefenseLawyer]

74. Do you know it was a stunt?

Or are you just assuming it was made up? There is a difference between a bogus story and one where a source recants under pressure. I would be interested to know the origins of the story.

[MineralMan]

83. Good luck with that, then...

I doubt it will be forthcoming.

[DefenseLawyer]

91. I'm not suggesting it was or wasn't a publicity stunt

I'm asking if you know, or are just guessing.

[MineralMan]

92. Educated guess.

[DefenseLawyer]

94. For the record my guess is the same.

I was hoping you had the scoop. It would still be interesting to know how the story germinated.

[WeDidIt]

111. Nail. Hammer. Head.

Our only hope is Scalia's arteries or Thomas' blood pressure.

[mnhtnbb]

72. Too early for April Fool's. Bad on them.

[Blue Owl]

75. sigh

if it's too good to be true...


:grr:

[Cleita]

79. Thom mentioned it on the radio this morning. Roberts has some kind of illness

but I missed what it was because of a loud noise down the street. He asked Victoria Jones, the White House reporter, what she knew and she said it's still a rumor so she's not even reporting it until she gets something more substantial.

[upi402]

81. If true, it would be proof beyond doubt

that there IS a higher power! And I really hope there IS a hell too, for these evil-doers.:evilgrin:

[mod mom]

86. + 1

[fascisthunter]

90. lol

[NM_hemilover]

87. I heard that too,

the lady he was on the line with, (I don't know who she was) said she heard it was on Drudge. Epilepsy I think is what they were saying, Rader dropped the story until it could be confirmed.

Dodging traffic while I was listening, but I'm pretty sure that's what he said.

[wordpix]

105. another thread about a seizure in 2007 - he has epilepsy

(2007) Chief Justice Is Hospitalized After Seizure

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7846321

[RagAss]

88. More bullshit to keep our minds off of HCR

[wordpix]

106. good point but it provides a little happiness for a minute to think of his departure

unfortunately,too good to be true

[Uzybone]

93. the internet playing the "left" for fools again

[leeroysphitz]

96. I heard that he plans to step down in 24 business hours. n/t

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

112. Just not consecutive ones.

[usregimechange]

99. won't happen

[Crabby Appleton]

107. See anatomy of a rumor

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7844628

[lonestarnot]

110. Even if it's a rumor, I'm enjoying that shit while it lasts!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Kablooie]

113. Shut it. It was a law professor's fictional example and students blogged it as true.