The Supreme Court: (First Row L-R) Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, (Second Row L-R) Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice David H. Souter, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Stephen G. Breyer posed for photographers at the U.S. Supreme Court October 31, 2005. iJustice David H. Souter has told the White House that he will retire from the Supreme Court after 18 years, when his current term ends in June. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
by Mark Silva
A Supreme Court justice is retiring.
This is how they bid adieu:
Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.:
"Justice Souter has served with great distinction on the Court for nearly 20 years. His desire to return to his native New Hampshire is understandable, but he will be greatly missed in our deliberations.''
Associate Justice John Paul Stevens:
"As Justice Blackmun accurately stated when Justice White advised us of his proposed retirement from the Court, an announcement of this kind "is an emotional occasion." Because Justice Souter is such a good friend, my first reaction to his decision is one of real personal loss. Because I am confident that I know how his professional work will be judged by future historians, my more important reaction is that the Court will suffer a far greater loss than many now realize. I wish he had postponed the decision that he has just announced.'
Associate Justice Antonin Scalia:
"David and I have served on this bench together for almost 20 years -- sitting next to each other at argument for all of that time. I will miss his always intelligent contribution to our work, but most of all I will miss his companionship. The only consolation is that I am sure he will be happy back in his cold and beloved New Hampshire.''
Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy:
"The two months remaining in this term now become all the more precious to us, for we know our splendid colleague Justice David H. Souter will soon leave here for the home and the State to which he longs to return. In our free moments David was one of the best raconteurs, one of the most adept and amusing storytellers, I have ever encountered. In our conferences and deliberations all of us knew we had the guidance of a powerful intellect and a fine, dedicated jurist. The Nation should be grateful always for his integrity and absolute probity, and for his lasting contributions to our law and to the dignity of this Court.''
Associate Justice Clarence Thomas:
"I have been privileged to serve on the Court with Justice Souter for almost two decades. It is an honor to have been one of his colleagues at the Court. Though deeply saddened by the departure of a friend and colleague, I am comforted by the knowledge that the bonds of friendship that have been formed during our toils here shall happily remain firm. Virginia and I wish him much happiness and contentment. ''
Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:
"Among jurists with whom I have served, Justice David H. Souter is the very best. His level of preparation for the cases we consider is astonishing. He works so hard at getting it right. He is a genuinely caring man and a model of civility. Never have I heard him utter a harsh or unkind word. I count it my great good fortune to have known him as a working colleague and dear friend.''
Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer:
"As a member of this court, Justice Souter has given nineteen years of inspirational service to the Nation. David is a close colleague and a warm personal friend. I shall miss him here. So will we all.''
Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito:
"I was sad to hear of David Souter's decision to retire from the Court. From my first day on the Court, he has been a wonderful colleague. He has dedicated so many years to exemplary judicial service. We will miss him deeply.''
Comments
Psst: I'm pretty sure you can find a photo of the current Supreme Court if you search really hard, e.g., its website.
Posted by: a blinkin | May 1, 2009 6:32 PM
Other than Jack Bauer or the ghost of Zombie Reagan, I don't think the GOPer's will be happy with any nominee that President Obama chooses.
But don't worry. I'm sure the Wingutters won't be hypocrites after screaming "UP OR DOWN VOTE!" a thousand times during the Roberts and Alito nominations.....NOT!
In reality, we all know that the GOPer's will do nothing but scream, kick and shout like the petulant children that they are. They won't disapoint us.
Posted by: Lance Votto | May 1, 2009 7:55 PM
David Souter and JP Stevens are the only WASP members of the SCt.
WASPs are underrepresented!!!
We demand representation!!!
Actually, Souter and Stevens are THE class acts on the SCt over the past 20-30 years.
Very much in American judicial tradition.
Ideologues of the right have really destroyed the Court as a sort of carpenter's level of society.
Right has tried to take away from Congress its full legislative authority under the Commerce Clause.
And engaged in a lot of other bizarro pettifogging.
Souter's worst moment???
Well, can't really think of any clinkers. Very steady, high quality performance. Total class act. The "No Drama Obama" of the SCt.
Stevens--well, Jones v. Clinton might be one where he would regret thinking making a sitting President participate in a civil lawsuit would not be "too disruptive" of the discharge of Presidential duties.
Didn't quite work out that way, did it, JP?
Monica and Paula proved quite disruptive to the body politic.
Staying that little ole lawsuit might have been more prudential, eh?
Anyway, WASPS still are a large % of the American people, and we demand representation!
Maybe Ruben Castillo could be made an honorary WASP.
He's already a total class act.
Posted by: ornery | May 1, 2009 10:13 PM
“Souter's worst moment???”
.
“Well, can't really think of any clinkers.”
* * * * *
Posted by: ornery | May 1, 2009 10:13 PM
.
I can. Souter signed Stevens’ opinion in Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005). That case was a disaster that everyone hated; and rightly so.
Posted by: John W. | May 2, 2009 12:44 AM
You are not kidding about Kelo/New London.
I don't think he's going to be welcome back in his home town of Weare, NH because of that vote, one of many of his BAD VOTES.
http://www.cnht.org/news/2009/05/01/will-souter-be-welcome-in-weare/
Posted by: NH | May 2, 2009 12:35 PM
Good News for America, on Principle
News reports filtered through the mainstream media are best read by thinking people with a generous dollop of salt. The salt serves to add flavor and a degree of truth to those reports. There’s been some good news of late for patriotic Americans which, post-filtering, is being cast in a negative light.
Specifically, Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter has finally admitted what most people have long known, that he’s not a Republican. Actually, he has been a RINO, a Republican in Name Only, for decades, ever since he fled to the Republican Party to escape certain defeat as a Democrat.
The other tidbit of positive news is that Associate Supreme Court Justice David Souter has announced his retirement from SCOTUS. He has served for 19 years on the court as a living example of George H.W. Bush’s biggest mistake as president.
Arlen Specter: Specter’s bailout from the Republican Party was long overdue but, of course, he insisted on putting a positive political spin on his decision by suggesting he was making his move based on principle. God forbid that a United States Senator concede the truth as opposed to customary political prevarication which everyone including his plastic surgeons knew was a lie.
Arlen had as much chance of winning the Pennsylvania Republican nomination as Punxsutawney Pete has of escaping his groundhog prison. Arlen was due to get whupped in a primary next year: http://www.nypost.com/seven/04292009/postopinion/editorials/specters_principle__he_comes_first_166697.htm.
Returning from whence Specter came in 1965 when he pulled a similar switcheroo and for the same reason, the probability he was going to lose the next election, Specter is no loss and could very well be replaced next year by a true Republican, former Rep. Pat Toomey.
Much is being made of his giving Harry Reid a filibuster-proof majority, which is all poppycock. With Liberal RINO’s Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins already in Reid’s pocket and John McCain, who doesn’t seem to know what he is, thrashing about for an identity, the Dems don’t need Specter except for bragging rights, bragging that a Democrat has returned to the fold. Good bye, good luck and good riddance, Arlen, and do let the door hit you in the ass as you depart. It hasn’t been good to know ya!
It’s time for a clean sweep of the Republican Party and let the chips and the country fall where they may. Then we can pick up the pieces and un-make Obama’s “re-making of America” in his socialist image. America doesn’t need re-making. It needs a renewing by returning her to traditional values, limited government, and true prosperity devoid of overbearing Obamian bureaucrats in 2012.
David Souter: Before he packs himself off to New Hampshire to live out his days reflecting on how he fooled Bush 41 into thinking he had some Republican principles, David Souter should be given an award for being the greatest flim-flam chameleon of the last two decades.
With the notable exception. . .
(Read the rest at http://genelalor.com/)
Posted by: Gene Lalor | May 2, 2009 4:29 PM