US Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens to retire

Started by Netto Azure April 9th, 2010 10:30 AM
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  • 3 replies

Netto Azure

Kiel

Age 30
Male
Alistel, Vainqueur
Seen November 17th, 2021
Posted September 29th, 2021
9,467 posts
15 Years
US Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens to retire


The judge was nominated to the Supreme Court in 1975
Justice John Paul Stevens, the oldest member of the US Supreme Court, has announced he is to retire.
Justice Stevens leads the court's liberal bloc. His replacement will be nominated by President Barack Obama.
The judge, who turns 90 in 11 days time, says he will step down when the court finishes its work for the summer - in late June or early July.
His announcement has not come as a surprise, says the BBC's Steve Kingstone, in Washington.
Chief Justice John Roberts said in a written statement that Justice Stevens had earned the gratitude and admiration of the American people.
"He has enriched the lives of everyone at the court through his intellect, independence, and warm grace," he said.
Supreme Court justices serve for life and the US constitution gives the president sole authority to nominate them.
Nominations must be confirmed by the Senate.
Justice Stevens's polite, dignified interventions made him a likeable figure on the bench, but he was also a powerful intellectual and strategic presence, our correspondent adds.
He informed Mr Obama of his pending retirement in a one-paragraph letter addressed to "My dear Mr President".
Analysts say Justice Stevens's departure will not change the court's conservative-liberal split because President Obama is certain to name a liberal-leaning replacement.
The Washington Post, quoting aides and Democrats close to the process, named three people as likely candidates to replace Justice Stevens - Solicitor General Elena Kagan and federal judges Diane Wood and Merrick Garland.
It will be the second time in his presidency that Mr Obama makes such a nomination. Last year he named Sonia Sotomayor to replace retiring Justice David Souter.
Justice Stevens was nominated in 1975 by then US President Gerald Ford, to replace Justice William Douglas, who had retired.
Well get ready for another US Supreme Court Nomination Kabuki Theatre. Where the nominee will dance around the issues trying to portray "respectability" while not really answering anything.

twocows

The not-so-black cat of ill omen

Age 32
Male
Michigan
Seen February 19th, 2023
Posted April 30th, 2021
4,307 posts
14.2 Years
Justice John Paul Stevens is perhaps the only member of the Supreme Court I had an ounce of respect for. I may disagree with him often, but he always voted with respect to what was or was not in the spirit of the constitution and didn't let personal beliefs or biases get in the way; that's far more than can be said about any of the other dunderheads in there.
VNs are superior to anime, don't @ me

Esper

California
Seen June 30th, 2018
Posted June 30th, 2018
I heard about this on the radio today. While they were going over his history they read out part of his dissent in the Gore/Bush supreme court squabble.
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 have a lot of respect for someone who has the guts to be honest like that. I hope whoever takes his seat can do likewise.