William Rehnquist is dead, and his death brings up a number of questions.
Of course it brings up the question of the Supreme Court and what the new balance will be now that John Roberts will be taking over and Sandra Day O'Connor's space still needs to be filled.
For me, it also brings up the question of why an 80-year-old man wanted to work basically until the day of his death. It was obvious he was very, very sick, so why continue working?
I suppose he may have continued as a way to cheat death, thinking as long as he kept going he wouldn't die.
More likely he had achieved a point of such status and importance in this country, both today and in the annals of history, that nothing else seemed any more attractive in his last days. Why relax and try to enjoy smelling a flower or watching kids play, or any of the other things you're supposed to value so much in this life, when what you really love doing is putting on a big robe and having meaty dialogues about the biggest issues the country and world face?
Hell, I guess I would've gone out the same way.
You weren't really my cup of tea, Mr. Rehnquist, but I hope you sucked the marrow out of life. From here it looks like you did.
Ed/Pub:LM
Article comments
1 - RJ
Good post.
Honestly, what were his options? He could have retired, and lived for a few months lying in a bed, in severe pain, and doing nothing at all productive or meaningful.
Or, he could continue his work until he could no longer physically do so, and then call his loved ones to his bedside for his final moments.
He chose the latter. I'd like to think I would have, too.
He was a good man. RIP, CJ, RIP...
2 - steve
rehnquist was a fair man. rest in peace CJ! great CJ replacement choice by bush, by the way!! I have faith in Roberts
3 - Bob A. Booey
I honestly think Rehnquist's primary reason and main idea for staying on into his last days was to stay on the Court for at least the fall term and mentor Roberts toward his vision of the law to ensure that he remained a principled conservative and didn't become another O'Connor. I'm sure Bush was hoping for the same as well. So perhaps it's fitting that Rehnquist's former clerk will likely fill his shoes -- I think it does a lot to ensure Roberts stays conservative and honors the legacy of his mentor. He's more likely to try and establish his own, principled philosophy as Chief and he won't give into the freedom to be a swing vote that he might as Associate Justice.
Rehnquist's death also throws a real monkey wrench into the plans of a really smart person I used to be friendly with.
That is all.
4 - steve
and you liberals thought DUBYA was stupid. sheesh. He is going to have a chief justice for thirty years, easy!! way to go DUBYA!! good foresight!! I applaud you.
5 - Eric Berlin
So you're arguing that Bush's genius lies in having the luck to be a sitting President at the fortuitous time of a Chief Justice's death?
How is that foresight?
6 - steve
It is foresight in nominating Roberts because now the conservatives will have a conservative chief justice for thirty some odd years, you jackass. way to go DUBYA