DISQUS

Scy · 1 year ago

Now if we could only get Scalia and Thomas to take up Bungee jumping together.

Obama and Congress need to pack the Court. It's time to fundamentally change this country forever.

RainbowPhoenix · 1 year ago

Obama needs to appoint someone relatively young.

pat · 1 year ago

obama should get stevens and scalia to come over and hand in their resignations.
Thomas for being an incompetent goon and being in over his head.
Scalia for being a nutcase and friend to the traitor hansen.

Gary SF · 1 year ago

I'll spring for a free hunting trip for Scalia, Thomas, Alito and Roberts with Cheney. I'll even pay for the beers.

Nylund · 1 year ago

I always felt like a part of the Roberts appointment was to get someone young in the chief justice role who would be there for decades to come. Then again, maybe everyone does that, but it seems like Clinton nominees were older than the GOP ones.

Much like my beloved SF Giants, its time the Dems go with a youth movement.

SociologistTina · 1 year ago

This is really important. Thank you for including it.

Bostonian_Queer_in_Dallas · 1 year ago

And that is the sad part of this list. The liberal members are the ones about to retire or go. Unfortunately, America, there are consequences to elections and the younger court justices are post Reagan appointments. The only way to really change this court is through an impeachment process but it's very tough on the SCOTUS. They are the one branch of government that is pretty much above, or sposed to be above, politics. If Obama does not get eight years, I fear this court could be permanently rightwing. But then again someone could feed Scalia more lactic acid...he has IBS. I believe that Obama could demote Roberts. Doesn't he have that power? I've forgotten my HS civics.

BuddyNovinski · 1 year ago

The ideologies are amazing. This Court hasn't been this right-winged since Warren Harding put four reactionaries to the two already there on during his short tenure. By the time FDR became president, four of the six reactionaries were still on the Court, although not for long. Let's see: four moderates, one conservative, two reactionaries, and the most recent two leaning toward the reactionaries. It's time for liberals to balance the court. It's time for justices who actually uphold our rights! It's been a long time since Earl Warren left (39 years).
Names: Van Devanter, McReynolds, Taft, Sanders, Southerland, and Butler in 1923
Right-wing Scalia and Uncle Clarence Thomas in 2008, possibly Roberts and Alito
It's a good thing I was part of telling Reagan to Bork off back in 1987, which is why Kennedy is on the Court.

FredLane · 1 year ago

Readers might be interested in my most recent book, "The Court and the Cross: The Religious Right's Crusade to Reshape the Supreme Court" (Beacon 2008). It helps explain how we got here and the implications for separation of church and state. A paperback edition will be out in the spring. More info is available on my website.

ComradeRutherford · 1 year ago

"2 of the 9 were chosen by a Democrat"

And it's a testament as to how far to the right this once-great nation has moved that 2 of those appointed by Republicans are now considered leftists.

iamevolved · 1 year ago

That's not a Supreme Court, it's a retirement home. Jesus, can you imagine the old person smell on that court?

truebluecoondog · 1 year ago

Can you tell us which ones are in poor health?

Boycottutah · 1 year ago

Wow! We are very lucky that McCain did not win. Imagine if President Palin got to appoint bible thumping theocrats! Ugh!

Boycottutah · 1 year ago

Obama is a social conservative, but he like the majority of the African American community is pro-choice. He may think that same sex marriage is wrong because "God is in the mix", but I do think he will appoint pro-choice judges. I am not so hopeful as to Obama appointing any judges who do not see LGBT individuals as second class members of our society as he clearly does.

RitornaVincitor · 1 year ago

Geez. I never realized that 45% of the Court was appointed by a Bush. We'll be digging our way out of the Bush legacy for decades.

At least Bush Sr. appointed Souter which pretty much nullified the effect of Thomas, his other pick. Thomas has voted differently than Scalia only a handful of times, and all recently. I think he got tired of hearing the criticism that he hasn't an original thought in his head.)

I'll never forget talking to friends in Europe. They all seemed to understand why America invaded Iraq. They hated that we did it, and they were ashamed for us and very disappointed, but they all understood that the American had been blinded by 9/11 and wasn't thinking clearly. But it was the reelection of Bush in 2004 that just floored them. The evidence was already clear that he'd lied us into Iraq. That's when they really lost respect for America. And of course it was in Bush's second term that he got his two SC appointments. What a disaster!