Okay folks. Justice Stevens is reportedly "very ill"... He is 86.

if he is unable to continue his duties throughout the next two years, what will become of the United States? There will be a 5/4 split.

Scalia
Thomas
Roberts
Alito
New Appointee

Kennedy (mixed conservative)
Souter
Breyer
Ginsburg

No matter WHAT the outcome of the election, we must demand that our representatives refuse to accept a new extremist appointee such Justice Stevens retire. We must. No excuses. No preparing for 2008. NO EXCUSES.

If Bush appoints another extremist, it will be the absolute death of America for the next 20-30 years.

any stories online?

what is the cause of his illness?

I posted there. But, a google news search of John Paul Stevens yields a couple articles about him, not suggesting illness, and some stuff about the Philadelphia Flyers' new head coach, John Stevens.

and that he knew because he had spoken to a friend of the family. I don't see any reason to wholesale discredit the report, although it certainly may not be true. REGARDLESS. Justice Stevens is 86 years old. We certainly should face the reality that he might need to retire within the next two years. We need to make sure that if this happens, the dems-- whether they control the Congress or not-- need to fight like hell against an extremist nominee.

I'm pretty sure that happened.

If a Democratic Senate gets elected, Stevens dies, and a lame-duck Republican Senate is in charge of confirming a new appointee, that doesn't bode well for us (or freedom).

I am really hoping that this is just a rumor

I think it would be hard to put a lid on something like this for a whole day, even a Friday. Nonetheless, I could be wrong. I really hope I'm not.

I REALLY hope you're not as well.

I hope that Justice Stevens is healthy enough to go jogging in the morning while we're all worrying.

Bless his heart he is 86. Hang in there, Justice! :hug:

All the more reason to vote for all Democrats -- including Harold Ford.

when we win, we need to force the yellow bellies to actually OPPOSE his nominees.

They just hate fighting losing battles.

Many expected the Roman Empire to last forever. Seems like 200+ years is about the most civilization the human race can handle.

and turn out? Could Rove use this right now, to get the fundies fired up?

back by centuries. No freedom of choice for women and no affirmative action.

If they are able to steal this one it's game, set and match. They will soon be able to amend the constitution at will by using these techniques that will never be investigated at every political level. They probably already are. We simply must fight to get as many people out as we can and make the theft so obvious it can't be ignored. This really is "the back against the wall" scenario for what America is about. If we can't win let's at least go out like Tony Montana. Your post is another great reminder of why we must not think it's "in the bag" and fight like we're 20 points down.

Make the calls, put out the signs, talk to people and fucking vote for the Democratic Party!

:kick:

Hey- Limbaugh, too for that matter.

We should all send them some McDonald's gift certificates.

I have no confidence in them standing up for democracy anymore. ie; Leiberman.

It's all about the numbers. Without control of the Senate there is NOTHING that they can do except ehine and moan.

...they're too afraid the Republican's will beat them up in the locker rooms after session.

there is nothing we can do.

Wouldn't put it past them, although for an 86-year old to be gravely ill is not uncommon.

In either case, the danger to our country is manifest if the Dems fail to gain a majority in the Senate (or fail to use it).

They'll ask Jesus to kill him real soon and painful-like... they'll even get the kids to ask for it in their nightly prayers.

I can almost hear it now...

"God Bless, Mommy
God Bless, Daddy
God Bless, My Dog Spot...
Oh Yeah... and Lord, could you kill that fucking Liberal America-Hating Commie on the Supreme Court for us? Make it a gruesome painful death that shows how merciful you are to us who follow in your footsteps.
Amen."