September 18, 2020

Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died!

I just heard it announced on Fox News.

ADDED: "Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Champion Of Gender Equality, Dies At 87" (NPR).

AND: What a grand figure in the history of American constitutional law! How tenaciously she hung onto life. I remember where I was when I heard that President Clinton had nominated her. I was truly thrilled to have a second woman on the Supreme Court, and I followed her writing so closely over the years. What a giant!

ALSO:

167 comments:

steve uhr said...

Very sad.

stevew said...

Wow.

I was told this was not likely or possible.

Break out the popcorn, let's see how our President Troll plays this!

Rory said...

RIP. Stay classy.

Achilles said...

There goes the neighborhood.

I'm Full of Soup said...

May God bless her. And may Trump appoint a replacement fast!

Unknown said...

Boy, now the campaign is *really* going to get crazy!

WisRich said...

Wow. RIP Ruth. She was one tough bird.

Achilles said...

On the other hand I just told my wife Ruth Bader Ginsburg died.

"Who?"

I expect a complete meltdown.

This could not have come at a worse time for team China.

Tomcc said...

This is going to be painful to endure. 2020 is a watershed year.

Michael K said...

That will throw the cat amongst the pigeons. Hard to know who will be more motivated. Joe has not motivated many.

Marshall Rose said...

Time for a quick nomination and confirmation!

Ram it down their throats!

tcrosse said...

I question the timing.

Jon Ericson said...

Keep it civil.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

May she rest in peace. And may the country move in a direction where the makeup of the supreme court does not matter so much.

mockturtle said...

RIP, Ruth. You were a strong old gal!

Odi said...

May she rest in peace and God have mercy on her soul.

Now Joe will be forced to put out a list of names of who he would nominate to replace her... but there will only be one person who will be acceptable to the left. Michelle Obama.

chuck said...

I'm sorry to hear that, but it is not a surprise. We who are left behind will now experience the dial turned to 13, maybe even 666. Is it too late to go on vacation?

Mark said...

May God take her into His embrace.

Ralph L said...

CBS is preempting Jeopardy! Sacrilege!

Mark said...

So, will all those anti-Trumpers who vowed to vote for Biden now change their minds?

Elections have consequences.

clint said...

2020 is going to go down in the books as the year in which everyone's political BINGO cards were filled in -- all 25 squares.

RNB said...

Her dying statement: "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed." So if Donald Trump is re-elected, she expects her seat to be kept vacant for at least four years?

tcrosse said...

The plot thickens.

Rick said...

Wow. On top of everything else its the Kavanaugh shitshow on steroids.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Wow. Will McConnell schedule a vote before the election?

NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...

RIP. Sorry for her and her loved ones.

404 Page Not Found said...

Trump needs to replace her tomorrow. Democrats have declared unlimited war, time to fight back.

Mcbean. Coco Mcbean. said...

...and 2020 gets even crazier. RIP To the Justice.

Tommy Duncan said...

I'm sorry to say my initial reaction was quite cynical owing to the potential political implications.

I'll try again: Rest in peace Justice Ginsburg.

Drago said...

steve uhr: "Very sad."

Lefties take time out from celebrating Herman Cain's death to lament the passing of a leftist jurist.

Drago said...

Mark: "So, will all those anti-Trumpers who vowed to vote for Biden now change their minds?"

Are you kidding?

The masks are completely off. The never trump/anti trumpers are fully onboard Team Marxism.

Without exception.

5M - Eckstine said...

Rest in Peace and condolences for her family. Its tough to lose a loved one. She carried her ideals to the end which is more than I can say for myself.

I would wish Trump to appoint her replacement with celerity and stabilize the country.

Lucid-Ideas said...

@RNB

"My most fervent wish..."

@Jon Ericson

"Keep it civil"

What? No civility bullshit tag?

Drago said...

tcrosse: "I question the timing."

The lefties are already in full conspiracy mode and this is going to accelerate.

They are now claiming that Trump had RBG killed because he knows he is going to lose.

I would not be surprised if the democrats called for Trump to be arrested for murder.

Browndog said...

Friday night news dump.

So, how long has she been dead?

heyboom said...

A very accomplished woman who made a real impact on this country. RIP to an influential American.

rcocean said...

Thank God! Sorry to be so harsh, but that's the only way to have EVER gotten her out of office and she was 87. Do you understand how few people make it to 87? She had an incredibly lucky, long life. She was also an extreme left-wing menace to everything that's good in America. Her Immigration rulings and attempts to thwart Trump at every turn were undemocratic and unconstitutional.

Lets see what those loser Republican goofs in the Senate do. Look for mittens, Collins, and Lisa Murkey to try to have the seat filled AFTER the election. Because they're so...severely conservative!

OSU '92 said...

RIP RBG. But it does make settling any potential 2020 Presidential election disputes through the SC a little more interesting now.

Lucid-Ideas said...

@RNB

After that little anecdote, I'm profoundly hopeful she doesn't get her wish. Sorry, not all estate planning goes according to one's plans.

Qwinn said...

This is the part where Democrats try to pretend that, if the situation were reversed, they'd wait till after the election.

Or that they'd always replace a Republican with another Republican, "because balance".

Heh.

You don't get to call the other side Nazis for years on end and then pretend you'd treat them as a loyal opposition when you regain power.

Browndog said...

The republicans are not going to hold the Senate. It's now or never for a Trump judge.
Democrats will keep that seat vacant for 4 years it that's what it takes.

john said...

The Republican Party has already proclaimed that no SCOTUS nominee will be considered during an election year. They voted on it and they stuck to it. Good for them.

I can always support a party that sticks to its principles.

Rory said...

"Her dying statement"

How's that for the country coming together?

rcocean said...

Its amazing how the Left rejoices in the death of every Center-right person, or that's their first impulse. But the First impulse of the conservative moderates is to play tone police. And worry that someone won't be "civil".

We should always turn the other cheek, even if we're not Christians! Because its not whether you win or lose, its how you play the game. Meanwhile, the Left says: "Just win baby, just win".

BTW, what is the effect of a 4-4- decision? I can definitely see Trump-Biden going to the SCOTUS. what happens if its not 5-4 but 4-4?

clint said...

Several people on Instapundit are pointing out that this means any federal court cases about the election could end in a Supreme Court 4-4 tie.

Drago said...

john: "The Republican Party has already proclaimed that no SCOTUS nominee will be considered during an election year. They voted on it and they stuck to it. Good for them.

I can always support a party that sticks to its principles."

What a sad and pathetic little lie this is.

What McConnell actually said: no vote on a nominee when the Senate and White House are held by different parties and the President is not running for reelection.

But its still funny reading sad little missives like john's.

Fun Question: would the dems, who have already announced they are nuking the filibuster for ALL legislation, fail to install a justice?

Uh, no.

And I'll bet McConnell already has the commitment of 51 R's to move ahead. And nominating a woman to fill the seat will keep the others on board. Not even spineless Mitt would oppose a woman.

Clyde said...

87 is “don’t buy any green bananas” territory. She should have retired when Obama was President and could have replaced her with someone of his choosing, but because of her hubris, she did not. Interesting times coming up.

Marcus Carman said...

Trump needs to get the Senators of Alaska, Utah and most importantly Maine on the phone immediately and ask them to help him make the decision on filling this seat. It's the only way to successfully fill this seat before election day.

Dave Begley said...

RBG is trying to exert dead hand control of the judiciary. Can’t do it.

Tyrone Slothrop said...

There is no need for Trump and McConnell to wait. RBG's replacement needs to be confirmed ASAP, or sooner.

rcocean said...

I don't know what country all you people live in, but in my USA, Ginsberg has probably had more negative effect on the law, and the courts, than anyone except Teddy Kennedy. I don't even think she was a particularly great justice. She just voted the extreme left party line on almost every case for the last 28 years. Of course, it could have been worse. We could have elected Hillary. Imagine how all the SCOTUS rulings would've gone with a 6-3 leftwing majority.

The Republicans need to strike while the iron's hot. And try to get a nominee through. Lets see what Mitch is made of.

Drago said...

This is for john:

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/08/republicans-ready-supreme-court-vacancy-243574

“My guess is yes. That’s ultimately a decision the leader makes. But I think you’ve heard him speak to the subject before. He believes if there was a vacancy, he’d fill it,” said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the GOP whip. “Confirmation hearings in the age of COIVD-19 would be very interesting but I’m sure no less contentious than the last one.”

Drago said...

Something tells me McConnell has been prepping for just this scenario for months.

Lyle said...

Maybe the Clintons killed her as an election ploy. They needed a 40 something day out media cycle thing to help Biden out. This seems plausible, right?

God rest her soul. From afar seemed a strong and tough human being.

BarrySanders20 said...

Prediction: Paul Clement, Cedarburg, WI, for the replacement.

Unknown said...

The Republican Party did no such thing, john.
McConnell addressed opposing parties holding the House and Senate with a lame-duck President. That isn’t the issue here.

RNB said...

No time to grind through the Senate confirmation process between now and Election Day. Trump would do best to say he is honoring Justice Ginsburg's final wish and announce a list of candidates for after the election. It's the sort of display of confidence that will whip the Democrats into a frenzy.

BarrySanders20 said...

Clyde said...
87 is “don’t buy any green bananas” territory. She should have retired when Obama was President and could have replaced her with someone of his choosing, but because of her hubris, she did not. Interesting times coming up.

Cut Ruth some slack -- like everyone else in DC, she knew Hillary was going to win.

gspencer said...

Now THAT is an incredible October surprise !

roesch/voltaire said...

RIP such a person of integrity now let us see if Mitch has the same amount or will he play the usual hypocrisy card and ignore his previous actions?

Leland said...

I didn't agree with her, but she was a role model for many that worked hard while suffering a disease not to be wished on anyone. Rest in peace.

Christopher said...

I think I'm going to ignore all social media for the next few weeks.

GingerBeer said...

It's 2020, go for it. What's the worse that could happen?

Doc g said...

The smartest thing trump could do is appoint a conservative black female justice and dare the democrats to go after her during the senate hearings.

Drago said...

I stand corrected. McConnell only needs 50 Senators.

The VP breaks any ties.

So Murkowski, Romney and Collins could all vote no.

Sorry Cory, but you may be odd man out.

And if anyone thinks it will be a "bad thing" for McSally to vote for a gal jurist in the lead up to the election....well. That's just funny.

Readering said...

Senate goes home to campaign until election October 12. There will not be an FBI check on whomever Trump nominates before then. 1 Republican Senator, from Alaska, on record saying wait for the next Administration. I bet Collins and Romney concur. 1 more?





steve uhr said...

Drago. Show some class for once.

MadisonMan said...

That's a long life. Privileged and well-lived. May she rest in peace. I hope her family can find comfort.

Browndog said...

rcocean said...

I don't know what country all you people live in, but in my USA, Ginsberg has probably had more negative effect on the law, and the courts, than anyone except Teddy Kennedy. I don't even think she was a particularly great justice. She just voted the extreme left party line on almost every case for the last 28 years.


Agreed.

You cannot hold her up as a highly respected jurist if you've read just a few of her dissents.

Not happy about anyone dying, but very happy that poison is no longer on the Court.

Matt said...

Wow! What a year this is.

Fingers crossed Trump gives us the day off for her funeral like with HW Bush.

Marcus Carman said...

Ginsburg knew how important maintaining the independence of the court was. That's why she couldn't appear to be bending to Obama's wish for her to retire.

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

Will McConnell schedule a vote before the election?

No way. The squishy Republicans would never allow it. My cynical side said the Dems would have a candidate and vote before the end of the month.

This is really bad timing for Trump. He can't get a replacement in and the Dems (who were pretty depressed) will be hugely motivated now.

Marcus Carman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
gspencer said...

Ginsburg, who will be the subject of her own biopic later this year, said she was taking a page out of Justice John Paul Stevens’s book. He stepped down at the age of 90 in 2010. “I’m now 85,” she said, explaining “My senior colleague, Justice John Paul Stevens, he stepped down when he was 90, so I think I have about at least five more years.”

https://fortune.com/2018/07/30/ruth-bader-ginsburg-age-retirement-trump/

MikeD said...

Watching "evil" Fox New's Marsha MacCallum's show and Fox New's Shannon Bream just gave, off the cuff, the best obit for Justice Ginsberg. She was fighting back tears for the entire segment. BTW, her politics aside, I can find no rational reason to dislike/hate anybody who was a close friend of Justice Scalia.

Phil 314 said...

Shit just got real

Mark said...

I question the timing.

Dying on Rosh Hashanah?

Lots of possible meaning there.

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

election disputes decided by a 4-4 court?

Days until election: 46
Days until senate inauguration: 107
Days until presidential inauguration: 124

Days between nomination and confirmation
Kavanaugh: 89
Gorsuch: 66
Kagan: 87
Sotomayor: 66
Alito: 82
Roberts: 62
Breyer: 73
Ginsburg: 50
Thomas: 99
per @AndrewSolender

Lisa Murkowski announces she will NOT vote to replace RBG on SCOTUS until after Election Day, saying, "fair is fair."

Days before her death, Ginsburg reportedly dictated this statement to her granddaughter: "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed." -
·

Michael said...

Holy hand grenades, Batman. That will set the fox among the chickens.

Big Mike said...

This is going to put increased emphasis on the senatorial elections.

NCMoss said...

Rest in Peace, RBG and condolences to her family. Even though her politics differed from mine, I hope she receives a warm and dignified send off.

Joe Smith said...

She was a hack lawyer. Never once was I surprised by her vote.

If the Dems held the senate and White House, Chuckie would be full speed ahead.

Hoping the Republicans have balls...not holding my breath.

MikeD said...

President Trump has his list of potential SCOTUS nominees, let him release his pick and challenge Harris, oops, I meant Joey to release his/theirs.

tommyesq said...

BTW, what is the effect of a 4-4- decision? I can definitely see Trump-Biden going to the SCOTUS. what happens if its not 5-4 but 4-4?

In case of a tie, the underlying court's decision stands.

Jersey Fled said...

May she rest in peace.

If the Republicans are smart they will not comment on a replacement until a respectful period of time has past - at least until after she is laid to rest.

As to Michelle being Biden's nominee, Michelle doesn't want the job. She's happier being the former first lady.

Biden will have to announce his list. Will he box himself in again by declaring which race and gender ticket he wants to punch?

john said...

McConnell: "The American people may well elect a president who decides to nominate Judge Garland for Senate consideration. The next president may also nominate someone very different. Either way, our view is this: Give the people a voice in the filling of this vacancy." From his last sentence it doesnt seem that he was parsing between a lame duck and an incumbant running for reelection. Also, Obama had 11 months left in office.

tommyesq said...

I don't know what country all you people live in, but in my USA, Ginsberg has probably had more negative effect on the law, and the courts, than anyone except Teddy Kennedy. I don't even think she was a particularly great justice.

I note that the one case cited by NPR to show her greatness was a 7-1 decision that she authored. 7-1 means that her vote would not have changed anything, and VMI would have been gender-integrated whether she was on the court or not.

rhhardin said...

The senate would not confirm a quick nomination "out of respect," meaning flummox Trump if he doesn't "act presidential." The deep state effect among republicans.

So Trump might as well play deep respect himself.

She stayed in office far too long, producing a respect/disrespect linkage herself.

madAsHell said...

Fuck!! The dramatic irony will be evident in the history books.

Mueller, impeachment, and now the peril of Trump appointing another justice. This is a get-out-the-vote issue after four years of OrangeManBad.

How long have they had her on ice?

Do you wonder why ammunition, and firearms are flying off the shelf?

I mean....the ammo thing REALLY bothers me. I can't believe there is no ammunition available in the USA!!

dreams said...

The dirty Democrats are having a bad year, they're going do something really bad and I can't even imagine what it'll be but I know it'll be awful.

Heatshield said...

Predicting that “out of respect for RGB”, Dems will cancel the debates.

I'm Not Sure said...

"And may the country move in a direction where the makeup of the supreme court does not matter so much."

In order for this to happen, the federal government would need to be scaled back such that its day-to-day impact on individual Americans was reduced to a minimum. Could this happen? Who knows? One thing's for sure- it'll never happen if democrats have anything to say about it.

Matt Sablan said...

The bigger question is: After Kavanaugh... who in their right mind would WANT to be nominated during an election year?

I think for their safety and sanity, just wait.

rhhardin said...

A log of blogs are calling for respect for the dead, which I assume means that nobody actually has any respect for her.

Why not let opinions split on the matter.

Joe Smith said...

Her funeral will make Lenin's look like a modest little affair.

What is the over/under...two weeks?

cold pizza said...

Anyone seen Judge Amy Barrett around? Last I heard, she was on the very short list to replace RBG when the inevitable inevited. -CP

Bob Boyd said...

RBGLM

rhhardin said...

As I recall, Ginsburg didn't set any records in civility; and hung on based on political opinion rather than legal opinion. So I don't see any good character example there. I'd suspect nobody is interested in her personally except family. Legally she was a train wreck.

What example did she set to follow. Here's a place to say something nice, if anybody knows of anything.

heyboom said...

I am strongly suspicious of the alleged "death statement". I can't imagine her being that filled with hate that she would muster the last of her strength on something so spiteful. It sounds more like something one of her team ginned up for effect.

Mark said...

Hannity comes on. So I leave.

Mark said...

Will McConnell schedule a vote before the election?
No way. The squishy Republicans would never allow it.


Try again.

Tina Trent said...

Why be civil? Was she temperate or civil about us?

You reap what you sow. She especially despised police. So, screw her.

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

Filling the seat before the election takes it off the table as an election issue. The run-up may energize the Donks but getting a judge confirmed before the election will demoralize wide swaths of Donk voterdom. Go for it.

Rick said...

"My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed."

How fitting that her last breath was partisan politics the same as every other breath.

Oso Negro said...

Good riddance. Hello

rhhardin said...

Here's a train wreck from September 15th, that's like RBG's legal train wreck.
Santa Fe Junction, KS

It's not a horrible fatal mess but screws up everything until somebody can clean it up.

Howard said...

Polonium Poisoned by Putin

Openidname said...

Hmmm. Did President Trump somehow know this was coming when he put out his top 20 list?

Marc said...

In addition to so many other things about her, I loved her friendship with Antonin Scalia.

Marcus Bressler said...

God will judge her. Harshly, I believe.

THEOLDMAN

Hammond X. Gritzkofe said...

Recently? Or perhaps several weeks ago.

I Callahan said...

Dems (who were pretty depressed) will be hugely motivated now.

There are ZERO Dems in the United States who are any more motivated than they already were. I don’t think this changes anything. If anything, it motivates some who are skeptical of Trump to vote for him anyway.

Eric said...

Jimi Hendrix died 50 years ago on this date. Had he lived, he would be ten years younger than RGB.

Unknown said...

If only Roberts would croak

We could break the liberal block

Sebastian said...

"What a grand figure in the history of American constitutional law!"

Prediction: she won't be remembered for anything except her consistent hard-core liberalism, the very model of party-line living constitutionalism.

Wince said...

Sympathies aside, it does seems like RGB knowingly served up a shit-show for the country on her way out the door.

Shannon Bream got RGB's law school wrong. Columbia not Harvard.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

That was quick. Way to go Cocaine Mitch!

YoungHegelian said...

For, RBG, the Kel Maleh Rachamin, what I think is one of the more beautiful Jewish prayers:

O God, full of compassion, Who dwells on high, grant true rest upon the wings of the Shechinah, in the exalted spheres of the holy and pure, who shine as the resplendence of the firmament, to the soul of Ruth, daughter of Nathan, who has gone to her [supernal] world, for charity has been donated in remembrance of her soul; may her place of rest be in Gan Eden. Therefore, may the All-Merciful One shelter her with the cover of His wings forever, and bind her soul in the bond of life. The Lord is her heritage; may she rest in her resting-place in peace; and let us say: Amen.

Certainly not one of my favorite Supremes, but if politics doesn't stop at the water's edge, it certainly stops at the grave.

Yancey Ward said...

She was definitely living on borrowed time. RIP.

Readering said...

a lot of weird takes here.

Yancey Ward said...

In retrospect, she should have retired in 2014.

rhhardin said...

Plan for a state funeral, courtesy of Lautreamont

The priest of religions heads the procession, holding in one hand a white flag, the sign of peace, and in the other a golden device depicting the male and female privy parts, as if to indicate that these carnal members are most of the time, all metaphor apart, very dangerous tools in the hands of those employing them, when manipulated blindly to different and conflicting ends, instead of engendering a timely reaction against that well-known passion which causes nearly all our ills. To the small of his back is attached a horse's tail, thick and flowing, which sweeps dust off the ground. It means, beware of debasing ourselves by our behaviour to the level of animals. The coffin knows the way and moves behind the billowing vestment of the comforter. The relatives and friends of the deceased, demonstrating their position, have decided to bring up the rear of the procession. The latter advances majestically like a vessel that cleaves the open sea, and does not fear the phenomenon of sinking; for at this moment tempests and reefs are conspicuous only by their understandable absence.

Ralph L said...

What is the over/under...two weeks?

Too bad she wasn't Orthodox.

Guildofcannonballs said...

---When given a choice between the life of a friend and pushing forward with profoundly anti-American, anti-freedom, and anti-Constitutional policies, Ginsburg doesn’t hesitate to say, “Think what would have happened had Justice Scalia remained with us.”--- https://www.redstate.com/streiff/2016/07/11/ruth-bader-ginsburg-glad-antonin-scalia-dead/

rhhardin said...

What a grand figure in the history of American constitutional law! How tenaciously she hung onto life. I remember where I was when I heard that President Clinton had nominated her. I was truly thrilled to have a second woman on the Supreme Court, and I followed her writing so closely over the years. What a giant!

She's the most praised woman since Princess Diana.

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

from july:

Republican leaders vow to fill a potential Supreme Court vacancy this year, despite some apprehension

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/20/politics/supreme-court-senate-republicans-election-year/index.html

out:
Pierre Delecto(?)
Collins
Grassley
Murkowski

Mitch McConnell - “President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate."
The McConnell rule was always no SCOTUS noms in an election year --but only if WH and Senate are controlled by different parties. This was explicit.

rhhardin said...

Some other death than the one you're holding off takes you, tenacious or not.

I'm Not Sure said...

What to do now? I don't know. What would the democrats do if positions were reversed?

Drago said...

The only remaining question: how many women will john accuse Amy Coney Barrett of raping?

I will set the dem/LLR hoax rape allegations over/under at 73.

rehajm said...

What example did she set to follow. Here's a place to say something nice, if anybody knows of anything.

Despite her highly partisan liberal beliefs she maintained a close friendship with a strong conservative.

Enlighten-NewJersey said...

The Democrats were mad that the vacancy remained open until after the election. Republicans In a spirit of bipartisanship should do as Democrats demanded last time. Fill the seat.

Yancey Ward said...

This probably explains the lack of air freshener in the grocery stores I have noticed the last month or so.

Unknown said...

In my life, I've never seen the dials line up and click, one after another like they have in the last four years. I'm Annie's age. Sorry for the familiarity Ann, but when all is said and done, we are all just children playing on a playground.

25 years ago, I had a dream. I saw people being shot in the head walking down the street if they had gray hair.

The way I interpreted it then, was that kids' would get pissed off about the broke Ponzi scheme of Social Security/Medicare. It's not about that though. Kids are calling for Medicare For All. Oh, children...That money was stolen.

In 1962 our Supreme Court determined that the First Amendment of the Constitution, meant all levels of the 'State', down to the Local School District must censor any expression of Religion. 'Free Expression'? NO. Clever Lawyers deceiving Clever Justices. The founders understood Human Nature. We still ignore it. We think we have power to overcome it. We don't.

Then, of course 1973...the vessels God designed, however imperfect, to hold a soul, can be killed. There are penumbras, after all.

I'm not a Law Professor. I'm just a carpenter.

No President in my lifetime ever had a Pastor that gave a prayer 'in the name of Jesus the Christ.' That was never allowed. Buckle your seatbelt, open your heart.

We are all just children playing on a playground.

rhhardin said...

It's a time to be ruthless.

I Use Computers to Write Words said...

I saw Ruth Bader Ginsburg in person once in my life. A couple years ago, I woke very early and went to view the court announce their opinions for the day.

Ginsburg did not write any of the opinions, so I did not hear her speak, all I could do was see her. She was incredibly small, in the way that only the very old can be, and curled up in her chair.

But of course as Althouse says, she was a giant, not with her body but with her mind. RIP.

Unknown said...

BTW...Females don't own RBG's Supreme Court seat. First of all, it's not her seat. Our Yin/Yang has been way out of balance since females got Affirmative Action Preference in the '80s. 60% female/40% male college admissions? Look girls, everyone knows you hate that. Your lesbian feminist Professors revel in it. Dye your hair pink, gain a 100 lbs of health destroying fat. Put a ring in your nose. Well, you certainly showed the Patriarchy!

Mary Beth said...

I am skeptical that her "most fervent wish" was a dying statement. I might believe it was made months ago or that it is fake but accurate.

I would like to think of her with the respect that her life achievements deserve but I'm having a hard time getting past what I think was a very selfish choice in her decision not to retire earlier.

Michael K said...

Sebastian said...
"What a grand figure in the history of American constitutional law!"

Prediction: she won't be remembered for anything except her consistent hard-core liberalism, the very model of party-line living constitutionalism.


Exactly. And, I agree with Yancey that she should have retired in 2014. Ego.

The Genius Savant said...

What makes her “a grand figure of constitutional law” other than her sex? She had no discernible judicial philosophy other than “what the Leftist outcome is, that’s what I’m for”? None of her opinions are memorable or even held up as such. She was the ultimate “homer” for Leftist outcomes on the Supreme Court. If that makes her a “giant” I weep for constitutional law.

Rt41Rebel said...

"Hmmm. Did President Trump somehow know this was coming when he put out his top 20 list?"

Most of us are surprised RBG lived this long. She was in her late 80s, had been battling serious medical issues for at least a few years now and had been rumored to be dead at least twice before now in the last 6 months.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Fill the bench! Fill the bench! Fill the bench!

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

Suckie Schumer says the Supreme Court vacancy should not be filled
"until we have a new president."

...why should we wait 5 years?

n.n said...

Two sexes equal in rights and complementary in Nature. RIP

Amy Coney Barrett

Barrett is the right choice.

n.n said...

should not be filled "until we have a new president."

...why should we wait 5 years?


Good point. 5 years? 4 years? 16 trimesters would be too long, and leave the court in a marginally viable state. He shouldn't wait even 1 trimester. Good luck, Barrett.

mockturtle said...

Apparently she loved opera so she wasn't all bad.

Narayanan said...

As champion of woman equally Ruth will resurrect on Sunday. Third day prophecy.

Bunkypotatohead said...

"AND: What a grand figure in the history of American constitutional law! How tenaciously she hung onto life. I remember where I was when I heard that President Clinton had nominated her. I was truly thrilled to have a second woman on the Supreme Court, and I followed her writing so closely over the years. What a giant!"

This is the exact opposite of what I would expect a constitutional law professor to say about Ginsburg. She voted based on her political desires and little else. The constitution meant nothing to her.

Narayanan said...

Blogger Joe Smith said...
Her funeral will make Lenin's look like a modest little affair.

What is the over/under...two weeks
,,,,,
For observing Jew before sunrise Saturday.
Otherwise good refrigeration can keep till Election Day

Rosalyn C. said...

YoungHegelian -- a nice post for erev Rosh Hashana. A very kind gesture to a woman who had a tremendous impact in life, who held on to the very last drop of her life and had the strength to ignore all her so called supporters who condemned her for not quitting while Obama was in office. She is repected by even those who opposed her politics. As she pointed out to her vicious friends, there is no way of knowing what any justice will be like on the court, and while she had the power to go "full steam," she was reliable.

Maybe we can all step back from the fray for a day. That's a good way to start a new year. RIP, Ruth.

walter said...

If honesty is a virtue in a justice, has she been?

Kelly said...

A Supreme Court justice shouldn’t be this important. The riots, the melt downs, the utter hysteria we’re about to endure. She apparently thought she was irreplaceable to hold on through so many health crises and that’s says a lot about her ego.

Gahrie said...

She had no discernible judicial philosophy other than “what the Leftist outcome is, that’s what I’m for”? None of her opinions are memorable or even held up as such. She was the ultimate “homer” for Leftist outcomes on the Supreme Court.

That, and the fact that she was a woman, is precisely why the Left loved and revered her.

Bruce Hayden said...

“But, this is a wonderful tactical opportunity for Trump. Nominate someone and THEN challenge Biden to offer HIS preferred choice. If he chooses someone, then he will be attacked for the choice (no choice is perfect, and whatever choice Biden would make would have to satisfy so much of the hard left as to be unacceptable to the general voting population). If Biden declines (as he certainly would) he looks weak and vacillating. Worse still (for him, anyway) even if Biden says nothing, the various coalition members in the Democratic party will tear each other apart trying to get THEIR preferred nominee through the door. Watching blacks vs women vs socialists vs etc. (note: that etc. caucus is really nasty!) should be amusing, and Biden cannot resolve the argument without pissing some of them off.”

“Amy Coney Barrett”

“Barrett is the right choice.”

Strategically, I think that she is probably the best choice. How do the Democrats attack her? A good Catholic with a lot of kids? Realistically, the Dems should support her, or at least not attack her. But Orange Man Bad, so the Dems will have to reflexively attack her. They ate already in trouble with the Hispanics. How is that going to work attacking a good Catholic woman with a lot of kids? Not good timing for the Dems if they want to win in November.

buwaya said...

"Did President Trump somehow know this was coming when he put out his top 20 list?"

It had to have been known, among those who get this information, that she was finally on her deathbed, for weeks, maybe.

We don't know these things of course.

DeepRunner said...

Paying homage to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ann Althouse said...
"What a grand figure in the history of American constitutional law! How tenaciously she hung onto life. I remember where I was when I heard that President Clinton had nominated her. I was truly thrilled to have a second woman on the Supreme Court, and I followed her writing so closely over the years. What a giant!"

It's true she tenaciously hung onto life. I am not here to speak ill of the dead. I am curious what the Professor thought of Sandra Day O'Connor. Beyond that, it was good to see the stories about Scalia and Ginsburg. Odd couple, odd friendship, but proof, in this toxically partisan age, that friendship can transcend ideology and differences in POV. FWIW, RIP RBG.

Francisco D said...

Trump will nominate Amy Coney Barrett, but hearings will not be scheduled until after the election.

I did not think much of RBG's judicial philosophy because it was a political philosophy that had little to do with the Constitution. However, she is an important figure who seems deserving of respect.

RIP RGB.

DeepRunner said...

I think it's a foregone conclusion that John Roberts will side with the Liberal Bloc on the court until RBG is replaced and beyond. But...I wonder. For all his fretting about the image of the court, how does he vote with the Liberal Bloc if there is post-election litigation on the outcome of the election? Then again, how does he not? He owes his seat on the Supreme Court to the man who won Bush v. Gore. What did he think of that case? Should the court decide the Presidency?

All eyes are on John Roberts. He'll be a hero to the side that wins, if it comes to that.

Bilwick said...

I think they should reissue that RBG biopic. And then, for balance, LITTLE PINK HOUSE, the movie about the Kelo decision, in which RBG sided with the majority, and to show why Trump, ASAP, should fill her space with someone PRO-liberty.

PaoloP said...


RIP, may God have mercy on her.

As regard her greatness: did she ever vote against the leftist mainstream?
Is her perfect adherence to progressive causes the reason of her fame of greatness?
What's the content of this greatness?

Don said...

“Somethings are more important than votes.” I guess the country came in second to their relationship.

tim in vermont said...

She might have written a lot of great stuff on the law, IDK, but it doesn’t seem like it would be that hard to make her predictable vote on every issue.

wendybar said...

The Genius Savant said...
What makes her “a grand figure of constitutional law” other than her sex? She had no discernible judicial philosophy other than “what the Leftist outcome is, that’s what I’m for”? None of her opinions are memorable or even held up as such. She was the ultimate “homer” for Leftist outcomes on the Supreme Court. If that makes her a “giant” I weep for constitutional law.

9/18/20, 9:04 PM

Hear, Hear!!!

Kevin said...

If you thought Joe’s TelePrompTer was angry before, wait until you see Joe’s TelePrompTer now!

Paco Wové said...

"What a grand figure in the history of American constitutional law! How tenaciously she hung onto life... I was truly thrilled to have a second woman on the Supreme Court, and I followed her writing so closely over the years. What a giant!"

That's just what rhhardin would expect you to say.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Recall all nice things said about Scalia after he died?

ooops - no. The left were rotten and horrid. The left are antifa.

Jim at said...

Maybe if you fucking leftists hadn't turned SCOTUS into a Super Legislature, this wouldn't be such a big deal.

But you did. And now you're going to choke on it.

Blame only yourselves.

Birkel said...

I wish RBG exactly as much respect as she gave the 40 million aborted babies.
I hope she is given the Kermit Gosnell treatment every day for her afterlife.

She deserves respect for being a Lefyist who preferred power to seeing her grandchildren?
Hard pass.