Posted on 09/06/2005 2:18:38 PM PDT by frankjr
The flag-draped coffin of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist was brought to the Supreme Court's Great Hall this morning as court justices, his nominated successor and friends and family looked on in a highly symbolic and emotional ceremony marking the death of the nation's 16th chief justice.
Rehnquist's wooden casket, draped with the American flag, was carried up the Supreme Court's long marble stairs by a former assistant and seven former law clerks, including John Roberts, the man nominated by President Bush to succeed him. ... President Bush and first lady Laura Bush came to the court building shortly before 4 p.m. to pay their respects. While the public viewing line was stopped briefly, Bush and his wife walked over to the casket and stood there for a moment in silence. Then, accompanied by Justice Antonin Scalia, they viewed a portrait of Rehnquist before leaving.
As the pallbearers carried the casket up the stairs in the morning, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who has announced plans to retire from the court, wiped away tears and appeared visibly shaken. O'Connor has known Rehnquist since they attended Stanford Law School together. ... Justices Anthony M. Kennedy and David Souter were absent from the ceremony.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Perhaps. But they all show up for picture time.
Inappropriate behavior seems more commonplace than ever... I'm not that surprised.
"They do that for the executive branch of government though. 1 cabinet member is always absent I believe."
I think that is also must be true for the Senate...Kerry is always absent as well.
They are all together in that big White Building in Washington DC every day while the court is in session.
lol
Great minds think alike.
" Justice Kennedy was in China and is on his way home."
China, eh? Very suspicious. Maybe Kennedy was doing some more research into foreign law to help him decide a case...the U.S. Constitution just doesn't do it for him.
Well, all nine are present during oral arguments.
I understand that Souter finally got Andrew Sullivan to get back together with him today, so they're having some alone time.Yowza!
Kennedy is returning from Europe tomorrow. Souter didn't come and didn't give a message of condolence as all the rest of the justices did because he is a weird jerk. He's probably guarding his homestead from the guy who wants to build a hotel on it after Souter's evil ruling permitting the government to seize everyone else's homesteads.
Every justice on the Supreme Court issued a statement praising William Rehnquist, except Souter.
Methinks Souter has a grudge against the Cheif.
Unlike the other eight he did NOT issue a statement. I cannot comprehend this utter lack of respect for both the person and the Office of Chief Justice.
I guess atheist don't believe in multiculturalism.
LOL!
This is really, really, really beyond the pale for that little weasel Souter. If Ginsberg were to die, Scalia would be there...and it would be the right thing to do. This is shocking.
I gotta say that Roberts serving as a pallbearer makes me feel a lot better about him. It's sort of like the legacy of the Chief is being passed on to him. Hard to imagine that he would cut out a path far different from the Chief now. It could happen and I am still deeply disturbed about the gay pro bono thing. But this makes me feel quite a bit better.
Okay. Wasn't trying to be cute. But I know what you are saying. :)
You've answered the question. Kerry must be thinking that the rest of Congress and the Administration will get wiped out by some kind of catastrophe, then he could be in charge as the only elected official remaining.
Got it.
"Methinks Souter has a grudge against the Chief."
I hope when Roberts is CJ, and Souter's boss, that he assigns Souter the crummy jobs around the courthouse (i.e. emptying the trashcans of the other Justices).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.