July 01, 2005

Return of the "Culture of Life" Wars : Justice Sandra Day O'Connor retires
by Liza Sabater

It is a scary day in Mudville.

Newsday.com: O'Connor retires from Supreme Court

O'Connor often lines up with the court's conservative bloc, as she did in 2000 when the court voted to stop Florida presidential ballot recounts sought by Al Gore, and effectively called the election for Bush.

As a "swing voter," however, O'Connor sometimes votes with more liberal colleagues.

Perhaps the best example of her influence is the court's evolving stance on abortion. She distanced herself both from her three most conservative colleagues, who say there is no constitutional underpinning for a right to abortion, and from more liberal justices for whom the right is a given.

O'Connor initially balked at letting states outlaw most abortions, refusing in 1989 to join four other justices who were ready to reverse the landmark 1973 decision that said women have a constitutional right to abortion.

Then in 1992, she helped forge and lead a five-justice majority that reaffirmed the core holding of the 1973 ruling. Subsequent appointments secured the abortion right.

What can I say. It's just depressing. There's no respite whatsoever in the fight against the banana Repuglican clones.

Earlier this week, Harry Reid, US Senate Democratic leader, gave a short list of Republican justices he noted worthy of appointment. This was, a definitely preemptive strike to the "Democrats want activist justices" whining coming from banana Republicans like Tom DeLay :

Reid suggests Republican lawmakers for high court - Yahoo! News

Seeking a possible consensus nominee, Reid recommended Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Mel Martinez of Florida, Mike DeWine of Ohio and Mike Crapo of Idaho.

Reid described them all as bright and able lawyers who would be strong additions to the nation's highest court.

"We have had approximately 10 members of the Supreme Court that came from the United States Senate over the years," Reid told reporters.

"There are people who serve in the Senate now who are Republicans who I think would be outstanding Supreme Court members," Reid said.

I guess it's time to do some serious strategizing for the coming attack. The war against Roe vs. Wade is on.

Feminists, your country needs you.

Posted by Liza Sabater in Abortion, Culture of Life, Politics, Reproductive Rights, Republicans, Roe vs. Wade, Supreme Court
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