News

The big story of today is the announced retirement of USSC justice John Paul Stevens, an appointee of President Gerald Ford's. He was and is one of the good justices.

I just hope Obama doesn't pick a judicial version of Arne Duncan.

I am just kidding, of course.

Stevens, who will turn 90 on April 20, said in a letter addressed to "My dear Mr. President" that he will leave the court at the conclusion of the current term at the end of June.

Stevens said he was announcing his retirement now so that the president would have time to make a nomination and the Senate to confirm in time for the start of the court's new term next October.

Obama was notified of Stevens's decision while traveling on Air Force One on his way back to Washington from Prague, a White House aide said.

Stevens was appointed by President Gerald R. Ford and joined the court on Dec. 19, 1975.

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Anti-abortion Democrat Bart Stupak has announced his retirement from Congress.

He apparently threw in the towel after all the wrangling over HCR.