Right now, the state of Kentucky has some state supreme court issues and while that's certainly relevant to Kentucky, this pales in comparison to the political war brewing in Washington as I type. Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement on Friday and that story has dominate the news since that letter was announced.

The distinguished jurist set many firsts, the most prominent of which was the first female Supreme Court justice in our nations history. Reagan made the appointment back in 1981 and many court watchers felt she's played a crucial role on the court ever since.

Her leanings were decidedly conservative with some moderate views. She was a staunch federalist, much to the dismay of Chief Justice Rehnquist, a former classmate from Stanford Law School. Her most famous decision in favor of the federal government has come during the abortion debate and she's constantly said the states don't have the right to regulate abortion. But at the same time, she dissented in the most recent Raich V Gonzales, which is the medical marijuan case.

While her history is certainly admirable, her somewhat unexpected retirement from the court, which ends one of the longest runs of SCOTUS ever at over 10 years together, the box just opens makes for political war in Washington and all are coming out to fight. Various ideological groups are sharpening their spears and their tongues as one of the great senatoral battles of the 21st century is about to commence. What will happen is uncertain but this is certainly going to be a lot uglier than making sausage that's for sure.

posted by Stithmeister @ 10:04 AM
 
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