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 ...
THEY SKIPPED IT?
Souter guarding his house from seizure?
I understand that Souter finally got Andrew Sullivan to get back together with him today, so they're having some alone time.
Maybe Souter was pissed because his pall bearer spot was given to Roberts.
Souter's still pissed because Rehnquist didn't ask him to the prom.
It had better have been their own funerals to show such disrespect.
They probably had a romantic weekend in the Poconos already paid for.
"Souter guarding his house from seizure?"
LOL.
I think Kennedy is out of the country but returning and Souter well....he would not even issue a statement.
beat me by 30 seconds!
Thank you for the first real laugh of the day.
was souter out "jogging" ?
Could it be that atheists don't attend prayer services?
"I thought the supreme court justices were not supposed to all be in the same place at the same time. They do not all show up the swearing in of the president or state of the union speeches."
Why would that be the case?
They do that for the executive branch of government though. 1 cabinet member is always absent I believe.
"I thought the supreme court justices were not supposed to all be in the same place at the same time."
I bet this really puts them in a pickle when it is time to hear cases.
Souter skipped it, probably that time of the month.
Justice Kennedy was in China and is on his way home.
Souter was busy having his "beard" manicured.
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