Stevens is in his 80s and in poor healh and Ginsburg is in her 70s and in poor health, and Souter I believe also is in his 70s, the three oldest ones. They might not have a choice to keep drawing breath. Being a Justice is a hard job and they're shortening their life span by hanging on so tight. I doubt both of them will make it to January 2009.
I know Stevens is 86, and Ginsburg in her mid-70s, but I haven't heard that either one is in poor health. I know Ginsburg is a cancer survior, but have had the impression that she's been in remission for a long time now. Have you heard anything lately to indicate otherwise about either of them?
I'm not wishing for their deaths or poor health, of course, just their retirement. Preferably today.