[Brian S]

And since there are no retirements announced, we are stuck with the same court for next year and the year after.

Unless a health problem or death, we won't see a new appointment until 2005.

[dennisw]

Unless a health problem or death, we won't see a new appointment until 2005.

Correct. Until after the next election. GW will win and the fun begins. Many Justices are getting too decrepit to serve such as Ginsgrub and (unfortunately) Rhenquist

[OldFriend]

Can anyone tell if Justice Stevens is still alive?

[Oystir]

It would take death not a health problem. A health problem would "insure" a Justice holding a position on the bench to death as the health insurance benefit(s) is better while remaining on the bench then just going home. Federal judges almost never fully retire; they take a diminished case load or substitute as a visiting judge.