I received a message from Keith Alioto, whose blog, Not So Empty Nest Syndrome, contains the links to the Don Geronimo’s on-air tribute to his wife, Freda. As I said in another post, it was an incredibly moving tribute.

Here are the links, which are hosted by Sacramento affiliate, KHTK: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Thank you Keith!!!

David Flanagan
Viewpointjournal.com

****UPDATE****

Well, as you can see, I was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG in my prediction regarding how the President would play the whole nomination process regarding a new Chief Justice. I guess the President’s plan makes sense too… but it wasn’t as good as mine.

I guess the last line of my post on this topic should have read; “scoff at me now, laugh at me later.” Good thing I’m not a real journalist, or a psychic for that matter!
********

The Chief Justice is dead; long live the Chief Justice!

That’s appropriate, don’t you think? After all, US Supreme Court justices receive lifetime appointments and, unlike Justice O’Connor, who had the sense to retire so that she could savor her accomplishments, spend time with family, and get away from the pressure cooker that is the life of a US Supreme, Chief Justice Rehnquist died “on the job,” in a sense, having decided to continue in his role to the end.

I think that was a mistake, but, it was his decision to make (no rhyme intended).

And now I think we’ll see, politically, John Roberts’ nomination fast-tracked by both Democrats as well as Republicans, with the full blessing of all those special interests, for two reasons:

• We have a vacancy on the Supreme Court at an inopportune moment, politically speaking. Both Democrats and Republicans are looking bad right now because of all the politicking and the recent events in New Orleans are not helping.
• Democrats and liberal special interests will be eager to move to what they see as the key battle, who will be the next Chief Justice and/or fill Chief Justice Rehnquist’s vacancy

Only, unfortunately for them, they are about to be blind-sided AGAIN!

Why? Because the next vacancy will be filled by a woman, and she will be nominated to fill the Chief Justice role vacated by Chief Justice Rehnquist.

And, even more unexpectedly, the nation has, in the past several days, stood witness to politics and politicians at their worst. I sincerely believe that voters are going to punish any party that tries to turn the nomination of the first female Chief Justice in the history of the US Supreme Court into a circus.

Isn’t it time for this kind of historic first? I think so.

Fortunately, President Bush has one of the best track records in history for ground-breaking appointments. Which is why, in my opinon, the first female Chief Justice is a done deal.

And if those liberal special interest groups and salivating Democratic partisans think they are going to turn this nomination into a war, they’d better think again.

They are about to flanked.

Scoff at me now and admire me later.

David Flanagan
Viewpointjournal.com