UPDATE --- O'Conner Retirement

Via AP WASHINGTON - Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court and a key swing vote on issues such as abortion and the death penalty, said Friday she is retiring. It's been 11 years since the last opening on the court, one of the longest uninterrupted stretches in history. O'Connor's decision gives President Bush his first opportunity to appoint a justice. So let the partisan games begin. You can take it to the bank that King George will not send a moderate nominee to the Senate to be confirmed. Intead he will cave in to the religious righ wing-nuts who will be demanding that the nominee pass the requirement to somehow strike down Roe V Wade. This would most definitely mean a head to head battle between the two sides. MORE.....