Exclusive: Justice Ginsburg shrugs off rib injury

[Tx4obama]

(Reuters) - Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 79, the eldest member of the bench and leader of its liberal wing, said she cracked two ribs in June but met all her work obligations and remains committed to staying on the court at least three more years.

Interviewed by Reuters in her chambers on Tuesday, Justice Ginsburg said she felt fine and showed no sign of the injury, which has not been previously reported.

"At first I thought it was nothing," said Ginsburg, who fell at home. She added, however, that the injury occurred at the start of the Supreme Court's difficult final month, "so it was the worst possible time."

Ginsburg, who has survived two serious bouts with cancer, undergoes regular check-ups and said Tuesday her health on that front was "great." She continues to use a personal trainer.

She fell on June 4. She went to work the next day but continued to be in pain. She turned to the Office of the Attending Physician, which provides medical care to members of Congress and the justices, said court Public Information Officer Kathy Arberg.

- snip -

Full article here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/09/us-usa-court-ginsburg-idUSBRE87801920120809

[elleng]

1. TOUGH COOKIE!!!

Ginsburg discovered she had fractured two ribs, which would only heal with time. Ginsburg "followed her schedule as usual," Arberg said on Wednesday. "She indeed did not skip a beat and did not feel it rose to a serious health concern." . .

"Don't ask me if the chief switched sides," said Ginsburg before she could be asked about a CBS News report after the healthcare decision that Roberts had been ready to strike down the law but changed his vote.

Roberts cast the decisive fifth vote with the liberal bloc based on Congress' power to levy taxes.

Without addressing the specific situation, Ginsburg acknowledged that justices often shift positions as they work on cases and send draft opinions to colleagues for responses.

"It ain't over 'til it's over," she said.

"People change their minds about what they thought. So it isn't at all something extraordinary, and that's how it should work. We're in the process of trying to persuade each other and then the public." . .

She repeated her vow to remain on the bench at least three more years to match the tenure of Justice Louis Brandeis, who retired at age 82 in 1939, after nearly 23 years on the bench.

She added that she might end up serving longer than Brandeis and deeper into her 80s. "Brandeis had a problem that I didn't," she said. "He was losing his eyesight."

[davidpdx]

5. This is another reason we need Obama to win re-election

When Ginsburg is ready to retire, we want another liberal to replace her. It would be the perfect opportunity to appoint another woman.

[Politicalboi]

2. Maybe he should replace her

Just in case the worst happens. (Rmoney wins) I really doubt he will win, but if they steal it or buy it, we could be in some deep shit. If Elizabeth Warren loses in November, she would be a great replacement. Don't pull an O'Connor on us and give the GOP another Repuke on the court. 3 more years could put that seat in danger.

[elleng]

3. Are you suggesting President Obama should tell her to resign???

'She repeated her vow to remain on the bench at least three more years to match the tenure of Justice Louis Brandeis, who retired at age 82 in 1939, after nearly 23 years on the bench.

She added that she might end up serving longer than Brandeis and deeper into her 80s. "Brandeis had a problem that I didn't," she said. "He was losing his eyesight."'

[Tx4obama]

4. A president does not have the power to replace a Justice that does not want to resign.

It doesn't work that way.

[Drunken Irishman]

7. I'm sure Obama could go to her and ask her to resign and she would...

But he's too classy to do that.

[Drunken Irishman]

6. Too late for that...

If she resigned tomorrow, her replacement wouldn't be confirmed until after the inauguration I'm afraid.