Sympathy for the Justice

[billroper]

I realize that he may not be the most popular man to be feeling sympathy for, but I'm feeling a bit sorry for Chief Justice Rehnquist, who was in and out of the hospital with a fever again yesterday.

He's got thyroid cancer and the speculation is that it's one of the nasty versions. He's said that he intends to stay on the bench as long as his health permits. And it's looking like he's working very hard to do just that.

And I feel a bit sorry for him, because I suspect that urge to stay at his job is one of the things that's helping him stay alive.

Comments

Rehnquist

[markiv1111.livejournal.com]

I've felt (for as long as I can consciously remember) that "feeling sorry for someone" is an insult, but looking at Rehnquist and his situation, my response is not pity, but tremendous respect. Yes, I'm a liberal; yes, I find myself disagreeing with Rehnquist's opinions quite often; but I would hope more people who are affecting the course of our nation's history (not to mention other people) would take their responsibilities equally seriously. (Me, I plan on staying at my day job a great deal longer than just age 62 or 65 -- we'll see what form my finances take, when I get to that point, and how easy it would be to drift easily into retirement.)

Nate

[sdorn.livejournal.com]

I suspect that urge to stay at his job is one of the things that's helping him stay alive.

My thoughts exactly. He loves his job.

[scs-11.livejournal.com]

There's a blurry line between 'feeling sorry for' and 'pity,' but I think you're on the right side of it. This is Rehnquists life, and few of us will have 1% of the influence he's ever had. I'm not surprised a bit to see him hang on as long as he thinks he can still contribute, and for that I respect him a lot. I've no idea what the rest of his like is like, but as he seems to be neither seeking nor accepting anything except recognition of his decision, I see no reason to offer up anything but empathy -- and thanks for a long, hard job that he's done pretty well.