Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a heroine of the first order.[1] She has suffered multiple bouts of cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments beat the living hell out of you. I know in a very personal way.
There is no doubt that today’s announcement (quoted below) sent chills down the spine of all Democrats and even some Republicans. Yet, more than a few on the Right I suspect silently welcomed the news with grim glee. Below is what she said (through the Court’s public affairs officer).
Statement from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:
On May 19, I began a course of chemotherapy (gemcitabine) to treat a recurrence of cancer. A periodic scan in February followed by a biopsy revealed lesions on my liver. My recent hospitalizations to remove gall stones and treat an infection were unrelated to this recurrence.
Immunotherapy first essayed proved unsuccessful. The chemotherapy course, however, is yielding positive results. Satisfied that my treatment course is now clear, I am providing this information.
My most recent scan on July 7 indicated significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease. I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment. I will continue bi-weekly chemotherapy to keep my cancer at bay, and am able to maintain an active daily routine. Throughout, I have kept up with opinion writing and all other Court work.
I have often said I would remain a member of the Court as long as I can do the job full steam. I remain fully able to do that.
Supreme Court Press Releases 07-17-20
Here is my short take:
- She is 87. She won’t beat this cancer. It is only a matter of time. Chemo is ongoing every other week. Intermittent steroids can help ease the exhaustion and lack of appetite.
- She is tough beyond description. I am sure she has the strength to survive beyond the 2021 inauguration day. Her doctors can make it so.
- Chemo and radiation of the body, and not the head, don’t directly impact cognition. Same is true for steroid therapy. (Again, I can attest to those facts.)
- Although I don’t agree with her very often, I read her opinions with rapt interest. So did her close friend and fierce opponent Justice Scalia. That is precisely why she is so important to the Court.
- If we care about the institution of the Supreme Court, the next President, whoever that may be, should nominate her successor. The last thing the Court needs during this fraught election season is another fierce nomination fight.
- On a personal level, she has my profound respect and deep admiration.
Richard G. Kopf
United States District Judge, Nebraska
[1] She certainly is a hero to me. See, for example, here, here, here and here.
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The very embodiment of what the Institution of the Supreme Court should be about.
Amen, both because of my respect for Justice Ginsburg and because a nomination between now and the next election would be disastrous for the nation and the Court.
Disastrous?
And here I though John Boy was gonna have you over for popcorn to talk about ways SJ could create a figituritive national mirror to post during the nomination hearings and brainstorm about future post headlines with you…
Don’t you worry esteemed one, the Lindsey and Dianne show alone will elevate the republic to such wholesome and principled heights of righteous virtue that no one will even notice Amy Coney Barrett slipping foreskin blood into her opening statement.
Relax! Shit happens, Supremes fuck up their hedge bets to hold onto power all the time.
Everything will be just fine until it is not, and then it can only get better…
P.S. Judge, were you and the “editor” consuming a jello shots from a milk buckets before posting this? All the medical prognosis and speculation is so far bellow your station as to seriously make me ponder just WTF you were thinking and your editor is willing to let slide… I LOVE IT!!!
Never, but never, mention “foreskin blood” again here. Thank you.
I wish nothing but the best for Justice Ginsburg.
I had the distinct pleasure of getting to meet her when I was admitted to the Supreme Court Bar. It’s hard to describe how such a tiny person commands an entire room’s attention. Despite projecting such an aura of importance, she was extremely personable and chatted with the group of lawyers who’d been admitted that day.
I asked her why she’d transferred from Harvard to Columbia. She explained her love of family was the primary motivation–when her husband got a job that paid well in New York, she moved to be with him. Someone next to me then asked Justice Ginsburg what the commute from New York to D.C. was like.
Justice Ginsburg then cracked a wry grin. “Young lady, I moved when my husband got the good paying job. Who do you think made a decision to move when I got this gig?”
There will never be another like Ruth Bader Ginsburg. They broke the mold after she was made.
Agreed.
I once hosted an intimate gathering with her. I sat next to her as we ate and guided the conversation.
She wore white gloves that she removed before eating. Unknowing, she accidentally dropped a glove on the floor. I picked it up and unobtrusively handed it her. The glove was so tiny as to be unreal but the aura that she gave off as our small group chatted was indescribably giant.
I refer to it as “the case I almost won.” When I got four votes for summary reversal – including one from O’Connor who was rarely not in the majority – it was RBG who defied the other so-called liberal Justices by refusing to join with them. I’ll always blame her for that.
But I try not to hold a grudge.
She’s a marvel, and an icon, and deserving of every bit of respect she gets. This cancer survivor (so far, but I’m well, thank you) wishes her nothing but the best in her latest struggle. And for the sake of the Court and the country, I especially hope that she remains fully with us past January 21.
“Chemo and radiation of the body, and not the head, don’t directly impact cognition.”
Damn, you were set up for the perfect “out” for your behavior. You should have taken it.
At a very early stage in my development, the old DSM classified me as an idiot with psychotic tendencies. Unfortunately, the cancers provided no excuse.
Judge Kopf,
Thank you for writing this.
All the best to you and yours,
Mario Machado
Mario, thank you, my friend.
Judge Kopf,
I enjoy reading your commentary as much here as I did in your earlier (should I say now-defunct) blog, in large measure because of posts just like this one: an entirely human look at an institution that
intentionally or not creates, in Judges, a god-like role. I am, as many are, sad to hear about J. Ginsberg’s recurrence and horrified to see what happened last night in NJ to one of your colleagues and her family, and I hope the best for both. Judges are not gods (though I’ve heard the joke about God wanting to be a federal judge). However, by virtue of their appointment and confirmation, they have a role in our society that is worthy of near-god-like respect, and sometimes the easiest way to promote that is by creating an “aura” of wonder. It is good to be reminded, from time to time, that, behind that aura is an entirely human person, with “if you cut me, do I not bleed” needs.
Please, continue to take good care of yourself, and continue to share your thoughts. We benefit richly from them.
Respectfully,
Ron
Ron,
Struck by your reference to the horror of last night, “if you cut me, do I not bleed” quotation is particularly apt. Take care, my friend.
All the best,
RGK
Keep on keepin’ on, Judge.
You too my friend.