Ginsburg could have retired

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had the opportunity to select the president that would replace her. Had she retired during the Obama administration, I’m certain she would have been happy with her replacement. A Republican Senate would have been more inclined to confirm the replacement of a liberal with a liberal. The overall makeup of the Court wouldn’t have changed. Instead, Justice Ginsburg made a conscious decision to hold onto her seat until she died. She had no intention of retiring. Her retirement date was under her control. Her date of death was not. Her time ran out. And now, she has no control over the selection of her replacement. There will be a drastic change in the makeup of the Court. She allegedly told her granddaughter, “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”’ She was really saying her most fervent wish was to have more time on Earth. Don’t we all have the same wish?

Robert Baxter, Pine Junction

Pablo Martinez Monsivais pool, Getty Images Associate Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg arrives for U. S. President Barack Obama's address to a joint session of Congress in the U. S. Capitol on Feb. 24, 2009.