Breaking: SCOTUS Chief Justice Rehnquist Has Passed Away

Now confirmed by CNN.

Chief Justice Rehnquist has died
CNN.com
Saturday, September 3, 2005; Posted: 11:29 p.m. EDT (03:29 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who helped shift the U.S. Supreme Court toward a more conservative ideology and strongly supported states' rights during his three decades on the bench, has died.

Rehnquist, who presided over the court for nearly 19 years, was 80.

Rehnquist, who had been receiving chemotherapy and radiation for thyroid cancer, died at an Arlington, Virginia, hospital surrounded by his three children, a court spokeswoman said.

He was working in his office until a few weeks ago," CNN Producer Bill Mears said.

"He loved his job and continued to work until the very end," he added.

Not much else to say or add at this point. Very sad.



[edit on 3-9-2005 by RANT]

It is sad, especially for his family and friends. Fortunately he did get the opportunity to live a full and incredible life. It's really too bad he had to go by cancer, and couldn't be spared to simply pass in his sleep of old age.

I'm happy to hear his children had the opportunity to be with him and he the opportunity to be with them in his final moments.