Justice Stevens is retiring.

Justice John Paul Stevens has officially announced his retirement this morning, even though Senators such as Arlen Specter pleaded with the Justice to delay such resignation until next year. This will allow President Obama to nominate another Justice to the Supreme Court, further eroding our last governmental stand against big government; the Supreme Court.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, the court's oldest member and leader of its liberal bloc, he is retiring. President Barack Obama now has his second high court opening to fill.

Stevens said Friday he will step down when the court finishes its work for the summer in late June or early July. He said he hopes his successor is confirmed "well in advance of the commencement of the court's next term."

His announcement had been hinted at for months. It comes 11 days before his 90th birthday.

Stevens began signaling a possible retirement last summer when he hired just one of his usual complement of four law clerks for the next court term. He acknowledged in several interviews that he was contemplating stepping down and would certainly do so during Obama's presidency.

Chief Justice John Roberts said in a written statement that Stevens has earned the gratitude and admiration of the American people.

"He has enriched the lives of everyone at the Court through his intellect, independence, and warm grace," Roberts said.

The timing of his announcement leaves ample time for the White House to settle on a successor and Senate Democrats, who control 59 votes, to conduct confirmation hearings and a vote. Republicans have not ruled out an attempt to delay confirmation.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_STEVENS?SITE=ORMED&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

I believe Cass Sunstein is on Obama's short list of potential Supreme Court nominees, I might be right and I might be wrong, but if anyone has any information as to whom the next Nominee could be, please email me.

aaaabraves@yahoo.com

Also, as I wrote last week: If there was ever a time for a Republican filibuster during a Judicial nomination, it is now or never, we need to block Obama and Senate Democrats on something, our voices must be heard.