# How Much Longer Does Ginsburg Have? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 7, 2019, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368 "2019-01-07T19:17:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/161 "2019-09-19T08:00:23Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > Yes, but… > > She’s 85. > > Admittedly my views on this are colored by the fact that I’ve become my 85-year-old father’s caretaker. > > And here’s the thing. He too is a federal judge (district court), on inactive status. He is in no way competent to be a judge anymore. > > He’s exactly the same age as Justice Ginsberg (and, in fact, was in her class at Columbia Law, and knows her slightly). And I know there’s no way he should be on the bench. > > I really, really worry about the competence of anyone at that age. I worry about Bernie Sanders getting elected. > > I know, there are exceptions, and RBG is probably one of them. But still… I agree with you about both cases but the weird politics of the SCOTUS require that we try to hang on. I really like the proposal to make terms 18 years long and have one be up every two years. This would also stop making presidents feel like they need to put really young people on the Court when someone more seasoned would be better. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/162 "2019-09-19T12:32:43Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > …I really like the proposal to make terms 18 years long and have one be up every two years. This would also stop making presidents feel like they need to put really young people on the Court when someone more seasoned would be better. Boy, that really does sound like a good idea to me. ---
**Author:** ![Kearsen1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Kearsen1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen1)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/163 "2019-09-19T13:30:39Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Let’s not pretend that there was an actual rule here. So he wouldn’t be breaking a rule then … Nice ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/164 "2019-09-19T15:07:45Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Trial Court is significantly more difficult that Supreme Court for a judge. Lawyers and judges have told me that. It seems believable. District courts run all year - there’s no term, like the Supreme Court. There’s a lot more nuts and bolts and little stuff. Motions, conferences, telephone calls, etc, not to mention ongoing trials. Nonetheless, I have concerns about 85-year-olds in incredibly important positions. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/165 "2019-11-13T18:59:32Z")
Bumping this. [Justice Ginsberg missed arguments today due to what was described as a stomach bug](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-out-with-illness-misses-supreme-court-arguments). So, not a serious ailment, to the extent that anything can be described as “not serious” for an 85 year old. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/166 "2019-11-13T19:04:34Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Bumping this. [Justice Ginsberg missed arguments today due to what was described as a stomach bug](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-out-with-illness-misses-supreme-court-arguments). So, not a serious ailment, to the extent that anything can be described as “not serious” for an 85 year old. > > Regards, > Shodan Wipe your chin, will ya? Your drool is shorting out my keyboard. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/167 "2019-11-13T19:18:02Z")
Yeah, I’m much younger than Ginsberg, but I’ve had awful stomach bugs where I was running to the bathroom non stop. A day or two with Gatorade and bland food and I was fine. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/168 "2019-11-13T19:23:03Z")
> [@CaptMurdock](#): > > Wipe your chin, will ya? Your drool is shorting out my keyboard. :rolleyes: I am not sure if there is any other thread on the SDMB that causes such terror when it is bumped. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/169 "2019-11-13T20:47:49Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > I am not sure if there is any other thread on the SDMB that causes such terror when it is bumped. I think it is the recognition that there is a real risk that Ginsberg will die or retire\* while Trump is still President and the GOP controls the Senate. A 5-4 court is bad enough. A 6-3 court is something they don’t even want to think about. Regards, Shodan \*OK, probably not retire. The only way she will leave the Court is feet-first. But she’s 85, has had multiple bouts with cancer, and 85 year olds don’t bounce back from even minor illness the way a younger person does. I don’t wish her any ill, but the title of this thread is a real question. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/170 "2019-11-13T21:10:35Z")
So you bumped this thread to wish Justice Ginsberg a full and speedy recovery? **Shodan** , such a mensch! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/171 "2019-11-13T21:11:46Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > Lawyers and judges have told me that. It seems believable. District courts run all year - there’s no term, like the Supreme Court. There’s a lot more nuts and bolts and little stuff. Motions, conferences, telephone calls, etc, not to mention ongoing trials. > > Nonetheless, I have concerns about 85-year-olds in incredibly important positions. I’ve got concerns about [a 54-year old](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brett_Kavanaugh), [a 52-year old](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Gorsuch), [a 71-year old](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Thomas), [a 69-year old](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Alito), and [a 64-year old](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Roberts) in equally important positions. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/172 "2019-11-13T21:15:13Z")
I bet that’s a great joke, totally worth clicking blind links for. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/173 "2019-11-13T21:17:30Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I bet that’s a great joke, totally worth clicking blind links for. You know you can hover your mouse over links, and your browser will tell you where they go, right? In this case, they’re links to the wikipedia entries for the conservative justices on the court. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/174 "2019-11-13T21:17:33Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I bet that’s a great joke, totally worth clicking blind links for. Is hovering over a link to see the URL before clicking through a prohibited practice in your world? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/175 "2019-11-13T21:21:57Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > You know you can hover your mouse over links, and your browser will tell you where they go, right? > > In this case, they’re links to the wikipedia entries for the conservative justices on the court. Gotta take issue with your sloppy use of the word “conservatives” there. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/176 "2019-11-13T21:23:09Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Is hovering over a link to see the URL before clicking through a prohibited practice in your world? Yes, in my world phones don’t have cursors to hover over things. Where are you from? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/177 "2019-11-13T21:26:18Z")
On my phone’s browser, a long press opens up a context menu that lets me see the full link, copy it, share it, etc without actually going to wherever the link leads. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/178 "2019-11-13T21:27:02Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Yes, in my world phones don’t have cursors to hover over things. Where are you from? So long press the link. Your failure to learn how to use a device is not someone else’s problem. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/179 "2019-11-13T21:29:51Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > On my phone’s browser, a long press opens up a context menu that lets me see the full link, copy it, share it, etc without actually going to wherever the link leads. On my phone too. You know what else my fucking phone does? It allows me to type out the actual names of the random people I want to list while making my brilliant jab at Shodan. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368/180 "2019-11-13T21:34:11Z")
I’m starting to think this isn’t about the links. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-longer-does-ginsburg-have/827368.md?page=10)