RED IS DEAD AND BERT DROPS OUT

UPDATED: Bert Jordan is the second person in as many days to tell Obama thanks but no thanks for the offer to be considered for the US Supreme Court.  Yesterday Obama's AG delivered the same message to the Prez. 

Here's why Jordan made the smart move:  There is almost no chance an Obama nominee will get a hearing. The republicans have said as much. Obama will make a nomination to put the republicans on the spot and allow democratic candidates to make hay in November over the republicans's intransigence and truculence. 

Bert Jordan is eminently qualified for a spot on the top court. Being nominated by Obama will end his chances forever. But a new democratic president, facing a republican senate could easily turn to Jordan in the fall. Likewise a republican president facing a democratic senate could tap Jordan as a consensus pick. Better to live and fight another day then be served up as a sacrificial lamb. 

Jordan didn't get on the 11th circuit by not being savvy. 


Our courthouse is made up of many people who collectively form the environment we call the Justice Building. Not everyone wears a robe or lugs files or works for corrections or is a JA. The locals lend flavor as well. Those who wander in the courthouse or hang outside have their own place in our world. 

Many years ago, before young ASAs and PDs  tramped to court holding cafe lattes and snapchatting on their cell phones (because there were no Starbucks and cell phones back then [*gasp!*])  there was Delores, a courthouse regular who knew every judge and lawyer by their first name and greeted them with language fit for a sailor.  In a legendary prank, some defense attorneys paid for a ticket and transportation to the FACDL dinner for Delores. 

We now bring you sad news about the death of Red, A/K/A Bret Heinzinger, who was a local regular outside the courthouse. 

Herald snoop David Ovalle is looking for information and stories about Red for an article. You can find Mr. Ovalle sipping a black coffee any morning in Au Bon Pain   El Chapo Cafe ,  somewhere in the hallways of our hallowed, but aging courthouse. 

Red a/k/a Bret Heinzinger

In other news, Donald Trump won more primaries, ridiculed his opponents as short, or fat, or ugly or stupid, and in a bizarre press conference Tuesday night hawked bottled water, steaks, wine and a magazine all as proof that he would make a good president. 

See You In Court.