Rep. Barney Frank is Retiring

The fighter is leaving the mat. Barney Frank will not seek re-election next year. Barney has been a powerful player in politics and will be greatly missed.

Gareth Thomas Retires

Gareth released word that he is retiring from rugby:

Wales dual-code international rugby player Gareth Thomas announces his retirement from all forms of rugby with immediate effect.


Emanuele Palladino from Thomas’ management company Distinct comments:


“We can confirm that Gareth Thomas is officially retiring from both international and club rugby with immediate effect. This marks the end of what has been a remarkable career for a remarkable person. Gareth hopes that through his achievements both on and off the field he has left a lasting legacy within the game.”


Gareth Thomas comments:


“I have listened and discussed this decision with many of my family and close friends. My mind has told me that the time to retire is now. If you can't give 100 percent to rugby then you can't do it justice. This is a sad day, but I know that my time has come to an end as a player. My passion for the amazing game will never end or leave me however.”


“I do not know what lies ahead, but I feel the challenge of something different excites me more than another year of rugby.”


“I would like to thank everyone I have been involved with in the sport. I could not have achieved it without any of them. I have great memories and great friends that I will keep for the rest of my life. I leave knowing I have done everything in my power to be the best person and player I could have ever been. And finally, I thank my parents for all their support and help throughout my career.”

Good luck, Gareth.

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Interesting Quote: Robert Gates

"I think that it would be a mistake to wait until January 2012. It might be hard to find a good person to take the job so late, with just one year to go in the president's current term. This is not the kind of job you want to fill in the spring of an election year."

Bobby talking about retiring next year. But what does this mean for DADT?


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Interesting Quote: Leonard Nimoy

“I’ve been doing this professionally for 60 years. I love the idea of going out on a positive note. I’ve had a great, great time.”

Leonard is retiring. So we will never hear him sing this song again

I actually like it.

Rep. Bart Stupak is Also retiring

Rep. Bart Stupak has decided to retire from Congress this year.

Known to push the Health Care Bill over to our side, Stupak became a hero to some and enemy to others, like the foolish Tea Party.

They made him their no. 2 target after the HCR overhaul. But Stupak wasn't afraid of them:

The tea party did not run me out," he said in a telephone interview. "If you know me and my personality, I would welcome the challenge."

Stupak wants to send more time with his family, he has served 18 years in congress.

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It's Official... Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is Retiring

Yes, we heard the rumors, but it's true.

Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is retiring from his position in the summer.

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

Throughout his tenure, which began after President Gerald Ford nominated him in 1975, Stevens usually sided with the court's liberal bloc in the most contentious cases – those involving abortion, criminal law, civil rights and church-state relations. He led the dissenters as well in the case of Bush v. Gore that sealed President George W. Bush's election in 2000.

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.

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Chris Dodd will Exit stage Left

Some of us heard about this, but I guess it's true. Chris Dodd is retiring.

Embattled Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd (D) has scheduled a press conference at his home in Connecticut Wednesday at which he is expected to announce he will not seek re-election, according to sources familiar with his plans.

Dodd's retirement comes after months of speculation about his political future, and amid faltering polling numbers and a growing sense among the Democratic establishment that he could not win a sixth term. It also comes less than 24 hours after Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) announced he would not seek re-election.

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is widely expected to step into the void filled by Dodd and, at least at first blush, should drastically increase Democrats' chances of holding the seat.

I hope we can hold this seat, we don't need any crazy ass wingnuts taking up space.

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