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Ginsburg earns praise across partisan divide

The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has, of course, been in the headlines in recent days.

She was an icon to Americans with certain political positions — a scourge to others. Already, the battle over a successor has become heated, with ideology at the heart of the controversy.

It says something about Ginsburg, however, that during the hours after her death, leaders from across the political spectrum poured forth praise freely and with no reservations.

Her written opinions as a justice “have inspired all Americans and generations of great legal minds,” said President Donald Trump.

Ginsburg “never failed in the fierce and unflinching defense of liberty and freedom,” said Democratic Party presidential candidate Joe Biden.

Former President George W. Bush put his finger on an imporant aspect of her legacy. Ginsburg “inspired more than one generation of women and girls,” he wrote.

Indeed she did. Ginsburg showed it is possible for a female to ascend — through dedication, skill and hard work — to the very pinnacle of political power in our nation. We often think of presidents in that role, but in some of her votes and opinions as a justice, Ginsburg wielded more real power than any president.

Whether we agree or disagree with her positions, Ginsburg provided a model of standing up for what one believes to be right. And, it has been pointed out, she disagreed without rancor. Among her closest friends while one the court was the late Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative justice. That too is a model of respect to which many Americans ought to look.

Ginsburg’s way of pursuing what she saw as right and of serving as a role model — for men as well as women — will be missed sorely.

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