Rehnquist pledges to stay

Despite his recent hospital visit, Rehnquist said he would ''continue to perform my duties as chief justice as long as my health permits.'' Well, now we can all relax a little bit. Huh? What's that? He's an 80-year old man with numerous health issues including thyroid cancer? Wait, I don't get it. Doesn't that mean that his health probably won't permit for too much longer? Oh. Well then, why would he say that?