"Retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, however, has written a very interesting book "Life, Law, & Liberty," scheduled for release Oct. 14 because he reveals more than usual about himself and his 30 years of service on the nation's highest court a period of time in which he was often the "swing justice" whose vote was determinative in controversial cases ranging from same-sex marriage to, campaign finance, affirmative action, and abortion."
"Concerned about the country In an interview with NPR to be aired in October, Kennedy said that he is "very worried" about America today. "We live in an era where reasoned, thoughtful, rational, respectful discourse has been replaced by antagonistic, confrontational conversation," he said, adding that "Democracy is not guaranteed to survive." Indeed, he says that he is worried even about the tone of some Supreme Court opinions."
"Kennedy and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor for much of their overlapping tenures represented the ideological center of the court at a time when the institution became increasingly conservative. Interestingly, both justices were products of the West, much like the President who appointed them, Ronald Reagan. And both justices viewed their Western origins as essential to the their personalities and views. Both started out as pretty firm conservatives, but eventually saw the court transform into a far more conservative group of justices."
Anthony Kennedy served 30 years on the Supreme Court and was often the decisive swing vote in cases involving same-sex marriage, campaign finance, affirmative action, and abortion. He and Sandra Day O'Connor occupied the court's ideological center as the court moved rightward, both shaped by Western origins and initially conservative views. Kennedy expresses deep concern that reasoned, respectful discourse has been replaced by confrontational conversation, warns that democracy is not guaranteed to survive, and urges the Court to adopt greater moderation and civility in opinions to counter rising partisanship.
Read at www.npr.org
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