Political Quotes

“current Supreme Court Justice David Souter captured the legacy of jurisprudence left behind by William J. Brennan Jr., when he said: ``Justice Brennan is going to be remembered as one of the most fearlessly principled guardians of the American Constitution that it has ever had and ever will have.'' In an era when no institution is more embattled than the U.S. Constitution, we must make special note of the passing of such ardent guardians. In a manner that endeared him equally to friend and foe, Justice Brennan matched the importance of his decisions with literary acumen. With language that could be compared to the authors of the Constitution, Justice Brennan guarded the constitutional principles-- most especially the freedom to criticize one's government. Madison's original version of the first amendment submitted on June 8, 1789, provided that: ``The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write, or to publish their sentiments; and the freedom of the press, as one of the great bulwarks of liberty, shall be inviolable.'' Justice Brennan's identification of Madison's inviolable protection was crucial during the civil rights movement when members of the press were being figuratively gagged for their criticism of public officials.”