Listen to Justice Stevens. Listen to Him! God I love him!

[usregimechange]

Justice Stevens, with whom Justice Ginsburg joins, concurring.

Perhaps even more important than our specific holding today is our reaffirmation of the basic principle that informs the Court’s interpretation of the Eighth Amendment. If the meaning of that Amendment had been frozen when it was originally drafted, it would impose no impediment to the execution of 7-year-old children today. See Stanford v. Kentucky, 492 U.S. 361, 368 (1989) (describing the common law at the time of the Amendment’s adoption). The evolving standards of decency that have driven our construction of this critically important part of the Bill of Rights foreclose any such reading of the Amendment. In the best tradition of the common law, the pace of that evolution is a matter for continuing debate; but that our understanding of the Constitution does change from time to time has been settled since John Marshall breathed life into its text. If great lawyers of his day–Alexander Hamilton, for example–were sitting with us today, I would expect them to join Justice Kennedy’s opinion for the Court. In all events, I do so without hesitation.


He is older than the Pope. Wish him well. Pray if you do.

[harrison]

1. AMEN!

[mim]

11. Amen, CubsFan1982!

Appointing him to the SC was the great achievement of President Gerald Ford.

[usregimechange]

2. Pay him tribute damn you!

[CubsFan1982]

3. Perhaps roses are in order once more?

May God give Justice Stevens continued years of good health. We need voices like him to remain on the Court.

[usregimechange]

4. There is an American Patriot. And I never use that word anymore.

[justy387]

5. He's an awesome justice!

Even though he was appoint by a republican, Ford, he is as liberal (if not more) than Clinton's two appointees.

[Sanity Claws]

6. I agree

Isn't it interesting how the term "liberal" has changed over the decades?

[usregimechange]

7. Welcome to DU!

[justy387]

13. thanks eom

[usregimechange]

8. I want everyone to pause and honor this man.

[usregimechange]

9. I mean it.

[usregimechange]

10. That is NOT enough respect!

[fishwax]

12. Hang in there, judge

He's an American hero of this day and age.

[Joe the Revelator]

14. He really does embody everything i would want in a justice...

fairness being king among kings.

I mean, for a superficial example, take the time to compare his kind face to that of Thomas or Scalia.

God Speed, your honor.

[Kenergy]

15. I concur...he's one of the best. n/t