292: Scalia Dissents: Writings of the Supreme Court's Wittiest, Most Outspoken Justice

(During the month of September I'm recommending conservative titles with which every well-read progressive should be familiar.)

Scalia Dissents: Writings of the Supreme Court's Wittiest, Most Outspoken Justice

Face it, you don't get through law school, become a law professor, serve as Assistant Attorney General, and serve as a Justice on America's top court by being an idiot. Since critics of Scalia pick and choose which comments to criticize, liberals probably don't know if Scalia is principled or an opportunist. The best way to find out is to read some of his writing and decide for yourself. This book collects some of Justice Scalia's opinions on hot-button topics like the death penalty, abortion, gender equality, free speech, and homosexuality.

Why this is libertarian/conservative: In addition to his conservative judicial decisions Scalia was instrumental in establishing the Federalist Society and has been associated for decades with the American Enterprise Institute. One of the architects of modern conservative judicial philosophy and one of the most influential living jurists.

349: Nature's Justice by William O. Douglas

Nature's Justice: Writings of William O. Douglas

Longtime liberal stalwart on the Supreme Court William O. Douglas was a passionate defender of the environment. He was also a fierce protector of liberal values, like the right to privacy, the right to free speech

While he was an important voice for progressive causes throughout his career, he also served as the perfect foil for right-wing claims of judicial excess. Douglas was often willing to overlook precedent to emphasize his notions of justice. He was threatened with impeachment twice in his career, and his opponents saw him as a womanizing, gambling, slightly corrupt ally of pornographers and dissidents.

A few of these criticisms are even fair. Regardless of the turbulence of his personal life, and his sometimes questionable judgment, Douglas remains one of the high points of liberal values in the nation's highest court.

Why this is progressive/liberal: In addition to reading Douglas's arguments for protecting the environment this work also collects some of his more notable court opinions, and essays about politics and justice.

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