Posted on 10/02/2009 6:35:37 AM PDT by SoonerStorm09
NORMAN, Okla. -- The authors of the U.S. Constitution intentionally made it open to interpretation so that it could be adapted to meet changing societal issues, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy said Thursday in Norman.
"I think (they) sensed that they were on the edge of world history, but they were cautious and they knew it was difficult to rise above injustices and inequalities of their own time," said Kennedy, who is often viewed as the swing vote on the Supreme Court.
Kennedy addressed about 1,500 University of Oklahoma College of Law alumni and students at the centennial celebration for the college at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center.
Kennedy was the keynote speaker at the event. He participated in a fireside chat with OU President David Boren, who praised Kennedy as he introduced him.
"He's one of the most important persons on the court laying out the importance of individual liberties," Boren said.
Boren asked Kennedy what he thought of the state of civic education in the U.S.
Kennedy said that Thomas Jefferson said democracy requires "virtuous, enlightened people." It's evident, he said, that young people in the U.S. are not being educated about the history of this country or the freedoms they possess.
"You don't take a DNA test to see if you believe in freedom, it's taught," Kennedy said.
(Excerpt) Read more at normantranscript.com ...
Yeah. They didn't really mean anything by all that "amendment" stuff.
Pathetic.
No fact, just feeeeeeeeeeeeeeling.
“I think (they) sensed that they were on the edge of world history, but they were cautious and they knew it was difficult to rise above injustices and inequalities of their own time,” said Kennedy, who is often viewed as the swing vote on the Supreme Court.
Key words: “I think...” I don’t care what he thinks; he needs to prove the founders didn’t mean what they wrote.
No they wrote specific procedures to be followed to amend the Constitution so we wouldn't have to depend on some despot's "interpretation".
Does this interpretation thingy work with Tax Returns? Just saying.
I think you mean “empathy”.
Maybe that thing about Supreme Court Justices serving for life is “open to interpretation” also.
Sowell talks about this mindset in “Conflict of Visions”.
Leftists see the argument as being between men of the 1700’s who had little knowledge compared to today’s enlightened elite. It’s obvious to the leftist whose vision should prevail in this comparison.
Ah, the federal judiciary. One of the worst things the Framers ever did to the American people.
Really?
Did any of them ever say this? It's not as if they didn't write down a lot of their thoughts, is it?
Quoting Mr. Jefferson on democracy doesn't really cut it. The Constitution isn't about democracy, and Mr. Jefferson was did not participate in the drafting of the Constitution. (He was in France.)
ML/NJ
Kennedy didn’t take the oath, right?
Kennedy is a lying pos, the Framers provided for differing opinion through the Amendment process. Of course, back then men were more intellectually honest than the like of Justice Kennedy. It was that little 'God' thing that kept men walking in the way of truth and integrity. Today they're god's unto themselves.
Kennedy said that Thomas Jefferson said democracy requires “virtuous, enlightened people.”
I think “virtuous” is the problem with this Administration.
The Constitution is only open to interpretation BY LIBERALS. Nobody else even questions it. That just shows you where the liberal mentality is regarding our Constitution because it obstructs the far left radicals from completely taking over this country. The Constitutionwritten specifically with LIMITATIONS ON GOVERNMENT INTRUSION AND INTERVENTION. Only liberals see this as a problem to be overcome and therefore they that think this way are all traitors to this country and its founding principles.
You interpret it ACCORDING TO THE INTENT of the people who wrote it. Period.
If you want to CHANGE it, they provided the amendment process.
...and these people pass themselves off as scholars? Those who espouse this view are nothing but activists wanting to fundamentally change the foundation and basis for our society, our liberty, and our way of life.
Kennedy has always had a tenuous understanding of things that are clear.
It makes you wonder if he ever read the document or if he just pulls this crap out of his...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.