Breyer and Scalia Debate the Constitution

For those who are interested in the Supreme Court, you may find this interesting. Justices Stephen Breyer and Antonin Scalia are the closest thing to polar opposites on the Court.

Justice Scalia is viewed as a "strict contructionist," although he objects to that description. He is more correctly described as a "textualist." Justice Scalia states, "the text should be interpreted neither strictly nor sloppily, but reasonably." Sounds reasonable to this Humble guy.

Justice Breyer is generally viewed as a liberal. He defers to Congress and even international law, and votes to overturn Congressional legislation at a lower rate than the other justices. When it comes to Constitutional issues, Justice Breyer considers "purpose and consequence."

The Federalist Society recently hosted a debate between these two gentlemen. Fortunately, it was not held at Columbia University, so nobody gets attacked or shouted-down. I enjoy listening to our brightest legal minds debate such important issues. This is the stuff that makes our Nation great.

Here is an excerpt from the event, courtesy of Power Line: