Requiring that an execution be relatively painless...actually undermines the very premise on which public approval of the retribution rationale is based.
John Paul StevensThe interest in encouraging freedom of expression in a democratic society outweighs any theoretical but unproven benefit of censorship.
John Paul StevensWhenever we remove a brick from the wall that was designed to separate religion and government, we increase the risk of religious strife and weaken the foundation of our democracy.
John Paul Stevens