I think it's inevitable that some of the court's decisions will be found by a segment of the public to be not the right decision or subject to criticism.

I didn't want to be out of order answering any questions.

It matters enormously to a successful democratic society like ours that we have three branches of government, each with some independence and some control over the other two. Thats set out in the Constitution.

The freedom to criticize judges and other public officials is necessary to a vibrant democracy.

My concern was whether I could do the job of a justice well enough to convince the nation that my appointment was the right move.

I finally gave up my little law practice and stayed home for about three years. You have to do what you can to keep the family going. But I wanted to get back to work. So I got another babysitter and went to work as an Assistant Attorney General.

If parents instill a sense of civic-mindedness - and there is no better way to do that than by example - their children will probably follow.