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But one way or another, judges perform a very vital function in our society. They have a risky job and they are entitled to security.

The freedom to criticize judges and other public officials is necessary to a vibrant democracy. The problem comes when healthy criticism is replaced with more destructive intimidation and sanctions.

Judges are appointed often through the political process.

Judges need to restrict themselves to the proper resolution of the case before them. They need to avoid the temptation to set broad policy.

Judges must beware of hard constructions and strained inferences, for there is no worse torture than that of laws.

Nobody wants a judge to be subject to the political whim of the moment.

Judges rule on the basis of law, not public opinion, and they should be totally indifferent to pressures of the times.

Judicial abuse occurs when judges substitute their own political views for the law.

I remain mindful that the role of a judge is a limited one and that judges can't solve every problem. But at the same time, judges play a crucial role in safeguarding liberty and protecting the rights of all citizens.