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Judy Woodruff, CNN anchor: Justice O'Connor, thank you very much for letting us come and speak with you today about your new book. The title is "The Majesty of the Law."
O'Connor: It sounds pretty impressive.
Woodruff: What is it about the law that has just so captivated you?
O'Connor: Oh, just because i've been so close to it for so long, and because i've seen what an important role it has played in shaping our society. Or maybe i should say, in reflecting what our society has chosen to do.
I don't think law often leads society. It really is a statement of society's beliefs in a way. And it very much reflects what the American people believe in for the most part.
I chose the title from the freeze in the supreme court courtroom that is above the heads of the justices as we sit on the bench. That's what it's called. So i thought maybe that would do.
Woodruff: What is it about our system that sets the American system apart from other countries?
O'Connor: We have a written Constitution. It contains, now, a Bill of Rights, individual rights that are set out in such a way that it's designed to prevent the majority acting through the legislative and executive branches from taking away those individual liberties. And if such an action is challenged in the court, the courts have the power and, indeed, the duty to follow the provisions of the Constitution and ensure that individual rights are protected even against majority action.
I think the American people understand that fundamental concept and treasure it, and that's what's made it special in this country. I don't know about you, but when i travel around the world, i enjoy it, but i never have quite the same feeling of protections that i have in this country.
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