“Supreme Court Confirmations Are as Messy as They Should Be”: Law Professor Jeffrey Rosen has this review of four books in today’s issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education (via “OUPblog“).

“Vote to strip rights of Guantanamo prisoners may be reconsidered”: This article will appear Saturday in The Miami Herald.

“Bush’s Conservative Judge Harbors Libertarian Streak”: Jonathan D. Glater and Adam Liptak will have this article Saturday in The New York Times.

In today’s edition of The Sacramento Bee: The newspaper contains an article headlined “Former Loretto High School teacher reaches settlement” that begins, “The Loretto High School drama teacher fired last month for volunteering at a Planned Parenthood clinic has reached a settlement with the Catholic all-girls school, attorneys for the teacher and school said Friday.”

In addition, the newspaper contains an editorial entitled “Short-circuited: 9th Circuit doesn’t need breaking up.”

“The High Court Looks Abroad; As Congress Backs Bush Foreign Policy, Justices Voice Qualms”: Charles Lane will have this article Saturday in The Washington Post.

“Thomas: Abortion Holds Judiciary Hostage.” The Associated Press provides a report that begins, “Federal court appointments are being held hostage by the abortion issue, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said Friday in advocating a briefer, less intrusive confirmation process. Speaking to law students at the University of Alabama, Thomas said former clerks and other lawyers often tell him they’re not interested in federal judgeships because of the potential for bruising confirmation battles.”

“Answer Key: Decoding Samuel Alito Jr.” Law Professor Jeffrey Rosen will have this article (pass-through link) in the November 21, 2005 issue of The New Republic.

Back home from Boston: Stay tuned for new posts.

“No Smoke, No Fire: Alito, the hard-ass.” Emily Bazelon has this jurisprudence essay online at Slate.

“Alito & First Amendment protection for sexual expression”: Robert Corn-Revere has this essay online at the First Amendment Center.

“Some Abortion Foes Unsure About Alito; Single-issue groups are growing concerned that the Supreme Court nominee might not be an ally in their effort to overturn Roe vs. Wade”: Maura Reynolds has this article today in The Los Angeles Times.

The Newark Star-Ledger today contains articles headlined “Alito says he wasn’t wrong to hear 2 cases” and “Public practitioners of faith often found a friend in Alito.”

Michael McGough of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Alito says he never ruled when he should have recused himself.”

The Washington Times reports that “Alito pressed on conflict worries.”

Newsday reports that “Alito denies ethical slips; He defends his hearing of appeals involving investment firms despite 1990 pledge to Senate.”

USA Today contains an article headlined “Alito: Recusal promise was too ‘restrictive’; Nominee says he didn’t violate ethics rules.”

The Wall Street Journal contains an article headlined “Alito Replies to Issues Involving Investments” (temporary free access).

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that “Alito might hesitate to overturn Roe vs. Wade, Kohl says; Nominee avoids specifics in talk with senator.”

The Asbury Park Press reports that “Lautenberg wants to learn more about Alito.”

And The Columbia Missourian reports that “MU law professor worked closely with Alito.”

“Romney rips SJC’s justices on values; Says personal views swayed marriage ruling”: This article appears today in The Boston Globe.

“Engaged in a Very Civil War; The Federalist Society has reshaped the legal system without ever going to court”: David G. Savage has this article today in The Los Angeles Times. In related coverage, “Rove Says the Tide Is Running in Conservatives’ Favor; The White House aide gives a speech criticizing liberal judicial activism as speculation continues over whether he’ll be indicted over a CIA leak.”

The New York Times reports today that “Despite Recent Gains, Conservative Group Is Wary on Direction of Court.”

The Washington Post reports that “Rove Addresses Federalist Society.”

And The Washington Times reports that “Rove slams court activism in speech to lawyers’ group.”