“ACLU State of Civil Liberties: Scalia & Strossen.” C-SPAN has posted online at this link (RealPlayer required) archived video of this evening’s discussion.

And Hope Yen of The Associated Press reports that “Scalia Defends Positions in TV Debate.”

“Brownback won’t back down”: The Grand Rapids Press today contains an article that begins, “U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback said he ‘doesn’t relish’ stepping in the middle of a hard-fought compromise to fill three key federal judge positions in Michigan. But the Kansas Republican and member of the Senate Judiciary Committee said his block on the nomination of Janet Neff to a seat on the U.S. District Court will continue until he gets more answers, and that communication from Neff on Friday did not answer his questions.”

Fifteen years ago today: As The Associated Press notes here, on this date in 1991, the U.S. Senate, by a vote of 52-48, confirmed the nomination of Clarence Thomas to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

“Reforming The 9th”: Investor’s Business Daily on Friday published an editorial that begins, “How to bring a wayward court into the mainstream? Some say it should be broken up. But the ballot box offers a more lasting remedy. That’s another reason elections matter.”

“U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and America Civil Liberties Union president Nadine Strossen discuss civil liberties at the ACLU Convention; The discussion is moderated by NBC News correspondent Pete Williams”: C-SPAN will broadcast the event live at 5 p.m. eastern time today. You can view the event live, online using either RealPlayer or Windows Media Player.

“Judge doesn’t object to video game ‘Bully’; A judge said that although he wouldn’t want his children to play the video game Bully, it shouldn’t be banned”: This article appeared yesterday in The Miami Herald.

The Argus Leader of Sioux Falls, South Dakota is reporting: Today’s newspaper contains articles headlined “Ban’s limits worry some S.D. doctors; But abortion foes say questions about health care risks for women overstated” and “Women form differing views after perilous pregnancies.”

“Marine Corps Issues Gag Order in Detainee Abuse Case; The action has lawyers worrying they could be punished for defending Guantanamo clients”: This article appears today in The Los Angeles Times.

“The Right Charge for the Crime: Adam Yahiye Gadahn’s actions are treasonous, and the charge ensures he’ll have the right to trial guaranteed him by the Constitution.” The Los Angeles Times contains this editorial today.

“Call of the West: Rein In the Judges; Conservative ballot measures in many states would check judicial power; South Dakotans seek a right to sue jurists, Montanans to recall.” This article appears today in The Los Angeles Times.

“The time for forced integration has passed”: Today in The St. Petersburg Times, columnist Robyn E. Blumner has an op-ed that begins, “Race is back at center stage at the U.S. Supreme Court this term. The court has another opportunity to put the government out of the business of social engineering by race. I hope the new conservative majority on the court takes it.”

“Who cares about civil liberties? If Democrats gain big in the midterm elections, it won’t be due to outrage over domestic spying or the treatment of terrorism suspects; Does defending civil liberties have to be a political nonstarter?” Drake Bennett has this essay today in the Ideas section of The Boston Globe.

“Group to rally opposition to gay marriage; Romney to speak at event targeting evangelical voters”: This article appears today in The Boston Globe.

“Death by Good Intentions”: Today in The Washington Post, Law Professor David R. Dow has an op-ed that begins, “In two weeks the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, the nation’s premier abolitionist organization, will meet to celebrate its success in reducing popular support for the death penalty and to discuss tactics for continuing the effort.”

“Other Voices: Should Journalists Be Free to Speak Their Minds?” These letters to the Public Editor of The New York Times appear today in that newspaper.

My previous coverage of the controversy surrounding Linda Greenhouse’s speech earlier this year at Radcliffe College can be accessed here and here.

“Guilty Until Confirmed Guilty”: The New York Times today contains an editorial that begins, “When President Bush rammed the bill on military commissions through Congress, the Republicans crowed about creating a process that would be tough on terrorists but preserve essential principles of justice.”