I have been pleasantly surprised at both kagan and sotomayor a couple of times. Now if they would just listen a little more to Scalia and Thomas, we might have a real court.
You are exactly right. I am impressed by stances both have taken in several cases. Considering who nominated both of them, it seems better to praise their good calls more and damn their expected calls less. When someone is heading in your general direction when you don’t expect it, don’t discourage it.