They all have the common theme of admitting that life in the DC bubble HEAVILLY influences their prospective over time.
O'Connor even admits that the gay clerks (such nice, hardworking boys) altered her views and those of her successor Justice Kennedy over the issue of gay marriage.
The legitimate issues that they raised (such as partner visits to hospitals) could have been addressed in a far less radical way (such as civil unions) than the solution which the supremes, colored by their long life in the DC bubble, ultimately imposed.
I believe that this was part of the reason that supreme court justices were once expected to serve three months every year as circuit judges elsewhere in the country just to keep them out of the DC bubble.
prospective = PERspective. Sorry.
Sandra Day O’Connor was a mediocre Justice chosen only because Ronnie promised a woman Justice and hired a political hack.