Taney was a typical Constitutional illiterate--like Jefferson Davis and the rest of the Southern "legal scholars" current at that time--and should have been forcibly removed from the bench by Abraham Lincoln for his manifest treason against this nation during the Civil War.
Blackmun, on the other hand, was a learned man seduced by the evil siren song of smug, comfortable, modern liberalism. His pitiful legal opinions are laughable, and nowhere more so than in the Roe vs. Wade decision.
Hopefully, President Bush will have at least three chances to remake the Supreme Court in a more Constitutional image during the next four years. I think we'll see at least that many retirements from the High Court, if not more.
Taney and Blackmun are undoubtedly on their way to Outer Darkness.
Wow, do you need to do a lot of reading! (if you are able)
Maybe you could point out one or two points Taney made in Scott v. Sandford that you think might qualify him for the apellation of "Constitutional illiterate." And while you're at it give Ex parte Merryman a shot too.
Constitutional illiterate, indeed!
ML/NJ