[JURIST] Speaking as part of a panel [recorded video via ABA] on the independence of the judiciary at the annual meeting of the American Bar Association [group website] Tuesday, US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer [Wikipedia profile] said that controversial rulings on divisive issues like the rights of homosexuals and capital punishment have created a surge in political reaction that is threatening the independence of judges. ABA President Michael Greco [ABA profile] said judges have faced threats of physical violence along with calls for impeachment by lawmakers in Washington angered by court rulings. Discussing the Court's method of examining constitutional limits to decide important issues, Breyer said that the Court can't control the politics of the issues involved. AP has more.