Supreme Court eyes changes in 'family'

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court takes change very seriously, justices say, with a new member next week meaning more change in what several see as a family.

Interviews highlight the tight bonds among the justices despite deep differences in political thought, The Washington Post said Friday.

"To some extent, it's unsettling," Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said of membership change in a planned C-SPAN series about the nation's highest court. "You quickly get to view the court as ... composed of these members, and it becomes kind of hard to think of it as involving anyone else. I suspect it's like people look at their families."

"It's stressful for us because we so admire our colleagues," added Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. "We wonder, oh, will it ever be the same?"

"It changes the whole family," Justice Clarence Thomas said. "You have to start all over. The chemistry is different."

Justice Sonia Sotomayor takes the bench next Wednesday replacing retired Justice David H. Souter.

Reports say Justice John Paul Stevens also may be considering retirement. The TV series on the court begins Oct. 4.