Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/558bv.pdf
Page Number: 280

Cite as: 558 U. S. 100 (2009) 

119 

Opinion of Thomas, J. 

are better left to the “collective experience of bench and bar” 
and  the  “opportunity  for  full  airing”  that  rulemaking  pro­
vides.  Ante,  at  114.  This  determination  is  entitled  to  our 
full  respect,  in  deed  as  well  as  in  word.  Accordingly, 
I  would  leave  the  value  judgments  the  Court  makes  in  its 
opinion to the rulemaking process, and in so doing take this 
opportunity  to  limit—effectively,  predictably,  and  in  a  way 
we  should  have  done  long  ago—the  doctrine  that,  with  a 
sweep  of  the  Court’s  pen,  subordinated  what  the  appellate 
jurisdiction  statute  says  to  what  the  Court  thinks  is  a  good 
idea.