March 10, 2008

"I'm just saying what I've already said, I'm like, 'C'mon, guys, give me a hand here!... How can I help you? What are you concerned about?"

Justice Scalia recalls the time back in the 70s when he argued a case before the Supreme Court and there were, like, 2 questions. He wanted to answer justices questions and instead of having to repeat the argument in the briefs. Or so he says now, when he has a motive to justify his incessant question asking.

8 comments:

ricpic said...

'Tis not questioning incessant
If Justice's questions apposite be;
Rather quickened by salient Scalia
Than bored by Breyer's meanderant.

Eric Muller said...

What Scalia says rings true. I was an appellate practitioner in the Third Circuit and vastly preferred the arguments went the bench was hot. There's nothing more dispiriting than hearing yourself drone on in an appellate court.

Ann Althouse said...

Yes, Eric, but to the extreme that we see now on the Court?

Eric Muller said...

Yes, Ann, those were the best, so long as the judges were being civil.

Ann Althouse said...

I can believe it. My main point in this post is that Scalia is making an argument for himself: I would have loved me! I think that's funny.

David said...

Scalia was a young prof when I was at UVA law school. He had already perfected incessant questioning.

He was a very popular teacher, though, and a good one. He was also easy to kid and make fun of and took it in good spirits. He could be very funny. He didn't seem especially political. Or humble--he was very confident of his talents.

Gahrie said...

Well, as a teacher, I would love to have me as a student.....

Simon said...

Direct link to all the videos.