Given the Chance, What Would You Ask Justice Scalia?

B. McLeod
Feb 4, 2009 9:18 PM CST

Actually, she was a young woman.

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Hugh Lowe
Feb 5, 2009 2:49 PM CST

I am reminded of the old joke that made the point that you can’t call a judge a jackass, but you can call a jackass a judge.

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John Fahsbender
Feb 6, 2009 6:55 AM CST

I’d like to know how he makes his red sauce, and whether he bakes or fries his meatballs.

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Lit Lawyer
Feb 6, 2009 7:15 AM CST

“Why did you ‘borrow’ your analogy about passive and active suicides in Cruzan from Hamlet’s gravedigger’s scene without giving Shakespeare any credit or mention?”

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Sheldon Rubin
Feb 6, 2009 7:58 AM CST

Should each Justice be required to complete an Ethics Questiionnaire every 3 years?If your answer is no,why not.

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GLK
Feb 6, 2009 8:15 AM CST

Quack! Quack!  Did you say this as an indication of what others should say when they meet you?

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Nick Caggiano
Feb 6, 2009 8:50 AM CST

I had the opportunity to meet Justice Scalia twice. The first time was at an ABA sponsored CLE event at the Supreme Court several years ago. We were at at a reception prior to a dinner at which he was to be the speaker. I was conversing with a small group of lawyers, and Justice Scalia approached our group and cordially introduced himself to each of us. Prior to this, some of the lawyers in the group were anxious to ask him questions relative to his activities on the bench. But, during his introductions, when he saw from my name tag that I was Italian American, he made note of that in a nice way. That broke the ice, and I asked him how he liked living in the DC area, being formerly from New York, and he said it was OK, but it was hard to get really good Italian bread like they have in New York. I was living in Northern Virginia at the time and shared his concern, which lead to a nice conversation about bread and family and other shared interests—but NOT his judicial activities. He was clearly more interested in discussing these things than being asked questions about legal matters (much to the surprise of the others in our little circle). I met him once again at an event sponsored by the Delaware St. Thomas More Society, where I introduced him to my wife to whom he was very cordial, and again there was no discussion about legal matters. At both functions, he delivered very impressive speeches. He impressed me as being a good family man, very down to earth, yet obviously gifted as a lawyer and judge. If he scolded a young would-be law student, maybe she deserved it…

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Joe
Feb 6, 2009 9:05 AM CST

There are those who believe that the fabric of society is woven through our interactions with each other, both friends and strangers alike.  How do you respond to the criticism that your interactions with your fellow Justices (whose intellectual capacity and character you have repeatedly attacked), and with complete strangers, damage that fabric?

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Joe Budar
Feb 6, 2009 9:15 AM CST

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xyz
Feb 6, 2009 9:20 AM CST

I would ask him what it is like to be on a court in which he is the brightest and the “brashest” compared to the other spineless ninnies.

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Espey
Feb 6, 2009 9:26 AM CST

“If someone spoke to and treated your dear mother the way you speak to and treat others, what would you think of that someone?”

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IJS
Feb 6, 2009 9:37 AM CST

How about the disrespect Justice Scalia shows to others?  His attitudes are not appropriate for an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

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Opie&Anthony;
Feb 6, 2009 9:41 AM CST

Do you still visit porn.com?

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D. Chase
Feb 6, 2009 9:42 AM CST

Why were there 18 essay questions on our 4 hour con law final?!

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Reginald Porter
Feb 6, 2009 9:55 AM CST

I’d ask him why he is such a huge douche.

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Andy the Lawyer
Feb 6, 2009 10:06 AM CST

What good is an immortal soul if coupled to really bad manners?

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ARB
Feb 6, 2009 10:11 AM CST

I agree with #26 that the question was rudely asked.  However, a professional jurist in a public setting should, in my opinion, ignore the rude aspect of the question and address the substance.  As for the question I would like to ask Justice Scalia, it is this:  “What newspapers and periodicals do you read on a regular basis?”

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Heywood
Feb 6, 2009 10:38 AM CST

How can a strict constructionist ignore “a well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State” when interpreting the Second Amendment?  Isn’t ignoring the plain language of the Constition commonplace among those you would refer to as revisionist judges?

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John Fenner
Feb 6, 2009 10:57 AM CST

How does the “Original Intent” Doctrine square with today’s widespread use of that abomination to the Founding Fathers—paper money?  Would you vote against it?

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Robert Gould
Feb 6, 2009 11:13 AM CST

Justice Scalia why doesn’t respect for the judicial system and professionalism extend
bilaterally from the bench to counsel and not only from counsel to the bench?

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George D. Carey
Feb 6, 2009 11:41 AM CST

Dear Justice Scalia:
Would you please help me get cameras banned in my courtroom?
Your friend, Lance Ito

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don gindy
Feb 6, 2009 11:46 AM CST

Did the signers of the Consitution intend for the document to evolve, that is, to accept new concepts within its language as the country grew?  If so, have previous members of the Court been correct in recognizing that evolution?  Have you been true to the findings of those previous members of the Court in your time on the Bench?

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Aaron
Feb 6, 2009 11:52 AM CST

I met and spoke with Justice Scalia at a Federalist Society event at Notre Dame.  I found him to be warm, authentic, clever, genial, deft and witty.  Even when pressed regarding some apparent inconsistencies in his jurisprudential philosophy with respect to federal common law (or the non-existence thereof) he was remarkably forthright and intellectually honest in recognizing these inconsistencies, and discussing them openly with well-meaning students and professors who were genuinely interested in meaningful scholarly discourse and understanding.  I would also echo Mark Cargianno’s comments, Justice Scalia was funny and personable, and though perhaps I disagree with him and his approach to some questions of constitutional and legislative interpretation, I do not doubt his passionate and sincere commitment to serving justice and the law, and I find him far less arrogant and brash than the uncivilized dregs who too often contribute to these comment boards.  I ‘d say you should be ashamed of yourselves, but you obvious have not shame. Besides, you are unserious and I would likely be wasting my time.

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Bill Combs
Feb 6, 2009 12:07 PM CST

Wasn’t the original intent of the U.S. Constitution to provide for “open courts”?  Wouldn’t cameras in the courtroom advance that intent?

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heywood
Feb 6, 2009 12:27 PM CST

#37, it you who shows your ignorance.  Scalia wastes much ink describing why he ignors what he calls a prefatory clause.  He doesn’t tacitly ignore the phrase.  He gives the clause no weight.  He ignores it.

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