Justice Alito: Even More Style-Impaired Than We Originally Thought

Yes, that's right; Justice Samuel Alito is getting a makeover from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Heaven help us!

The Washington Post column by Dana Milbank that accompanies the photo offers a very interesting look at Justice Alito's first day on the Court. Here are some highlights:

"In his first day on the bench, Alito laughed obligingly at Justice Antonin Scalia's joke about river discharge. He stroked his chin thoughtfully and rocked in his chair, just as the more senior justices do. The eight questions he asked -- on the finer points of the Clean Water Act and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission -- put him on course to surpass within days the total number of questions Justice Clarence Thomas has asked in 15 years."

"The new student had some awkward moments as he adjusted to his surroundings. He tried to talk at the same time as 85-year-old Justice John Paul Stevens, then quickly backed down. He continued the questioning of a government lawyer after the time for the argument had expired. And, in his haste to depart the chamber, he forgot the rules of seniority and stepped in front of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; the 72-year-old Clinton appointee was uninjured."

A3G aside: The Clean Water Act cases that were argued yesterday can be summed up in a single word: BORING! Don't be fooled by all that sexy-sounding talk from the justices about "discharges."

The best thing about being a Supreme Court clerk: the prestige.

The worst thing about being a Supreme Court clerk: the work!

(Gavel bang: Wonkette.)

Comments

[Mary K. Day-Petrano]

I think Justice Ginsberg was brushing a ladybug off Justice Alito's robe, but pray tell -- why? Ladybugs are lucky creatures.

[Mary K. Day-Petrano]

I think Justice Ginsberg was brushing a ladybug off Justice Alito's robe, but pray tell -- why? Ladybugs are lucky creatures.

[Forrest]

I wonder if UTR has any more info on interactions between the Supremes. Is Ginsburg the "Supreme Mom"? Does everyone look to Roberts or Mr. Senority Stevens?

[jurisprude]

If I hear one more complaint about how often this site links to Wonkette, I swear I'll . . . continue to post annoying complaints about how often people complain about how often this site links to Wonkette.

[Still a UTR Fan, But...]

I think the real problem is not a decrease in the quality or quantity of A3G's posts (which is admitted by A3G, and exaggerated by commenters). I think it's just that the air of mystery is gone -- and that's not something that can be recovered.

So we need to accept the new UTR on its own terms. It will never be "the same as it was"; but, as blogs go, it's still pretty darn good.

[Anonymous Bitch]

The Wonkette reference was just a "hat tip" -- or the UTR equivalent, a "gavel bang" -- which A3G would have given to Howard Bashman, Orin Kerr, or whoever alerted her to the photo. Wonkette is getting no more or less favorable treatment than How Appealing, the Volokh Conspiracy, or any other similarly situated blog. Nobody is forcing you to read anything, and nobody is preventing you from starting your own blog about judges.

A3G has entertained us, through the expenditure of much time and energy (and Typepad fees), for almost two years. She earns no ad revenue from UTR, and she doesn't even have a tip jar.

If you want A3G to post more frequently, send her a big fat check and make it worth her while -- or send a letter to some legal news company and encourage them to buy out UTR, so A3G can blog here for a living. Otherwise, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

[Loyal Cinci Correspondent]

Oh puuhleeese. Who cares about the similarities to Wonkette! Everyone who reads this blog reads Wonkette anyway. If you've already seen an entry before, skip it.

And what with the entitlement sentiment? You a paying customer?

[TRL]

This is really pathetic. Again, why continue this blog if it's just going to be an extension of Wonkette?