Underneath Their Robes

Supremes: What's in YOUR Wallet?

by Clerquette

For those of us who often find ourselves, necks craned, straining for a peek underneath the robes of Article III's judicial superstars, the words "financial disclosure" have a special cachet. In the parlance of Chris Matthews, glimpsing the judiciary's financial bloomers has the power to send a thrill up our collective legs. 

And, of course, a glimpse into the financial medicine cabinets of First Street's occupants induces a special contact high. While the Supremes' financial details may come as no surprise to some, they are fascinating nonetheless; after all, given that the nine Justices occupy such a hallowed niche in our judiciary (not to mention our starstruck little hearts!), the details of their personal lives are usually even more shadowy than those of the typical, discreet A3 Judge. Hence, there is something deliciously "Us Weekly" about learning that Justices are just like us! They lose money in the down market! They have whopping dental bills! They have scary credit card bills! When the slots call, they answer!

There are six millionaires on the High Court, as was the case in past years.  Also unchanged since the last disclosure -- but no less shocking to this blogress -- are the two most loaded members of the Court: Justices Ginsburg and Souter.  Who would think that these quiet, unassuming (and in Souter's case), and famously frugal jurists were, in fact, sitting on large bags of money?  More to the point, does Souter plan to devote his imminent retirement from the Court to spending some of his estimated $6 - 27.6 million dollar net worth? Does he plan to spend any of it?

Justice-elect Sonia Sotomayor would, if confirmed, be well advised to 'shift the burden' of lavish entertaining; as the Times reported last week, her net worth is a paltry $740,000. But, while she should be saving her money for credit card bills and a mouthful of debt for dental work (no word on what, exactly, SS had renovated), the Times also reports that our newest Supreme may believe in living rich and dying poor. SS is, apparently, "an interior decorating buff who loves to shop," and a "frequent patron of Manhattan restaurants, sometimes picking up the tab for dinner with clerks." Clerquette also delighted in the news that SS is a legendary party-thrower and buyer of Christmas gifts ... which she may subsidize with her gambling winnings.  If this Diva's presence in the courtroom is anything like her last trip to a casino, dear readers, we can all look forward to a smokin' hot bench!

Not surprisingly, Justice Thomas is among the "least well off" of his colleagues.  Poor Justice Thomas; he can't seem to catch a break!  At least the perpetually acerbic Justice has raked in a cool $1.5 million from the sales of his book, "My Grandfather's Son."  That should keep the Justice and his wife, avid RV-ers, in petrol and gas-station treats  for quite some time. Jerky, anyone?

DivaWatch: Week 1

by Clerquette

Hola, Groupies!  All work and no Article III gossip makes Clerquette a cranky blogress ... especially when our newest nominette -- New York's own native daughter! -- has been gracing the headlines all week. Sonia visits Harry Reid! Sonia coos over Senator Leahy's presh grandchildren! Sonia ventures into the lion's den a meeting with Senator Sessions!  Sonia is labeled a racist!

Yes, dear readers: the foreplay that precedes confirmation hearings may be political, judicial, and dignified by the imprimatur of Article III ... but it is still foreplay.  In other words, it can simultaneously be too titillating to turn away from and too cringe-inducing to watch.

Let's direct our attention to SS's meeting with Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev). Reid cheerfully announced to the press that SS had been an "underdog," but was also "the top dog."  This blogress can't help but wonder whether the Senator could have come up with a slightly more distinguished way to refer to a Supreme-to-be. Might the Senator be attempting to ensure the support of infuential dogs everywhere? 

Similarly cringe-inducing: SS's staged ogle-fest of Senator Patrick Leahy's five granchildren, her designated rabbi on the Judiciary Committee.  Cameras captured Sonia remarking on the overhwhelming cuteness of one young Leahy in particular.  Hm ... are her remarks evidence of bias against the others?  Did SS apply a multi-pronged test when determining the supreme cuteness of the grandchild in question?  And, most importantly, is she -- as a wise Latina woman -- better equipped that the old, white Leahy to pick the Next Top Grandchild??

And, of course, there is the questionnaire. With 173 pages (plus new supplements!) to dig through, this blogress has a good idea of what her weekend will involve. Will anything juicer than the news of SS's combined $30k in dental and credit card bills emerge?? Your friend Clerquette recently perused a letter to the editor of the Princetonian, written by an earnest young SS and released along with her judicial questionnaire, that contained the following sentence:

The feelings we are trying to convey was best stated by Frank Reed ’76 when he said: “We only wish the opportunity as a people, to learn and be learned from.” This is our complaint, and what it signifies.

Proofreading fail, Girl Judge! Clerquette can only hope that SS doesn't have too many more grammatical skeletons in her closet. While a team of handlers worries about taxes, off-color remarks, financial shenanigans, and sex scandals, this blogress -- speaking for former and current A3 clerks and groupies -- would like to say, simply: Godspeed to you, SS. May the Elements of Style be with you.