Three Supreme Court Justices Return to Yale
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Published 2014-12-24
The three Justices participated in a rare three-way discussion - ranging on topics including - #SupremeCourt traditions, the Court’s well publicized resistance to new technology, salsa dancing and many more insightful looks into the lives of the three Justices.
Justice Clarence Thomas, who has not asked a question from the Supreme #Court bench since 2006, unusually expansive here. He goes on to give several insights as to why this may be the case, although we have seen him speak in more recent cases.
Thomas - now in his late 60s - acknowledged being the archetypal “cynical” law student, tending to view issue with a rather negative bent. Thomas blamed his youthful immaturity and the unsettled political climate of the early 1970s.
For many years, Justice Thomas had absolutely no plans on returning to his alma mater. In his 2007 memoir, “My Grandfather’s Son,” Thomas wrote about his complex inner feelings in which at times he felt as if his law degree had been tainted by the move toward affirmative action. He wrote, “I learned the hard way - that a law degree from Yale meant one thing for white graduates and another for blacks, no matter how much anyone denied it.”
Adding, “I peeled a 15-cent price sticker off a package of cigars and stuck it on the frame of my law degree to remind myself of the mistake I’d made by going to #Yale.” At this event - however - things were much warmer. Far from the controversial nomination and conformation process Thomas endured in 1991, in which he was accused of numerous things - in a highly charged partisan environment. “I wish I came here at a time when I could have been more positive,” he added. “There is so much here that I just walked right by.”
Justice Sonia Sotomayor has previously written and discussed the help she received through affirmative action, which she credited with her admittance to the prestigious program. Sotomayor said that she found her time at #Yale to be both completely "inspiring" yet "intimidating", something I think we can all understand.
Frequently drawing large #crowds at her public appearances doesn't shake her from her mission to enjoy all aspects of life, while also constantly pursuing the rigorous discipline required in the educational and contemplative process. Now in her early 60s, she admits to being a "poor dancer" but that does not dissuade her from continuing her enjoyment of salsa. More information about Justice #Sotomayor can be found her popular memoir titled, “My Beloved #World.”
In contrast with the other Justices tepid and cautionary approach, Justice Alito has been a loyal member of the law school alumni going all the way back to 2005. While, in preparation for his confirmation hearings, Alito felt it necessary to set aside some time from preparations to write an apology note to the dean of the law school for his absence during his 30th reunion.
#Six other justices also all attended Harvard Law School, though former popular Justice, Ruth Bader #Ginsburg transferred to and graduated from #Columbia Law School. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has two #Harvard degrees and was once asked whether it is healthy for the Supreme Court to consist of only justices with degrees from elite institutions.
“First of all, I disagree with your premise,” he responded. “Not all of the justices went to elite institutions. Some went to Yale."
For more information about online classes with Yale visit: youtube.com/user/YaleCourses
All Comments (21)
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I could listen to Justice Thomas all day every day.
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Wow, that compliment Justice Sotomayor paid to Justice Thomas was so heart warming, especially given how often they disagree...
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Justice Thomas's laugh is great. Also, what is with the mediator using first names like she's just talking to her friends?
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Listening to Justice Thomas' laugh through this discussion was awesome! Made for a fun conversation!
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What an enriching & enchanting conversation
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This moderator is rude and interrupts them terribly. The justices are measured and focused in their responses and the moderator would do well to learn from them in how she talks. Be patient when you are interviewing great minds.
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It was such a honor. Thank you again. To sit among the historians of Justice... AMAZING!☺🎊🎉💕 I don't feel the hostess was rude at all. She was respectful and mindful of their position as Supreme Court Justice's and who they are. Moreover, she was comfortable as she sat among her peers, and that is a good thing.☺👏🎊🎉
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VERY rude and unprofessional for that woman to be calling these justices by their first names. She also repeatedly interrupted them. Unbelievable!
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How refreshing that people with a very serious job, also have great senses of humor.
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Honor to Yale and the Supreme court Justice's!☺💕🎊
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I love the laughter!🤣 Law is serious, but there should be fun moments to lighten and brighten the atmosphere. Keep that laughter.👏🎊🎉
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Er... I believe it's "Justice Alito," "Justice Sotomayor," and "Justice Thomas," not Sam, Sonia, and Clarence. Great discussion otherwise, though!
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See I love this kind of stuff because, try as I may not, sometimes I read or hear an opinion and think the Justice is being especially harsh or brutal I forget to remember I do exactly what Justice Sotomayer does where I get so deep into thought with an argument or thought that I come off very cold and it does bother me to a degree. My mentor is the same way and she hadn't realized how common it was in really intelligent people!
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Wow this is Awesome
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A little pretentious of the moderator to be calling these justices by their first names. I mean after all they have reached the pinnacle of their professions.
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In regards to Justice Sotomayor's comment at 13:44 - "..[A]nd I'm involved in an argument and I become sort of oblivious to the world around me, and I'm just trained in on the person who I'm engaged with and I'm seeking an answer and so, to some, it seems that I'm being combative, when I'm really just searching for an answer; and that has held me in bad stead." --- This really speaks to me; it really does a, no pun-intended, justice to hear someone like Justice Sotomayor reflect on her style of examining argument. It's a battle I personally have to confront when trying to remain true in principle in arguments that I am similarly involved in (though nothing constitutional yet!).
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In observation... it is so prolific to know how much reading really does shape our lives. We read more than we 💡 think. Moreover, in reading profusely... How much do we really retain?👀
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I could listen to Clarence laugh all day
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Having clerked for Justice Souter in 97’, I have to agree that the moderator’s first name basis is very inappropriate. I think these conversations should be required viewing by all, do they can not fall into the media hype of the partisan nature of the court.
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That moderator though....
