Here’s one talk that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg didn’t fall asleep during: her own, a conversation with Nina Totenberg at the 92nd Street Y on Thursday night.
We took note of the fact that RBG dozed off a bit during President Obama’s State of the Union address. As it turns out, Justice Ginsburg has an explanation.
According to the Panel Nerds over at Mediaite, who covered RBG’s interview with La Totenberg:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg says that the justices have dinner and drinks before the State of the Union address, so she sometimes needs a little help staying awake:
“This year it was my colleague Justice Stephen Breyer…he was not as effective as my colleague Justice David Souter — at the first sign, he’d give me a solid pinch.”
So there’s at least one person in the United States who’s sorry that Justice Souter retired. (That one person isn’t Justice Souter, who couldn’t wait to head back to New Hampshire.)
CORRECTION: As noted in the comments, Justice Souter never attended the State of the Union. So perhaps Justice Ginsburg was referring to other situations where she had a penchant for taking a snooze and Justice Souter helped her out.
FURTHER UPDATE: A member of the Elect tells us: “I’d bet anything that RBG was actually referring to oral argument at the Court. She has a penchant for falling asleep there as well, and DHS sat next to her.”
Read a full account of the Ginsburg-Totenberg conversation over at Mediaite.
Panel Nerds: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Is Human [Mediaite]
Earlier: SCOTUS Retirement Watch? Zzzzzz…
First to … zzzzzz…
First?
SUCK MY BALLS PACIFIC REPORTER!
Women shouldn’t get so drunk that they pass out. Someone might take advantage of them.
I thought Souter never went to the SOTU on principle.
If that is true, why is Ginsberg saying he used to help keep her awake.
A little fact checking is in order for Lat so he can get a chance to smear another liberal.
Linda Greenhouse said Souter never went:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/justice-alitos-reaction/
No idea how she backs up that statement, but I would at least say her view is credible absent any corroboration or contradiction.
Ginsburg’s memory is likely getting poorer every day. So I would think she may have been referring to other social occasions (or oral arguments!!!) but not necessarily to the SOTU.
I would totally tap that ass. Twice. With the lights on.
-guy who likes to tap things with the lights on
5 — Lat addresses that point. I think your reading comprehension skills need improvement.
8 – No, 5 was right. The “correction” was added after the fact.
What you are talking about, Lat? Outside of your Federalist Society bubble-world, Souter was reasonably well-liked and respected as a jurist.
What you are talking about, Lat? Outside of your tiny Federalist Society bubble-world, Souter was reasonably well-liked and respected as a jurist.
What you are talking about, Lat? Outside of your tiny Federalist Society bubble-world, Souter was reasonably well-liked and respected as a jurist.
Could someone tell me whether, outside Lat’s Federalist Society bubble, Souter was reasonably well-liked and respected as a jurist?
2: You’re not first. For your failure, you have to a) service Lat or b) service Elie. Take your pick.
13 – I think 10 answered your question.
13 – I think 11 answered your question too.
13 – I think 12 also answered your question.
Oh wait, I get it now.
15/16.
What you are talking about people?
It’s not just Lat’s Federalist Society bubble, it’s “Lat’s tiny Federalist Society bubble-world.” Wasn’t that Lisa Simpson’s science experiment?
Things like this would not happen if people were allowed to bear arms at the SOTU address.
I just want to wish Justice Ginsburg good luck- we’re all counting on her.
Lat –
You meant to say that the “one person” number DOES include Justice Souter.
Also, you look a lot more like Bruno’s gay pygmy assistant than you do like Judge Chin.
I hear that ex-Katten Pussy Pass is being lined up for Ginsburg’e seat on the court.
at least one person? riiiight.
21 – you are an idiot. Souter was very vocal regarding how much he disliked being a SC Justice and how excited he was to retire
At least Lat puts his douchiness front and center. It’s a shame that he’s an editor here, though. With his facile, off-key wingnuttiness, and his unintentionally creepy posts where he moons over hot guys, he’d make an excellent comments troll.
Better to fall asleep then the spasoid breach of decorum by Alito, J. What a loser.
Better to fall asleep then the spasoid breach of decorum by Alito, J. What a loser.
She’s no Harriet Miers.
27, I think the pre-speech drinks may help explain Alito’s actions
I think having a brain wrt what the Constitution actually says vs. what one wishes it said explains Alito’s actions.
The only brain Alito has is the one installed by Richard Mellon Sciafe – bought and paid for…
Ginsburg fell asleep during oral arguments a while back, and it led to an awesome courtroom sketch.
http://patterico.com/2006/03/04/sketch-of-ginsburg-napping/
http://www.cjr.org/behind_the_news/how_does_a_lady_get_any_sleep.php
I would have fallen asleep also given the useless rhetoric that Pres. Obama was spouting.