Academic

Does Adam Liptak Have Any Sense of Humor?

By Calvin Massey

Adam Liptak, who has replaced Linda Greenhouse at the New York Times,  reported on Justice Thomas's recent talk to high school students in Washington D.C.   The following excerpt from Liptak's article suggests he can't tell when the Justice is trying to be humorous. 

"The questions from students were read to Justice Thomas, and the first one seemed to throw him off. 'Since the Civil War, what has changed the way Americans view the Constitution the most and why?' an unidentified student asked.  Justice Thomas gave a rambling response [and wrapped up his answer:]  'So I would have to say just off the top of my head the Fourteenth Amendment. And I bet you someone?s going to hear that and say, well, no, it?s the dormant commerce clause or something.'  That was a curious aside. Few Americans could name the dormant commerce clause, and it has no obvious connection to how popular views of the Constitution changed after the Civil War."

Duh! That's the point.  

You may read the transcript of Thomas's remarks, including the full Q and A here. 

Todd Zywicki, at the Volokh Conspiracy, has more on the entire event, including some comments on the nature of Liptak's coverage.    

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on April 16, 2009 (boomark / email).