Decorum Interruptus

I'm a shit rolls down hill lawyer.  I handle cases that no one else wants to deal with, at a startling volume, in the Poverty Capital of America. But even if my clients don't think of me as a real lawyer, even if judges, cops or prosecutors treat me with sneering contempt, I have a deep allegiance to the Constitution.  There is this supposed hierarchy among lawyers in America that is capped by the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States and descends down, like a caste system, through federal and state practicioners, all the way down to shit rolls down hill lawyers like me. 

Even though I live in a country where far too many lawyers get far more credit than they deserve, get paid exorbitant amounts without any proportionate contribution to society, ascend to the bench because of political considerations, and basically act like they own the joint, I still show respect for the system.  I maintain decorum.  Which is why I'm so incensed by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's snotty behavior at the State of the Union.  Put the substance of the issue aside. It's the style and form of the moment that speak volumes about the man.

It's the President's forum. It's the President's moment to speak.  Alito had his chance to speak through the majority opinion or a concurrence, could have read it out loud if he wanted to.  But instead, he mouthed his bratty words for the camera when it wasn't his turn to speak.  He might as well have screamed, "You Lie!"

I've gotten to the point in my professional career where judges, at least, give me the courtesy of not interrupting me while I advocate for my clients.  It wasn't always that way.  I do the same for them, and admonish others for speaking when it's the judge's turn to make a record.  And that's how I viewed the moment: an utter absence of decorum on behalf of a member of the highest echelon of my profession.  If I shook my head, muttering "not true, not true" as the judge spoke, I'd be a dick.

What a dick you revealed yourself to be, Mr. Alito. You Federalist Society creeps are all alike. Not a one of you have ever begged for justice and mercy for the poor. Every one of you blathers on about how right you are about everything.  All shameful, despicable frauds you are. The highest echelon of my profession, my ass.

I say, shit rolls down hill to the highest echelon of our profession.  Ponder that paradox, sir. You want to witness the best of our profession?  Come find us looking out for the least among us in the Poverty Capital of America.  We'll teach you a few things.  Bring Scalia, Thomas and Roberts, too.



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If you didn't listen to the MLK "I have a dream" speech today, that's a shame.  Actually, go listen to it right now, then come back. I'll wait.

All right. You probably never noticed this before, but it's much more than a plea for equality.  It's a plea for justice for all people.  Justice.  That word is found a dozen or so times in the first half of the speech.
Blackey-black-black and whitey-white-white can argue about equality. They can get blackey-white-white and whitey-black-black or blackey-white-black and whitey-black-white to join in the fray. Even blackey-black-white and whitey-white-black will get provoked to take a side now and then.

But they must all side with justice, or else.  You don't want justice for all in this world? You want to look out for your own and to hell with the rest?  Then, you're an asshole. You're un-American. And everyone around you will know you as an un-American asshole long before you figure it out way too late.

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