January 16, 2018

"Justice Scalia... was fascinated by the fact that Trump was so outspoken in an unfiltered way, and therefore we were seeing something a little more genuine than a candidate whose every utterance is airbrushed."

Said Bryan Garner, who has an upcoming book, "Nino and Me: My Unusual Friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia." Garner coauthored books with Scalia: "Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges" and "Reading Law: The Interpretation of Legal Texts."

Scalia's quote about Trump is getting featured in some news stories, but I'd like to call your attention to 2 other things that I saw in the first few pages of the book, which is all that is visible at the Amazon link.

First: Scalia, teenage heartthrob and, later, the grownup with groupies (click to enlarge):
Second: David Foster Wallace (initially referred to by Scalia as "this man"):

65 comments:

rehajm said...

Teenager rebels against his parents by being more conservative? A heartthrob on a TV show about etiquette? Hmmm I think I see a premise for a television series!

SDaly said...

You need a "Caroline" tag for this piece.

Ann Althouse said...

"You need a "Caroline" tag for this piece."

LOL.

Caroline is Garner's daughter. 19 years old in that scene (if I remember correctly). She comes along.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

Justice Scalia... was fascinated by the fact that Trump was so outspoken in an unfiltered way...

...and now he's dead.

Coincidence? I don't think so.

tim in vermont said...

Top five writers with PhD in English...

gspencer said...

Trump to PC: “No More!”
However crudely, the president explodes shibboleths.
Myron Magnet

https://www.city-journal.org/html/trump-pc-%E2%80%9Cno-more%E2%80%9D-15671.html

Owen said...

I just read "Scalia Speaks," a collection of his speeches brought together by his son Christopher and his former law clerk Ed Whelan. Highly recommended. What a mind, what character. And therefore what a loss.

MadisonMan said...

Trump is outspoken in an unfiltered, but calculating way. I don't think his utterances spring willy-nilly from his mouth, but his brain crafts them in a way for maximum impact. This is because he is very knowledgeable in the ways of the Hack Press.

gspencer said...

About that "famed" but unlikely Scalia-Ginsburg friendship, from what I've learned it was basically one-way. The lefty never really reciprocated.

Comanche Voter said...

To steal a phrase from a lesser writer with the name of Tom Wolfe, Scalia was "A Man In Full" in the best sense of the word.

dreams said...

Well, now we know why they done him in.

traditionalguy said...

So DJT wins over Scalia, Scott Adams and then The Electoral College votes of Wisconsin, Michagan and Pennsylvania. Trump's unfiltered words schitk was like a secret weapon. All Steve Bannon missed out on was being a sharp dresser and a loyal man.

Darrell said...

If Trump said "shithole," do you think that the NSA wouldn't have leaked the tape by now? It would have had 10X the impact.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

The unfiltered Donald Trump is what appealed to the voters who support him. We have been so tired of the airbrushed, polished to perfection politicians who never say what they really mean.

Trump may not be the most polished speaker in the world, but it is crystal clear what he is saying. Most people are not public speakers and ramble around, use profanity and stumble often in speeches. That Trump, the billionaire, speaks our language, acts like we do and even (gasp) shows his emotions and has facial expressions that reflect humor, dislike, anger, happiness etc in his speeches, only makes him more attractive. He seems like a regular guy and not a cardboard cut out or a paid shill or an actor who will put on a false face to win you over.

What the MSM sees as a negative, we see as a positive.

Derek Kite said...

I could imagine Trump being in a room, telling some awful joke and looking and discounting immediately anyone who looked around to see if it was safe to laugh.

The Media has taken on the mantle of the priesthood, with their moral denunciations supposedly educating us on what is upright. Trump is like the guy who gets the priests and ministers on the front page of the paper denouncing his show as dangerous to women and children and morals, then enjoying a full house as a result.

Fernandinande said...

Justice Scalia... was fascinated by the fact that Trump was so outspoken in an unfiltered way, and therefore we were seeing something a little more genuine than a candidate whose every utterance is airbrushed.

Only a brilliant jurist could recognize that Trump's speech is not typical of politicians, and only a very brilliant jurist would be fascinated by it.

And maybe fans of pro wrasslin'.

Chuck said...

Let’s see how fast this moves into the realm of, “Scalia supported Trump for president.” Because that is something which Bryan Garner does not say, and for which I am aware of no evidence.

Of course Drudge liked the headline enough to front-page it, and it was only a matter of time before Althouse re-broadcast it. It is one of those stories that Althouse can post and it will fit nicely with all of the rest of the Trump-interest and Trump-support and Trump-rationalization.

For my own part, I wonder what Scalia would have said about Trump’s “so-called judges” comments and more.

SDaly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
tim in vermont said...

There is a real dearth of Trump hate on the internet, n'est ce pas, Chuck?

tim in vermont said...

Search for truth depends on never considering the other side's arguments.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Let’s see how fast this moves into the realm of, “Scalia supported Trump for president.”

You brought it up, Dummy!

This is the same way Wolff got those radioactive quotes from Bannon. When Bannon said, "The idiots in the press want to hear 'Jared's meeting was treasonous' but it just ain't so."

Wolff is writing furiously, "Meeting was treasonous."

Yes I just compared LLR to Bannon, but I'm really saying he's like Wolff. Get it?

Drago said...

Mike: "Yes I just compared LLR to Bannon, but I'm really saying he's like Wolff. Get it?"

Yes you are, but I disagree.

Wolff is more intellectually honest than LLR Chuck.

Gahrie said...

For my own part, I wonder what Scalia would have said about Trump’s “so-called judges” comments and more.

Probably nothing, so he wouldn't lend comfort and aid to the enemy. Of course he actually considered the Left to be the enemy and not the Republican base.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Touche' Drago.

Drago said...

Remember, LLR Chuck and his lefty allies are in full 2018 Help Democrats election mode. They want to chum the waters as much as possible with as many things as possible to distract the voters from the real positive economic impacts of Trump actions and policies.

It's clear the dems/LLR's know their DACA hand is not strong. Even though the LLR's/dems need the amnesty and increased unvetted immigration of unskilled 3rd worlders to ensure permanent lefty control of the government in the near term, in the short term it's not exactly a message you can take to the country: Hey, we are going to shut down our government which exists to serve our citizens because we won't give amnesty to non-citizens!

Hence, Trump is a racist! narrative.

Wow.

Dems/LLR's calling a republican President or Presidential candidate a racist!

We've only seen that every single time for the last 60 years.

Fabi said...

"Of course Drudge liked the headline enough to front-page it, and it was only a matter of time before Althouse re-broadcast it."

Don't be rude, esé.

Trumpit said...

"I just read "Scalia Speaks," a collection of his speeches brought together by his son Christopher and his former law clerk Ed Whelan. Highly recommended. What a mind, what character. And therefore what a loss."

He was a predictable right-wing hack. He was suffering from delusions of grandeur, and pomposity. He also killed for sport. He died in a hunting lodge, which served him right. He can hurt animals and people no more. Thank God.

Drago said...

Trumpit: "He died in a hunting lodge, which served him right."

Shhh.

No one tell Trumpit that many hunting lodges are beautiful abodes in the heart of nature.

And that animals taste good.

Who is up for a burger? Make mine "Extra-Animally"

Btw Trumpit, dont you have a Pro-Human Baby Parts Sale Rally to attend later?

Gahrie said...

He also killed for sport.

So does my cat.

CERDIP said...

This reminded me that there is already a better word for those we call "elites" - that's snoot (despite Scalia's defiinition, it's always meant to me (50+ years) to be those that look down their noses at others - snooty)

Drago said...

Gahrie: "So does my cat."

Your cat is clearly a right-wing war criminal and callous murderer.

And, since you are associated with said cat,....well. You know where this is going...

Unknown said...

Chuck @ 9:51: "For my own part, I wonder what Scalia would have said about Trump’s “so-called judges” comments and more."

Read "Scalia Speaks." He is quite eloquent on the problem of the overreaching judiciary. He was the ultimate democrat, in the sense of wanting laws to be written by elected representatives whom the People could hold to account; and wanting those laws to be interpreted, not rewritten, by judges who, being unelected, could easily become tyrants in black robes.

Drago said...

If Scalia were alive today LLR Chuck would be attacking him non-stop.

tim in vermont said...

There’s another word for “hunter,” BTW, “locovore.”

readering said...

I'd like to know what Scalia thought about Cruz as a candidate.

Drago said...

readering: "I'd like to know what Scalia thought about Cruz as a candidate."

As an initial Cruz supporter, I would guess Scalia thought what we did: man, for whatever reason, that guy, knowledgeable, well spoken, clever, etc., just can't rally the troops.

Some candidates can generate the "fire" and some just cannot.

Cruz works at the Senate level and he would be great in the SC. But the Presidency isn't for him.

Chuck said...

Drago said...
If Scalia were alive today LLR Chuck would be attacking him non-stop.


Drago, I want all of the other readers here to know just exactly how stupid, and how lazy, and how malevolent you really are.

As for this -- yet another one of you unending personal attacks on me -- you say that if Scalia were alive today, I'd be attacking him non-stop. But it was easy for me to use the Althouse "Scalia" tag and go back into the blog's archives to a date and a subject that was easy for me to pick out just off the top of my head.

The occasion was the June 26, 2015 issuance of the Court's decision in Obergefell v Hodges. The same-sex federalized-marriage case. Where, in the comments, I battled Althouse and Meade and I defended Scalia:

https://althouse.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-substance-of-todays-decree-is-not.html

You were too lazy to check, Drago. I did the work for you. I have been defending Scalia, non-stop, on the comments pages of this blog as long as I have been here. But that didn't stop you from making something up about me. I think I could have picked out 20 or 30 other Althouse posts where my comments supported and defended Justice Scalia. But you, Drago, are not worth that much time or effort from me.

Drago, you aren't just an embarrassment to yourself; you are the Althouse blog's embarrassment. You are the embodiment of so much of what has gone off the rails with Althouse's commentary standards. Day after day after wretched day; dozens of comments from you attacking me.

This time, I thought I'd do everyone a favor and put you in your crummy, disgraceful little place.

Birkel said...

Does Drudge have a back page?

Lydia said...

About that "famed" but unlikely Scalia-Ginsburg friendship, from what I've learned it was basically one-way. The lefty never really reciprocated.

I think you're wrong about that -- see this: "6 Sweet Moments Between Ruth Bader Ginsburg and 'Best Buddy' Antonin Scalia"

This bit actually makes me appreciate Ginsburg because it shows she's not a typical liberal scold: "Over the years, Scalia and wife Maureen rang in every New Year with Ginsburg and husband Martin, where the tradition was 'Scalia kills it and Marty cooks it'."

Birkel said...

Oh no. A fopdoodle is now going to get a chance to write about what really motivates him to be LLR.

He just can't stand something, something, something Obergefell.
I will let readers think for themselves what animates the fopdoodle animosity.

n.n said...

for whatever reason, that guy, knowledgeable, well spoken, clever, etc., just can't rally the troops

The missing ingredient: charisma. Reagan had it. Clinton had it. Trump has it.

It's a diametric force.

Gahrie said...

Chuckles, you aren't just an embarrassment to yourself; you are the Althouse blog's embarrassment. You are the embodiment of so much of what has gone off the rails with Althouse's commentary standards. Day after day after wretched day; dozens of comments from you attacking Trump.

FTFY

President-Mom-Jeans said...

" He died in a hunting lodge, which served him right. "

Hey Trumpit, that sounds like a lot better way to go than having your daughter increase your morphine in front of your gibbering retard son who would then go on to blame the 2008 economic recession and a conspiracy of medical staff after you shook loose the mortal coil.


Drago said...

"Accidental Leftist" Chuck: "Drago, I want all of the other readers here to know just exactly how stupid, and how lazy, and how malevolent you really are."

Your commitment to public service as well as the daily lefty narratives is highly commendable and I for one salute you!


exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

Trumpit, a hunter friend is having us over for dinner on Friday. Venision steaks are on the menu, with mashed potatoes and butternut squash on the side. Delicious! I'm bringing dessert, but it's the bambi meat I'm really looking forward to.

I'll raise my glass of red wine to you before digging in.

Drago said...

LLR Chuck: "Where, in the comments, I battled Althouse and Meade and I defended Scalia:"

You "battled"?!

Oh my.

Thank you for your courage good Sir Knight. Methinks the Althouse/Meade knaves will not take lightly again the prospect of crossing rhetorical and jurisprudential swords with the likes of you!

Drago said...

LLR Chuck: "This time, I thought I'd do everyone a favor and put you in your crummy, disgraceful little place."

Well harrumph!

Drago said...

"Accidental Leftist" Chuck: "Drago, you aren't just an embarrassment to yourself; you are the Althouse blog's embarrassment."

I am going to need to see some data on that.

Lol

Chuck said...

Gahrie said...
Chuckles, you aren't just an embarrassment to yourself; you are the Althouse blog's embarrassment. You are the embodiment of so much of what has gone off the rails with Althouse's commentary standards. Day after day after wretched day; dozens of comments from you attacking Trump.


I'm not lying about anybody. Not making stuff up. Not like Drago did above. And unlike Drago, I am not making dozens of posts every day.

Drago said...

Trump in excellent cognitive health.

Dick Durbin and noted Dick Durbin defender Chuck hardest hit.

Drago said...

LLR Chuck: "I'm not lying about anybody. Not making stuff up. Not like Drago did above."

I made nothing up.

I was assessing what your likely future actions might be under hypothetical circumstances.

It seems odd that a self-described lawyer is unable to grasp that.

One wonders just how in demand you are if that is an indicator of your cognitive skills.

Perhaps a cognitive test is in order. I understand Trumps shrinks have a lot of free time available given Trumps superior cognitive condition. If you call them they could probably work you in.

Drago said...

LLR Chuck: " And unlike Drago, I am not making dozens of posts every day."

What is an appropriate number of posts per day, one wonders....

Chuck said...

You prick, Drago. You troll. The late Justice Scalia has no bigger fan, or defender, on these pages. And you were too stupid to know that.

I am a better, purer fan of Scalia than Trump was. Remember this one?

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/263074-trump-scalia-affirmative-action

Trump was wrong; he was fundamentally mistaken about Scalia in that oral argument. Trump was paying too much attention to the talking heads on tv at the time.

readering said...

From article on Garner book:

"Stories also abound of Scalia showing kindness toward Garner and his wife Karolyne, interspersed with anecdotes showing a more ornery side— like the time Scalia visited their home and demanded that breakfast include eggs and bacon, cooked the way he prescribed."

Now we know what killed him (although 79 not a bad innings).

Drago said...

LLR Chuck: "You prick, Drago. You troll. The late Justice Scalia has no bigger fan, or defender, on these pages. And you were too stupid to know that."

I said nothing about the past.

I was projecting a future hypothetical.

That seems to have eluded you. Well, Ill just chalk it up to being distracted by having your lips powerfully suction-cupped to US Troops denigrator little Dicky Durbin's rear end.

Birkel said...

A fopdoodle isn't lying. He is the biggest fan of Scalia, perhaps ever. You've never seen a bigger fan of Scalia that fopdoodle. Believe him. He's a fan of Scalia, big league.

Chuck at 4:35 posted in a distinctly Trumpian manner. The beginning of the end or the end of the beginning?

Drago said...

LLR Chuck: "I am a better, purer fan of Scalia than Trump was."

And yet it was Trump who gave us Gorsuch. Thanks to Trump we didnt have to suffer thru a polite republicans concession speech to Hillary and watch as a Cass Sustein continued the dem/lefty/LLR assault in our rights.

How do you like them apples #CNNStrongDefender?

Lol

Birkel said...

Drago,
Do you imagine a fopdoodle is more likely to defend Durbin or Blumenthal?

Drago said...

Sunstein

Drago said...

LLR Chuck revels in defending Stolen Valor lying dems and noted denigrators of american troops dems.

But you've never seen a bigger conservative, evah!

You know how you can tell who the biggest and bestest conservative is? He's the one whose rhetoric is indistinguishable from the "brilliant" Rachel Maddow.

Day in and day out.

Unexpectedly!

Mr. Majestyk said...

Late to the party here, but oh well. Chuck, I think Drago was saying that IF Scalia had the temerity to praise Trump,then you would criticize him (regardless of any past support for Scalia).

Gahrie said...

What is an appropriate number of posts per day, one wonders....

However many Soros demands for his money....

Drago said...

Mr. Majestyk: "Late to the party here, but oh well. Chuck, I think Drago was saying that IF Scalia had the temerity to praise Trump,then you would criticize him (regardless of any past support for Scalia)"

LLR Chuck knows that. He just needed to create a fake formulation where he could claim I lied about something said in the past.

I guarantee that in the days to come LLR Chuck will reference this thread as an example of something I've purposely lied about.

He's done this a number of times to other commenters. It's a classic tactic of someone flying under a false flag.

Chuck said...

You could have written something smart and clever and informed, Drago. It would have been a first, but you could have done it.

You didn't.

You wrote this one-dimensional garbage:

Drago said...
If Scalia were alive today LLR Chuck would be attacking him non-stop.
1/16/18, 12:59 PM

Full stop.

Don't worry about me citing one of your stupid comments in the future; I don't have much in the way of plans to ever reply to you in the future. It might happen, but for the most part you are just not worth it. Your baseless loser trashtalk ordinarily has so little content, it's just not worth it.

Gahrie said...

it's just not worth it.

None of us are Chuckles. You should spend your valuable time somewhere else.