The Supremes

I guess most folks go their whole life without seeing a Justice of the United States Supreme Court, but yesterday made two for me just this year when Antonin Scalia came to Pepperdine. Justice Scalia was as entertaining as expected, but he didn’t say anything crazy controversial (which was almost surprising).

My favorite quote was his answer to the question, “What advice do you wish someone would have given you between finishing law school and beginning practice?” After serious reflection, he said, “I wish someone would have told me, Go check out the West Coast.” (Good advice to all, I might add.) 🙂

Near the end, someone asked his advice on parenting (he has nine kids). After giving all credit for the successes of his children to his wife, he said, “You don’t have to go to soccer games. My dad never went to my soccer games. But do go to dinner every night. That’s when the little monsters are civilized.”

I know the tenor of his answer was tongue-in-cheek, but it still always fascinates me how limited the best and brightest are in their fields of expertise. Though I’m not a fan of Scalia’s approach to constitutional interpretation, he is known to all as one of the most brilliant minds ever to wear the robes. His knowledge of history and the law is simply astounding. But ask him about parenting and that’s the best he has to offer.

I’m not a parenting expert any more than I’m a expert in the law, but I think I can at least out-answer Scalia on that line of questioning!