Don't Let The Court House Door Hit You

Schieffer Finds The Justice's Longstanding Disapproval Of Washington D.C. Unfathomable, And Unwelcome

(CBS)  Weekly commentary by CBS Evening News chief Washington correspondent and Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer.

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David Souter may be the quietest and most low-key man ever to serve on the Supreme Court. He has made it official: He is retiring to return to the New Hampshire woods from whence he came.

By all accounts, he was a good Justice, thoughtful, reasonable.

For sure he was the surprise to the man who nominated him, the George Bush, who thought he was picking a conservative only to discover he had chosen a liberal. But these things happen sometimes when people get jobs for life.

I had no problem with the Justice's legal work. But as one who has lived 40
years in Washington, I'll be honest: I didn't care for his attitude.

He made it no secret that he hated the city, once describing his work as the best job in the world in the worst city in the world.

Another time he called life here "akin to an intellectual lobotomy."

Really? Our nation's capital? One of the most beautiful cities in the world?

Call me corny, but I have to confess, I've run into some pretty smart people here over the years, but then again I tried to get to know the city and its inhabitants. Who wouldn't if you were going to live in a place? Justice Souter, obviously.

I've never known anyone who ever saw him outside the court. But now he's leaving. I take it he won't miss Washington - but my guess is Washington will hardly miss him.

[skeezix06]

This particular article was more or less a personal attack that was based not on Justice Souter's rulings but on Schieffer's personal dislike of an aspect of his character. That's unprofessional and wrong.

[garyl615]

I don't miss Harry Schieffer . Ever since his wuss of a job when he interviewed Cheney.

[skeezix06]

If this is a matter of a broken system it should be fixed. If it is a matter of getting mad and not wanting to see people's objections to your comments about Souter, some of which were politely stated, then you shouldn't have the comment feature on the page at all. Left as it is, you are losing respect.

[beekanzi]

Asf ar as I am concerned Mr Schieffer is right on the money. He has been there and knows all the rules of conduct. His elegance and experienec precedes him and gives him license. Admire him; dont disparage the grand master.

[skeezix06]

p.s. Could you have someone other than Harry K. Smith next time? He's hardcore right and is one of the reasons I gave up trying to watch The Early Show.

[skeezix06]

Have a nice vacation anyway.

[TrumbullStickney]

Schieffer's commentary is emblematic of how inane modern journalism has become. It is more about access than reporting and Schieffer is obviously miffed that he never got to interview Justice Souter. Let's take just one example from that poor piece of commentary: Schieffer quotes Souter as saying something derogatory about Washington, but surprise surprise, Justice Souter never said it! Of course, Schieffer didn't care about that little fact, he wanted to vent. Will CBS News ever return to the days when it stood for first-class journalism or is it just too late?

[doggril]

A justice on the Supreme Court during one of the most contentious periods of American history is retiring; and the best Schieffer can come up with is a whine that Souter didn't sufficiently love living in Washington? Are you guys kidding? Is this what you consider commentary of national relevance? I've read more thoughtful commentary in a high school yearbook.

[skeezix06]

lol. Is this thing gonna get fixed?

[mswolfestock]

Will somebody cite the law or regulation wherein the Supreme Court Justices are required to have a bubbly, outgoing personality? . . . . . . . . . Good thing I'm not holding my breath. And who knows, maybe all of the Supreme Court Justices feel the same way he does about Washington DC. Maybe you'd better ask all of them, Bob.

Souter's only mistake was forgetting about this old saying:

"If you don't have anything good to say [about DC or anything else] then don't say it."

Supreme Court Justices have the same rights to free speech as the rest of us do. The problem comes from people like Schieffer who are ready to take offense at anything they don't agree with.

Hey Bob, I love ya, guy, but I think you spent too much time with that hideous creature Cheney. Lighten up, will ya?

[mdmoran]

The page says there are 11 comments, but for some reason I can't see them. So I'm sorry if I repeat what someone else has said...

I was incensed by Mr. Scheiffer's pointless swipe at Justice Souter in his commentary. Firstly, I don't see the point of sharing a negative commentary just because Mr. Scheiffer felt the justice had insulted his hometown. Such behavior seems a little beneath Mr. Scheiffer's stature.

More than that, however, the commentary was disappointingly ill-informed. Even as a casual observer of the justice's resignation, I know that his comparison to a lobotomy referred to the incredible amount of reading he had to do as a justice, which crowded out the intellectual reading he enjoyed. It had nothing to do with the city and didn't deserve such a scurrilous attack.

Mr. Scheiffer: You're better than that.

[iDragon13]

You obviously lead a pretty sheltered life, Bob. When I was 17 and visiting D.C. on a school field trip I had a knife pulled on me by one of the local THUGS. Perhaps you should get out and actually visit the people there, Bob...you know, like you advise others to do. You might see the true Washington D.C. and not just the people with whom you share cocktails.

[skeezix06]

Actually when you stop and think about it, it's a little bit controlling and obnoxious to insist someone make the rounds on the social/cocktail circuit.

[skeezix06]

Interesting. Is the two pages of comments consisting of a one post of one sentence a computer glitch or something else?

[babooph]

A groveling propagandists opinion.

[bobetsue]

Mr. Schieffer,

Your commentary about Justice Souter retiring and leaving DC was out of line. He was called to Washington to serve. He served with independence and dignity. He has the right to go home. Your comment was in poor taste. You demeaned the viewers; and you demeaned yourself. An apology is due.

Bob Gilbert, Chicago

[pacecar25]

Bob, you were totally on the mark concerning Justice Souter and his distaste for Washington, DC. I'm glad he is finally returning to New Hampshire. Good riddance.

[jimbob133]

Have you ever been to DC. 90% black must i say more

[Poski--2008]

Mr. Schieffer
I found your comments about Justice Souter totally out of line. It seemed because he didn't agree with your opinion of Washington that he somehow how offended you. I saw him as a hard working dedicated justice who just didn't like the trappings of the nations capital.
We here outside the beltway I think agree with Judge Souter more than you.
What we have seen in the pass years is the reluctance of the press to challenge our leaders,seemingly out of the fear that they will not appear on your shows. This symbiotic relationship certainly does not advance the cause of a free and impartial fourth estate.
I'm sure that Judge Souter will not miss you either. Probably a win win all the way around.

[j_ohnk]

Mr. Schieffer,

As one of the last "journalists", it saddens me that you have now crossed the line. Whether I agree with you or not, your opinion has no bearing on the facts. What ever happen to just reporting. I remember hearing Dan Rather speak 20 years ago, on how the news was having to be compromised. Nightly News from 28 minutes to 22. Incorporation for human interest stories, no more international news. Do you now have to join the ranks of cable to be viable? Which brings me to Willie Mays. What a great career. But why did he have to play for the Mets? Really. Didn't he know when to retire and go out with dignity. Why did he compromise a great career? Just a thought.