Last night, in my own time, I went to listen to a speech from a High Court justice. I'm clearly losing my way. In any case, it was an interesting night. Michael Kirby J is, while not the gayest judge ever, is certainly the most openly gay judge ever. Yes, there's a difference. As a result, he also tends to the activist end of the judicial spectrum when judging on matters of discrimination and the like. He likes international law, for example, and seems to feel that signing the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (and the ICCPR) means that Australia might try living up to the things it said it agreed with. Crazy, no?
Anyway, this kind of attitude and devil-may-care dissenting win points with campaigners for social justice. This to the point where people had him signing glossy headshots of him. Also, sustained applause and sycophantic laughter. A little bit weird; the High Court judge as rockstar. Law school is an odd place.
What I enjoyed most, I think, was the fact that he openly requests adulation. He's proud of the idea that he has outlasted so many other judges that he is now sitting almost in the middle of the bench, where people might see him better. The best part is that when he demands adulation, people are willing to give it to him. A judge with actual, honest to god charisma.
Also, I kicked ass in my Crim paper. Circular logic is the best!