Justice Scalia Gives Lesson in How Not to Answer Questions

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia lashed out at a student during a question and answer session yesterday in West Palm Beach Florida.  

“That’s a nasty, impolite question,” said Scalia. He was responding to a question from 20-year-old Sarah Jeck, a Florida Atlantic University honors college junior. 

According to the Sun-Sentinel, “Jeck stood in front of 750 people and asked Scalia why cameras are not allowed in the U.S. Supreme Court even though the court hearings are open, transcripts are available and the court’s justices are open enough to go “out on book tours.’”

He initially refused to answer the question.

Suffice it to say that berating the questioner is not a good way to handle Q&A during a presentation.  Presentations are for the listeners. If they have a question, you should take it seriously, even if you see it as hostile.  

If you get a hostile question, calmly answer it. Lashing out will only make the audience turn against you.

Or worse yet, earn you a nasty article in the newspaper.