Antoinette Konz, a young education reporter for The Hattiesburg American, considered it a big deal when she was invited by a local high school to cover a speech last Wednesday by Antonin Scalia. Ms. Konz and an AP reporter, seated in the front row, began to take notes. And when Justice Scalia began speaking, they clicked on their tape recorders. Justice Scalia, the big shot, does not like reporters to turn tape recorders on when he's talking. He doesn't like it. And he doesn't permit it. The AP reporter tried to explain that she had a digital recording device, so there was no tape to give up. Ms. Konz said the deputy seemed baffled by that. The marshall then proceeded to erase the recordings. This is an action far beyond the pale. In such a benign setting, with such a small incident, are great changes wrought. A Justice's Sense of Privilege |