Comment by matt4077

I you can, read some of the transcripts of Alsup's oral arguments. He is incredibly witty, he doesn't take any bullshit, yet always seems to remain fair.

Especially on HN, I often see (a) cynicism, and (b) the idea that a judge cannot have and show emotions, or that it's somehow "unprofessional" to make a joke. Alsup is the perfect counterexample how judges (should ideally) behave.

One remarkable passage was in one of the early Waymo vs Uber transcripts, where he makes an impressive case for the proceedings to be public. There is nothing he personally gains from public access to these arguments and documents–he simply believes it to be important for the rule of law.