Bora Laskin Under Siege....

Close your eyes, and I will attempt to draw a picture in your mind. It is 8:30 in the morning, and the sun shines softly on the crisp cool air of down town Toronto. It is quiet, and calm. You or, rather, I am strolling through the Bora Laskin Law Library. I am on the main floor nestled between the shelves that contain the law reports. Now I pause. I stretch out my arm and touch the books that are on the shelf. This is when the magic happens. This would be my time and I would enjoy it.

For a brief second, you can almost hear the voices that fill these books. Those voices are all those who have come before us and have chosen or been chosen to speak in participation in the great tradition we are attempting to join. All of the law that we must learn is contained in these reports. These reports represent the great body of the fabric of the law.

However, this is all destroyed by the activities of the majority of students who choose to enter Bora Laskin Law Library. Sequestered Judge is angry as he is continuously submitted to the freakish activities of those known as undergraduates, medical students and even, the 1L students. This is my library. This is my time. My time is precious.

Some tips to consider before you choose to enter my domain. If you have to spend more than a couple hours getting ready to come to, “study”, don’t bother. I am sure there are those in the ranks among me that will appreciate all of the makeup you have slathered on your face. Those members may also appreciate that you have attempted to look grubby but are still wearing $500 worth of name-brand sweat pants, sweatshirts, and Ugg Boots. What really gives you away is the bright light that reflects off of the high gloss of your undergraduate psychology or sociology textbooks. That material looks really tough, but what looks even more difficult is attempting to snag your “Mrs.” Degree while talking non-stop on your pink cell phone.

Business students. Calculators and equations. I do not have to say much, as in general you can be relatively quiet. However, what I do dislike your dishonesty. When a comrade of yours arrives please don’t make him or her feel bad by telling them you have been studying for five or six hours straight. You haven’t. I know it and you know it. You have been sitting there having a whispered conversation with your “studying” partner, or, you have been furiously text messaging another “study” partner. My personal favorite is when I catch you attempting to spell out BOOBLESS or other various homo-erotic messages on your calculator.

However, Sequestered Judge is not going to stop there. Shame on the 1L students! His Honor did not realize how difficult it is to study all of that simple beginning material without uttering a single word. Be Quiet! I think you 1L students will find that the metaphor of the living tree that is our Constitution will resonate louder on your ears if it can be heard.

My comrade on this Blog has pointed out that as of yet there is no restricted key-card access to the law library. It should be enough that you understand that this place is hallowed ground. There are people around you studying that will go on to decide how you can lead your life. There are those around you studying that will go on to decide how this country is run. The point is, there are those around you trying to study and they cannot, because your actions!

Sequesterd Judge sits quietly now, with a glass of Chianti in hand. I have spoken. I think that those who read this and identify with what I have described may tread carefully upon their next entrance into the law library.

My library. My time. Your choice, be quiet or be gone!