The Oldest Justice Swims Every Day

John Paul Stevens has been on the Supreme C0urt for 34 years. It is thought that he might someday become the longest serving justice of all time. I watched him on television tonight, and at 89 he was as spry and sharp as a man of 60. It was remarkable.

He was asked how he stays so fit. He said he swims every day and plays tennis three times a week. He said he used to play golf, but he’s lost most of his foursome over the years.
Brian Lamb interviewed the justice in the chambers. They showed where the judges talk privately about the cases. Nine leather chairs around a big table.

Stevens cited well-known judges like Brandeis, and Holmes and said he judged them because of the quality of their work. What he meant was that their writing was so clear, and so well explained, that is what he meant. Congress, he said, counts on the judges to make things clear, to take complicated issues, and ‘let the judges figure it out.’ That’s what we do, he said.