Justice Clarence Thomas said he tires of hearing criticism of the U.S. Supreme Court from observers who rely on news accounts to understand cases.

So he visits law schools  as he did Monday at Kansas University  to hear a more educated critique.

“I’ve said all it takes to be an expert on the court is a mouth and a couple of drinks,” he said. “I come away from these visits informed.”

Thomas spoke Monday to KU classes and had lunch with members of the Black Law Students Organization. His visit continues today with question-and-answer sessions with law students.

But Thomas, who has visited KU three times in the last six years, also insisted on having “office hours” for students, where he could chat with them one-on-one.

“The last time he was here, I got in trouble because I just took him from one class to the next,” said Steve McAllister, dean of the School of Law, who clerked for Thomas in 1991. “He said 10 minutes between classes to meet with students wasn’t enough.”

So for an hour Monday morning, Thomas stood at the front of a Green Hall classroom, answering questions, shaking hands and signing autographs.

Miguel LHeureux, a first-year law student from Wichita, didn’t know what to think of seeing the Supreme Court justice in a casual setting.

“It’s completely bizarre,” LHeureux said. “He’s so open and friendly. He’s the most powerful person I’ve ever seen in person, let alone met.”

Brad Bergman, a senior political science major from Minneapolis, met with Thomas to ask about his views on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and civil liberties.

“We’re doing a paper, and I thought I’d get his perspective on things,” Bergman said. “He’s a very good source. It’s amazing we get a chance to meet with somebody like that.”

Thomas, who has been a justice since 1991, said meeting with students helps him from becoming “jaded” in Washington, D.C. It also reminds him that the decisions justices make have a lasting effect.

“Most of the time we decide cases and go about our business,” he said. “It’s interesting to see what people think of what we did.”

He said justices don’t pretend to have all the answers on the cases they hear.

“I think the opinions sometimes belie the sense of confidence we have in the opinions,” he said. “I’m not at the top of any mountain with a burning bush, passing down commandments on tablets.”

Thomas insisted justices don’t pay attention to outside pressures, even in the case of Bush v. Gore, which ended appeals in the 2000 presidential election controversy.

“You sit there on a case like Bush v. Gore, and you’re left with yourself,” he said. “You think, ‘Am I right?'”

Thomas also downplayed suggestions that there are conflicts among justices on the court, though he admitted he sometimes was “exasperated” with their arguments.

“In the end, we really like and respect each other,” he said.

He had harsher words for some senators involved in the judicial confirmation process, which he said shouldn’t be so complicated.

Thomas’ own confirmation was the subject of controversy when Anita Hill, a former co-worker, accused him of sexual harassment. Thomas’ nomination passed by a 52-48 confirmation vote in the Senate.

“I think it’s an abomination,” he said of the process. “Some people should just grow up.”

Thomas also had less-than-flattering words for the news media. He said allowing cameras to cover Supreme Court proceedings wouldn’t lead to a better understanding of the judicial process.

The only way to truly understand the court, he said, is to read the briefs and opinions.

“Do you think people watching TV will have done that?” he said. “I don’t think so. If it’s important enough to rupture a spleen with arguing over it, it’s worth reading the opinions.”