Clarence Thomas Struck with a Mental Condition – Logical Thought
Clarence Thomas is well down the path of being one of the worst Supreme Court justices in US history – he seldom speaks out in hearings, and always occupies the far corners of extreme right wing ideology, sometimes even further to the right of Antonin Scalia if that was even possible. That changed yesterday, when he sided with 
the court’s 4 liberal justices to strike down North Carolina’s 2011 gerrymander which packed two districts with African Americans, the First and Twelfth, virtually nullifying their votes. The result of this racial gerrymander was, even though North Carolina has a Democratic governor, Republicans now hold 10 of the state’s 13 congressional seats. Elena Kagan, writing for the majority, struck down the gerrymander because race was used as the deciding factor in determining district borders.
Gerrymandering is a cancer on democracy, I believe even more than money. Since the advent of sophisticated demographics computer programs, the practiced has been raised to an art form by Republicans, cementing huge congressional majorities in some states, disenfranchising millions of voters. Thomas has always sided with conservatives on voting rights issues, especially when it comes to money. This decision is a pleasant, if not shocking, turn of events. Maybe Thomas is getting a condition of reverse dementia where he gets more thoughtful the older he gets. No one knows, but this is a huge victory for a democratic society.
The good news in all this is that the datasets the snacilbupeR use in Texas and elsewhere to gerrymander, can be used to diminish the impact of unbalanced districts. But nothing can rollback the damage done by years of Republican gerrymandering in Texas and, apparently, in the rebellious states.
1As I’ve moved around Houston I’ve been entertained and afflicted by various Congressvarmints, going back to Jack Brooks in George H. W. Bush’s old River Oaks seat. I enjoyed some years with Leland, Washington and Jackson-Lee in Barbara Jordan’s 18th District, and then was saddled with DeLay in the 22nd, then had Stockman and now Brian Babin in the new 36th. I didn’t really move around so much as the districts moved under me. Many years in DeLay’s custom-drawn district I had nobody to vote for but some hapless outsider or a LaRouche clone. I’m hopeful that next year Dayna Steele will bring her considerable name recognition and good works to the race and tap dance like Gene Kelly all over any ideas Babin may have that he was appointed for life.
2In this day of good news that began with learning that Justice Thomas had a momentary burp in his seemingly permanent cranial vapor lock, a brilliant seed of hope has sprung from Aladamnbamma.
U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 7th congressional district, Terrycina “Terri” Sewell brought something to Congressional hearings today that is a rare pleasure – brevity, succinctness, and a brilliant blend of pragmatism with humanity.
3*** Warning *** Mama, please do not open this link, except to appreciate the graphics, while the accompanying prose might be a little too graphic.
It is all in the graphics. Graphics so obvious even Justice Thomas could not ignore them, while Neil Gorsuch was left flat footed.
https://wonkette.com/617508/clarence-thomas-joins-liberals-to-strike-down-racist-redistricting-whaaaaaaaa
WTH was up with Justice Kennedy? Almost seems like he and Justice Thomas are doing one of those role reversal exercises.
4If you go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_congressional_delegations_from_Texas
5you’ll see that some current Texas districts aren’t so different from North Carolina’s. Houston is carved up much, it’s a wonder anyone knows who their congressvarmint is, let alone who to vote. Sure, some Democrats benefit, but obviously most voters lose, having, as Charly Hoarse writes, little ideological choice in candidates. Maybe even Thomas couldn’t deny this travesty.
The wonder is, that even if Gorsuch had voted, the conservatives still would have lost. Is this a new awakening on the part of Clarence “Pubic Hair” Thomas? I he finally acknowledging that he is actually a member of that minority which has seen so much suppression? If so, it could be a whole new world for us all. It remains to be seen.
6Thing I never thought I would say: “Good for you, Justice Thomas!” I didn’t think he had it in him.
7I see no change in Brother Clarence’s thinking.(If you can call it thinking) He has held in the past that race should not come into play. Examples are racial quotas and affirmative action.
8The difference here is with Tony’s exit, no one is telling Thomas whats good for the republicans.
If the Cons wish to keep complete control, they will need find a minder for Clarence. He’ll tow that line and lift that bail as long as he is supervised.
As for Clarence, the past being his profile, this is a one and done thingy.
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