Continued Dead Silence About Clarence Thomas
It’s now been a week since the communications office of the Supreme Court announced that Clarence Thomas had been hospitalized “for an infection” and that he would go home in a few days. That few days has now expanded to a full week, and repeated attempts by the press to get more information on him have been met with silence. This is one of the most odd set of circumstances about the health of a SCOTUS justice that I can recall, especially after the detailed blow by blow reporting from the court about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s health in the few years before she passed away in 2020.
Coincidently, news is breaking daily about the deep involvement of Thomas’ wife, Ginni, in the effort to overturn the US presidential election in order to illegally keep Trump in office after he lost. It turns out that not only did she attend the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 6th, she communicated extensively with Mark Meadows and others in the conspiracy to overturn the election by amplifying lies about non-existent voter fraud. Apparently there were 29 texts between them from the election to January 10, 2021. She also communicated with other like minded folks in Trumpland including Jared Kushner.
Not coincidently, Justice Thomas voted against the other 8 justices when the court refused to intervene in the order to release Trump’s WH records. He also wrote a dissent when the Court declined to hear the Pennsylvania case that was seeking to disqualify mail-in ballots in that state. Ginni Thomas also publicly supported expelling Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger from the RNC when they voted to impeach Trump in the second impeachment and then joined the January 6th Committee. In her texts to others in Trumpland, she also repeated QAnon bullshit conspiracy theories, loudly proclaiming the election was stolen and supporting the lawyers spreading the lies. Worse, she has Justice Thomas’ ear 24/7/365 and even mentioned to Meadows in one text that she was talking to her “best friend” about how the election was stolen. Not coincidently, her “best friend” has ruled 100% in Trump’s favor in cases brought before him.
The stink of the Thomases’ corruption just adds to the existing stench of the cheating and partisanship that has finally overtaken the Court since McConnell successfully stole Merrick Garland’s seat and then rammed through the nominations of Kavanaugh and Barrett, clearly unqualified nominees. The Court has been rapidly undoing decades of precedent in many areas with particular focus on taking away a woman’s right to seek her own healthcare and making it harder for non-Republicans to vote. John Roberts has been concerned about the eroding public confidence in the Court, and with good reason. In a recent Gallup survey, confidence in the Court has declined to a low point of 40%. Twenty years ago, confidence was as high as 62%.
Is it merely coincidence that Justice Thomas has suddenly dropped off the face of the earth as the scandal of his wife’s deep involvement in the insurrection comes to light? I think not. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a sudden retirement from the bench to avoid what looks to be the first impeachment case built against a SCOTUS justice. Nothing else explains the deafening silence about Thomas’s supposed health problem and hospitalization. We’ll be watching this one closely.
Apparently “Justice” Thomas is not aware that one can be impeached even after resigning. If he were to resign and then be impeach AND convicted, not only would he be barred from ever serving in public office again (not that he would likely try) but he would lose his government pension.
Interesting thought – Ginni Thomas seems to have been up to her treasonous eyeballs in planning the insurrection. If, as she claims, her “best friend” (husband) was aware of her actions, which he supposedly was, wouldn’t that make him an accessory before and after the fact.
1Odd, I just emailed exactly this same train of thought to a conservative friend of mine. Most probably a very lively topic of debate over a mutually agreed upon dining spot.
2During the KBJ hearing, Cruz, Hawley et al have harped on the 14th Amendment. But they didn’t mention Item #3 of the Amendment, that no one can hold federal or state office if they participated in an insurrection or rebellion against the US or gave aid to anyone who did. Besides the GOP who voted against both Tr##p impeachments and tried to delay the certification of the vote, this also applies to SCOTUS members who have given insurrectionists help.
3The Thomas’ once lived in my neck of the4 woods. This applies to both of them: Ginni just being Ginni as she always, always was and Clarence being himself as well as he always, always was. Not the brainiest pair wherever they landed. Ginni will never, ever be educate4d about her thought pattern. She is most likely the reason behind her husband’s necessity of self enforced silence on the bench. I believe he has spoken up about something twice in his time with the gavel. It surprised the hell out of everybody when he did. It looks indeed like Biden will have to make another choice to fill an empty chair during his presidency. I’m hoping it is someone like Eric Holder if not the man himself.
4Clarence & Ginni so far exemplify a continuing trend that people with connections can act with little to no consequences.
They join a long list:
Debra Meadows and Mark Meadows registered to vote using an invalid address in North Carolina but so far face no consequences.
The Manhattan district attorney refused to bring charges against 45 that led to a a prosecutor’s resignation letter pointing out that he feared that 45 “will not be held fully accountable for his crimes… [and 45 was] guilty of numerous felony violations…” Yet 45 is the top GQP 2024 Pres. candidate and the GQP politicians still jockey to kiss his ring.
The House January 6th Committee just delayed again holding public hearings and the 1/6 insurrectionist leaders and most participants so far face little to no consequences for 1/6.
Etc.
5“(CT’s) health problem and hospitalization..” But but COVID19’s a hoax..
Could this nation be so lucky as to have this progress to the next step? Puuleeeze, oh Mighty FSM.. reach out with Your Noodley Appendage and tap him upside the head.
I just unwrapped a 55gal drum*, now I’m tempted to go all-in Catholic and turn it into a freaking gigantic votive candle; and start praying like the devil…
* 55gal drum intended to be a ‘burn barrel’ for disposing of household trash, hey, it’s what we do out here in the boonies.
.
Yesterday Moscow Mitch McConnell flat out said that there’s NFW he’s voting to confirm KBJ.
So somebody needs to hold a .45 on Manchin and Sinema, because imo, there is no effing way that KBJ will get even one stinking Rethuglikan confirmation vote.
As far as impeachment or criminal prosecution against either Thomas, Clar of Ginni: NFW, IOKIYAR x100.
Have a Dem in something like that, and the jackals would be circling and yowling incessantly.
Did y’all catch one of the hearing’s main Rethug themes/catchwords: ‘court packing’?
6There’s the answer, expanding the SCROTUS has to be a No. 1 priority for the Ds ; but very quietly [even if CT should kick the bucket [yes!]].
@El Jefe
“Twenty years ago, confidence was as high as 82%.”
I think that’s 62%. But, still.
And it looks like Clarence Thomas has gone home: https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/25/politics/thomas-released/index.html
@Sandridge – Saw on my news feed that Manchin will support KBJ: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/manchin-will-support-jacksons-supreme-court-nomination-likely-ensuring-rcna21547
7Maggie @ 4: I think it would blow ALL Republicans’ twisted little brains to nominate Barack H. Obama for SCOTUS. He certainly is qualified. After all, we had another former president on SCOTUS: William Howard Taft. And he became CHIEF JUSTICE.
8I’ve been listening to mostly Progressives demand Thomas’ resignation. Not gonna happen. In his 30 years as a member of SCOTUS, he has consistently shown that he is a walking ball of pure resentment and has never acted ethically. He’s not gonna do the right thing now, because he never has.
9Crap on a crouton:
NPR Politics
@nprpolitics
JUST IN: Justice Clarence Thomas has been discharged from hospital, the Supreme Court announced in a one-sentence statement.:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/3/25/2088063/-Supreme-Court-Justice-Clarence-Thomas-released-from-the-hospital
10JDS2017 @ 8 – Obama would be a great choice, but if you really want to blow Republican minds into the exosphere, how about Justice Anita Hill?
11Corruption is what the Qcumber conservative voter likes. Win at any cost to drag the country into their ‘idea’ of a perfect theocracy. C’mon President Biden and Congressional Democrats even the playing field. 1.End the filibuster. 2.Add seats to SCROTUS. 3.Fill those seats with more qualified people; Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was a great start.
If she’s watching and not too busy running the Pilates class at the Rainbow Bridge, RBG must be as pleased about the future Justice as we are. It is not every nominee who would be qualified to fill RBG’s shoes. Justice KBJ! Lordy Johnny Roberts may have a fatal seizure. When those conservative ‘justices’ try whitesplaining or mansplaining the law to KBJ? Oh yeah. She will be heard. Loving it already!
12If Chief Justice Roberts is so concerned about the court’s eroding public confidence, he’ll need to be the one to do something about team thomas. If I hold my breath that anything will come from all the revelations about Thomas and his connection to the conspiracy to overturn the election, I’ll be dead soon. Ain’t going to happen.
13Alas, the problem with nominating Obama to the Supreme Court is that he doesn’t want the job. Neiher does Michelle. I’d like to see Rep. Katie Porter, myself. Damn, that woman is smart, and an effective speaker. Is she old enough?
14thatotherjean @14Congresswoman Katie Porter would be excellent. No, she is not too young. Youth and enthusiasm on the court is exactly what is needed. Some have mentioned Anita Hill. While she would be deliciously ironic, and most likely excellent, balance on the court at this juncture demands someone younger to challenge the fossilized conservatives.
Shape the court for the next 3 decades.
President Biden had a decent short list from which he selected the best candidate. In a country of over 300 million people, there are likely several more candidates as equally enthusiastic and qualified as soon to be Justice KBJ. Let’s find them and expand the court to include actual jurists who know what judicial discretion means.
Would Mr. Mark Bankson, Esq. be interested?
15Apologies to Mr. Mark BANKSTON, Esq. Rest assured I won’t be applying to clerk for you, sir. While I actually can spell, as is obvious my keyboarding skills wouldn’t get me a job at a fast-food restaurant.
16If Taney — I mean Roberts — wants to raise the Court in the public’s esteem, he might think about resigning.
17Ginni Thomas was involved in Bush v. Gore and her “best friend” didn’t recuse himself for that one, either. She has a long record of undistinction, and she deserves several paragraphs, if not her own chapter, in any textbook about American insurrection.
18Before I heard that Justice Clown got out of the hospital, I was willing to be patient about the news blackout on his health. Happy to let him die privately. No need for details. But now I sure hope he can be impeached. He won’t resign. He and his crimy wife should be in jail.
19Off Topic. Howevuh since we are in an election year, for those of you who enjoy protesting at QNP events, how would this be a slogan: They are not worthy! For those of you who like graphics, especially cartoons, the perfect visual to accompany the words:
http://jobsanger.blogspot.com/
The Sheneman cartoon from the Star ledger
20Mother told him not to say anything . Mother is In Charge (even while he is in SCOTUS) .
21While Clarence Thomas could be impeached by the House assuming they have sufficient evidence of a crime, or bringing discredit on the Supreme Court, it wouldn’t get past the Senate. That said, an impeachment would be able to lay the evidence before the nation.
Virginia Thomas on the other hand, if the evidence bears it out, could be tried as a common criminal. Since her hub is a conservative, and the most important thing to a conservative is grasping and retaining power, he would underbus his wife in a microsecond in a divorce. Turning the two against each other might be the way forward.
22Malarkey @7, Yep, you beat me to it while I was typing.
23