The Supreme Court was in the news this morning, as Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott, and Alex Mierjeski of ProPublica explained that for more than twenty years Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has enjoyed the hospitality and funding of Dallas real estate magnate and major Republican donor Harlan Crow. Thomas and his wife Ginni, who was closely involved in challenging the 2020 presidential election, have taken trips in private jets and gone on vacations with Crow worth as much as $500,000.
How much more effed up can the "justice" system get in this country?? Clearance essentially stealing tens of millions of dollars from big-time repugnicant donors who present cases to him (and lying, big time, about liking to hang out at Walmart); and of course not recusing himself from the 1/6 case which directly involved Ginni. The white boys in the TN state legislature kicking out the two young Black men who are doing everything in their power to try to protect little children in Nashville from future AK-15 murders while they're at school. Gym Jordan grandstanding, turning everything upside down: what's up is down, what's down is up -- just as his hero, the Orange Sadist, has always done. I AM SO SICK OF IT!!!
Being retired, I was able to watch as the Tennessee debacle unfolded. Had a hard time believing my eyes. Kudos to Ms. Johnson for calling out the apparent racism and hypocrisy of the votes. So too the eloquent statements by all three reps who ‘protested’. I was heartened to see so many diverse young folk in the lobby protesting…they are our future and I was glad to see them on the frontlines. Still can’t wrap my head around what I saw happen to crater democracy in real time. I guess it really “can happen here”.
Reading Representative Justin Pearson's final statement to the Tennessee legislature reminded me a bit of David Walker's fiery rhetoric from almost two-hundred years ago. Walker belongs in that "long line of people who have resisted."
If the allegations are true, Clarence Thomas should be impeached. Also, this is a serious acid test for Chief Justice Roberts. Let's see how he handles it.
In this day it is rare to hear an elected leader speak eloquently, passionately for the will of the people. Bravo to Justin Pearson for his bravery and convictions. It is regrettable that his constituents are now without representation. But isn't that what the GOP wanted all along? To suppress minorities.
Joyce Vance noted that "The Supreme Court in Bond [v. Floyd from December 1966] held, 'while the State has an interest in requiring its legislators to swear to a belief in constitutional processes of government, surely the oath gives it no interest in limiting its legislators' capacity to discuss their views of local or national policy. The manifest function of the First Amendment in a representative government requires that legislators be given the widest latitude to express their views on issues of policy.'
Clarence Thomas. What a piece of work! The repubs. spotted him long ago and decided, "That's our fellow." I believe it was during Bush Sr.'s administration when they put him on the Supreme Court. Anita Hill spoke up about him. He had asked her over for dinner and to watch a porn film ("Long Dong Silver"). Yet, she's the one who got raked over the coals about it. To start with, Clarence was a lawyer for Monsanto when he got the call. That's probably when they offered him the job of a lifetime. He also was invited and attended big Koch Brothers luxurious gatherings in Arizona. Has he even written any court summaries? I don't think so. He was/is known for rubberstamping his repub. sc colleagues. He should have recused himself in multiple cases, but his wealthy puppeteers wouldn't go for any of that. He was/is simply bought and paid for. And don't get me started on Ginni. And so it goes....
Thank you for a searing and perceptive report, Heather. Thomas is a very poor mouth indeed. Jordan is unhinged, and has been for some time. The Tennessee three deserve a Medal of Freedom, and Pearson, a Pulitzer for Free Speech! This political nadir suits the season.
I’m among those who remember the hearings when Anita Hill provided her story. Clarence Thomas then lied about what he had done. Under oath. He perjured himself to get on the Court. This is what I and many others believe. In any case, I believed Anita Hill.
I think it would be journalistic malpractice if none of the reporters on the Congressional beat asked Gym Jordan why New York DA Alvin Bragg should respond to a subpoena Jordan sends out from the House if Jordan didn't bother to respond to a House subpoena when one was sent to him. We know if Jordan gives a response at all, it will most likely be loud and irrational. But someone has got to ask the question.
My current leading contender for stupidest remark by a Congressional Republican fascist is Margie's sincere comparison between TFG being arrested and Nelson Mandela and Jesus being arrested. That was a big swing from a little bat. But I have faith that he of babbling mouth, rolled up sleeves and zero morals can surpass her brilliant intellect if he puts a little effort into it. Just like the minimum effort he's expending as head bully on the House Committee to Protect the Insurrectionists.
Wow powerful and frightening Yes indeed , what would you say if another country had these dire situations with their supreme court, congress and a state legislature? None of these actions reflect the country and the democracy we thought our country represented to us and the world Thanks
We are living in a cesspool of mendacity once again. I pray the young people of Tennessee and all of the United States will move us forward out of the stench of racism and hypocrisy.
I am at a loss for words that adequately describe how vile and nauseating all of this is.
How much more effed up can the "justice" system get in this country?? Clearance essentially stealing tens of millions of dollars from big-time repugnicant donors who present cases to him (and lying, big time, about liking to hang out at Walmart); and of course not recusing himself from the 1/6 case which directly involved Ginni. The white boys in the TN state legislature kicking out the two young Black men who are doing everything in their power to try to protect little children in Nashville from future AK-15 murders while they're at school. Gym Jordan grandstanding, turning everything upside down: what's up is down, what's down is up -- just as his hero, the Orange Sadist, has always done. I AM SO SICK OF IT!!!
Being retired, I was able to watch as the Tennessee debacle unfolded. Had a hard time believing my eyes. Kudos to Ms. Johnson for calling out the apparent racism and hypocrisy of the votes. So too the eloquent statements by all three reps who ‘protested’. I was heartened to see so many diverse young folk in the lobby protesting…they are our future and I was glad to see them on the frontlines. Still can’t wrap my head around what I saw happen to crater democracy in real time. I guess it really “can happen here”.
Reading Representative Justin Pearson's final statement to the Tennessee legislature reminded me a bit of David Walker's fiery rhetoric from almost two-hundred years ago. Walker belongs in that "long line of people who have resisted."
If the allegations are true, Clarence Thomas should be impeached. Also, this is a serious acid test for Chief Justice Roberts. Let's see how he handles it.
In this day it is rare to hear an elected leader speak eloquently, passionately for the will of the people. Bravo to Justin Pearson for his bravery and convictions. It is regrettable that his constituents are now without representation. But isn't that what the GOP wanted all along? To suppress minorities.
Joyce Vance noted that "The Supreme Court in Bond [v. Floyd from December 1966] held, 'while the State has an interest in requiring its legislators to swear to a belief in constitutional processes of government, surely the oath gives it no interest in limiting its legislators' capacity to discuss their views of local or national policy. The manifest function of the First Amendment in a representative government requires that legislators be given the widest latitude to express their views on issues of policy.'
There will be good trouble ahead me thinks.
Clarence Thomas. What a piece of work! The repubs. spotted him long ago and decided, "That's our fellow." I believe it was during Bush Sr.'s administration when they put him on the Supreme Court. Anita Hill spoke up about him. He had asked her over for dinner and to watch a porn film ("Long Dong Silver"). Yet, she's the one who got raked over the coals about it. To start with, Clarence was a lawyer for Monsanto when he got the call. That's probably when they offered him the job of a lifetime. He also was invited and attended big Koch Brothers luxurious gatherings in Arizona. Has he even written any court summaries? I don't think so. He was/is known for rubberstamping his repub. sc colleagues. He should have recused himself in multiple cases, but his wealthy puppeteers wouldn't go for any of that. He was/is simply bought and paid for. And don't get me started on Ginni. And so it goes....
Thank you for a searing and perceptive report, Heather. Thomas is a very poor mouth indeed. Jordan is unhinged, and has been for some time. The Tennessee three deserve a Medal of Freedom, and Pearson, a Pulitzer for Free Speech! This political nadir suits the season.
Speechless in So Cal
I’m among those who remember the hearings when Anita Hill provided her story. Clarence Thomas then lied about what he had done. Under oath. He perjured himself to get on the Court. This is what I and many others believe. In any case, I believed Anita Hill.
I think it would be journalistic malpractice if none of the reporters on the Congressional beat asked Gym Jordan why New York DA Alvin Bragg should respond to a subpoena Jordan sends out from the House if Jordan didn't bother to respond to a House subpoena when one was sent to him. We know if Jordan gives a response at all, it will most likely be loud and irrational. But someone has got to ask the question.
My current leading contender for stupidest remark by a Congressional Republican fascist is Margie's sincere comparison between TFG being arrested and Nelson Mandela and Jesus being arrested. That was a big swing from a little bat. But I have faith that he of babbling mouth, rolled up sleeves and zero morals can surpass her brilliant intellect if he puts a little effort into it. Just like the minimum effort he's expending as head bully on the House Committee to Protect the Insurrectionists.
I can only hope that these despicable behavior will turn around and bite them. Hard.
I keep waiting for the pendulum to swing towards sanity but I'm wondering if the timepiece of justice is broken.
All 22 minutes of Justin Pearson's final statement in the legislature.
One of the great speeches of American History. 22 minutes well-spent.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5065455/user-clip-rep-justin-j-pearson
Wow powerful and frightening Yes indeed , what would you say if another country had these dire situations with their supreme court, congress and a state legislature? None of these actions reflect the country and the democracy we thought our country represented to us and the world Thanks
What a horribly sad day in America. We must ALL stand up and fight.
We are living in a cesspool of mendacity once again. I pray the young people of Tennessee and all of the United States will move us forward out of the stench of racism and hypocrisy.