Originally published at: ProPublica releases information on 38 additional billionaire-funded vacations that Clarance Thomas failed to report | Boing Boing
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Such a man of the people. I know people who haven’t had 38 vacations in their entire life.
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“I think it’s unprecedented.”
Since they started keeping records of such things. The GOP and sleazebags like Clarence “That Office Porn Guy” Thomas are returning the U.S. government to 19th century levels of corruption.
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Sending a 737 from South Florida to DC to pick up Thomas and bring him back would have taken more than 4000 gallons of fuel. That’s an environmental travesty in addition to the cartoon-villian level of grift.
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Modern-day Versailles confirmed.
Waiting for ProPublica to be declared a “terrorist organization.”
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i’m a charter member of the pessimist party [brandishes t-shirt], but i really don’t see how Thomas can survive this, (“Simple! He just continues doing what he wants!”) There really couldn’t be even the laughable vestiges of “an independent judiciary” if Thomas is allowed to stay. So call me a clueless pollyanna, but i’m starting to feel vaguely hopeful that Biden gets an appointment and thereby a far more secure and just republic if it were ‘5 to 4’ toward a modern sane court.
oh, and well done ProPublica! This is exactly what good free journalism can accomplish as far as protecting society.
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I dunno; I get the impression that the powers that be are just shrugging their shoulders and saying “Clarence is gonna Clarence; waddyagonna do?” Same with Alito. They don’t seem to be willing to use any tools at their disposal to rectify the situation.
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Edwards as well. You can be sure this is training for Kavanaugh who already has sketchy financials.
It is a disaster.
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If anyone thinks that Roberts, and probably every other justice, didn’t already know about this, they are delusional.
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Man, I can’t wait to see the disappointed sigh that Schumer and Durbin are considering to maybe suggest as a potential consequence of rampant corruption at the nation’s highest court. That is, unless someone doesn’t think it’s a good idea, in which case never mind and carry on.
Oh, c’mon, Durbin tried asking Roberts to testify regarding the ethical standards at the SC. What else could the party in charge of the Senate Judiciary Committee possibly do except throw up their hands and shrug with all their might? If there’s one thing the last seven years has taught us, it’s that Democrats in Congress love nothing more than the idea that someone will rescue them if they just wait long enough.
They’ve tried nothing, and they’re all out of ideas!
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Pubic hair on the coke can!
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Those billionaires were probably just trying to have a black friend.
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It is my hope that Joe is keeping his powder dry on the court for his second term; giving the Republican base something to rally around seems like something he’d want to avoid, though I understand the peril of that strategy.
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I know! It was practically pistols at dawn! If someone can’t respond to a gently worded suggestion, I guess they are out of options.
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https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2512
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/325
Two bills in the last two years; one still active.
Impeachment would have to be initiated by the GOP House.
Unless some GOP congresscritters break ranks, there’s nothing Dems can do this cycle. Even then, only prospective ethics rules can be added. Impeachment and removal is really unlikely unless the GOP losss almost every senate race in 2024.
Best bet is to stack the court.
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For anyone who hasn’t seen this it’s well worth the watch. Really provides great insight into Thomas’ background and duplicity. He’s been the direct beneficiary of affirmative action his entire life yet fights against it at every turn.
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It’s not clear to me that Biden has any “powder” at his disposal when it comes to the SCOTUS in the first place. Sometimes presidents can try to privately convince current (usually elderly) like-minded justices to retire during their term so that they can guarantee a replacement that matches their values, but that’s about it. Biden certainly can’t push through term limits, ethics reforms, etc without congressional buy-in, let alone convince the GOP-controlled House to expand the number of seats on the court.
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I’m convinced Schumer and Durbin have these words tattooed across their chests.
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I’m curious if or how this changes Sotomayor’s, Kagan’s, and Jackson’s opinions about how explicit ethics rules and oversight should be for SCOTUS justices. I hope they’re increasingly appalled, and would ultimately be willing to entertain more rigorous standards.
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