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Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's "blackness" has long been questioned, but revelations of his off the bench relationships have now called into question his ethics.
A scandal is heating up over his friendships with big-moneyed conservatives who have lavished him with favors, including helping to finance a library project in his honor, and gifts that include a Bible that belonged to Frederic Douglass and reportedly $500,000 for Thomas's wife, Virginia, to start a Tea Party-related group, according to a recently published story in The New York Times.
A wealthy friend even financed the multimillion-dollar purchase and restoration of the seafood cannery where Thomas' mother once worked as a crab picker, which now features a museum about the culture and history of the small town it's in.
The dealings have further fueled debate about Supreme Court ethics. The kicker here is that according to law, Supreme Court Justices are not beholden by the same code of conduct for federal judges.
The museum project has drawn much of the ire. While the nonprofit Pin Point museum is not intended to honor Justice Thomas, people involved in the project said his role in the community's history would inevitably be part of it, and he participated in a documentary film that is to accompany the exhibits, the Times reported.
Deborah L. Rhode, a Stanford University law professor who has called for stricter ethics rules for Supreme Court justices, told the newspaper that Justice Thomas "should not be directly involved in fund-raising activities, no matter how worthy they are or whether he's being centrally honored by the museum."
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Comments: (29)
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By: Bruce on 6/23/2011 1:32PM
His Blackness is being questioned. He looks black to me.
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By: lilsis2576 on 6/23/2011 2:45PM
Right.....Mr.Thomas has done his wrong and has paid for it.From reading the post it sounds like his wealthy friend is helping him establish his reputation. We all deserve a second chance at life.....let Mr.Thomas do his good deeds in this sol called free country we live in...
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By: dweetta on 6/23/2011 5:10PM
THOMAS IS A TEA PARTY PERSON.
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By: bro man on 6/24/2011 2:16AM
so!
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By: franklma on 6/30/2011 8:29AM
People who look like C. Thomas were in chattel slavery during the white tea partiers' uprising raid while pretending to be Native Americans!
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By: bro man on 6/23/2011 6:27PM
You want to talk ETHICS!!Talk to me about TAX CHEAT Charlie Rangel then we can talk!!!!!!
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By: naomi.adams on 6/26/2011 5:45PM
He looks sick/depressed. Something is probably going on at home. As for his blackness. I think he knows he's black but he sees the world through a different set of lenses/ideology. I don't hate him for it. As for the way he gets money, etc. that's just kind of the way it works in the business world. I have a feeling that even if he stopped accepting favors, he would still rule the same way on the court as he does now.
"A wealthy friend even financed the multimillion-dollar purchase and restoration of the seafood cannery where Thomas' mother once worked as a crab picker, which now features a museum about the culture and history of the small town it's in."
That doesn't seem like someone who is ashamed of or unconcerned with their heritage as a black american, would care to do. I'm sure he's dealt with racism same as me.
I DO think he probably sexually harassed Anita Hill. I'm just not going to judge his ideology anymore because of the color of his skin.
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By: naomi.adams on 6/26/2011 5:47PM
I didn't mean my post to be a response to yours. Sorry.
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By: LEON MOREHEAD on 6/23/2011 7:10PM
Why are you questioning his "blackkness"? Is he suppose to be your sterotipical left wing liberal because he is black. Grow up, this is a free country and just because you may not believe in his consertative ideolgy, it dose not mean he is not black. Question Jessie Jackson & Mr. Sharpton ethics.
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By: Greg D. on 6/24/2011 2:30PM
I'm not afraid to tell it like it is: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is an "Uncle Tom" in the colloquial sense of the word. It's not so much about his conservative views. You can be an African American/conservative and not be a sell out.
Justice Thomas takes it a step further. He has repeatedly denied and ignored any and all evidence of racial injustice in America to the detriment of those negatively affected by it.
He has done this to garner favor and to appease conservative/monied white America to the detriment of people of color. His position are particularly insidious considering he is of African ancestry. His sensitivities should be more in line with the harsh realities.
Conservatism shouldn't automatically equate to insensitivity to the realities of racial and economic inequities and injustice.
I DON'T have a problem with him being conservative. I, like many African Americans, have a number of conservative views myself.
I DO have a problem with him being a sell-out "Uncle Tom", which he is.
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