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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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By: Nonchalant on 6/24/2011 1:05PM
How come Dr Cornell West doesnt pick a fight with this uncle tom, instead of the President? Did anyone read the article on him in USA Today? He does more harm to the Black community than anyone in office. A person was wrongly convicted, bc the DA's office withheld the defendants blood sample, which would have proven his innocence. After the wrongly convicted was free, uncle tom blocked his motion to sue the DA's office. Why isnt Dr West calling out this house negroe??
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By: dweetta on 6/25/2011 10:36AM
HIS EYES LOOK BLOOD SHOT, HIS EYES IS ALMOST AS RED AS HIS WIFE FACE.
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By: dweetta on 6/25/2011 10:35AM
Thomas is oreo cookie you dig.
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By: Naomi A on 6/26/2011 8:30PM
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: black man on 6/26/2011 11:51PM
After all that Bill Clinton did to disgrace the presidency (Monica Lewinsky) black folk love them some Bill Clinton.Black Democrats were not offended when soul brother #1 Bill Clinton said in a conversation with Sen.Ted Kennedy "A few years back,this guy would be serving us coffee" Also Sen.Harry Reid,a Democrat said "Barrack Obama is very electable because of his light skin color,and his ability to speak without a negro dialect.No big deal right black folks.That`s just Bill being Bill and Harry`s being Harry.Sure i get it!
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By: xtreme negro on 6/26/2011 6:56PM
Thanks Trymaine Lee for trying to find the worst pic you could of Judge Thomas. (real dirty)
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By: pink on 6/26/2011 11:09PM
Several years ago I read Mr. Thomas' memoir; and to me he came across as a really insecure person. Specifically him saying that he couldn't get a date in (I believe) both high school and college bc he was dark skinned. Sounds like a very insecure person to me.
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By: naomi.adams on 6/27/2011 12:30AM
I have never read that book but heard it was pretty illuminating when it came to, at least, understanding the man.
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By: franklma on 7/13/2011 10:20AM
Sometimes I wonder, do men and women like him, (traitors to their own people) would they hold Judas up as a hero?
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