The Naked Truth/Jamala Rogers
Clarence Thomas is no Thurgood Marshall
Thanks to the investigative reporting by ProPublica, we now know that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepted way more vacations and gifts from his conservative billionaire buddies than previously reported. ProPublica also revealed that the corrupt justice secretly attended political summits by Charles and David Koch, two super rich influencers of the Republican strategy.
Over the last twenty years, Thomas took 38 vacations, flew in 26 private jets, accepted a dozen VIP passes to sporting events, stayed at luxury hotels, and accepted a host of other goodies made possible by his friends currying his favor on decisions affecting their business interests before the High Court. The justice did not disclose these gifts. Until recently, Thomas never recused himself from cases coming before him that he knew were conflicts of interest.
When Justice Thurgood Marshall retired from the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991, then U.S. Senator John Danforth from Missouri lobbied President Bush to nominate Thomas for the open seat. Justice-loving people in St. Louis fought like hell against the nomination, fully aware of the consequences that his confirmation would have on the country. A courageous Anita Hill exposed Thomas’ sexual harassment, drawing the support of women’s groups. The Senate approval vote was the thinnest margin in over 100 years.
There was never an expectation that Clarence Thomas could fill the big, judicial shoes of Thurgood Marshall. Maybe there was some reasonable thinking that Thomas had the acumen to interpret the law based upon the Constitution while staying independent from special interests. He did not.
Justice Thomas rarely asked questions from the bench during oral arguments. According to Clay’s book on the mute justice, he asked absolutely no questions for an entire decade.
Behind the scenes, Thomas was talking plenty — to his sugar daddy, Harlan Crowe. For years, the billionaire bestowed lavish gifts upon the Thomas family. In addition to the private jet flights, luxury vacations and more, Crowe also paid for the college tuition of a relative raised by the Thomases.
Thomas is not the only justice abusing his power and authority. Theirs is corruption at the highest level of the judicial system. Calls for ethics reform in the U.S. Supreme Court has fallen on deaf ears. The chorus to impeach Thomas is growing louder while the demand for terms limits on the justices gains traction.
Ethics reform, impeachment, term limits — these are righteous actions to hold SCOTUS accountable. If Supreme Court Justices can’t uphold the law for themselves, our democracy is doomed.
Rep. Shelia Stubbs Awarded 2023 HBCU Alumni United Honoree in Public Policy
From the Office of Rep. Shelia Stubbs
MADISON-WI- Following Representative Shelia Stubbs acceptance of 2023 Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Alumni United Honoree in Public Policy on September 15, 2023. Representative Shelia Stubbs released the following statement:
I would like to thank Historically Black College & University Alumni United Milwaukee for bestowing upon me the honor of 2023 Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Alumni United Honoree in public policy. Tougaloo College is a private historically black four-year liberal arts institution. It sits on 500 acres of land on West County Line Road on the northern edge of Jackson, Mississippi.
A special thanks to Tougaloo College which helped to foster my growth as a student by instilling principles of civil rights to mold me to reach the success I have as a policy maker and community leader today. I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors past and present who have laid the foundation for me to succeed.
I’m so humbled and honored to be an Easlet. It is important that we continue to support Historically Black Colleges & Universities like Tougaloo College. This HBCU Alumni awards symbolizes the importance of HBCU schools to the community. It is only possible for these institutions to exist and serve our communities today because of the incredible work past generations dedicated to their success.
Being awarded by HBCU Alumni United Milwaukee is such a source of pride for me because of the importance of HBCU schools to me. Part of what made my time at Tougaloo College so meaningful was that it was heavy encouragement of civil engagement. Tougaloo College was at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi. It was a safe place for those who fought for civil rights and social justice.
Especially now when we are under attack and losing initiatives such as affirmative action and DEI, it is most critical we appreciate HBCUs which have served us regardless throughout our history.