SCOTUS Appointed for life or until they resign. So, why would American Enterprise Institute give 15k US$ to Justice Thomas? AEI has since the gift had 3 cases before the court. Clarence did not recuse himself on any of those legal events, he voted in their favor. Hmmmmmmmmm! Now Clarence dines for free one or two times a month at the "family's" house a few blocks from his office, these are the GOP dudes who believe they are above the law of the land, and the bible as long as they do the Lords work, more than a few have been caught in adultry and tax trouble. Count 3 of my indictment of judge thomas, he speaks often at Koch Industries functions for money, Koch also has great interest in many court cases on pollution, citizens united, to name just two.
Clarence Thomas's actions scream for a Constititional amendment limiting the tenure of someone on the high court to ten years. Whlle being a bit leery of violating the separation of powers - I would suggest that the Department of Justice or the Congress have some over-sight authority over the Supreme Court's jurists on matters of conflict of interest as like in the Thomas affair.
ReplyDeleteRon
How about a rule: no accepting gifts from anyone not a family member? And then, obviously, recuse oneself from any cases involving family.
ReplyDeleteIf someone can't accept that, it's not fair, I like gifts, then DON"T TAKE THE JOB!
Fringe,
ReplyDeleteI believe there should be a C(larence) T(homas) scan performed. Still haven't figured out why the Code of Ethics that is applied to other, lower court federal judges does not apply to the Supremes.
Anonymous Sarge,
ReplyDeleteI do not agree on this, amendments are not necessary here. To the best of my knowledge, when judges age has prevented them from the mountains of readings and writings, they have retired. This is not like Senator Byrd and many others, being led in swaddled in depends and told to vote yes by an aid. I go with NAC's choice, either they accept no gifts or speaking fees or promise of future reward, or they recuse without exception.
NAC,
ReplyDeleteYep
Mister O, as I understand it, the Supremes are subject to little or no oversight except I think Congress can impeach, or Justice can investigate, but Justice has not too much precident to go on here.
ReplyDeleteJustice bought and paid for.
ReplyDelete