I have been a long critic of many of Justice Clarence Thomas’ opinions which often reject basic individual rights while embracing police and national security powers. However, I believe that Thomas is often treated unfairly for being a black conservative on the Court. While others like Justices Alito, Scalia, and Roberts routinely vote along the same lines, Thomas’ race is commonly cited in commentary while that is not a factor in the other justices on the right of the Court. This unfairness was vividly shown by the comments of Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) that Thomas is an “Uncle Tom” and suggested that he was not an authenticate black person. He has refused to retract or apologize of the attack. In the meantime, Democrats are uniformly silent in the face of this uncivil and outrageous attack.
In an interview with CNN, Thompson said that Thomas apparently “doesn’t like black people, he doesn’t like being black.” After raising votes in areas like voting rights, he added that “All those issues are very important and for someone in the court who’s African American and not sensitive to that is a real problem.”
Let’s be clear, I did not view Thomas as someone who was well-suited for the Court. However, many of these justices and their predecessors were on an the top lists of legal experts. They were selected for their lack of prior controversy or other more political factors. What concerns me is that his race is constantly raised by critics. He has every right to be a conservative and has shown a consistent and committed jurisprudence supporting those views. I do not agree with those positions but I fail to see why he should be defined by his race. Indeed, I thought that one of the key objectives of the civil right movement was to allow African Americans to be judged not by the color of their skin. Thomas follows the same interpretive approach as his colleagues — an approach mind you that is not supposed to be based not on a jurist’s personal desires or association with any group. He is not supposed to show loyalty to a particular group or fulfill expectations due to his race. I have no problem with criticizing Thomas for his votes in the same way as we often criticize his colleagues, but he should not face a race test by critics.
Thomas deserves better. I have always been moved by his life’s story. His father was a farm worker and his mother was a domestic worker. They were poor and both descendants of American slaves. The family spoke Gullah as a first language. His mother literally worked for pennies a day and his early life was spent in a home without indoor plumbing. The second of three children, he later lived with his grandparents when they became homeless. Thomas was the only black person at his high school in Savannah and yet was able to remain an honor student. He went on to attend college and Yale Law School. While few seem to want to admit it, that is a remarkable and inspiring life. He developed conservative principles and values in his life. Some find that incomprehensible but his incredible struggle produced a strong personality and will that can be admired even if you strongly disagree with his views.
What concerns me most is the virtual silence from Democrats to denounce this type of race-based attack. Being called an Uncle Tom is obviously deeply offensive to African Americans. Thomas and his family have gone through too much suffering and struggle to be treated so unfairly in my view. The suggestion is that being genuinely black requires you to reach the right conclusions and support the right positions. However, the very struggle that Thompson is describing was a fight to allow black men and women to be treated as individuals and not categorized by the color of their skin. Thompson should apologize and Democrats should show that they are not selectively outraged by race-based attacks.
What do you think?
Source: Washington Post
feynman:
maybe you should take a dose of your own RX for nick?
“Right. I guess those stupid farmers whose farms are drying up in the CA central valley should just irrigate with water pumped out of the ocean.”
As long as it was treated to take out the salt, there isnt any reason not to.
If Rick Perry and the state of Texas want to prey, why not? It doesnt hurt me or anyone else for that matter.
Paul,
LBJ and his beagles????? What’s up with that?
Salt River Project? Built by the US government. And the water comes from the
Colorado River. Gila, Salt River, Verde River. They are all fed by the Colorado.
But it sure is an interesting outlook that Democrats supply water to the people of
AZ. so they can secure their votes. But you didn’t vote for it. Republicans don’t
need no lousy water.
Only two rivers feed the SRP, the Salt and the Verde. And just for those who are geographically challenged we live in the Sonoran Desert. It doesn’t want to be a desert, it is a desert. There are 6 dams, two built by the Bureau of Reclamation that service SRP. Granted there are feeder canals where water is pumped up so it can start downhill again. Not sure where they are pumping up water in the dam system though. The general plan of the major canals follows the canals built by the Hohokam.
Paul, If you read my comment again I was speaking of The Imperial Valley. That is in SoCal, bordering Mexico. The Central Valley is in well, Central Ca., thusly the name. They do have some similarities, but more differences. Your continual mistakes in reading and then responding incorrectly is disrespectful to those who take the time and effort to be accurate. You need to step up your game. This is the Big Leagues.
Paul, Yes. He got shit for that Beagle photo op in the 60’s, imagine if he did that now! He also lifted his shirt and showed his scar from gall bladder surgery. He held meetings in the Oval Office sitting on the toilet and yelling out to the others in the meeting. He loved to drive on his ranch in Texas[beautiful, I’ve visited] in his Caddy convertible, drinking beer and throwing the empty cans up in the air. So, I’m waiting w/ baited breath to here stories about a Supreme Court Justice who swears.
Nick, I know about the central valley. I know where our food comes from.and its dependence on irrigation. I’ve read The Cadillac Desert. I know about water cycles. I know about the water shortages in the West and more particularly CA. I know the water to Phoenix has to be pumped uphill, but I’m not so sure how much of their water comes from the Flag snowpack. Damn little snow there recently. Native Americans are unhappy about the manufacturing of artificial snow up there. I know about desertification and the mass disruptions of populations that is taking place right now. I know that China is buying lots of farm land in Africa. Anybody wondering about that?
It would be helpful if you didn’t assume I’m a child who needs a lesson. Speak to me as if I am an adult.
Thanks.
on 1, May 4, 2014 at 12:36 pmPaul Schulte
Sorry 11:30. Annie is not mentioned.
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Oh perhaps he meant Karen S! 😯
I’m off! Have a great productive and civil discussion, y’all.
Nick – were you responding to me?
on 1, May 4, 2014 at 11:45 amfeynman
The ANSWER is you attacked Annie. But you were correct in saying we were cruising along very nicely. And then, at 11:30, you felt it necessary to slam Annie.
Out of the blue. Why did you do that?
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Because the pot must be stirred! Now I’m off to the bar to pick up men, er, um, I mean my granddaughter’s confirmation and celebration after. Have a good discussion, we Cheeseheads will be having some wonderful family time together today. We may even have some cream puffs!
I looked at 11:00 am and there are no comments at all. Are you having a senior moment?
feynman:
Northern Africa was once a lush, thriving ecosystem about 6,000 years ago. The process has been going on for quite a few years prior to the development of the Chevy Blazer.
http://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/green-sahara-african-humid-periods-paced-by-82884405
Oh the humanity. If earth would only comply with the febrile dreams of statists in their silent reveries what a “marvelous” place this would be.
Feynman, Living in SoCal during the winter the past 5 years has been edifying. Of all the factors in my education, simply living in 7 different states and 3 time zones has made me see things from all different angles, different perspectives. When I drive through Imperial Valley in Ca. in January, on my way out to San Diego, I see miles of produce. If you eat lettuce, tomatoes, etc. during the winter, good chance it came from the Imperial Valley. That was DESERT 60 or so years ago. It is desert right up to the point the irrigation starts and then it is mountains. Maybe, that needs to change. We adapt or perish.
Byron,
Right. I guess those stupid farmers whose farms are drying up in the CA central valley should just irrigate with water pumped out of the ocean. And what’s with all the rationing that’s being done in northern CA. Do they not realize there’s an ocean on their border? And your assessment of of the desertification of Africa is jaw dropping. And it’s all a hoax of the left.
And the great ‘withholder’ of water is God. Perry was calling for mass prayer meetings recently in hopes of getting some rain for TX.
Lest anyone is confused – there is a lot of sarcasm in this comment.Except for Perry. He really was hoping prayers would do it.
Feel free to explore other threads, Darren has some good ones up. Karen is on one of them. There was a touching comment from a former girlfriend of the hero in Ca. who came to the aid of a woman. This blog is a powerful tool for good.
“Edify” means to enlighten, instruct, teach. You have a different perception of the difference between last night and this morning. Fine. I accept that. I can accept different opinions. I cannot accept different facts. I LOVE substantive threads. I truly hope this one stays on track. “Those who don’t understand history are doomed to repeat it.”
feynman:
The left has been percolating water for about 5 or 6 years. It is the new “global warming” issue. We have oceans filled with water, there is no water shortage. There may be a shortage of supply due to collectivists governments in third world sh*t holes but water isnt being withheld from individuals by rich corporations. If there are corporations withholding water, then government is in bed with them writing laws favorable to the corporations.
I have explained my position on the debt. It is a phoney issue driven by the right wing in order to undermine and then eliminate social programs.
The ANSWER is you attacked Annie. But you were correct in saying we were cruising along very nicely. And then, at 11:30, you felt it necessary to slam Annie.
Out of the blue. Why did you do that?
Sorry 11:30. Annie is not mentioned.
Feynman, I take you @ your word that you are concerned for our grandchildren. But, the worst thing we are doing to them politically is saddle them w/ a mountain of debt. We need to stop that by making drastic cuts and operate within our means.
Cutting history courses!!!!!
Where’s Byron? I believe he was complaining about my calling us a nation of fools! Bloody, damn Fools.
I’ll be delighted when people understand rein and reign. And that there is no such word as ‘anyways’.
Feynman, I just pointed out who does. You need to really work on your analytical skills. Refute what I said w/ an answer rather than an accusation.
By the way it did clarify. The trouble started at exactly 11:30.