Clarence Thomas says critics are pushing 'nastiness' and calls Washington a 'hideous place'
Source: NBC News/AP
May 10, 2024, 9:58 PM EDT
FAIRHOPE, Ala. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas told attendees at a judicial conference Friday that he and his wife have faced nastiness and lies over the last several years and decried Washington, D.C., as a hideous place.
Thomas spoke at a conference attended by judges, attorneys and other court personnel in the 11th Circuit Judicial Conference, which hears federal cases from Alabama, Florida and Georgia. He made the comments pushing back on his critics in response to a question about working in a world that seems meanspirited.
I think theres challenges to that. Were in a world and we certainly my wife and I the last two or three years its been just the nastiness and the lies, its just incredible, Thomas said. But you have some choices. You dont get to prevent people from doing horrible things or saying horrible things. But one you have to understand and accept the fact that they cant change you unless you permit that, Thomas said.
Thomas has faced criticisms that he took accepted luxury trips from a GOP donor without reporting them. Thomas last year maintained that he didnt have to report the trips paid for by one of our dearest friends. His wife, conservative activist Ginni Thomas has faced criticism for using her Facebook page to amplify unsubstantiated claims of corruption by President Joe Biden, a Democrat.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/justice-clarence-thomas-calls-washington-hideous-place-rcna151782
Don't like it? Resign.
Irish_Dem
(48,855 posts)It's everyone else's fault.
No remorse and will never stop their crimes.
Think. Again.
(9,231 posts)...so it makes me wonder what benefit he really is getting from putting up with an employment situation he clearly dispises.
Irish_Dem
(48,855 posts)No consequences so they must be making a great deal of money and perks.
BlueKota
(1,920 posts)Plus the majority of what has been said aren't lies.
KS Toronado
(17,608 posts)up is down, light is darkness, and this guy is on the Supreme Court. Sure hope our new congress after the
upcoming election can find a way to deal with the lawlessness going on in their ranks.
COL Mustard
(6,033 posts)Where somebody said "Give 'em Hell, Harry" and his response was "I just tell the truth and they think it's Hell!"........
Docreed2003
(16,919 posts)"When faced with scrutiny for your actions, play the victim"
jaxexpat
(6,936 posts)Pototan
(1,263 posts)Get out of the kitchen.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
mitch96
(13,959 posts)mahina
(17,816 posts)With all the regular people. Because surely he wasnt lying when he said he loved doing that
lastlib
(23,467 posts)(And if you DO like it--LEAVE anyway.) Easy-peasy.
unblock
(52,617 posts)Woo woo!
gordianot
(15,276 posts)This was before he moved to DC or was on the Supreme Court. He would constantly hit on women and everyone knew he was married.
multigraincracker
(32,819 posts)Must have cost a fortune.
The Wizard
(12,567 posts)Deminpenn
(15,311 posts)Just because he has a lifetime appointment to the bench, it doesn't mean he has to stay there for a lifetime. He can resign. Then he and Ginny can lead their stress-free dream life of traveling the country in their lavish motor home funded with a nice federal pension and lifetime health insurance through FEHB.
COL Mustard
(6,033 posts)Today would be fine!
tanyev
(42,751 posts)Adios.
Sneederbunk
(14,328 posts)Oopsie Daisy
(2,969 posts)Midnight Writer
(21,952 posts)AZ8theist
(5,564 posts)surfered
(665 posts)niyad
(114,302 posts)nuxvomica
(12,502 posts)Then she hits "send".
orleans
(34,139 posts)which might explain why he mostly keeps his mouth shut on the job
I think theres challenges to that. Were in a world and we certainly my wife and I the last two or three years its been just the nastiness and the lies, its just incredible, Thomas said. But you have some choices. You dont get to prevent people from doing horrible things or saying horrible things. But one you have to understand and accept the fact that they cant change you unless you permit that, Thomas said.
Ponietz
(3,102 posts)Orrex
(63,334 posts)He and the judge (now retired) went to lunch a few years back, and afterward, while the judge was using the restroom, my neighbor paid the checks.
The judge was rather upset upon his return because of the appearance of impropriety or of currying favor, so they had the manager refund my neighbor so that the judge could pay his own tab.
And that was for a $6 lunch at a local greasy spoon.
Why doesn't Clarence feel any similar qualms about impropriety?
2naSalit
(87,192 posts)You have a choice, you CAN RESIGN!
70sEraVet
(3,589 posts)Ponietz
(3,102 posts)where are the voices you hear coming from? Get a clue.
claudette
(3,648 posts)Resign from the SCROTUS and leave DC. Good riddance!
tavernier
(12,461 posts)of a Trump administration. He is a racist and a misogynist, and really hates ugly women.
Icanthinkformyself
(224 posts)it's because of Republican's and conservative's negative, anti-democratic, un-American policies, such that they have policies, that are destructive. As many have said, Uncle Tom, leave!
DFW
(54,622 posts)With a robe.
jvill
(233 posts)...
poozwah
(52 posts)whats that on my can of coke?
aocommunalpunch
(4,261 posts)Take that hag pos you call a wife with you.
Lulu KC
(2,586 posts)Get out of Dodge, Clarence.
dalton99a
(81,824 posts)Walleye
(31,246 posts)sindri
(39 posts)to people who not self-aware enough to realize their actions are wrong. I think Trump, Thomas, Ginny and all people like them genuinely believe that they have done nothing wrong - rules are for other people. This is because they have never been held accountable before in life - privileged people often get away with things for a long time and then believe they are being persecuted when they finally do get any kind of push back.
area51
(11,952 posts)THEN QUIT!
D23MIURG23
(2,857 posts)You wouldn't be missed.
twodogsbarking
(10,070 posts)[link:
|Bucky
(54,161 posts)But oligarchy has beautiful palaces and uniforms and fully accoutremented luxury RVs
myohmy2
(3,266 posts)...uncle thomas, someone's hurt your feelings...?
...you shouldn't get caught with your fingers in the cookie jar...
...but I feel your pain, somewhat
...
modrepub
(3,513 posts)Stay longer and be miserable for all I care. I have little to no sympathy for anyone who stays in uncomfortable situations by their own choosing. He could retire, write books, do guest speaking, travel to his heart's content but he's convinced himself of his importance and that "things will fall apart" if he were to leave.
Guess what folks, we can't stay here forever. Better to indulge yourself with your interests and pleasures while you still have a chance rather than to chain yourself to drudgery. Hearing him (and other right-wing politicians) complain about how unpleasant their jobs are makes me happy.
Stay, be miserable for all I care. We'll undo your damage when you're six feet under.
LiberalFighter
(51,647 posts)bluestarone
(17,216 posts)Blame OTHERS for their CRIMES!! I hope they get what they deserve in the end.
DBoon
(22,459 posts)with loyal retainers and a subservient lower class
JustAnotherGen
(32,152 posts)He doesn't have to stay there. SCOTUS is at will employment from the employees side. You don't HAVE to stay at that job.
LiberalFighter
(51,647 posts)republianmushroom
(14,109 posts)Washington has become a hideous place. IMO
TBF
(32,208 posts)Beowulf42
(215 posts)Then retire. Problem solved.
dlk
(11,651 posts)It is an affront to their extreme entitlement. How dare we
If Washington has become so completely unbearable for the Thomases, perhaps its time for him to step down. As Harry Truman said, If you cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
Jilly_in_VA
(10,064 posts)is now "lies and nastiness"? Sure, Brudda Clarence, sure. Only in the world of the Orange Turd.
Why, oh why didn't people believe Anita Hill? I did then and still do.
LudwigPastorius
(9,341 posts)You can absolutely get the fuck out of there.
sakabatou
(42,243 posts)BWdem4life
(1,740 posts)There will not be another Republican president in his lifetime so there will never be a good time for him to resign. I'm assuming the craven politicians in Congress will never impeach him. So, we wait.
Marthe48
(17,201 posts)wishing it was as a disgraced, impeached, traitor criminal, but just go and take your traitor wife with you.
Dulcinea
(6,728 posts)Get in the RV with the "traitorous she-beast" (thank you, Steven Van Zandt) & ride away forever.
CousinIT
(9,306 posts)Warpy
(111,559 posts)I hope he listed all those luxury vacations and other lavish gifts from Mr. Crow as income. We'd hate like hell to see the bill the IRS will eventually hand him if he didn't.
I think the IRS compounds interest by the nanosecond.
TomSlick
(11,188 posts)"You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go.
Sessuch
(113 posts)Evolve Dammit
(16,892 posts)AZLD4Candidate
(5,883 posts)ArkansasDemocrat1
(1,347 posts)prodigitalson
(2,501 posts)zanana1
(6,144 posts)appleannie1
(5,086 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(146,343 posts)Justice Clarence Thomas wants the public to believe the serious accusations hes faced are lies. Hes going to have to be far more specific.
Link to tweet
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/biggest-flaw-justice-clarence-thomas-newest-complaints-rcna151935
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas told attendees at a judicial conference Friday that he and his wife have faced nastiness and lies over the last several years and decried Washington, D.C., as a hideous place. Thomas spoke at a conference attended by judges, attorneys and other court personnel in the 11th Circuit Judicial Conference, which hears federal cases from Alabama, Florida and Georgia.
When the far-right jurist was asked specifically about a world that seems meanspirited, Thomas replied, I think theres challenges to that. Were in a world and we certainly my wife and I the last two or three years its been just the nastiness and the lies, its just incredible.
A New York Times report on the justices remarks noted, It amounted to some of the most extensive public remarks he has made since revelations that he failed to disclose years of lavish trips from wealthy conservatives, like the Texas real estate magnate Harlan Crow, including on private jets and a superyacht......
In each instance, the far-right jurists luxurious benefits have been underwritten by benefactors who share the ideology that drives his jurisprudence. Though the precise value of the trips is difficult to measure, ProPublica described it as likely in the millions of dollars.
Its an impossible dynamic to defend: Thomas has lived the life of a wealthy man, thanks to the generosity of his rich, likeminded friends.......
Because on the one hand we have a great many compelling, well-sourced, award-winning reports written and published by respected journalists. On the other hand, we have a controversial Supreme Court justice, burdened by decades of controversies, who apparently hopes the public takes his vague assertions at face value, despite his lack of credibility.
This doesnt seem like an especially tough call.
Torchlight
(3,528 posts)You're correct, Mr. thomas, you "cant change you unless you permit" it; and until that time arrives, I fear your aversion to mirrors of the soul will only strengthen.
LakeArenal
(28,936 posts)mahina
(17,816 posts)Apology to slugs