Where is the investigation of Clarence Thomas?

[CanonRay]

Let me preface by saying that I spent most of my 28 year Federal career as a law enforcement officer. As such I was required year after year to file exhaustive financial disclosure reports. Exactly the same reports that Clarence Thomas filled out for each of the last twenty years. On the bottom, right where you sign, was a notice that filing a false statement was a crime, punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. Now, I wasn’t a lawyer (although I had to work with them), but it was a pretty straight forward issue. You tell the truth, your form is reviewed at Headquarters, and you keep on working.

I knew, and we all knew, despite not being lawyers, that if you lied, you could kiss your ass goodbye. Here’s what would have happened if I had lied on any of those forms. First, I would have been immediately called in and questioned by the Inspector General’s office (I know, because I investigated a few of these cases). I would probably have been suspended without pay. Then I would have been fired. Probably within a week or two. Now, I might have some appeal or other but I wouldn’t have had a snowball’s chance in Hell.

Next, the Inspector General would have made a criminal referral to the Justice Department, and pushed, hard, to get the case prosecuted. Since it’s a fairly simple statute, with no wiggle room, and I clearly had the knowledge to understand the questions, even though I wasn’t a lawyer, and because U.S. Attorneys generally like simple, straight forward easy convictions (it allows them to lose a hard one now and again), I would have been dead meat. Indicted, convicted, and praying for a minimum security joint with a tennis court. You think a jury would have any sympathy for a Federal cop who lied?

Now, let’s see the contrast with Mr. Thomas. He lied about twenty times. Consistently. About something he obviously knew. Over a declaration that it was a crime. And he is a lawyer. Not just any lawyer, but a Supreme Court Justice. No higher power there. And what happens?

Nothing.

I haven’t even heard a media report outside of DU. Admittedly, I don’t watch as much news as I used to, especially since Keith left, and this whole Egypt thing has kind of eaten up news time, but still.

Nothing.

Is there a Justice Department inquiry? And Inspector General investigation? Does anybody give a shit?

Nada.

So here’s my question. Are we a nation of laws? Is there really equal justice for all? Or is that all just bullshit and we’re just making believe.

If Clarence Thomas isn’t investigated, prosecuted and sent packing to prison, then our whole system of laws is a complete fraud, and there’s really no reason for any of the rest of us to respect or obey the law.

It’s up to you, Mr. Holder.