Justice Thomas accepted millions in gifts from right wing mega donor

[fskimospy]

According to ProPublica, Thomas routinely accepted ultra high end private jet flights, super yacht trips, lodging, etc. from a right wing activist and never disclosed them.

Clarence Thomas Secretly Accepted Luxury Trips From Major GOP Donor

Island-hopping on a superyacht. Private jet rides around the world. The undisclosed gifts to Thomas have no known precedent in the modern history of the Supreme Court. “It’s incomprehensible to me that someone would do this,” says one former judge.

www.propublica.org

SCOTUS isn’t bound by any judicial ethics laws, but any other judge would be in deep, deep shit for this level of corruption. He should resign due to this. He won’t, but he should.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I am simply amazed that the SCOTUS can behave in this way and are not bound by rules that the average american is subject to..../s

 

[HomerJS]

When I suggest cutting their funding unless they comply with rules other federal judges have to follow people yell, "you can't do that"

 

[brycejones]

Unfortunately looks like it’s past time for ethics reform at scotus. Also in a functioning democracy he would be at some risk of being impeached and convicted for this.

 

[fskimospy]

When I suggest cutting their funding unless they comply with rules other federal judges have to follow people yell, "you can't do that"

I agree that the judiciary is totally out of control and the rot starts from SCOTUS.

I’m not sure how effective cutting their funding would be though and they will still reserve the right to ignore any constraints at will.

The right answer to Thomas’ corruption is to take his power away. Since he can’t be impeached that means expanding the court.

 

[HomerJS]

I agree that the judiciary is totally out of control and the rot starts from SCOTUS.

I’m not sure how effective cutting their funding would be though and they will still reserve the right to ignore any constraints at will.

The right answer to Thomas’ corruption is to take his power away. Since he can’t be impeached that means expanding the court.

I'm cool with expanding the court but without money to operate they can't infect the public with their corruption.

I don't know how you expand the court without create a never ending cycle of expansion.

 

[cytg111]

Thats why god invented torches and pitchforks

 

[fskimospy]

I'm cool with expanding the court but without money to operate they can't infect the public with their corruption.

I don't know how you expand the court without create a never ending cycle of expansion.

They would declare any funding cuts that left them unable to operate unconstitutional. They will also declare any attempt to subject them to an ethics code unconstitutional.

First, I’m down with a few cycles of court expansion. It would be much better to have 99 justices than nine. Second, it weakens the judiciary generally and puts it more formally back in line with the elected branches. Third, it’s the only way to get a deal. Conservatives are perfectly happy with the situation now where they game the process and liberals accept it. Time to fight back.

 

[HomerJS]

They would declare any funding cuts that left them unable to operate unconstitutional. They will also declare any attempt to subject them to an ethics code unconstitutional.

First, I’m down with a few cycles of court expansion. It would be much better to have 99 justices than nine. Second, it weakens the judiciary generally and puts it more formally back in line with the elected branches. Third, it’s the only way to get a deal. Conservatives are perfectly happy with the situation now where they game the process and liberals accept it. Time to fight back.

Based on what? Nothing explicitly in the Constitution that requires they be funded. Remember all their enumerated rights defense on abortion?

Even if they do they have no power to enforce. They can't make the Congress fund them.

 

[eelw]

Similar to gun debate, impossible to take back guns from citizens, because the rules of the senate, impossible to expand SCOTUS or even to hold them accountable.

 

[fskimospy]

Based on what? Nothing explicitly in the Constitution that requires they be funded. Remember all their enumerated rights defense on abortion?

Even if they do they have no power to enforce. They can't make the Congress fund them.

They would say that was Congress usurping the power of the judiciary I imagine and declare it a violation of separation of powers.

All that aside if that’s what we’re doing then it’s easier to just refuse to enforce SCOTUS decisions.

 

[HomerJS]

How about this, add 3 justices to an even 12, 6 Dems and 6 Republicans.

What that does, more decisions based on merit not politics because it forces someone from one ideology to vote in the other direction or else nothing gets decided. Knowing there is an ideological tie in court makeup should force better decisions.

In case of a tie ruling from lower court stands.

 

[Brainonska511]

A functioning Congress would impeach and remove over something like this. Outside of that, not much Congress can do beyond expanding the court a lot. Have it be set up like a huge court of appeals - it would be able to take more cases, and the justices can be randomly assigned to the cases heard, limiting their abilities to put their partisan thumbs on the scale.

 

[interchange]

Impeachment is the appropriate remedy. This should be a big deal but I doubt it will be.

 

[fskimospy]

How about this, add 3 justices to an even 12, 6 Dems and 6 Republicans.

What that does, more decisions based on merit not politics because it forces someone from one ideology to vote in the other direction or else nothing gets decided. Knowing there is an ideological tie in court makeup should force better decisions.

In case of a tie ruling from lower court stands.

An even number of justices is a bad idea because one of the main purposes of SCOTUS is to resolve splits between circuit courts. It's a bad to have the law function differently in different parts of the country.

As for your overall plan I'm fine with that, although conservatives will (rightly) view it as an attempt to reduce their power and will probably retaliate. I'm okay with them retaliating because that's probably inevitable if we're going to fix the problem but you mentioned it as a concern.

 

[HomerJS]

An even number of justices is a bad idea because one of the main purposes of SCOTUS is to resolve splits between circuit courts. It's a bad to have the law function differently in different parts of the country.

As for your overall plan I'm fine with that, although conservatives will (rightly) view it as an attempt to reduce their power and will probably retaliate. I'm okay with them retaliating because that's probably inevitable if we're going to fix the problem but you mentioned it as a concern.

I hear you but my theory is their pride would not allow a bunch of ties. Let them fight it out until tie is broken. Also, a new rule all court cases must be recorded so the people have transparency, and we know what those crooks are up to.

Eliminate the shadow docket. Everything out in the open.

Also, justices cannot pick their cases, that would be done by a panel with equal representation.

 

[Pohemi]

Because OF COURSE he fucking did !!

This cvnt needs to be removed from the SCOTUS...like, yesterday (or you know, the 90s when he never should have been confirmed to begin with.)

 

[pauldun170]

According to ProPublica, Thomas routinely accepted ultra high end private jet flights, super yacht trips, lodging, etc. from a right wing activist and never disclosed them.

Clarence Thomas Secretly Accepted Luxury Trips From Major GOP Donor

Island-hopping on a superyacht. Private jet rides around the world. The undisclosed gifts to Thomas have no known precedent in the modern history of the Supreme Court. “It’s incomprehensible to me that someone would do this,” says one former judge.

www.propublica.org

SCOTUS isn’t bound by any judicial ethics laws, but any other judge would be in deep, deep shit for this level of corruption. He should resign due to this. He won’t, but he should.

" The constitution says nothing about me receiving diamond encrusted pigmy skulls to drink this bad ass margarita out of while I watch this enslaved Pakistani boy rub my feet.
If you look at this nations history, you will see that a privileged class is as inherently vital to our society as ....excuse for one second.
Rub my pinky toe again with raspberry elephant testical essence lotion stuff. Thanks.

Anyway if you cared so much, you would amend the constitution to say that I specifically can't enjoy this very specific island villa."
- Clarence Thomas

 

[fskimospy]

" The constitution says nothing about me receiving diamond encrusted pigmy skulls to drink this bad ass margarita out of while I watch this enslaved Pakistani boy rub my feet.
If you look at this nations history, you will see that a privileged class is as inherently vital to our society as ....excuse for one second.
Rub my pinky toe again with raspberry elephant testical essence lotion stuff. Thanks.

Anyway if you cared so much, you would amend the constitution to say that I specifically can't enjoy this very specific island villa."
- Clarence Thomas

If you take a step back it is pretty shocking that SCOTUS' actual legal position is that it's unconstitutional for anyone to set boundaries on their acceptable behavior outside of impeachment.

 

[K1052]

The Supreme Court as structured is just not a viable institution. It's a clubby, insulated, and corrupt political tool that has caused major national disasters.

Add judges until the Republicans agree to restructure the court in full via amendment.

 

[senseamp]

Similar to gun debate, impossible to take back guns from citizens, because the rules of the senate, impossible to expand SCOTUS or even to hold them accountable.

It's possible, but you need to elect senators who do want to do it, not the Sinemas of the world.

 

[conehead433]

Thomas is clearly in violation of US tax laws. Gifts or prizes valued at over $600 are subject to regular income tax. Throw his ass in jail.

 

[soulcougher73]

We need a real life Punisher...

 

[brycejones]

Thomas is clearly in violation of US tax laws. Gifts or prizes valued at over $600 are subject to regular income tax. Throw his ass in jail.

I do love this as an angle to impeach and convict him. Decades of tax evasion is a crime.

 

[fskimospy]

Sadly I was unable to convince my conservative leaning friends with lots of conservative Facebook friends to post something to the effect of 'OMG we just found out George Soros was ferrying Sotomayor around on his yacht and on expensive vacations for years' just to see what the right wing reaction would be.