When David Brooks said on the PBS Newshour that he knows Harlan Crow, vacations with him and thinks he's a 'great guy', I lost all respect for him. As I've said before, Clarence Thomas and most likely many other Justices are blackmailed into doing the billionaire oligarchs' bidding. It's really that simple. Thomas has a drinking problem (see Frontline piece on him), he was abused as a child and has all sorts of shall we say, 'predilections' from that. He hates his own people! So does Tim Scott, for that matter. As for Gorsuch, check out the high-end, alpine ski wear company 'Gorsuch' online; the catalog sells skiwear and apre ski wear for $thousands (sorry, don't know how to accent grave on my computer;). Could have sworn Justice Pretty Boy modeled for them.... Maybe he's related. Didn't he sell land in CO to some wealthy billionaire or someone who paid him a fortune for it? Let's start some juicy rumors!
Here I go again, the old pessimist. I do `not expect any action by the Senate or Biden. I am still trying to ascertain whether it is cowardice, complicity or corruption, the same Biden is showing by refusing to use his Art II and 14th Amendment powers. He could declare an environmental emergency (Art. II) and refuse the petroleum complex of exporting our oil to foreign countries, thus lowering the price of gasoline and inflation, but that would anger the petrochemical donors...so no go. He could with an executive order, raise the debt limit, but that would anger the Republicans, and to hell with the government employees, folks on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNP and other social programs.
I suspect that a good portion of the donors to the DNC (not we the people) are hinging their support for the DNC on killing this programs, so they can be privatized.
My pessimism is based on prior performance, or lack thereof,which is a prediction of future performance.
Optimism and wishful thinking, assuming good faith, are leading us into the state of autocratic rule by a burgeoning neo fascist but growing minority. The neo fascists are a highly motivated 30-35% of the population and that is all that is need to take over the country, And to my estimation, there is not a real, serious, opposition and we have the best government money can buy
Your knowledge and understanding of the Supreme Court is unparalleled Thom. I would like to hear from one other scholar on this, since it's such a constitutional matter, and that's Laurence Tribe. My sense is that he would confirm most, if not all, of what you've said here.
Thank you so much for the explanation of Marbury v Madison decision and the historical background. A constitutional showdown is at hand, if Americans can take back the Congress.
Well at least this got that weasel Roberts to poke his nose out of his den. He has to be really pissed that people have started saying this is the "Thomas Court".
My goodness this whole scenario is stupid! Every one of the (cough) Justices have simple moral imperatives to declare what, who and how much they are gifted or earn. If there is a conflict of interest, it looks corrupt, or they don't want to recuse themselves, then DON'T take the gift or job. Such a simple task, especially when they have excellent professional advice surrounding them every damn day.
There is a reason Thomas and Crow look to authoritarians; they want to be one instead of being ACCOUNTABLE. They want to tell us FU, and they have. Fine. Now they get to hear how that "makes us feel" over and over and over.
It makes me feel like certain Justices are dishonest, unethical, and absolutely corruptible. They are disgusting and, the proof is we know from the hearings they lied to get there.
Given the "Marbury" precedent, although not specifically in the Constitution, but the functional standard since its inception, what would prevent the current court from declaring any attempt by the current Congress from declaring any legislation regulating the Court from being declared unconstitutional? Then what?
If another right winger gets elected president and he takes over the military as Commander in Chief, we will never get rid of these, demons, rats, thugs and robber barons. Biden acts compromised like somebody has something on him. Who told the FBI about Biden's classified information and Pençes as well? Biden needs to invoke the 14th amendment and use the military to start cleaning house and holding these puppet Master GOP insurrectionists accountable. Our only hope is if Biden has the fortitude to take charge. If Biden does not do a fireside chat real soon and caves into the GOP, it is all over. The New world order autocrats the GOP puppets despise will turn them into slaves. As long as the intellectuals are slaves, that is okay with them. Until they actually starve or get tortured anyway.
Biden’s history, from the Judiciary committee for - remember Anita Hill and the supporting women he refused to call to testify?—-through the miserable votes for Clinton legislation and compromises with Republicans, all lead to one conclusion: he will sell out ordinary Americans. I fear he is too much of a coward to stand up and do the right thing.
surely you habitually send your superb historical info to appropriate congressional chambers--but if you do not-- I HAVE, starting with bernie, the " cable media--
please comment on what may be keeping potus from adding 3 justices ( u prev commented)
When David Brooks said on the PBS Newshour that he knows Harlan Crow, vacations with him and thinks he's a 'great guy', I lost all respect for him. As I've said before, Clarence Thomas and most likely many other Justices are blackmailed into doing the billionaire oligarchs' bidding. It's really that simple. Thomas has a drinking problem (see Frontline piece on him), he was abused as a child and has all sorts of shall we say, 'predilections' from that. He hates his own people! So does Tim Scott, for that matter. As for Gorsuch, check out the high-end, alpine ski wear company 'Gorsuch' online; the catalog sells skiwear and apre ski wear for $thousands (sorry, don't know how to accent grave on my computer;). Could have sworn Justice Pretty Boy modeled for them.... Maybe he's related. Didn't he sell land in CO to some wealthy billionaire or someone who paid him a fortune for it? Let's start some juicy rumors!
Here I go again, the old pessimist. I do `not expect any action by the Senate or Biden. I am still trying to ascertain whether it is cowardice, complicity or corruption, the same Biden is showing by refusing to use his Art II and 14th Amendment powers. He could declare an environmental emergency (Art. II) and refuse the petroleum complex of exporting our oil to foreign countries, thus lowering the price of gasoline and inflation, but that would anger the petrochemical donors...so no go. He could with an executive order, raise the debt limit, but that would anger the Republicans, and to hell with the government employees, folks on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNP and other social programs.
I suspect that a good portion of the donors to the DNC (not we the people) are hinging their support for the DNC on killing this programs, so they can be privatized.
My pessimism is based on prior performance, or lack thereof,which is a prediction of future performance.
Optimism and wishful thinking, assuming good faith, are leading us into the state of autocratic rule by a burgeoning neo fascist but growing minority. The neo fascists are a highly motivated 30-35% of the population and that is all that is need to take over the country, And to my estimation, there is not a real, serious, opposition and we have the best government money can buy
Your knowledge and understanding of the Supreme Court is unparalleled Thom. I would like to hear from one other scholar on this, since it's such a constitutional matter, and that's Laurence Tribe. My sense is that he would confirm most, if not all, of what you've said here.
Thank you so much for the explanation of Marbury v Madison decision and the historical background. A constitutional showdown is at hand, if Americans can take back the Congress.
Well at least this got that weasel Roberts to poke his nose out of his den. He has to be really pissed that people have started saying this is the "Thomas Court".
My goodness this whole scenario is stupid! Every one of the (cough) Justices have simple moral imperatives to declare what, who and how much they are gifted or earn. If there is a conflict of interest, it looks corrupt, or they don't want to recuse themselves, then DON'T take the gift or job. Such a simple task, especially when they have excellent professional advice surrounding them every damn day.
There is a reason Thomas and Crow look to authoritarians; they want to be one instead of being ACCOUNTABLE. They want to tell us FU, and they have. Fine. Now they get to hear how that "makes us feel" over and over and over.
It makes me feel like certain Justices are dishonest, unethical, and absolutely corruptible. They are disgusting and, the proof is we know from the hearings they lied to get there.
Thom,
Given the "Marbury" precedent, although not specifically in the Constitution, but the functional standard since its inception, what would prevent the current court from declaring any attempt by the current Congress from declaring any legislation regulating the Court from being declared unconstitutional? Then what?
Wouldn't it be great if we had a media that knew and understood this history and could outline it for the American people? Someone, pleas call Rachel.
If another right winger gets elected president and he takes over the military as Commander in Chief, we will never get rid of these, demons, rats, thugs and robber barons. Biden acts compromised like somebody has something on him. Who told the FBI about Biden's classified information and Pençes as well? Biden needs to invoke the 14th amendment and use the military to start cleaning house and holding these puppet Master GOP insurrectionists accountable. Our only hope is if Biden has the fortitude to take charge. If Biden does not do a fireside chat real soon and caves into the GOP, it is all over. The New world order autocrats the GOP puppets despise will turn them into slaves. As long as the intellectuals are slaves, that is okay with them. Until they actually starve or get tortured anyway.
Biden’s history, from the Judiciary committee for - remember Anita Hill and the supporting women he refused to call to testify?—-through the miserable votes for Clinton legislation and compromises with Republicans, all lead to one conclusion: he will sell out ordinary Americans. I fear he is too much of a coward to stand up and do the right thing.
But Biden, Schumer and Durbin cannot do anything on their own. They need Congress and the House is controlled by Republicans
AND BERNIE HAS SPOKEN!
surely you habitually send your superb historical info to appropriate congressional chambers--but if you do not-- I HAVE, starting with bernie, the " cable media--
please comment on what may be keeping potus from adding 3 justices ( u prev commented)
Yes, I know there are two Houses in Congress.
FDR had a trifecta his first term so he could threaten the Court with expansion. Biden does not have that.