8 Reasons Justice Clarence Thomas Must Step Down

[deminks]

http://www.alternet.org/story/151400/8_reasons_justice_clarence_thomas_must_step_down

Time was when, at any right-wing gathering, chances were that you'd hear the justices of the Supreme Court derided as black-robed usurpers of democracy. Today, not so much. Ever since the seating of the Roberts court, the right has been pretty happy with high court's decisions, especially the outcome of Citizens United v. FEC, the case through which the court, in a decision handed down last year, opened the floodgates of corporate money into the electoral system.

(snip)

1. Conflict of interest - Citizens United and Liberty Central: In November 2009, just two months before the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United was handed down -- but just after the case was argued before the court -- Ginni Thomas incorporated her Tea Party advocacy group, Liberty Central, as a tax-exempt 501(c)(4). As an issue-advocacy organization that sponsors advertising and endorses candidates, Liberty Central stood to gain directly from the outcome of Citizens United. Assuming that Ginni Thomas drew a salary and/or expenses from the group, the onus on Clarence Thomas was to recuse himself from participating in the Citizens United case, which he did not.

(snip)

4. Calls for insurrection: If Crow's half-million-dollar donation to Ginni Thomas' Liberty Central were not troubling enough, there's Liberty Central itself. As AlterNet reported, at its inception Liberty Central was linked to two groups -- the Missouri Sovereignty Project and Gun Owners of America -- whose leaders called for the making of war on the U.S. government, and one, Tradition Family and Property, whose leader called the Spanish Inquisition "a beautiful thing." Each of these groups were listed on the Liberty Central Web site as "Friends of Liberty Central." Liberty Central officials refused to comment on whether or not the groups had paid a fee or donation to Liberty Central in order to earn the listing.

(snip)

6. Conflict of interest - Koch Industries fundraiser: In January 2008, Clarence Thomas addressed a fundraising gathering convened in Palm Springs, California, by Koch Industries, the privately held conglomerate helmed by Charles and David Koch, for major backers of the Tea Party movement and right-wing think tanks, including the Heritage foundation, for which Ginni Thomas worked for a number of years. Although, according to the New York Times, a court spokesperson described Thomas' appearance as "a brief drop-by," Thomas' own financial disclosure forms claim reimbursement for an undisclosed sum by the Federalist Society -- an organization that receives Koch funding -- for four days at Palm Springs.

(end snips)

[fasttense]

1. If it's ok for him to accept gifts and travel from rich Americans

where will it stop? Can he accept a gift from Communist China diplomats? How about if he takes a Faberge egg from Russia? What if the mob were to buy him some resort properties?

The Supreme Court is a laughing stock. It no longer rules on law and precedent but rules on the whim of the majority judges. Supreme Court justices are ridiculous pretenders. They pretend to uphold the constitution then give their buddies all the power they need to control our nation. The Supreme Court can be bought and sold just like any old junker. You sell it for parts or as a whole.

If there is any proof that our country is no more than a corrupt banana republic it lies in the actions of the Supreme Court.

[leveymg]

2. Reason #1 is that Clarence Thomas violated federal criminal statutes. Indict him.

I am astonished that this article fails to point out the fact that Clarence Thomas
is guilty not only of ethical lapses, but of federal crimes for which he may be Indicted,
arrested, tried and imprisoned for five or more years. Thomas violated 5
USC App. 104, False Statement, at least five times. That carries a
term of imprisonment of one year and a $50,000 fine for each count.

Why minimize his criminal falsification of financial disclosure forms? His violation
of federal criminal law should be at the head of the list to remove Clarence Thomas.

Clarence Thomas can be effectively removed, immediately, if Eric Holder indicts
Clarence Thomas. It might be preferable if he resigns, but Thomas is not the type
who is likely to be shamed into resignation. Indictment will get him off the bench,
immediately.

People need to understand that sitting federal Judges can be Indicted, tried
and put in jail when they violate criminal statutes, just like everyone
else. Whether the House of Representatives ends up Impeaching him is
almost beside the point if he's sitting in jail for five years. He'll
never hear another case.

Eric Holder is the only thing standing between Clarence Thomas and DC jail.

Cross-posted at Alternet.

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, deminks.

[ImNotTed]

4. Good Presentation. Recced.

But there's no way in Hell he's actually gonna do it.

[classysassy]

5. The department of injustice and the supreme court jesters

are wholly owned by the wealthy criminals that own America.