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Catnmus's avatar

I am not going to justify anything that Clarence Thomas did. Or rather, what the "new friends" of Clarence Thomas gave him after he made these comments. However. Regarding this comment: "he was one of the least wealthy members of the court". I will note that he was the only Black person on the Supreme Court at that time.

A couple years ago I attended a presentation by the author of this book: "The Black Tax" by Shawn Rochester. (Wonkette link) https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+black+tax+book+by+shawn+rochester&crid=P9BMU3FXEEUM&sprefix=the+black+tax+book%2Caps%2C112&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_18

The author outlined all the ways that policies against the Black race cost black folks money over the last 400 years, and thus the ability to accumulate wealth. Even as a person whose (white) ancestors immigrated in the late 19th and early 20th century, we had such a leg up over Black families that had been in America for generations if not centuries.

Just something that kicks around in my brain at random times.

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Anti-Social Socialist's avatar

I make significantly less than Clarence, and if my financial woes get even half as deep as his were I'll lose my job and ability to work in the entire industry I'm in. I don't understand why a Supreme Court justice isn't held to the same standard as an average zhlub.

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Paul Slansky's avatar

“Fancy” is such a great song!

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DemoCat's avatar

The right outcome of this, if the world was just and things worked correctly, is Thomas resigned in 2000 to join the private conservative sector, making millions in lobbying, speaking and other wingnut gigs. Not stick around and find ways to use your conservative influence and power as justice in the highest court in America to gain wealth in precisely the ways the system is designed to protect against. And he and his colleagues have the audacity to bitch about people losing respect for the sanctity of the court. The Establishment Clause should prevent partisan interference in the Supreme Court. And if we are going to accept the reality that we do have openly conservative and liberal justices, then we should have 12 justices, equally divided in ideologies (as best we can) and balance each decision accordingly. Instead we have a deeply conservative scotus shaping law for a majority of Americans who do not believe in the same principles.

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Steven Alcott's avatar

It looks like on average, a bottle of Burgundy from a producer in the Echezeaux region runs around $300 and up.

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elledanselajavanaise's avatar

this is a romanée-conti échezeaux. vivino has it at around $4000 (though i didn't check the vintage).

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Steven Alcott's avatar

Depending on the vintage year, the wine in the picture varies from expensive to ridiculous.

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Spleen Victoria's avatar

I picture this like a wedding registry, only it’s for Supreme Court justices. They get one of those little bar code guns and they walk around, zapping tires here, a boat there, a vacation, a tuition, a painting. And then the billionaires get on Amazon Supreme and check his wish list, and if they only need, say, a ruling that allows billionaires to kill endangered rhinos then they buy him, like, tires, but if they need tax reform or abortion to be illegal they have to buy one of the big items like luxury cruises. Or maybe the one figure billionaires get made fun of by the two and three digit billionaires because they only got him his childhood home bought and paid for with repairs, while the mega billionaires bought his nephew tuition for private prep schools and universities.

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Mx.le Maerin's Luxury Comedy's avatar

Clarence Thomas was unable to live within his means - which, to be clear, were still 4-5 times higher than what many Americans make - and whined about it where those who could pay for decisions in their favor could hear. And then *as if by magic* all his money woes went away, and he didn't have to give up those fancy lattes after all.

That's some grade A bullshit right there.

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Revenant's avatar

Don't you wish you had to struggle along on a salary of $173,000 a year? I think I could manage it, given the chance.

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Mx.le Maerin's Luxury Comedy's avatar

Why, I would graciously learn to make do on half that amount..

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Revenant's avatar

but think pf the sacrifices you'd have to make!

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Cajun Kid's avatar

Evan: God bless you for the Reba reference. You are awesome. And so is that song, right up there with "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia."

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BlueSpot's avatar

If it's so easy to buy a Justice of the US Supreme Court, just think how easily it is to buy law clerks at the Court.

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Zyxomma's avatar

Ta, Evan. No, those POS do not care what we think. About anything. Ginni is insurrectionist trash. Clarence is perv trash.

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SurlyAF's avatar

Ginni (allegedly) profiting (enormously) from her connection to a family member sure sounds like some Hunter Biden-type shenanigans. You'd think Comer would be interested in investigating this case. I mean, at least there's probably actual evidence on ole GT.

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Revenant's avatar

He isn't the slightest bit interested in actual transgressions, just in muddying up Joe Biden to handicap him in 2024. He might even have to put his own house in order, if actual justice was a thing he gave two shits and a whistle about. Funny how so many of these pig people really do look like they have some pig ancestry, isn't it?

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Renaissance Outlaw's avatar

What kind of hooch is Ginni brandishing?

Maybe they’re going to christen a ship/boat 🤔

What would be a good name for their vessel?

How about “Agrift at Sea”?

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Revenant's avatar

Queen Anne's Revenge

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MTE_NYC's avatar

Oh, but he works so hard, poor under-appreciated justice…

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Emil Muz's avatar

Maybe Clare & Gin should've tightened the belt and cut some unnecessary expenses from the budget if they were having money problems. If you've got an RV, why do you need to stay at a 5 star resort?

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AdmNaismith's avatar

Maybe they shouldn't buy $5 coffee, or the latest iPhone.

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Revenant's avatar

Well, they're always ranting about welfare recipients who still have cell phones and refrigerators

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AdmNaismith's avatar

Exactly- prople lkke Thomas complain about Assistance recipients, but there is no welfare queen like a rich welfare queen.

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Biff52 is Tariffied's avatar

What's avocado toast, chopped liver?

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AdmNaismith's avatar

The Thomases probaby have a refrigerator, too. Even a microwave oven, I bet.

That seems extravagant to me.

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Revenant's avatar

If an icebox and a stick over an open fire were food enough for the founders, they should be good enough for Originalist Thomas. Who does he think he is?

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AdmNaismith's avatar

And for that, Thomas should receive and Originalist salary.

A few Tobacco Warehouse Receipts, or even some Fiat Money notes could go a long way.

I'm sure the local Land Office would let a black man take out a loan against his house. [/s]

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Amelia Anne Cone's avatar

Dear Evan,

I think you are one of the greatest writers on the planet, but could not force myself to read the horrifying contents of this post. Thank you so very much for digesting this bilge daily. And to the whole Wonkette staff - gratitude from LA :) A

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Zap's avatar

“We wanted to make sure he felt comfortable in his job and he was being paid properly,” $20 bucks a week sounds about right. Asshole.

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