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New Details:Clarence Thomas Appears to Have 'Knowingly, Willfully' Violated Rule of Law for 20 Years

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BradBlog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:09 PM
Original message
New Details:Clarence Thomas Appears to Have 'Knowingly, Willfully' Violated Rule of Law for 20 Years


Clarence Thomas Appears to Have 'Knowingly and Willfully' Violated Rule of Law for Twenty Years
Could face fines, jail time, though corporate media downplay criminality, even as evidence suggests special treatment for the U.S. Supreme Court Justice...

The words "EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW" are famously chiseled above the main portico of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington D.C. But is one of the Justices seated in that building, with a lifetime appointment, now receiving special treatment under the law instead?

Evidence is mounting that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas violated federal law by failing to report his wife's annual salary of more than $120,000 per year from conservative political organizations by checking "NONE" on the box for "Non-Investment Income" for his wife Virginia on judicial Financial Disclosure Reports for the last 20 years.

When reached by phone for comment on Friday, two different officials at the Judicial Conference were particularly hostile in response to questions from The BRAD BLOG in regard to what appeared to be special treatment afforded the Supreme Court Justice, allowing him to deliver "self-initiated amendment" letters for twenty years of inaccurate financial disclosure forms on a Saturday when the federal government office is not usually open to the public. The swift processing of Thomas' documents, carried out as the news of his false filings was about to break in the media, allowed subsequent news reports to downplay the issue as having already been handled, old news.

Moreover, Thomas' 'inadvertent omissions', as he describes them now, appear to be in violation of U.S. federal law, in contradiction to suggestions from the Los Angeles Times' original reporting on this matter last weekend. That report, breaking the story publicly, quoted a judicial ethics expert from Northwestern University School of Law as asserting that Thomas' failure to report his wife's income was "not a crime of any sort."

It would appear that the law professor was wrong.

Closer examination of the original disclosure forms that Thomas filed and signed year after year, quite directly suggest crimes were committed, though none of the mainstream corporate media reports on this issue, to our knowledge, have bothered to focus on that point. According to the statute clearly printed on the disclosure reports filed by Thomas, just below his signature on each, the Supreme Court Justice could be held accountable for his omissions by penalties under the U.S. Code including as much as a $50,000 fine and up to one year imprisonment, or both, for each violation of the federal law. Even stricter penalties are also a possibility --- at least if one believes that even U.S. Supreme Court Justices are subject to the Rule of Law...

FULL STORY: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8331
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WhiteTara Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:12 PM
Response to Original message
1. kicking for Rachel.
:kick:
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NoKoolAideForMeThx Donating Member (8 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #1
135. agree
Please Rachel. Shine a light for us. I'm sick of the ReThuglicans being above the law.
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DavidDvorkin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:12 PM
Response to Original message
2. I wish I could believe he'll be punished for this
Signed,

Tired Old Cynic
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Raine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:33 PM
Response to Reply #2
14. Oh yeah, he'll get away with it.
If he had been appointed by a Democratic president he would be impeached but beings it was repuke that put him in....
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idrahaje Donating Member (143 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:45 AM
Response to Reply #14
59. course he'd get away with it, he put Bush into Office for 4 years
Go figure. Can we get those 4 years back??
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NewJeffCT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:21 PM
Response to Reply #14
106. If Scalia was a liberal
Republics would already be scheduling impeachment hearings...
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Can of Whoop-ass Donating Member (176 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 05:30 PM
Response to Reply #106
131. Correction
hanging and FOX would dictate what kind of rope or electric cord.
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Starckers Donating Member (82 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 05:28 PM
Response to Reply #14
130. Uh
Doesn't anybody know of Tim Geitner?  Those in power stay
there.
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Joe Bacon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 08:22 AM
Response to Reply #2
88. Republicans are above the law.
They are never punished for the crimes they commit. When they get caught with a dead intern in their office, it's all covered up and they wind up on a morning TV show.
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Zambero Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 10:14 AM
Response to Reply #2
93. Order up: One high-tech coverup
Then back to more business as usual for this icon to corruption and ineptitude.
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drmeow Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 03:46 PM
Response to Reply #2
126. Me, too.
Sigh.
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Iliyah Donating Member (828 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 05:39 PM
Response to Reply #2
134. He won't
and the corporate media is staying away from this news. Now if it were a progressive Supreme Court judge, all hell would be breaking out.
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RandomThoughts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:13 PM
Response to Original message
3. That is the meaning of the Matrix clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rnWSLqV3R0


People think that is showing them what life can be, it is actually showing what many are doing at the expense of most people, they want anarchy for them, and by 'back room agreements' wont prosecute each other, and don't want people to know some of the things they think they are entitled to.

It is cabal of criminality by claim of superiority. Some of them think they are actually aliens, some are not even really people anymore, they been driven by things for so long. And some have various other delusions.


Me personally, I am due beer and travel money, and many experiences.
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BrklynLiberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:14 PM
Response to Reply #3
5. +100
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japple Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:42 PM
Response to Reply #3
17. Just look at Clarence Thomas' eyes. They are dead and
have been ever since he sold his soul.
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LiberalFighter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 07:12 PM
Response to Reply #17
23. He doesn't have a soul.
And if he was paid for something requiring relinquishing his soul then he would also be guilty of fraud.
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DeSwiss Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 11:10 PM
Response to Reply #3
40. +1000
:thumbsup:
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Swagman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:45 AM
Response to Reply #3
58. there should be socialised beer money for all !
if a Supreme Court judge can break the rules then the law IS an ass.
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BrklynLiberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:14 PM
Response to Original message
4. duh. if only he had known about that law........................
What an abysmally horrendous person to have been allowed onto the Supreme Court.
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:22 PM
Response to Reply #4
9. Deleted message
Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
Skratchez Donating Member (45 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 10:45 PM
Response to Reply #4
39. Tax laws are overly complicated.
Clearly he understands Constitutional law, he just can't get the whole tax code. Especially the part about paying taxes on income.

Flat tax NOW to protect poor simpletons like Thomas.
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WCGreen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 04:30 AM
Response to Reply #39
67. It's not a tax issue...
It's reporting the income of his spouse in order to determine if there are any potential conflicts of interest between financial holdings or gains and cases the justice will rule upon.

It's a violation of Ethics which, in the realm of our judicial system, are extremely important.

Lawyers are disbarred and often thrown in jail for violating the rules they agreed to abide by when they are sworn in as officers of the court.
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AzDar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:19 PM
Response to Original message
6. K&R
:kick:
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Adsos Letter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:19 PM
Response to Original message
7. IMPEACH!
One can always hope...
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BradBlog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 08:52 PM
Response to Reply #7
31. Good luck with that...criminal charges on the other hand...
Impeachment, is a political process by its definition, and requires action by the GOP-majority House.

Criminal charges, however, can simply be brought by a federal prosecutor -- if there are any still out there who give a damn about the rule of law (when powerful, non-Democrats are involved.)
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bluevoter4life Donating Member (387 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 03:22 PM
Response to Reply #31
124. What's Patrick Fitzgerald up to these days? n/t
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Old and In the Way Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:22 PM
Response to Original message
8. Consider, for a moment, how the media and the RW Wurlitzer would react
if this was Thurgood Marshall that had violated the law so blatantly. He'd have been hounded out of office by now. But because Clarance is a reliable vote for Scalia and whatever activist agenda and/or settled law they wish to overturn....he's untouchable. I'm sick of the double standard that exists for progressives vs. conservatives.
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ThomCat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 07:28 PM
Response to Reply #8
28. Yes, absolutely. It is a blatant double standard protecting
right wing republicans. x(

It is sickening, but true.
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Octafish Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:25 PM
Response to Original message
10. Outstanding report.


The figures involved are substantial.
The numbers would be hard to forget.
I wonder what other numbers are in his life?
May they be 20-to-30 years at hard labor.



From OP:

Common Cause President Bob Edgar characterized Thomas' claims that there was a "misunderstanding of the filing instructions", as stated on his "self-initiated amendments", as "difficult to believe" and "implausible."

"Justice Thomas sits on the highest court of the land, is called upon daily to understand and interpret the most complicated legal issues of our day and makes decisions that affect millions," he said in a Commom Cause statement issued last week. "It is hard to see how he could have misunderstood the simple directions of a federal disclosure form. We find his excuse is implausible."

Thomas' claims become even more "implausible" when considering, as AP reported, that he did succeed in including his wife's employment on many of those very same disclosure reports filed prior to 1996.



"Plausible" may be relative, but it's always just enough for these crooked bastard traitors.
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beac Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 09:15 PM
Response to Reply #10
33. And if he really DIDN'T understand them, that in itself should be grounds for impeachment!
Ignorance of the law is no excuse, but ignorance of the law in a member of SCOTUS is downright appalling. More proof of his unfitness? That he wasn't embarrassed to try and claim that he didn't understand the law. :banghead:
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Octafish Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:55 PM
Response to Reply #33
119. Ignoramus et ignorabimus.
In addition to being a puerile know-nothing greedhead, Thomas is a hypocrite who is documented to have climbed the ladder of equal opportunity and then pulled it away from those following in his footsteps.

Hope they sentence him to hard labor, hold the cold Coke.
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Merlot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 09:53 PM
Response to Reply #10
37. "ignorance of the law is no excuse"
Even if it were an honest mistake, he is still responsible for it.
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Octafish Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 02:00 PM
Response to Reply #37
120. True. And wouldn't a swell CPA volunteer his services to help him make sure all was legal?
CPAs to the rich are worth every penny.

Every year, my wife's accountant tracks me down to the my last farthing. I empty my pitiful 1020-forms or whatnot on his desk. And then he asks her, "Were there any other sources of income for you and your spouse in 2009?"

We say, "No." at the same time. But then, we're not getting six figures out of The Heritage Foundation or the Koch brothers.
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Rex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 10:44 AM
Response to Reply #10
95. The M$M let the Bush boys get away with stealing a billion from the S&L days.
I expect NO PUNISHMENT for Tomas...it would be verifying that WE WERE RIGHT THIS WHOLE TIME. And you know how liberals can never be vindicated, the M$M hates the very mention of our 'brand'. Clarence Thomas is a known criminal...wish someone would step up and impeach his ass!!! Take Scarface too! Sadly, no one is going to jail - the rich elite that run this country include Thomas. Sadly.



Just one more piece of the jigsaw puzzle falls into place - 2000 changed everything, for the worst.

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Octafish Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 02:15 PM
Response to Reply #95
121. A guilty verdict would be the decisive turning point in the war on the BFEE.
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DCKit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:29 PM
Response to Original message
11. What about his conjoined twin, Fat Tony?
Frick and Frack, Humpty to his Dumpty.
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gratuitous Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:30 PM
Response to Original message
12. Why would "Justice" Thomas have to follow the law?
Besides, that's just lookin' backward to the past instead of forward to the future. And we all know how partisan and unsensible that is! It makes the baby Jesus cry, too.
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PoliticAverse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:31 PM
Response to Original message
13. So, since he's a member of the government his penalty will be censure then ? n/t
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upi402 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:34 PM
Response to Original message
15. The law used against us, and for "them"
The rule of law has been corrupted. Media talks about activist judges being liberals, not the truth - that they're corporatist.
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fishwax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:37 PM
Response to Original message
16. kick
:kick:
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L. Coyote Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:42 PM
Response to Original message
18. Good thing he knew he was a privileged Republican, above the law and all that
kind of like Hosni Mubarak :rofl:
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:43 PM
Response to Original message
19. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
RaleighNCDUer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 06:49 PM
Response to Original message
20. Aw, c'mon, give him a break. It's not his fault
that he cannot understand all that legalese gobbledigook.

Don't make fun of the intellectually handicapped.
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hootinholler Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 07:03 PM
Response to Original message
21. But it was investment income...
Being the conservative, he invested his wife into the think tanks and it yielded $120K per annum.

No? :shrug:

Oh he didn't report it as income from investments either?

-Hoot
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FiveGoodMen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 07:11 PM
Response to Original message
22. I wonder if his wife wants Anita Hill to apologize for this, too.
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LiberalFighter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 07:13 PM
Response to Original message
24. Now is the time to hound the guy and his wife.
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spanone Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 07:15 PM
Response to Original message
25. maybe clarence is taking so much under the table, he didn't notice an extra 120 grand?
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Enthusiast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 07:02 AM
Response to Reply #25
79. That is a distinct possibility. nt
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Bluebear Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 07:16 PM
Response to Original message
26. but ANITA HILL was lying!!!!!!1111
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donheld Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 07:23 PM
Response to Original message
27. I'm sure in Thomas' mind laws don't apply to him.
He's exempt
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tanyev Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 07:38 PM
Response to Original message
29. Hey, Ginni, I would love you to consider an apology sometime
and some full explanation of why you did what you did with your husband. 'Kay?
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Kingofalldems Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 07:43 PM
Response to Original message
30. Special Prosecutor needed--subpoena all records
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neverforget Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 08:56 PM
Response to Original message
32. RULE OF LAW! Impeach him!
I can dream can't I?
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PSzymeczek Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 09:41 PM
Response to Original message
34. Impeach him!
NOW!
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PSzymeczek Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 09:45 PM
Response to Reply #34
36. And
Appoint Anita Hill in his place.
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glinda Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 09:41 PM
Response to Original message
35. Crying out loud for impeachment!
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madrchsod Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 10:38 PM
Response to Original message
38. corrupt to the core
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DeSwiss Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 11:11 PM
Response to Original message
41. IMPEACH!!! K&R n/t
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diane in sf Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 11:26 PM
Response to Original message
42. He must be dumb as shit to do this--why didn't he use a professional tax preparer?
There are always plenty of perfectly legal "expenses" that can be taken as deductions. He is either a deliberate tax cheat or so dumb he should be disbarred and tossed off the court. What a maroon. I hope this costs him his job (not likely, but I can hope).
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NICO9000 Donating Member (574 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:33 AM
Response to Reply #42
56. I find it impossible to believe that he doesn't use one
A crooked professional tax preparer probably. Remember, only the little people pay taxes!
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DCKit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 07:53 PM
Response to Reply #56
137. It's not about the $$$$, it's where and whom the $$$$ came from. nt
Edited on Tue Feb-01-11 07:53 PM by DCKit
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WinkyDink Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 06:28 AM
Response to Reply #42
74. I'm going with "deliberate tax cheat" for $200, Alex.
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Starckers Donating Member (82 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 05:33 PM
Response to Reply #74
132. He paid
his taxes, but did not report.  Tim Geitner?  Those in power
get away with it.
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efhmc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 11:35 PM
Response to Original message
43. Nothing is ever going to happen to this incompentent
excuse for a human being. He is part of the majority of the court and protected from all harm.
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bertman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 11:42 PM
Response to Original message
44. One of The Privileged. What an asshole he is. Pure and unadulterated.
And we tolerate it.

I wonder when our Mubarak Moment will arrive.

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WinkyDink Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 06:29 AM
Response to Reply #44
75. He got our "cowardice" number with his "high-tech lynching" canard. Now he's untouchable.
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chervilant Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 11:11 AM
Response to Reply #44
101. It
had better be soon. Our global economy is disintegrating far faster than anticipated.
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Kurovski Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jan-31-11 11:49 PM
Response to Original message
45. They have become so brazen that it's worrisome.
Or is that too genteel?

K&R.
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Enthusiast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 07:06 AM
Response to Reply #45
80. It's across the spectrum.
RW boldness. I think it is because they know full well that they have 30% of the population that will believe absolutely anything and they also thoroughly control the media. This is becoming more apparent every day.
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Kurovski Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-02-11 04:10 PM
Response to Reply #80
138. Yes, the key is that people can see the manipulation, and filter news
through their own critical thinking.

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Festivito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:08 AM
Response to Original message
46. He's like a dog who caught his own tail, and, although he enjoys wagging it about...
..it just doesn't feel the same as when it wagged with happiness.

There he sits with blank eyes, having executed the winning grab only to be lost in the cognitive dissonance of all such unfulfilling vanities.
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dreamnightwind Donating Member (863 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:25 AM
Response to Reply #46
55. Hilarious
I don't think he ever wanted to be on the Supreme Court, he just went along with it because he was picked to serve by the ideologues. He has repeatedly stated that he'd rather be in private business.

But that was one funny post, loved it.
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Enthusiast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 07:07 AM
Response to Reply #46
81. Wow! Plus one...nt
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lobodons Donating Member (448 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:14 AM
Response to Original message
47. No Problem, Issa will be all over this
Issa will be all over this I am sure!! He is having like a million committee meetings on possible government officials misdeeds. Surely this will come up in one of them.
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UTUSN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:51 PM
Response to Reply #47
117. Bwah-ha-HAH !1 That's SAD laughter. n/t
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lonestarnot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:15 AM
Response to Original message
48. Nasty old lying fucker. Thinks he's above the law, because he probably is.
I hate him!
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Historic NY Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:42 AM
Response to Original message
49. We need to have an impeachment.
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defendandprotect Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:46 AM
Response to Original message
50. Clarence Thomas is a right wing pervert, placed their by the right wing to do their dirty work....
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gkhouston Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:48 AM
Response to Original message
51. and Congress will knowingly, willfully do jack shit about it. n/t
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Solly Mack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:53 AM
Response to Original message
52. K&R
"...if one believes that even U.S. Supreme Court Justices are subject to the Rule of Law..."


Sadly....
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madmom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:55 AM
Response to Original message
53. So, what was it they just went after Charlie Rangel for?
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Starckers Donating Member (82 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 05:35 PM
Response to Reply #53
133. Not really
Rangel did not report, or pay taxes. Thomas paid taxes but did not report.
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kath Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:57 AM
Response to Original message
54. How DARE anyone go after him - that would be a high-tech lynching, don'cha know?
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Tsiyu Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:44 AM
Response to Original message
57. terminally unique


If any one of us did that, we'd be in prison


Richard Hatch, that Survivor dude got three years didn't he? For not paying taxes on one million bucks?

he should have become a judge instead....


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earcandle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:48 AM
Response to Original message
60. Whose job is it to serve him a subpoena to appear in court for his crimes?
Eric Holder?  
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Kablooie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:55 AM
Response to Original message
61. Do you think any Democrats would risk the wrath of the wright by seriously trying to impeach him?
It would become a war of major proportions.

I'm sure he broke the law and by all that is judicious and correct he should pay the same penalty any other citizen would for the same crime.

But he will be defended with wild, extended eyes and mouths blathered with foam by the conservatives .
They won't care one whit whether he broke the law or not. He's one of them and they will defend him to the death.

And how will you get the House to follow the rule of law and impeach him? I mean really.
They have no special loyalty to law or justice. They worship only their ideology. It will trump every other human value.

---

But I hope someone does.
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avaistheone1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 02:21 AM
Response to Original message
62. If a member of the Supreme Court can get away with this and keep his job
than the law, and the highest court of the land itself is a joke.


:kick:
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upi402 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 02:30 AM
Response to Reply #62
63. Bush V. Gore
Yeppers!
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TatonkaJames Donating Member (502 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 02:50 AM
Response to Original message
64. Will something like this be our "Sputnik" moment one day ?
We know you or I would go directly to jail, do not pass go.
If he's reprimanded it brings us closer to their objective; a
two class system, one of which rules and the other obeys.

What will it take for us to begin marching like the Egyptians are today ?
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FailureToCommunicate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 09:42 AM
Response to Reply #64
91. March like an Egyptian! LOL!
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silenttigersong Donating Member (339 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 03:06 AM
Response to Original message
65. Bye BUH
Judge Thomas
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pam4water Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 04:23 AM
Response to Original message
66. Got to love how the repuks can scream bloody murder about fake injustices and lie to cover their
own indiscretions.
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barbtries Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 05:14 AM
Response to Original message
68. so, where do i go,
to whom do i appeal for justice and accountability on this issue?
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Demeter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 05:29 AM
Response to Original message
69. And this is a surprise?
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xchrom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 06:18 AM
Response to Original message
70. we are no longer a nation of laws. nt
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rasputin1952 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 06:19 AM
Response to Original message
71. No USSC Justice has ever been impeached, however...
several Federal judges have, and been removed from the bench.

There is some serious precedent as to holding him accountable under impeachment and trial though; if for instance, the president of the US can be impeached for "lying" about a brief sexual encounter, 20 years of criminal "lying" on Federal Tax Forms should trump that by a mile and a half. Being a SC Justice, one would think he should be able to comprehend the possibility that he was committing a crime each time he signed the form omitting his wife's $120,000 income.

He can try and blame this on an accountant, but that's very thin ice indeed, regardless of who fills out the form, in the end, the individual is responsible for what went into and onto it.If they filed "married, filing separately", her income should be on file on a 1040 somewhere, but I'm betting they filed jointly and that's why he checked the box.

$50,000, and up to a year in prison, per incident makes this an extremely serious charge, actually, potentially 20 serious charges. Even if he pays all taxes, fines and costs, associated with for the back taxes, simply claiming ignorance of the law on his part would be enough to impeach and try him, removing him from the bench if convicted. This is more than an "Oops" moment, it is a sign of 20 years of deliberately ignoring the law, and if the digging starts, as I'm sure it will, other items might well pop up.

I doubt that an R run House would bring impeachment charges up, but this tarnishes an already tarnished reputation...he is one of the worst SC judges to ever sit on the bench, by far the dumbest.

I wonder if Issa will "demand" an investigation? Nah...criminals tend to stick together until the strain is untenable...;)
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WinkyDink Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 06:32 AM
Response to Reply #71
76. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were fully aware of their tax crimes. Let's not kid ourselves here.
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rasputin1952 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 07:23 AM
Response to Reply #76
84. Oh yes, I can virtually guarantee they knew exactly what they were
doing...but it's more of a question of how it will be handled.

I watched the whole Thomas hearing way back before dirt...and I knew he was unqualified, (and probably an idiot, later proven by his actions), when he stated, "I haven't read the charges brought against me." What judge, much less a lawyer would refuse to read charges brought against them? Within an hour, he was on the "high tech lynching" line and playing the race card...it was the only tack he could take.

Like I said above, even if he tried to blame this on an an accountant, ultimately, under the law, the person(s), named at the top of the form are responsible for what is presented. He's as guilty as can be, the only way out is if they filed "married filing separately", and even then, the #'s better match up. I'm betting they filed jointly, that's why he's in deep with the IRS.

I'd love to see him roast. With few exceptions, (Taney comes to mind), I can think of very few less qualified people to sit on the USSC.
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NewJeffCT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:29 PM
Response to Reply #71
107. Samuel Chase was impeached in 1805, but not convicted
so, over 200 years ago.


Virginia Congressman John Randolph of Roanoke took up the challenge and took charge of the impeachment. The House of Representatives served Chase with eight articles of impeachment in late 1804, one of which involved Chase's handling of the trial of John Fries. Two more focused on his conduct in the political libel trial of James Callender. Four articles focused on procedural errors made during Chase's adjudication of various matters, and an eighth was directed at his “intemperate and inflammatory … peculiarly indecent and unbecoming … highly unwarrantable … highly indecent” remarks while "charging" or authorizing a Baltimore grand jury. The Jeffersonian Republicans-controlled United States Senate began the impeachment trial of Chase in early 1805, with Vice President Aaron Burr presiding and Randolph leading the prosecution.

All the counts involved Chase's work as a trial judge in lower circuit courts. (In that era, Supreme Court justices had the added duty of serving as individuals on circuit courts, a practice that was ended in the late 19th century.) The heart of the allegations was that political bias had led Chase to treat defendants and their counsel in a blatantly unfair manner. Chase's defense lawyers called the prosecution a political effort by his Republican enemies. In answer to the articles of impeachment, Chase argued that all of his actions had been motivated by adherence to precedent, judicial duty to restrain advocates from improper statements of law, and considerations of judicial efficiency.

The Senate voted to acquit Chase of all charges on March 1, 1805, and he returned to his duties on the court. He is the only U.S. Supreme Court justice to have been impeached.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Chase

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rasputin1952 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:30 PM
Response to Reply #107
115. Thanks for the info...
Edited on Tue Feb-01-11 01:31 PM by rasputin1952
I didn't realize they had additional duties as well.

One little thing though, he was impeached on lower court matters/infractions. But still, it would have been difficult at best to retain a seat on the SC if convicted on the lower court charges.
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Democat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 06:25 AM
Response to Original message
72. Democrats were too scared to filibuster Bush, you think they'll impeach?
Sure.
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WinkyDink Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 06:27 AM
Response to Original message
73. That's usually called "being a criminal" and warrants something called "arrest". Waiting, waiting,..
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Enthusiast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 06:56 AM
Response to Original message
77. K&R
The guy actually believes in a two tiered justice system. Imagine being so detached from U.S. judicial history yet he sits on the highest court in the land..
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SpiralHawk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 07:01 AM
Response to Original message
78. The honorable citizens of the USA demand Thomas resign immediately
It's over, Mr. T.
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kentuck Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 07:08 AM
Response to Original message
82. The Justice Dept has a responsibility to investigate it.
...and to prosecute if wrongdoing found. No one is above the law, including Clarence Thomas.
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underpants Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 07:09 AM
Response to Original message
83. Wasn't "President Bartlett" impeached for lying on a form?
Yeah I know that was a fake TV show, but Thomas is a fake Supreme Court justice
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Hubert Flottz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 08:04 AM
Response to Original message
85. Laws are for the "Little People"
Not the rich and famous.
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Vinca Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 10:57 AM
Response to Reply #85
96. Bingo!
A guy stealing a salami sandwich because he's starving will get jail time. Thomas gets to write an "Oops . . . sorry" and he's off the hook.
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WinkyDink Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 08:10 AM
Response to Original message
86. A tax violation was a less-well-known-but-essential part of "Watergate."
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CanonRay Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 08:18 AM
Response to Original message
87. Imagine the outcry if this were Sotomayor?
Rush would be screaming bloody murder.
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indimuse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 09:15 AM
Response to Original message
89. Handcuffs!
knr!!
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myrna minx Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 09:18 AM
Response to Original message
90. Excellent report, Brad. K&R n/t
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Jakes Progress Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 10:00 AM
Response to Original message
92. Dudes. If this administration won't prosecute
bush and cheney for illegally starting a war that as hilled hundreds of thousands and bankrupt a nation, what are the chances they will incur the nasty looks that boehner would give them over this. Now if we can just find a hard-working, liberal woman that we can quote out of context. Her we could pillory. But rich republicans. About a much chance of them being prosecuted as it was under bush. None.
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FailureToCommunicate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:11 PM
Response to Reply #92
114. +1 dude.
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spooked911 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 10:33 AM
Response to Original message
94. they are all crooked as hell
this is the tip of the iceberg, I bet
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valerief Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 11:00 AM
Response to Original message
97. Law is for the rabble. He's another tyrannical king who can do no wrong.
:grr:
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dotymed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 11:03 AM
Response to Original message
98. The Golden Rule.
He who has the gold (and his puppets) rule..........
Egypt is showing us the way, let's do it.........
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Uncle Joe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 11:04 AM
Response to Original message
99. Kicked and recommended.
Thanks for the thread, BradBlog.
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CrispyQ Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 11:09 AM
Response to Original message
100. Rule of Laws - plural. One law for them, a different law for us.
Our government is corrupt & rotten to the core. He may suffer a few mild recriminations but nothing will come of this.

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Jester Messiah Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 11:22 AM
Response to Original message
102. Easiest way out:
Obama should offer him a pardon in exchange for stepping down. No fuss, no muss.
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Blue Owl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 11:45 AM
Response to Original message
103. I. M. P. E. A. C. H.
k&r
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disndat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 11:47 AM
Response to Original message
104. I know he is practically untouchable
on the other hand, this is a giant elephant in the living room that cannot be ignored.
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leveymg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:07 PM
Response to Original message
105. Funny how these things come back to bite you in the ass. Little things, like Perjury.
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ck4829 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:31 PM
Response to Original message
108. K&R
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kestrel91316 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:36 PM
Response to Original message
109. Impeach the bastard. If this isn't grounds, NOTHING is.
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AtLiberty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:37 PM
Response to Original message
110. K & R !!!
!!!
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Botany Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 12:43 PM
Response to Original message
111. Oh Brad you are so quaint.
Judge Thomas bothered by the law? He sees himself as a law onto himself.
Hell he helped to stop the counting of American's votes because according to
Scalia the plaintiff (W bush), ran a good chance of being embarrassed if the
recount was allowed to procede.
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sulphurdunn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:00 PM
Response to Original message
112. Criminals don't let criminals
do time for their crimes.
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truebrit71 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:02 PM
Response to Original message
113. Surely this has to be an impeachable offense??
...If not, why wouldn't everyone do it?
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RedCloud Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:42 PM
Response to Original message
116. I bet he was born in Kenya too!
Just stirring the pot the opposite way for a change.
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paparush Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 01:51 PM
Response to Original message
118. C'mon Beck. Pull out your chalk and blackboard and walk me through this one.
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MasonJar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 02:49 PM
Response to Original message
122. Impeach him.
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Major Hogwash Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 02:54 PM
Response to Original message
123. Where the law is not enforced, there is no law.
Code of the Wild West.

Thomas will never be charged with a crime.
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Plucketeer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 03:35 PM
Response to Original message
125. Truly DISGUSTING!
This piece of shit should be wiped from the bench! :grr:
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pacalo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 04:27 PM
Response to Original message
127. Covering up conflicts of interests, possibly tax evasion; justices meeting with Republicans in
secrecy -- what these political zealots need is impeachment. Their Cheneyistic abuse of public office is a disgrace.
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earth mom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 04:56 PM
Response to Original message
128. Crooks-the lot of them!
:grr:
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creon Donating Member (723 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 05:17 PM
Response to Original message
129. Refer
Refer the matter to the appropriate US Attorney
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opihimoimoi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-11 06:09 PM
Response to Original message
136. For the Sake of SCOTUS being fair minded and objective..he needs removal...
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Toon Me Out Donating Member (245 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-02-11 04:48 PM
Response to Original message
139. jail!
he should share a cell with bernie madoff. he never will, tho'
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