He believes — correctly and refreshingly — that a SC justice’s job is very simple: consider the pre-hearing written briefs, which are extensive and contain all factual claims and points of law advanced by the attorney, then compare these facts and laws to the US constitution. Properly prepared SC justices attend the hearings with their judgments ready.

No need to ask a bunch of rhetorical questions or issue a bunch of superfluous opinions, or invent considerations out of the air. That is what Thomas avoids, an example that too few of his peers follow.

The questions that SC justices are charged with answering are few and simple, such as: Is the law under question permitted by the Constitution? Did the appealed ruling abide by constitutional law and procedures?

Oh c’mon. He’s definitely been the most reactionary SC justice.
But can you point to one brilliant opinion he’s offered any important case? He’s completely silent on the bench, never engaging lawyers or advocates.

“Condi Rice: I don’t know who else you’d look for in a Nat’l Sec Adviser or Sec of State. She has a phd in Russian history (though not from a top-tier school), leadership at a top-tier school as a professor, speaks Russian, and is a great personal friend to the president. As far as her performance, I don’t see how to fault her; she conducts Bush’s policies. Though we can fault her for not being more thorough and forceful in analyzing and planning for the Iraq invasion, all of Bush’s people get that criticism, with the possible exception of Colin Powell.”

She’s been a total disaster. She’s an academic, not a diplomat and her counsel on the the ME is non-existant. She carries out Bush/Cheney’s policies. She has no clout in international diplomatic circles and commands no respect.

This is classic “Magic Negro” worship.

Generally white rightwingers regard blacks as barely domesticated animals.

Yet all a black has to do is announce that they are conservative Republicans, then they suddenly become the most brilliant, capable, accomplished beings on the planet.

Steve makes a good case that Clinton had more blacks and women in all tier levels and among his authentic friends. I now desire a careful, factual study of that topic. I’m unconvinced of his conclusion, but his assertion has caused me to doubt my assertion and opened me to a fresh analysis.

Clarence Thomas: would a white guy with his credentials have made it to the SC? I concede the point to those who claim no. However, he has demonstrated to me that his performance exceeds those of any of his peers. I think that he has the SC’s most brilliant and consistent and sensible mind.

Condi Rice: I don’t know who else you’d look for in a Nat’l Sec Adviser or Sec of State. She has a phd in Russian history (though not from a top-tier school), leadership at a top-tier school as a professor, speaks Russian, and is a great personal friend to the president. As far as her performance, I don’t see how to fault her; she conducts Bush’s policies. Though we can fault her for not being more thorough and forceful in analyzing and planning for the Iraq invasion, all of Bush’s people get that criticism, with the possible exception of Colin Powell.

“The reason why so many blacks liked Clinton was many felt that Clinton was comfortable and real around black folks.

“I know a lot of white people recoil at that and view Clinton as a panderer (what politician doesn’t) and black people as gullible dupes.”

While I don’t view all Blacks as gullible dupes, I agree that he pandered to a degree. However, Clinton was one of those cats who smiles in your face and stabs you in the back.

The middle and upper middle class Blacks at the NAACP dinner were throwing a love fest for Clinton that makes me sick. A lot of poor people like him too, though he did nothing to improve their lives.

He is a likeable dude. I’d much rather have a beer with Clinton than Bush. Better conversation, I’m sure. But I didn’t like many of his policies.

“Clinton had black friends and intimate relationships with blacks.”

Speaking of “intimate relationships”…

When it was announced that Clinton was opening his office in Harlem, a buddy of mine and I considered sending him a subscription to “Black Tail” magazine. Ultimately we decided against it. We figured he already has a subscription.