Posted on 04/16/2010 7:23:33 AM PDT by penelopesire
A curious thing happened in the Supreme Court budget hearing yesterday. Rep. Joe Serrano went on a long monologue about 'diversity' in the court and even said he would be glad when the day came, that a Puerto Rican could be president...to which Thomas replied that the court was avoiding that question. Nervous laughter ensues and the topic is quickly dropped. I'd like to know what my fellow FReepers think of the exchange.
It happens around the 1:13-1:14:10 mark in the video. It would be great if someone could isolate that exchange and put it on YouTube so everyone could hear it without sitting through the entire hearing.
Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7qEH-tKoXA
It is still processing, so give it a little time.
Here is my take on this:
The exchange starts out with Serrano more or less apologizing to Thomas for the left’s treatment of him in the past.
As Thomas is replying, Serrano then interrupts Thomas with an acknowledgment of a Thomas opinion (apparently stated previously) that he doesn’t think that the appropriations committee should necessarily be chaired by a judge.
Thomas then replies by relating that issue to the POTUS eligibility issue, indirectly referring to where Serrano was born.
Serrano then makes light of the apparent fact that SCOTUS (or Thomas) refuses to share opinion on the POTUS eligibility issue, but is willing to acknowledge his own eligibility to chair the committee.
Thomas then acknowledges the avoidance of the issue, but is not too clear on which... I believe in Thomas’ jest, he meant both.
What is clear to me is that Thomas is the one who brought the POTUS eligibility issue up.
My personal belief is that he did so because it is the eligibility issue which is first and foremost in his mind...
but he knows that politically, he must bide his time.
Thomas just couldn’t help himself. I think it frustrates him that the eligibility issue is not more prominent in the dominant media and court of public opinion.
Another clear conclusion I can draw from this is that EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT IT!!!
save
Yep, yer right on target!
Even Justice Thomas has as sense of humor, ever think of that?
FR is the reason why everyone should read all the responses, as well as the posted articles, everywhere!
Semper Fidelis
Dick Gaines
**********
pay particular attention (freeze frame) at :57 - :61.
It is very hard to catch, but the facial expression on Thomas Changes immediately after his initial reference to birthplace, and he follows his statement with a very short exhale of breath as if he were saying or thinking that it’s hard to believe that what he just said was popular thought.
Just a few years back...there was a 60 Minutes segment on him and his wife, etc.
Wish everyone could see it—if it’s online anywhere—find it!
REALLY good find, Pen. I’ve listened for about 10 mins. before and after that segment... a couple of times.
He was very quick with the “we’re evading that one,” which did give me a start.
He is a very jocular person so it could very well have been just that humor .. jibing Serrano as they spar back and forth, but then who knows.
* * *
Thomas: mentions they’ve been working together for a decade and a half.
Serrano: Oh really ? I’m glad to hear you don’t think there has to be a judge on the court up here, ‘cause I’m not a judge.
Thomas: and you don’t have to be born in the US so you never have to ever answer that question.
Serrano: you haven’t answered whether I can serve as president but you answer this one ?
Thomas: we’re evading that one .. we’re giving you another option.
Laughter
Interesting.
One must wonder why such a straightforward bit of great FReeper reporting on comments by the people who work for us in a public hearing should be in the Smoky Backroom.
When they’re in the chummy collegial mode...that’s when what they really think comes out.
Yes, and that 6 to 3 outcome was exactly what Thomas says it was. The Court was evading and will continue to evade the question.
I put it in the backroom because i wasn’t sure what I had here...lol.
Thank you so much! I agree with your opinion of this.
your welcome... it was a good find.
I can see that the man is laughing..yes.It doesn’t mean that what he said isn’t true. The courts are ‘evading’ this issue.
I heard it last night as I was falling asleep with the hearing going...lol. I was determined to hunt it down this morning to post for my fellow FReepers. Thanks for transcribing the clip.
Better be careful, he’ll send a corpseman after you.
I think this exchange offers an important insight. Perhaps the moderator will see fit to put it in the main forum.
If it is put in the main forum, perhaps Mod would be an angel and correct my title too...from ‘avoid’ to ‘evade’. Someone pointed out that the word Thomas actually used was ‘evade’.
Thanks!
Wow ... your interpretation and mine are completely different.
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