Posted on 10/19/2007 1:31:28 PM PDT by RobFromGa
I went to a Heritage event last night in Atlanta (there were 900 of us there) and saw Justice Clarence Thomas deliver a twenty-five minute talk and then take Q&A for about a half hour. He got a three minute thunderous ovation at the beginning of his talk, that was only cut off because he was so clearly moved and ready to start talking, and we wanted to hear what he had to say.
I wish I had paper for notes, it was a very inspirational speech. I was in the second row on the aisle and Mr. Thomas started out talking about his previous time in Atlanta when he couldn't find a job after graduating from Yale.
He talked about his Grandfather and how the only things that they had was hope and faith, there was nothing else for a young black man at that time. He talked about how he takes every new class of his legal aides to Gettysburg so they can see what they are working for.
We got to hand in written questions and he answered mine second. I asked "What are the most important character traits for a Supreme Court Justice?"
His answer was (parpahrased): "Humility. Once you thing you belong there it's time to leave. Often people get heads larger than the rooms we work in. And second is Courage. You need to have the courage to stand by your convictions even as they are attacked." It took him about three minutes to answer, this was the gist of the answer.
A few more highlights: When asked how is Chief Justice Roberts different from C.J. Rehnquist? A: A terse "Roberts is younger." (and then he stepped away, and the crowd erupted in laughter, then the moderator asked if he had ever considered substituting for Leno).
Q: What would your grandfather say about your present job/position?
A: He would not find it as important what the position I hold is, but he would find it very important that I was doing it well, to the best of my abilities. I think he would be satisfied with my performance on those grounds.
It was an awesome inspiring talk, and then I jumped into line first (the line started six feet in front of me, I had scoped this out ahead of time when I chose my seat).
I got my book autographed, and shook his hand and I told him that the Founding Fathers would be very proud of him. He said "Thanks, I hope so, I try to think of them as I make decisions."
He mentioned that his Yale degree wasn’t good enough to get him a job as a lawyer in Atlanta because the affirmative action system in place (he said that the minorities were let in, and promoted with the same rules as the rich legacy students) so devalued his degree which he earned on his academics regardless of his color. But no one knew this, it made his degree worthless.
He said that later on that his Yale Law degree has been credited with getting him to where he is now. He said that this is the same degree that wouldn’t get him a job after he graduated, and that they can’t have it both ways.
This is paraphrased, any error in transcription is mine.
I saw Justice Thomas interviewed on FOX last week. He is cut from similar American stock as were the founding fathers. He is a great man and one that our people should be very proud of. It sounds as if his grandpa was also a very good and strong fellow.
The man is amazing, and I am very pleased that he actually did finally speak out on a few things.
I particularly appreciated the few comments that he had about that shameless fool Joe Biden.
“He mentioned that his Yale degree wasn’t good enough to get him a job as a lawyer in Atlanta because the affirmative action system in place (he said that the minorities were let in, and promoted with the same rules as the rich legacy students) so devalued his degree which he earned on his academics regardless of his color. But no one knew this, it made his degree worthless.
He said that later on that his Yale Law degree has been credited with getting him to where he is now. He said that this is the same degree that wouldn’t get him a job after he graduated, and that they can’t have it both ways.”
No you can’t.
Justice Thomas is speaking in Omaha tonight! im so excited I heard him speak 20 years ago before he went up to the supremes. He is one of the few up there who deserve the title “Justice.”
Wow. Thanks for the first hand account. We are priveledged to have this man on the Supreme Court.
Way to go RobFromGa. When I think back on the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings I cannot but hold extreme contempt for the party of death, taxes and abortion (yes, death again). Paul Simon, with his neat little bow tie, essentially giving way to extreme elements that give not a whit for orignial intent. The whole affair was an eye opener, complete with the media suggestion that the “allegations are serious enough to warrant full investigation.” The sham bastard media. Nice to see us sticking it in their faces these days. They deserve it.
THey are expecting 650 in Omaha tonight, and 1500 in Dallas this weekend. They had 900 in NYC Tuesday, and 900 in Atlanta last night.
Q: Do you enjoy your job as Supreme Court Justice?
At the end of his answer, Justice Thomas said: “After this book tour, I am looking forward to being back at the Court.”
BTTT. Nice report; I'd have loved to have been there beside you.
I was there to, along with the Wife o’ Buckhead, and my Bro, and his wife, and 850 of our closest friends.
You asked a great question, I thought, and I especially enjoyed his identifying courage as a necessary character trait for service on the court.
He also commented about whether you have to be very smart to be on the Court. He said you don’t have to be a genius, but you have to be reasonably bright to find the right answer, but then you must have the courage to stick by the right answer once you’ve found it.
I also greatly enjoyed his answer about whether his Grandfather would be proud, and that it would mainly depend on whether he was working hard, and applying elbow grease, and doing a good job, and if he was then his Grandfather would say “I’s satisfied.”
A bit more context on the visits to Gettysburg. He visits Walter Reed, and seeing those young men who’ve given the last full measure of devotion, he felt the sacrifices he made didn’t compare, and that the least he could do was work his hardest and stand up on the Court for what he thought was right under the law and the Constitution.
The line about having nothing but faith and hope was very powerful.
It was a good report on your attendance and Justic Thomas’ talk. I had the opportunity to see him interviewed by Sean Hannity - and it was also inspiring.
Did Justice Thomas mention that he loves to drive his motorhome for vacations? Whenever I think of all the perfumed princes in DC, I smile when I imagine him out on the highway wheeling along, enjoying our great country.
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