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Thomas: no questions in 2 years (and 144 cases, Justice Thomas has refrained from oral argument)
AP on Yahoo ^ | 2/25/08 | Mark Sherman - ap

Posted on 02/25/2008 2:27:59 PM PST by NormsRevenge

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To: The Ghost of FReepers Past
Hard to imagine with all the different attorneys and styles there would be no questions or need for clarification. Have any of you ever been in court?

It's a good thing the court has 9 people so the other 8 can get the job done for him.

21 posted on 02/25/2008 3:49:51 PM PST by purpleraine
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To: NormsRevenge

It’s good to know that someone on the Court is listening to the sound of someone else’s voice besides his own, and thinking about something other than what he wants to say next.


22 posted on 02/25/2008 3:49:52 PM PST by LucyJo
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To: NormsRevenge

I am on the last chapter in his book. It’s a good book but as I read the chapter on his USSC confirmation hearing it really makes my blood boil.


23 posted on 02/25/2008 3:49:58 PM PST by fkabuckeyesrule (I wish there was a baseball game on.)
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To: fkabuckeyesrule
"...as I read the chapter on his USSC confirmation hearing it really makes my blood boil."

That's nothing. You should have watched as it happened!

24 posted on 02/25/2008 3:53:48 PM PST by LucyJo
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To: purpleraine

If the questions are being asked, who cares who asks them?


25 posted on 02/25/2008 3:54:08 PM PST by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
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To: The Ghost of FReepers Past
As I said, it's a good thing there's other judges there to get the job done.

I like the guy. I've heard him speak on several occasions. I defended him during the confirmation, but this trait is neither cute or an indication of any outstanding characteristic I can think of; not in that context.

26 posted on 02/25/2008 3:56:31 PM PST by purpleraine
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To: ml/nj
I guess the AP is more impressed with incoherent questions from Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

"Did you sell the last chocolate Babka."

27 posted on 02/25/2008 3:59:45 PM PST by Stentor
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To: NormsRevenge
H I T
P I E C E
28 posted on 02/25/2008 4:00:58 PM PST by NutCrackerBoy
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To: purpleraine

Should he ask questions just to ask questions? I mean, if he is listening intently isn’t that what we really need? I’ve heard many of these questions asked by judges that sound more like speeches than true inquiry.


29 posted on 02/25/2008 4:02:25 PM PST by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
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To: SampleMan
An educated man that doesn’t love to hear himself talk is a rare thing.

I'm certainly not one of them, and I do have Master's degree. That will soon make me the least educated member of my immediate family. Wife has PhD, #1 daughter has JD, #2 daughter has MA and is a PhD student. But just ask any of them. I still talk the most. I think it's a gene the girls didn't inherit, since my mother and her sisters are the same way (well her oldest sister. Dieing is the only thing to stop us, and she stopped about a year ago. ;) )

30 posted on 02/25/2008 4:28:37 PM PST by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
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To: Revolting cat!

I’ve been most impressed with Justice Thomas the few times I saw him promoting his book. While always deep, I cannot recall a time I have heard his voice sound so deep. He could have made millions invoice overs.

I saw him make the argument about cases having been argued into the ground by the time the SCOTUS sees them. At the same time, to go two years with out asking one questions leads me to believe he is furthering his reputation, or has handcuffed himself from being intellectually curious.

Thomas’ upbringing was so counter to many Blacks of that age, and not only are Thomas’s views unique, they are virtually nonexistent in any other black that I have heard speak. (including Cosby) The man is an island in so many ways.


31 posted on 02/25/2008 4:36:50 PM PST by Direct
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To: The Ghost of FReepers Past
It is my understanding that questions are asked to see how counsel would rebute challenges to their positions and to clarify.

Unless he is a mindreader it is unfathomable that he didn't have any question for any purpose whatsoever.

32 posted on 02/25/2008 6:23:30 PM PST by purpleraine
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To: purpleraine

The questions asked are not for clarification. They are asked to advance the position of the judge. Justice Thomas style is to not ask them, and criticism of him on this point is a canard.

You do him great disservice by suggesting he needs help from the others to “do his job.”


33 posted on 02/25/2008 7:10:43 PM PST by San Jacinto
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To: San Jacinto

Nice defense, but..........Questions are asked for several reasons. If he doesn’t need to “adsvance his position,” it is inconceivable that he understands everything precisely and never needs to clarify anything (in what form of human communication is clarification never needed?).


34 posted on 02/25/2008 7:15:19 PM PST by purpleraine
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To: purpleraine
Before Justice Thomas sits to hear oral argument, he has read extensive briefs from both sides as well as from all the amicus who have filed briefs in the case. He has had his law clerks prepare memoranda on the legal points and case precedents. Anyone needing “clarification” at that point would be either dense or lazy. The purpose for the questioning is to probe the weak points of the advocates and to highlight the strengths which the justice wants to see emphasized.

Prior to serving on the Court,Justice Thomas was appointed by Reagan to head the EEOC and made great progress in repairing an agency which had become a bureaucratic mess. He is quite scholarly and is perfectly capable of understanding the issues of the case and putting them in proper context.

The people who now question his competence or his work ethic are of the same ilk as the scumbags who tried to wreck the nomination in the first place. These same people lionize Thurgood Marshall as an intellectual giant, which is far from the truth, and their attacks on Justice Thomas are designed to titillate and give secret pleasure to like minded liberal bigots, of which there is no shortage. Those familiar with Justice Thomas’ background and past accomplishments know the truth of the matter.

35 posted on 02/25/2008 7:49:30 PM PST by San Jacinto
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To: nygoose

He’s not quiet, everyone else is too loud.


36 posted on 02/25/2008 7:50:52 PM PST by dfwgator (11+7+15=3 Heismans)
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To: San Jacinto
Thanx for that historical perspective. Thomas was an affirmative action appointed because there were no black justices when the opening occurred.

I am aware of the process for filing appeals. I have sat in US circuit courts three times and several times in state courts.

It is inconceivable given human communication that someone can put all of their ideas in writing and have a reader that would have no need to have follow-up questions about context, intent, law or clarification. It's a good thing the other judges do not engage in the questionable practice.

37 posted on 02/25/2008 9:11:46 PM PST by purpleraine
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Comment #38 Removed by Moderator

To: eaja

I’m not bemoaning the lack of polictical speeches. However, I do question no clarification or judical challenges to the attorneys year after year.


39 posted on 02/26/2008 10:38:14 AM PST by purpleraine
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Comment #40 Removed by Moderator


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