No Argument: Thomas Keeps 5-Year Silence

[groovedaddy]

(I hate to see the man so burdened. He should just resign. It would be a win-win situation. gd)

WASHINGTON — The anniversary will probably be observed in silence. A week from Tuesday, when the Supreme Court returns from its midwinter break and hears arguments in two criminal cases, it will have been five years since Justice Clarence Thomas has spoken during a court argument.

If he is true to form, Justice Thomas will spend the arguments as he always does: leaning back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, rubbing his eyes, whispering to Justice Stephen G. Breyer, consulting papers and looking a little irritated and a little bored. He will ask no questions.

In the past 40 years, no other justice has gone an entire term, much less five, without speaking at least once during arguments, according to Timothy R. Johnson, a professor of political science at the University of Minnesota. Justice Thomas’s epic silence on the bench is just one part of his enigmatic and contradictory persona. He is guarded in public but gregarious in private. He avoids elite universities but speaks frequently to students at regional and religious schools. In those settings, he rarely dwells on legal topics but is happy to discuss a favorite movie, like “Saving Private Ryan.”

He talks freely about the burdens of the job.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/us/13thomas.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha23

[thereismore]

1. He is just a tool. A placeholder for a real Justice. nt

[FBaggins]

2. Why ask questions...

...when you made up your mind before the case was even presented?

[jerryster]

3. I just saw the item in Time

I was looking for the right DU forum to post it but you already had. Kudos to you. This guy is unbelievable. He brings to mind the old adage that it's better to sit there and appear stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. I wish he and that foam hat wearing wife of his would just go away.