General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Current Supreme Court Is Illegitimate
Link to tweet
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/supreme-court-legitimacy-crisis
In a one-paragraph decision issued in January, the Supreme Court ruled that former president Donald Trump was required to turn over documents to the House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection. It was an unsurprising decision, described by commentators as entirely consistent with existing law. In a Supreme Court where a third of the members were appointed by Trump, only Clarence Thomas noted his dissent. Thomas would have permitted the Trump White House to shield its records from congressional scrutiny.
Initially, Thomass dissent was notable but not shocking. Thomas is a staunch conservative, frequently willing to go further to advance the right-wing agenda than many or all of his colleagues on the bench. But over the last several months, new reporting has suggested that Thomass dissent may not have stemmed strictly from a different interpretation of the relevant law.
Reporting has revealed that Thomass wife, far-right activist Ginni Thomas, was deeply involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, going so far as to pressure at least lawmakers in Arizona to overturn the outcome in their state. Legal ethics experts from across the political spectrum agree that Thomas had no business ruling in a case so directly tied to his wifes political activity but he did so anyway.
As egregious as Justice Thomass refusal to recuse is, it is merely the latest display of the current Supreme Courts illegitimacy. The creation of a 6-3 radically conservative supermajority on the Court is the result of a conservative legal movement determined to seize power at any cost.
*snip*
Don't poo poo the article's presence in Teen Vogue. We should celebrate that this article is meant to educate our youth.
Moostache
(9,895 posts)Nothing now is different than then, we're just in a much worse position in court make-up and justice's ages.
The court became a political hack body long ago and is no longer an independent or legitimate third branch.
John Roberts' legacy as Chief Justice will be to have presided over the fall of the republic and cancerous rot from within as a major figure in ensuring the Constitution will fail and raw aggression and political malfesceance rule the day.
alwaysinasnit
(5,066 posts)gldstwmn
(4,575 posts)will ask Thomas to resign.
Solomon
(12,311 posts)Nothing.
In It to Win It
(8,254 posts)SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)ck4829
(35,077 posts)alwaysinasnit
(5,066 posts)elias7
(4,007 posts)JoeOtterbein
(7,702 posts)LymphocyteLover
(5,644 posts)LudwigPastorius
(9,155 posts)I'm just dreaming about the impeachment and conviction of Clarence "Slappy" Thomas.
intheflow
(28,477 posts)on TFGs criminal behavior since at least 2017. Love the editors there!
OneGrassRoot
(22,920 posts)MissMillie
(38,560 posts)Understanding civics is important, and teens are old enough to grasp the concept of Separation of Powers.
Solly Mack
(90,773 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)Amishman
(5,557 posts)The justices on the bench were placed there by the process dictated by our laws. Yes, the pubs bent and twisted the intent of those laws, and exploited every gray area (Gorsuch/Garland!) - but they did not directly break the law in putting those judges on the bench.
I'm getting really frustrated by this trend towards oversimplification. Just like claiming all Republicans are fascists and racists - its an exaggeration that is just not helpful.
We need to wake up - fighting a culture war isn't helpful. We're focused on the past and political grudges, while the country is turning their backs on us over inflation and economic issues. TIME TO WAKE UP, we're on track for a 2010 style butt kicking this fall. The electorate doesn't care about Ginni Thomas or 1/6. They care about 3% raises during 8% inflation and trying to fill their pantry and gas tank.
ecstatic
(32,712 posts)Every time a reporter asks if TFG committed a crime, we have Democrats giving long drawn out answers instead of just saying, YES! Do they understand that Americans tune out after the first few words? Keep it simple folks!
Zeitghost
(3,862 posts)Some hyperbole when discussing emotionally charged topics is understandable. But when it comes from legitimate journalism, it doesn't do us any good. Words have meanings, let's stick to them.
geardaddy
(24,931 posts)It's good to talk to younger people as adults with what's going on.
justhanginon
(3,290 posts)will hopefully make their tomorrow, as they grow into adulthood, more palatable.
JudyM
(29,251 posts)for this article
looks like they have a huge readership.
Wonder how many just read it for the articles.
Since MSM wont do its part to educate, it takes a village. Kudos to them!
Thanks for posting this, Nevilledog