Posted on 10/20/2007 2:24:23 AM PDT by stan_sipple
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas delivered remarks in Omaha on Friday night that barely touched on the political and constitutional issues of the day, but instead focused on character and the lessons a person can learn from setbacks.
Thomas' speech was brief — about five minutes. He spent most of his time fielding questions from the audience of more than 500 people at the Hilton Omaha, 1001 Cass St.
Thomas was in town to discuss his recently released memoir, "My Grandfather's Son." The book details his life with his mother's father, Myers Anderson, whom he went to live with when he was 7. It includes his struggles as a youth in Jim Crow-era Georgia, financial and marital problems as an adult, and what he gained from those experiences.
Thomas said he learned important lessons from his troubles and setbacks. What seemed to be misfortune often helped him later in life.
For example, after graduating from law school at Yale University, he had a difficult time finding work. The future justice ended up in a less-than-prestigious job in Jefferson City, Mo.
But it was that job that provided him with the skills he used to succeed in every job after that.
"I was fortunate to have misfortune in my life," he said. "It was this misfortune that strengthened me in order to do well in the rest of my life."
Asked why he seldom comments as attorneys present their cases to the court, Thomas said it was a longtime tradition for justices to ask few questions during oral arguments.
"It is a recent tradition of the court to ask endless questions," he said. "I don't think it is in our best interest to engage in histrionics. . . . There is nothing in my oath that says, 'Look good in oral argument.'"
When asked the biggest challenge facing the country, Thomas said he is concerned many Americans do not know enough about the Constitution. Many pore over the warranties to appliances, but have never read the document that is the basis for our country, he said.
"How often it is I run into people with these strong views who have never read the Constitution," Thomas said. "I think if it is that important to you, shouldn't you know the basics?"
When asked what his favorite movie was, he said he watches "The Fountainhead" with his law clerks a lot. He said the film, about an architect who struggles to maintain his integrity and individualism rather than conform to prevailing fashion, shows how difficult it is to be right when the world is against you.
"I simply think we cannot tolerate leadership that is unwilling to pay the price for doing the right thing," he said.
Thomas' remarks resonated with the audience. Most of them jumped into line afterward in hopes he would sign a copy of the book.
Thomas' wife, Virginia, who grew up in Omaha and is a graduate of Creighton University, was in the audience.
The event was co-sponsored by the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society.
"He had a message of hope and a message of how we need to conduct our lives," said Jody Fike, 71, of Omaha. "Do the best to be your best."
Craig Dallon, 44, a law professor at Creighton University, noted Thomas' ability to connect with people of all walks of life. Thomas answered questions Friday night from some Boys Town students in the audience, but in the past, he has also answered sophisticated legal questions from Dallon's law students.
"He speaks to everybody," Dallon said. "You don't have to be a lawyer, a law professor or a legal scholar . . . he speaks to you.
"He's such a genuine person. You feel like you're getting the straight story from him," Dallon said. "You have the feeling when you hear from him, he's really honest and means what he says."
Now there's a novel theory.
Another indication of just how divorced from reality our Junk Media mouthpieces are. Judges are not suppose to be political ideologues and agenda PR agents. I guess since so many of their pet judges are both, they get confused.
Astute observation.
Complete indictment of the dem party, except for Joe Lieberman
Hardships can be “blessings in disguise.”
Thank you for this article.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.