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Justice Clarence Thomas Speaks in Court for First Time in 7 Years — But No One Can Figure Out What He Said!

Jan. 14, 2013 6:15pm
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Speaks for the First Time in Nearly Seven Years During Oral Arguments

Justice Clarence Thomas spoke for the first time in court in nearly seven years and drew laughter. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — Justice Clarence Thomas did something at a Supreme Court argument Monday for the first time in nearly seven years – he spoke.

But what Thomas said is not clear, other than he appears to have joked about Ivy League lawyers.

The argument transcript only records a few words. It quotes Thomas as saying, “Well, he did not…” Several justices laughed in response.

Louisiana lawyer Carla Sigler replied: “I would refute that, Justice Thomas.”

Two lawyers in the courtroom said Thomas was joking about Ivy League law school graduates, although one said it was at the expense of Thomas’ alma mater, Yale, and the other said rival Harvard was the butt of the joke.

Thomas hasn’t asked a question in court since February 22, 2006. The Washington Post reported though that Thomas has previously said that he thinks fellow justices spend too much time questioning lawyers.

“I think it’s an opportunity for the advocate, the lawyers, to fill in the blanks, to make their case,” the Post recalled Thomas saying in a 2009 interview with C-SPAN. “I think you should allow people to complete their answers and their thought, and to continue their conversation. I find that coherence that you get from a conversation far more helpful than the rapid-fire questions.”

The Huffington Posted noted Thomas’ comment Monday came during the oral argument by the state of Louisiana and why it has for the past five years failed to fund a lawyer for a man facing the death penalty. The state said that this does not undermine the man in the murder case’s right to a speedy trial.

The audio from Monday’s argument will be released Friday, according to the Huffington Post. The transcript is posted here.

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Comments (67)

1 2
  • sandrunner
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 4:55am

    Can a Tax on Guns and Bullets be a infringement?

    So Taxes on Guns and Bullets is unconstitutional. It impedes our rights to bare arms and the commerce cause infringes upon our 2nd amendment rights.

    To all Americans…
    Government can not tax freedom of speech.
    Government can not tax freedom of religion.
    and Government can not TAX ARE RIGHT TO BARE ARMS.

    Government has no right to Tax the making of GUNS AND THE BULLETS BECAUSE IT IS “INFRINGING” ON OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

    DEFINE:
    in·fringe
    [in-frinj] Show IPA verb, in·fringed, in·fring·ing.
    verb (used with object)
    1.
    to commit a breach or infraction of; violate or transgress: to infringe a copyright; to infringe a rule.
    verb (used without object)
    2.
    to encroach or trespass (usually followed by on or upon ): Don’t infringe on his privacy.
    Origin:
    1525–35; < Latin infringere to break, weaken, equivalent to in- in-2 + -fringere, combining form of frangere to break

    Report this comment

    sandrunner  
    • Le Sellers
      Posted on January 16, 2013 at 11:00am

      A tax on newspapers DOES impede one’s I amendment right, or so we’re told.

      If that is the case, one is left to ponder how a tax on bullets, guns, or magazines would not limit his II rights.

      No one has ever accused me of thinking like progressive (if “thinking” is the right verb when referring to what progressives imagine they do).

      Mr. O’bama, will there ever BE any Jobs?

      Report this comment

      Le Sellers  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 12:15am

    I pray Justice Thomas will up hold the Constitution as the Supreme Law of the land and find that every law written that INFRINGES on our gun rights is UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!

    Right to Bear Arms. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be INFRINGED.
    This is MY RIGHT to OWN and to BEAR ARMS PERIOD!!!!

    Report this comment

    banjarmon  
    • YAHSHUARULES
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 1:52am

      5 minutes, give this movie 5 minutes and you won’t be able to walk away:

      Do you know who the Fabians (with logo of wolf in sheep’s clothing); SDS, Frankfurt School and Willi Munzenberg, Herbert Markusa and Franz Noima; John Dewey, Antonio Gramsci, Mattechine Society, Saul Alinski (who dedicated his book which Obama taught for years in Chicago “Rules for Radicals” to Lucifer) was a disciple of Gramsci used to train at the rifle range with Leon Despres preparing for the revolution to take down America, later became a mentor to Obama and.Committees of Correspondence are? Connect all the dots that
      allowed Obama to waltz into the White House..

      https://vimeo.com/52009124
      Agenda to create an America so corrupt it stinks; use public policy to subvert America from inside, infiltrate and influence our culture to break down basic rules of morality driving us in a direction designed to destroy us. . No conspiracy – just verifiable facts! If you don’t know all this you need to find out!

      This is the most comprehensive, best movie I have seen pulling all this together. I have watched it 12X to absorb all that is in it…
      give it 5 minutes

      Watch it. Share it. Arrange a showing in church, groups, clubs, with friends or family. Everyone who loves America needs to see this movie,

      It is free on line for the moment
      https://vimeo.com/52009124

      If America goes down, the free world will go down with it and it will be finished for a very, very long time…

      Report this comment

      YAHSHUARULES  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 9:37am

      YAHSHUARULES – I have to thank you for your link. I saw it a few days ago and have subsequently shared it with as many as I can. It is such an important video. Well worth the time to watch it and then share it. Americans have to be informed!!!! Keep posting it please. Others, please watch it.

      Report this comment

      NHwinter  
  • stevephoenix
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:47pm

    As decent as he is, this guy has been hounded by the media Marxists for years. Maybe the media is “racist?”

    Report this comment

    stevephoenix  
    • TurboCat
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 7:15am

      Amen to that! Last week, I got the chance to hear Justice Thomas in an interview of sorts, on C-Span. He first came to my attention in the 90′s or around the time when he was nominated as Supreme Court Justice. Dennis Prager, who I listened to on radio, was talking about what The Left was doing to Mr. Thomas. Dennis was saying that a good and decent human being was being maligned in the media for no good reason, and that his reputation was being dragged through the mud by unscrupulous people in the media and in politics. Dennis taught me a lot of things over the years and I benefited much by being able to hear him.

      Report this comment

      TurboCat  
  • stevephoenix
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:42pm

    Justice Thomas is a great justice and a great American example of what America is about. The left scorns him because he is not a liberal when in reality he is an American, and a great role model for all Americans .

    Report this comment

    stevephoenix  
    • 777jenn
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 12:02am

      SO right on, stevephoenix! I read his autobio last year along with my highschool – aged daughter…we agreed that he will always be overlooked and mocked by the left–especially the black left—because he dares to live the way MLK advocated- content of character, NOT color of skin! What a shame that more young black Americans do not have Justice Thomas as a great role model for a life lived well. Thank God that He knows and sees all. God bless Clarence Thomas!!

      Report this comment

      777jenn  
  • Rosey
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:33pm

    I just finished reading Justice Thomas’ autobiography ‘My Grandfather’s son’ and he does not have a very high regard for ivy league schools, least of which his alma mater Yale. It doesn’t surprise me especially if the comment was indeed abt Yale. After reading that book it deepened my admiration and further justified him as the greatest SCOTUS on the bench right now, imo. Although, Scalia is a close second…

    Report this comment

    Rosey  
  • Canada_Goose
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:12pm

    Better to stay quiet and be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt.

    Report this comment

    Canada_Goose  
  • TheHalfrican
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:54pm

    He and Scalia are my heroes.

    Report this comment

    TheHalfrican  
    • Libertarian
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:21pm

      I love Thomas. What a genuine good and humble man. May God bless continue to bless him.

      Report this comment

      Libertarian  
    • YAHSHUARULES
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 2:01am

      Can you connect all the dots to destroying America?

      Do you know who the Fabians (with logo of wolf in sheep’s clothing); SDS, Frankfurt School and Willi Munzenberg, Herbert Markusa and Franz Noima; John Dewey, Antonio Gramsci, Mattechine Society, Saul Alinski (who dedicated his book which Obama taught for years in Chicago “Rules for Radicals” to Lucifer) was a disciple of Gramsci used to train at the rifle range with Leon Despres preparing for the revolution to take down America, later became a mentor to Obama and.Committees of Correspondence are? Connect all the dots that
      allowed Obama to waltz into the White House..

      https://vimeo.com/52009124
      Agenda to create an America so corrupt it stinks; use public policy to subvert America from inside, infiltrate and influence our culture to break down basic rules of morality driving us in a direction designed to destroy us. . No conspiracy – just verifiable facts! If you don’t know all this you need to find out!

      This is the most comprehensive, best movie I have seen pulling all this
      together. I have watched it 12X to absorb all that is in it…

      give it 5 minutes and you won’t be able to walk away

      Watch it. Share it. Arrange a showing in church, groups, clubs, with friends or
      family. Everyone who loves America needs to see this movie,

      It is free on line for the moment
      https://vimeo.com/52009124

      If America goes down, the free world will go down with it and it will be finished for a very, very long tim

      Report this comment

      YAHSHUARULES  
  • soybomb315_II
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:23pm

    dang – i was hoping he was saving it for some dramatic pro-Constitutional setting. oh well

    Report this comment

    soybomb315_II  
  • SixthArmy
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:59pm

    He was complaining about some broad’s pube on his soda can.

    Report this comment

    SixthArmy  
  • teapartyconservatism
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:55pm

    “Breaking news! Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts schedules a case by Attorney Taitz regarding Obama’s forged IDs to be heard in conference before the full Supreme Court”
    http://www.orlytaitzesq.com/?p=375765

    Pray that Justice Thomas and four of his colleagues will speak up for finally enforcing the Constitution, when evidence of Obama’s fraudulent birth certificate, altered Selective Service registration and stolen CT Social Security number is presented in conference before all the justices.

    Then again, perhaps he and the court will remain silent on Obama’s usurpation of the Presidency.

    Drew Zahn, WND, Justice Clarence Thomas: We’re ‘evading’ eligibility http://www.wnd.com/2010/04/142101/ (04/17/2010)

    Wake up America!

    Mario Apuzzo, Esq., “Barack Obama is Ineligible …” http://puzo1.blogspot.com/2012/10/barack-obama-is-ineligible-to-be.html (October 28, 2012 & updated November 10, 2012)

    Report this comment

    teapartyconservatism  
    • tequilamockingbird
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 9:02pm

      “Pray that Justice Thomas and four of his colleagues will speak up …”

      I doubt it. No doubt his brilliant clerks will write a great brief on it, though.

      Report this comment

      tequilamockingbird  
  • ktmrider1
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:43pm

    the true racism and hatred of blacks comes from the left wing loons a perfect example is some of the post here.

    Report this comment

    ktmrider1  
  • teapartyconservatism
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:34pm

    Dear Blaze, advising your customers that a “comment may take a few minutes to appear on the site” is misleading. Comments are often delayed several hours long past the useful life of an article. This delay is especially prevalent during the second shift.

    In terms of censorship, this rather adds insult to injury, does it not? You cannot repair the damage done to your reputation for past censorship, by delaying comments as an alternative.

    Whether you exclude comments or delay them for hours, either way you are committing a cardinal sin of censorship, thought to be loathed by ethical journalists truly interested in the free expression of ideas, essential to a free society.

    Report this comment

    teapartyconservatism  
    • Keatonc33
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:11pm

      I am so glad to see I’m not the only one who has their post delayed by hours!

      Report this comment

      Keatonc33  
    • Sickandtiredofextremists
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:34pm

      I’ve even re-posted, thinking my post didn’t make it………………only to have both show up hours later. Or worse yet is when I go to the trouble to write a post (while I’m logged in) only to have the site demand I sign in before posting!

      Report this comment

      Sickandtiredofextremists  
    • Leftcoaster
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:02pm

      Ok, vote with your feet and find a new website. The Blaze is a private entity and can do whatever they choose. There are plenty of conservative news outlets, find one you like instead of whining.

      Report this comment

      Leftcoaster  
    • ExLawman
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:19pm

      I’ve never had a post take more than 7 minutes to show up. One possibility is that during peak web traffic, the servers databases could take longer and in some instances posts could be lost in ‘cyberland’ for a period of time. I highly doubt posts are being moderated by a person, only removed by a person if the post have been reported and are inappropriate.

      Report this comment

      ExLawman  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:05pm

    I tend to agree with Justice Thomas .

    Report this comment

    Mr.Fitnah  
  • toomuchgovt
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:02pm

    Justice Thomas is the Sarah Palin of the Supreme Court he has my utmost respect. He has been attack by both left and right and still he stands firm with his principle and the Constitution. God Bless him, may he never bend to the liberal pressures and may he always stand for what it right and just not what is popular. I fear Scalia may be falling for the spotlight of fame.

    Report this comment

    toomuchgovt  
  • TEXASGRANNY73
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:46pm

    My absolute respect for Justice Clarence Thomas, the first black American to achieve the highest longest lasting office in the land. I believe Justice Thomas exemplifies Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “dream” and anyone who has read his book would understand his struggle. Kind of a silly “story” here but I would agree with his take on not interrupting an argument before the court. Remembering how Lindsay Graham interrupted Sotomayor and helped her to answer a question when she was being vetted.

    Report this comment

    TEXASGRANNY73  
    • taxpro4u03
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:16pm

      How ’bout we cease and desist with all the divisive human traits other than wisdom, intellectual honesty stemming from logical reason? That’d be a novel idea in today’s environment, to be sure…

      Report this comment

      taxpro4u03  
    • Marine25
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:32pm

      Thurgood Marshall served on the court from 1967-1991.

      Report this comment

      Marine25  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:58pm

      @TaxPro A novel idea indeed…however as “in letting your conscience be your guide”, conscience is an individual will then it stands to reason that wisdom, intellectual honesty and reason are in the individual “eye of the beholder” so to speak. One cannot do away with divisive human traits and exclude those as there would be no logical reason for the Constitution or justices to interpret the fine lines No tension, no argument. Or am I missing your point…probably am, just being a granny and not a philosopher unless you mean “wisdom” teeth and then I am not a dentist either. ha ha ha.

      Report this comment

      TEXASGRANNY73  
  • nonofmybiznez
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:38pm

    “I think it’s an opportunity for the advocate, the lawyers, to fill in the blanks, to make their case,” Is all well and good until a judge asks a leading question to allow the lawyer to expand their reasoning and allow them to make their case. A case they wouldn’t have made if they hadn’t been led to the answer.

    Report this comment

    nonofmybiznez  
    • JQCitizen
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:03pm

      Isn’t that the point he was making? I find this same point true in almost every area of life. If more people would listen 3 times as much as they talk, they would actually learn something, and more problems would be solved, I believe.

      Report this comment

      JQCitizen  
  • DougHuffman
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:30pm

    A dialogue extends a mere narration, itself fraught, into adhockery. I agree with Justice Thomas, what is unsaid is as important as what is said – let’em hang themselves.

    Good people are armed with wits, guns and the Truth. MOLON LABE Obama Oedipus Rex.

    Report this comment

    DougHuffman  
  • Beachbaby
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:20pm

    I like Thomas. We now know for a fact there was no pubic **** on that ho’s coke.

    Report this comment

    Beachbaby  
  • Keatonc33
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:17pm

    Did you know the Octopus is one of the most intelligent creatures on earth? they have to powers of problem solving and the ability to learn by watching others. The only reason most scientists believe that they have not evolved into a state of semi to advance intelligence is because they don’t take care of their young. there for life lessons and survival skills are not passed on but have to be re-learned every generation. This doesn’t allow for a needed base of intelligence to grow from. you know incase you wanted to read something actually kind of interesting on this stories page!

    Report this comment

    Keatonc33  
    • WarMunger_Al
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:28pm

      Kind of like liberals…they don’t take care of their young…

      Report this comment

      WarMunger_Al  
    • tzion
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:54pm

      “ability to learn by watching others”? So it knows how to imitate? Isn’t that true of a lot of creatures? What makes humans intelligent is the potential for original thought, though many don’t utilize it.

      Report this comment

      tzion  
    • Keatonc33
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:18pm

      could have made that more clear. though many animals are able to mimic. These are normally the mimicry of survival methods. where as the octopus can learn technics for opening containers, mazes, etc just by watching others. The big one though is their ability to solve problems at an unprecedented level when compared to other sea creatures, and many mammals. excluding many types of primates, whales and dolphins.

      Report this comment

      Keatonc33  
  • Magyar
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 6:46pm

    Please—really? This is beyond stupid. Slow news day, Blaze?

    Report this comment

    Magyar  
    • barber2
      Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:08pm

      Does this mean you had so little to do that you were here reading ? A slow life day ?

      Report this comment

      barber2  
  • the-most-interesting-troll-in-the-world
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 6:42pm

    I don’t always listen to Supreme Court Justices, but when I do, I prefer the ones who say the least.

    Stay muzzled, my friends.

    Report this comment

    the-most-interesting-troll-in-the-world  
  • Eastinfection
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 6:36pm

    Justice Clarence Thomas said something.
    We have no idea what he said.
    He may have said “_____” , but we really have no clue.

    Please stay tuned as this is an ongoing story and there may be other rumors to report.

    Report this comment

    Eastinfection  
  • AzThunder
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 6:32pm

    It quotes Thomas as saying, “Well, he did not…”

    I guessed he was referring to Al pooping his pants at the whitehouse

    Report this comment

     
  • ChuckTesta
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 6:24pm

    He should have said “Sorry Anita.”

    Report this comment

    ChuckTesta  
  • MisterSarcastic
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 6:23pm

    Here’s the joke:

    How do you get a Harvard graduate off of your front porch?

    Pay him for the pizza.

    Report this comment

    MisterSarcastic  
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