The_RANDy_Corporation
03-10-2001, 02:24 PM
RealityBased
Forum Host
posts: 94
(2/14/01 2:49:32 pm)
Reply Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/a...mas_1.html
Tuesday February 13 10:08 PM ET
Thomas Advises Standing Firm
By LAURIE ASSEO, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - People who disagree with political orthodoxy should not ``censor ourselves'' or yield to criticism, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said Tuesday.
``By yielding to a false form of civility, we sometimes allow our critics to intimidate us,'' the justice said at the annual dinner of the conservative American Enterprise Institute.
``Active citizens are often subjected to truly vile attacks; they are branded as mean-spirited, racist, Uncle Tom, homophobic, sexist, etc.,'' Thomas said. As a result, he added, sometimes ``we censor ourselves. This is not civility, it is cowardice, a well-intentioned self-deception at best.''
Thomas, who joined the court in 1991 after a bruising confirmation battle, told of getting a strong negative reaction in 1980 when as a government official he was quoted as questioning the ``sacred policies'' of affirmative action, welfare and school busing.
``Debate was not permitted. Orthodoxy was enforced,'' Thomas said. ``When whites questioned the conventional wisdom on these issues it was considered bad form. When blacks did so, it was treason.''
``These rules of orthodoxy still apply,'' the justice said. ``You had better not engage in serious debate or discussion unless you are willing to endure attacks that range from mere hostile bluster to libel.''
However, he added, ``one should not be cowed by criticism.''
Thomas said that after he dissented from a 1992 Supreme Court ruling that let inmates sue prison guards for using excessive force even if no serious injuries are inflicted, ``I was widely denounced for advocating the beating of prisoners, which is ridiculous.''
People who say children should be raised in two-parent families ``are often accused of trying to impose their values on others,'' Thomas said. He called such criticism ``purely and simply an in-your-face response. It is, in short, intimidation.''
But he said people should not shy away from stating their views.
``We are required to wade into those things that matter to our country and our culture, no matter what the disincentives are or the personal cost,'' Thomas said.
-
Description of liberals, per Curly of the three stooges ..."I keep tryin' ta think, but nuttin' happens!"
sweetnetty
Forum Host
posts: 198
(2/14/01 5:33:11 pm)
Reply
Re: Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
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Quote:
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``These rules of orthodoxy still apply,'' the justice said. ``You had better not engage in serious debate or discussion unless you are willing to endure attacks that range from mere hostile bluster to libel.''
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I have the utmost respect for Justice Thomas. He has immense courage and understanding. Was especially impressed with the speech he gave to the high school students during the time of the election debacle.
Rhino
Forum Host
posts: 454
(2/14/01 5:41:08 pm)
Reply
Re: Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
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You wouldn't have that available somewhere would you? I was thinkin about adding it to my site before, but it disappeared.
You forgot to add articulately gifted. He has a way with words that goes straight to the point without excessive wordiness.
-----------------------------------------------------------
"We have every right to dream heroic dreams." - Ronald Reagan
http://www.siscom.net/~simdad
tacitus c
Forum Host
posts: 1052
(2/14/01 5:44:07 pm)
Reply
Re: Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a link to the Justice Clarence Thomas Speech at the American Enterprise Institute's Annual Dinner.
This requires Real Audio and is 1 hr long.
video.c-span.org:8080/ram...cthomas.rm
"No man can establish himself by wickedness,but good men have roots that cannot be dislodged" Proverbs 11:3
Rhino
Forum Host
posts: 458
(2/14/01 5:57:13 pm)
Reply
Re: Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was referring to the high school speech, but this is good too. Thanks. No transcript?
-----------------------------------------------------------
"We have every right to dream heroic dreams." - Ronald Reagan
http://www.siscom.net/~simdad
PaulRevere98999
Gold Star Member
posts: 103
(2/14/01 7:14:08 pm)
Reply Re: Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tony Snow subbed for Rush today and talked about his speech. I wish more Republicans had the fortitude to stand up to the malicious slander dished out by the intolerant, closed-minded, hypocritical vicious leftist bigots (I think that about covers my description of them).
guncontrol
Gold Star Member
posts: 106
(2/14/01 7:37:29 pm)
Re: Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Isn't Clarence that nice old man who takes advantage of the women who works for him? Wasn't there something about a coke bottle?
Father Yukon
Forum Host
posts: 94
(2/14/01 2:49:32 pm)
Reply Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/a...mas_1.html
Tuesday February 13 10:08 PM ET
Thomas Advises Standing Firm
By LAURIE ASSEO, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - People who disagree with political orthodoxy should not ``censor ourselves'' or yield to criticism, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said Tuesday.
``By yielding to a false form of civility, we sometimes allow our critics to intimidate us,'' the justice said at the annual dinner of the conservative American Enterprise Institute.
``Active citizens are often subjected to truly vile attacks; they are branded as mean-spirited, racist, Uncle Tom, homophobic, sexist, etc.,'' Thomas said. As a result, he added, sometimes ``we censor ourselves. This is not civility, it is cowardice, a well-intentioned self-deception at best.''
Thomas, who joined the court in 1991 after a bruising confirmation battle, told of getting a strong negative reaction in 1980 when as a government official he was quoted as questioning the ``sacred policies'' of affirmative action, welfare and school busing.
``Debate was not permitted. Orthodoxy was enforced,'' Thomas said. ``When whites questioned the conventional wisdom on these issues it was considered bad form. When blacks did so, it was treason.''
``These rules of orthodoxy still apply,'' the justice said. ``You had better not engage in serious debate or discussion unless you are willing to endure attacks that range from mere hostile bluster to libel.''
However, he added, ``one should not be cowed by criticism.''
Thomas said that after he dissented from a 1992 Supreme Court ruling that let inmates sue prison guards for using excessive force even if no serious injuries are inflicted, ``I was widely denounced for advocating the beating of prisoners, which is ridiculous.''
People who say children should be raised in two-parent families ``are often accused of trying to impose their values on others,'' Thomas said. He called such criticism ``purely and simply an in-your-face response. It is, in short, intimidation.''
But he said people should not shy away from stating their views.
``We are required to wade into those things that matter to our country and our culture, no matter what the disincentives are or the personal cost,'' Thomas said.
-
Description of liberals, per Curly of the three stooges ..."I keep tryin' ta think, but nuttin' happens!"
sweetnetty
Forum Host
posts: 198
(2/14/01 5:33:11 pm)
Reply
Re: Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``These rules of orthodoxy still apply,'' the justice said. ``You had better not engage in serious debate or discussion unless you are willing to endure attacks that range from mere hostile bluster to libel.''
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have the utmost respect for Justice Thomas. He has immense courage and understanding. Was especially impressed with the speech he gave to the high school students during the time of the election debacle.
Rhino
Forum Host
posts: 454
(2/14/01 5:41:08 pm)
Reply
Re: Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You wouldn't have that available somewhere would you? I was thinkin about adding it to my site before, but it disappeared.
You forgot to add articulately gifted. He has a way with words that goes straight to the point without excessive wordiness.
-----------------------------------------------------------
"We have every right to dream heroic dreams." - Ronald Reagan
http://www.siscom.net/~simdad
tacitus c
Forum Host
posts: 1052
(2/14/01 5:44:07 pm)
Reply
Re: Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a link to the Justice Clarence Thomas Speech at the American Enterprise Institute's Annual Dinner.
This requires Real Audio and is 1 hr long.
video.c-span.org:8080/ram...cthomas.rm
"No man can establish himself by wickedness,but good men have roots that cannot be dislodged" Proverbs 11:3
Rhino
Forum Host
posts: 458
(2/14/01 5:57:13 pm)
Reply
Re: Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was referring to the high school speech, but this is good too. Thanks. No transcript?
-----------------------------------------------------------
"We have every right to dream heroic dreams." - Ronald Reagan
http://www.siscom.net/~simdad
PaulRevere98999
Gold Star Member
posts: 103
(2/14/01 7:14:08 pm)
Reply Re: Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tony Snow subbed for Rush today and talked about his speech. I wish more Republicans had the fortitude to stand up to the malicious slander dished out by the intolerant, closed-minded, hypocritical vicious leftist bigots (I think that about covers my description of them).
guncontrol
Gold Star Member
posts: 106
(2/14/01 7:37:29 pm)
Re: Clarence Thomas on Standing Your Ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Isn't Clarence that nice old man who takes advantage of the women who works for him? Wasn't there something about a coke bottle?
Father Yukon