Abe Fortas Was First Supreme Court Justice Forced to Resign in 1969. Should Clarence Thomas Be Next?

[Uncle Joe]

As pressure grows on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to resign over his decades-long relationship with a billionaire benefactor, we speak with legal journalist Adam Cohen, who says there is a precedent that should guide lawmakers in how to address the growing scandal. In 1969, Justice Abe Fortas was forced to resign after his financial relationship came to light with businessman Louis Wolfson, who paid Fortas to consult for his foundation. Fortas was a Democratic appointee, but the scandal led to a bipartisan call for his resignation — even though his replacement would be named by Republican President Richard Nixon and shift the balance of the court. Cohen writes in a guest essay for The New York Times that the strong, bipartisan outrage against Fortas "is both a blueprint for how lawmakers could respond today and a benchmark of how far we have fallen."

[pamdb]

1. Yes

Or be forced out. I know it's not going to happen. And why in the hell doesn't the Supreme Court have a Code of Ethics? They're
no better than anyone else. Even though I'm sure they think they are.

[world wide wally]

2. Go after Ginny!

[Walleye]

3. Only Democrats are capable of that kind of shame anymore

Republicans do things they should be ashamed of and then brag about it

[cloudbase]

4. Chief Justice Warren

had a little talk with Fortas. I doubt Roberts will do the same with Slappy.

[True Blue American]

10. If it keeps getting worse

Roberts may be forced to. Of course there is a big question about his wife and making money off the court, too!

[NoRethugFriends]

5. Should but won't

[republianmushroom]

6. Abe had some class, well a very small amount, Thomas none, don't expect Thomas

to resign.

[dutch777]

7. Concur. Head Justice Roberts should also be very embarrassed but probably isn't

[republianmushroom]

8. agree

[Wibly]

9. one bad apple spoils the bunch

The longer Thomas remains on the court, the greater the challenge to the Court's integrity will become.
The longer the bad apple remains in the basket, the more likely it is to cause the other apples in the basket to rot.
Someone need to explain this simple reality to the Chief Justice.

[progressoid]

11. +1

[xocetaceans]

12. Thomas should have his first name adjusted to better reflect his reality. Instead of Clarence, it...

...should be "Clearance" as in "For Sale to the Highest Bidder! Here, there's no such thing as an ethical impingement, if the price is right!"

It's "Clearance" Thomas, no doubt.