Analysis: Clarence Thomas Seems Tired of Washington's Ugliness. The Open Highway Attracts the Jurist.
Thomas mimicked Trump's whining about negative criticism, likening it to wartime bombardment: "They don't destroy you physically, but they destroy your reputation, your good name, or your honor. It's not a crime, but they can do as much damage that way." He went on to describe Washington as a "nightmare."
Recently, Thomas has been convicted of ethical blunders. People like me have criticized Thomas for actions such as accepting expensive gifts from Republican donor Harlan Crow and refusing to step aside from cases related to the Capitol's January 6 attack even though his wife, Ginni, sought to help Trump overturn the 2020 election results.
Even with all the negativity surrounding Thomas, there's a bright spot. John Oliver, the host of the Emmy Award-winning HBO show "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," has stepped in to help Thomas.
During his show in February, after exposing the ethical issues with Thomas, Oliver made a proposition. He told the justice, "We have a special offer for you tonight." The terms were clear: "I'm willing to give you $1 million a year for the rest of your life if you leave the Supreme Court immediately and never return."
Oliver made this promise sincerely, stating, "This is not a joke. On our show, we don't do jokes." That's right - a million dollars a year - for life. Until you or Oliver pass away.
But wait, it gets better. Oliver also offered Thomas a $2.4 million motor home as part of the package. This wasn't any regular motor home but a luxurious, top-notch RV with a king-sized bed, a fireplace, and four televisions.
You might wonder why Oliver would give Thomas such a fancy motor home. While on his show, Oliver explained that Thomas owned a luxurious RV himself in 1999 - a used Prevost Le Mirage XL Marathon, 40 feet long with orange flames decorating the sides. The catch? The justice didn't pay for it himself. It was financed by his friend Anthony Welters, a wealthy businessman from the healthcare industry. The Finance Committee investigated the financing and found inconsistencies, such as no payment being made and the loan not being declared on judicial ethics or tax filings.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island discussed this during a Senate floor speech, saying, "It appears from the Finance Committee's investigation that the principal on the loan was never repaid - not a single dollar.... yet the forgiveness of that loan was never disclosed on his judicial ethics filings, which could mean it wasn't declared in his tax filings, opening the door to another potential legal problem."
With all my "crappiness" - as Thomas would put it - for criticizing a Supreme Court justice who rules over business interests and various other aspects of our lives, let's talk about the offer Oliver made. Oliver's generous proposition had a deadline in February, but he reiterated it during his Monday appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers." He told Thomas directly, "If you want to contact me and reopen negotiations, I still have the contract nearby, as I'm willing to restart proceedings."
Oliver is not exaggerating his offer. He was serious, even saying, "I'd reopen talks as long as he leaves before the June decisions. I'm ready to discuss it again."
This couldn't have come at a better time for Thomas, who recently spoke about visiting places where people "don't take pride in doing harmful things simply because they can." What better way to travel to those places than in a $2 million-plus RV with $1 million in your pocket?
On his program in February, Oliver announced his proposal to Thomas: "A million dollars yearly and a swanky condo on wheels, and in exchange, simply sign the contract and bail out of the Supreme Court." Hopefully, this is what's best for Thomas' mental health - and for America - and he accepts the offer.
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Despite the criticisms and ethical blunders, some people believe that Clarence Thomas's opinions on the Supreme Court remain valid. The continual scrutiny and negative opinions about Thomas can be tiresome and damaging to his professional reputation.
Source: edition.cnn.com
