# Clarence Thomas secretly accepted luxury vacations from GOP donor without disclosing **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 6, 2023, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252 "2023-04-06T14:10:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/261 "2023-05-06T17:35:38Z")
I’m nobody’s idea of a Mike Pence apologist, but … what if … _what if_ the famous Debate **[Fly](https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/12/mike-pence-fly-on-his-head-429000)** was Nanotechnology, and screwed up his brain _far_ beyond what _his take on_ ‘faith’ ever did? We can’t rule it out. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/262 "2023-05-06T17:43:18Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > I’m nobody’s idea of a Mike Pence apologist, but … what if … _what if_ the famous Debate **[Fly](https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/12/mike-pence-fly-on-his-head-429000)** was Nanotechnology, and screwed up his brain _far_ beyond what _his take on_ ‘faith’ ever did? No, [Mike Pence has always been an amoral, cowardly, vacillating, willing-to-bend-ethics-for-power piece of shit.](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2016/10/cowardly-extremist-mike-pence-is-the-perfect-face-of-the-gop.html) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/263 "2023-05-06T18:27:31Z")
It’s easy for Pence to say that he stands with Thomas. But would he actually stand right there next to him? Without a buffer? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/264 "2023-05-06T18:38:48Z")
\<\< removed by poster \>\> ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/265 "2023-05-06T19:17:15Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > > [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](#): > > > > I am so sorry you have given up. > > Oh, good, now we get the passive-aggressive baiting. > > Stranger Yeah, I wasn’t born yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/266 "2023-05-06T22:17:14Z")
But but but he sounded so _concerned_. ---
**Author:** ![damuriajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@damuriajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/damuriajashi)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/267 "2023-05-08T05:03:49Z")
Be careful undermining the legitimacy of the supreme court because you don’t like who is on it now. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/268 "2023-05-08T05:06:29Z")
Like the right has been doing since, at least, Warren? ---
**Author:** ![damuriajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@damuriajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/damuriajashi)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/269 "2023-05-08T05:13:20Z")
And when did the right do what the left is doing now? They knew they need the court to do accomplish what they wanted and the left will need the court to accomplish what they want as well. I think you have to think past this next election cycle. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/270 "2023-05-08T05:21:43Z")
> [@damuriajashi](#): > > And when did the right do what the left is doing now? What is ‘’‘the left’‘’ doing? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/271 "2023-05-08T06:19:30Z")
This thread is not about liking or disliking a given ruling. It is about supreme court justices being corrupt. I have seen something that Elena Kagan has taken money too. I have no problem wanting to hold her accountable as well if she did. Regardless of which justice has done what I think it is clear the supreme court justices need a LOT more oversight and potential legal penalties. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/272 "2023-05-08T09:34:06Z")
The legitimacy of the court is already shot to hell. The only question now is what to do about it. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/273 "2023-05-08T10:29:45Z")
They’re doing a fine job of undermining their own legitimacy. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/274 "2023-05-08T10:54:05Z")
> [@damuriajashi](#): > > Be careful undermining the legitimacy of the supreme court because you don’t like who is on it now. How absurd. Are you suggesting that I’d be okay if Elena Kagan had a billionaire bestie who was giving her nephew scholarships and paying for her mom’s house, that I’d be fine if her spouse were getting shit-tons of money from liberal think-tanks with notes not to mention his name? Nonsense. Corruption is corruption. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/275 "2023-05-08T11:15:01Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > How absurd. Are you suggesting that I’d be okay if Elena Kagan had a billionaire bestie who was giving her nephew scholarships and paying for her mom’s house, that I’d be fine if her spouse were getting shit-tons of money from liberal think-tanks with notes not to mention his name? Conservatives fundamentally don’t understand that liberals don’t automatically defend their side the way conservatives do. Look at Franken and Cuomo, two Democrats who misbehaved and who were pushed out by their own party. Because the GOP is pretty much an openly fascist movement, it’s members value group think and loyalty to their side above all else and they think everyone is like that. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/278 "2023-05-08T14:10:33Z")
This thread is veering off course at this point. It should be about Thomas and not about what the right or left are doing where it doesn’t concern Thomas. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/279 "2023-05-08T15:02:23Z")
EDIT: Sorry, changed after I saw the Modnote. ---
**Author:** ![damuriajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@damuriajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/damuriajashi)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/280 "2023-05-08T16:53:20Z")
Never mind. I think this might be the sort of thing What Exit is asking us to stop talking about. ---
**Author:** ![damuriajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@damuriajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/damuriajashi)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/281 "2023-05-08T17:08:33Z")
And what official action or opinion do you think Thomas took that was influenced by these gifts? I understand that corruption means more than taking official action but there is usually at least the possibility of some official action that inures to someone’s benefit, isn’t there? I can see the conflict of interest in any case where his wife’s name comes up in a relevant way, like the January 6th stuff but Harlan Crow seems to be a friend that is subsidizing Thomas’s lifestyle. A justice’s lifestyle should not be subsidized by ideological allies but that is aspirational. The ethical violation here is not any actual corrupt act it was the failure to report gifts. Justices get free travel and accommodations from organizations like the ACLU and the Federalist society all the time. These organizations have business before the court on a regular basis. They are frequent amici on important cases and noone thinks anything of it. And they shouldn’t. I agree that ethics reform should occur. But not under political and media pressure like this. I suspect that at some point in the future Roberts will adopt the ethics rules that apply to the rest of the federal judiciary with some necessary modifications. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/282 "2023-05-08T17:14:10Z")
> [@damuriajashi](#): > > And what official action or opinion do you think Thomas took that was influenced by these gifts? Potentially, **any** kind of judicial activism that favors the right. Including the decision to strike down Roe v Wade. I don’t think it’s ever going to be possible to say definitively what specific decisions were influenced, but nobody has to do that. That’s why conflict of interest laws don’t address it. I’m a government employee myself, I have had extensive training in trying to avoid a COI situation, and one thing that we are taught is that you don’t accept gifts because it can even influence you subconsciously. And even if it doesn’t influence you, it’s critical to avoid the **appearance** of impropriety. Why? Because it damages the confidence that people have in government. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252.md?page=15)