The only scandal-impelled resignation of a Supreme Court Justice in the Court's history provides a revealing yardstick against which to measure current events
"The contrast with today is . . . striking." Striking indeed. Thomas must resign for the good of the court and the nation. But he won't - he's already shown his contempt for the rules, so he will feel no obligation to, and few (if any) within the GOP will pressure him will do so. He's a powerful reminder that the Republican party is broken and has been broken for a long time.
Thank you for your column. I am old enough to remember the event. I kept trying to figure out what Fortas did wrong, and I am still waiting. He resigned from the court to prevent a purge. He to use a phrase "fell on his sword" for the good of the court. He had a case of his client come to the court. He properly recused himself. If he had ruled on it, that would be improper. A lesson to be learned from those who talk about the politics of the court.
I find the use of the word “freeze” to describe a judicial action confusing. Justice Alito called it a “stay”; why don’t you (and many journalists) also call it a “stay”? Calling it a “freeze” implies that it is something different from a “stay”, perhaps that the lower court decision remains in effect until the higher court modifies it. The word “stay” is widely understood; using “freeze” constitutes what Henry Fowler called “elegant variation”, and simply causes confusion.
"The contrast with today is . . . striking." Striking indeed. Thomas must resign for the good of the court and the nation. But he won't - he's already shown his contempt for the rules, so he will feel no obligation to, and few (if any) within the GOP will pressure him will do so. He's a powerful reminder that the Republican party is broken and has been broken for a long time.
Thank you for your column. I am old enough to remember the event. I kept trying to figure out what Fortas did wrong, and I am still waiting. He resigned from the court to prevent a purge. He to use a phrase "fell on his sword" for the good of the court. He had a case of his client come to the court. He properly recused himself. If he had ruled on it, that would be improper. A lesson to be learned from those who talk about the politics of the court.
I find the use of the word “freeze” to describe a judicial action confusing. Justice Alito called it a “stay”; why don’t you (and many journalists) also call it a “stay”? Calling it a “freeze” implies that it is something different from a “stay”, perhaps that the lower court decision remains in effect until the higher court modifies it. The word “stay” is widely understood; using “freeze” constitutes what Henry Fowler called “elegant variation”, and simply causes confusion.