Clarence Thomas: ‘The Government Cannot Bestow Dignity’
It bothers Justice Clarence Thomas that, as a result of today’s Supreme Court decision, many gay Americans have more dignity.
Thomas – who wrote his own opinion, along with the court’s three other dissenters – argued that the Constitution contained no “dignity” clause.
“Even if it did, the government would be incapable of bestowing dignity,” Thomas argued. “Human dignity has long been understood in this country to be innate…
“Slaves did not lose their dignity (any more than they lost their humanity) because the government allowed them to be enslaved,” Thomas said. “Those held in internment camps did not lose their dignity because the government confined them. And those denied governmental benefits certainly do not lose their dignity because the government denies them those benefits. The government cannot bestow dignity, and it cannot take it away.”
Copyright 2015 Liberaland
44 responses to Clarence Thomas: ‘The Government Cannot Bestow Dignity’
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crc3 June 26th, 2015 at 18:42
To: Justice Thomas
It’s not gay people who have no dignity…IT’S YOU…
OldLefty June 26th, 2015 at 18:46
The government can deprive one of it, though.
Winslow Bunny June 26th, 2015 at 18:55
Gee, Lumpy (did your family call you that when you were younger?), is it a habit of you and your three pals to whine when you don’t get your way? That doesn’t show a lot of dignity, either.
Bishadi June 26th, 2015 at 18:55
To: C.Thomas
Nothing dignified with the consummation of a homosexual marriage.
Obewon June 26th, 2015 at 19:43
Whoever raised you did a pisspoor job, failed to educate you, neglected to bestow compassion, logic or fact based reality.
Conservative Majority SCOTUS required equal marriage in ‘upholding the 10th & 14th amendments equally’ in bestowing 2000 federal benefits only available via equal marriage.
Bishadi June 26th, 2015 at 20:25
I said:
To: C.Thomas Nothing dignified with the consummation of a homosexual marriage
.
I did not mention anything about the rights
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fahvel June 27th, 2015 at 01:37
which is as meaningless as your dopey bibble words (bibble is real) bible is crap.
The Original Just Me June 26th, 2015 at 22:59
So, if you are 55 or older and a Republican, you are in some kind of majority.
fahvel June 27th, 2015 at 01:36
no, an ahole.
jasperjava June 26th, 2015 at 20:05
Your very existence is an assault on human dignity.
Bishadi June 26th, 2015 at 20:12
rev 22:4
fahvel June 27th, 2015 at 01:35
and your brilliant choice of biblical crap means what – it is an isolated and meaningless garble without a shred of anything of value.
Bishadi June 27th, 2015 at 10:12
Don’t be upset at me for what ‘they’ did.
For example: why not just publish in the bible that all of mankind live on 6-6-6. Carbon 12, is chemically defined as having 6 protons, 6 electrons and 6 neutrons……. and just to know that, it’s upon the head.
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ps…. if you want to walk on water………………………..
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…
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Just freeze it first!
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Gindy51 June 27th, 2015 at 06:44
The bible is a bunch of made up stories to placate ancient people who didn’t have enough learning and science to know better and to keep them in line. Try again. troll.
Bishadi June 27th, 2015 at 10:08
OK ….
The mathematical theorem defining the transition of fission/fusion, that is universal to nature itself.
Larry Schmitt June 26th, 2015 at 20:53
Since when is sex supposed to be dignified?
The Original Just Me June 26th, 2015 at 22:57
Sex is too enjoyable to be dignified. Dignified things are very Stuffed Shirt Stuff.
rg9rts June 27th, 2015 at 01:24
I guess when you are on top?
Warman1138 June 26th, 2015 at 18:58
So says the justice that collects fat cash speaking at a conservative weekend get together.
Red Mann June 26th, 2015 at 19:33
“Slaves did not lose their dignity (any more than they lost their humanity) because the government allowed them to be enslaved,” Can somebody smarter than me explain how this makes any sense? Slavery did not make slaves lose their dignity and humanity when they were treated as animals that were property of someone? In what world is that possible?
jasperjava June 26th, 2015 at 20:11
Conservatives are despicable. For a Black man to say that slavery doesn’t rob you of your dignity is an absolute disgrace.
Larry Schmitt June 26th, 2015 at 20:57
It took an enormous effort to keep a shred of dignity in those circumstances.
Gindy51 June 27th, 2015 at 06:43
He doesn’t see himself as black so it doesn’t apply to him.
Gindy51 June 27th, 2015 at 06:42
I say time travel this dope back a few hundred years and then see what he has to say about dignity of slaves, when he has none.
labman57 June 26th, 2015 at 19:39
Ironic comment coming from a black Supreme Court justice.
Perhaps Thomas is clueless about the 13th and 14th Amendments, as well as numerous relevant SCOTUS decisions of the 1950’s and 60’s.
jybarz June 26th, 2015 at 20:08
Thomas, your ‘dignity’ statement is so undignified for someone in a highly dignified position.
Larry Schmitt June 26th, 2015 at 20:58
The position is more dignified than the person occupying it.
fahvel June 27th, 2015 at 01:32
he does not dignify the position. If anything, he reduces to value of your court.
Larry Schmitt June 26th, 2015 at 20:52
Look, the Sphinx speaks. (Try saying that three times fast.)
starskeptic June 26th, 2015 at 23:27
Couldn’t do it…
rg9rts June 27th, 2015 at 01:23
Shait Shait Shait
rg9rts June 27th, 2015 at 01:22
Look at me ….I have no dignity…I’m just a RWN shill
fahvel June 27th, 2015 at 01:31
how did a small minded rather ineffectual person like this ever become a judge on your highest court? He has yet to write or say anything of any real value since he was dumped on the court.
Kick Frenzy June 27th, 2015 at 04:57
Blame George H.W. Bush.
He’s the one who appointed him.
Gindy51 June 27th, 2015 at 06:41
And the congress who said sure.
bpollen June 27th, 2015 at 03:10
Now we know why he doesn’t get to talk much…
SoSezYou June 27th, 2015 at 05:26
That is nonsensical. It is inherent in the make up of the Republic to promote dignity.
Clarence should read the Preamble again…it does sort of set up the rest of the Constitution:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Is not human dignity a secure base on which justice, tranquility, defence and human welfare sits? Unequal means unbalanced. Why do rightwingers not understand fundamentals?
Gindy51 June 27th, 2015 at 06:41
He can read?
Mr.29 June 27th, 2015 at 07:29
He is right people. The constitution says nothing about dignity and it doesn’t have to. Dignity is being the feeling of being worthy and possessing self-respect. One gains dignity….it is not given to you. And for God’s sake…quit blaming republicans and Bush for 8 years of policy failures and get your collective asses out there and start doing something about the direction this country has been heading instead of playing Obama’s game of blame.
Darksnark June 27th, 2015 at 08:14
Quit blaming Bush for 8 years of policy failures?
Tell that to the 5000 Americans who died in Iraq – or the 3000 Americans who died on 9/11….
OldLefty June 27th, 2015 at 08:40
. And for God’s sake…quit blaming republicans and Bush for 8 years of policy failures..
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That’s the only way to repair the damage.
That is like saying, “Don’t blame your lung problems on smoking.
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“get your collective asses out there and start doing something about the direction this countr…”
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That’s what we did in 2008 and 2012. Many slacked off in 2010 and 2014.
“instead of playing Obama’s game of blame.”
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Isn’t that EXACTLY what YOU are doing??
William June 27th, 2015 at 08:43
Just because you want to stop blaming Bush for 2 unfunded wars involving the invasion of a nation that had nothing to do with 911, the death of over 100,000 Iraq civilians, 5000 of our best and brightest and the near collapse of our economy doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
Bush, Cheney and the rest of the “mission accomplished” gaggle of traitors are JUST as guilty today as they were during their reign of stupidity.
Mike June 28th, 2015 at 13:37
I’m guessing 29 is your IQ…
The rest of your post is red babble.
whatthe46 June 28th, 2015 at 13:50
no shit!