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Maryhelen Hagge's avatar

Absolutely. It is time to clean up the court. I am for impeaching justices who lied to get the job.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Agreed. Not sure what it would take to impeach. A miracle or something so horrible.

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Maryhelen Hagge's avatar

Democrats would need full control of the government. The only way to cure an abscess is to drain it.

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Rebel408's avatar

Section 1 of Article 3 of the Constitution says:

The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Link to article. https://www.fastcompany.com/90243523/can-a-supreme-court-justice-be-removed-yes-and-heres-how.. And, just to be clear, impeachment of a Justice is doable not not easy to accomplish.

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Rebel408's avatar

The framers of the U.S. Constitution included a process to do just that. That said, it has never really been done successfully. Yet.

Section 1 of Article 3 of the Constitution says:

The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Full article: https://www.fastcompany.com/90243523/can-a-supreme-court-justice-be-removed-yes-and-heres-how

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T Swanson's avatar

same, but almost half of congress is insurrectionist or complicit...

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Yeah it's terrible but true

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Yvonne's avatar

Every member of the Corrupt Six must resign!

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Now trending on X/Twitter "Alito's Flag Flap Fuels Calls for Resignation"

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

YESSS Yvonne!

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Janine's avatar

They must be REMOVED IMMEDIATELY for TREASON

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

And then what?

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James Rankin's avatar

Alito may be the very worst. Disingenuous, fascist, subversive, antidemocratic, anti-constitutional

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May 17, 2024
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Scott Dworkin's avatar

They could both be worst right Laurel? lol

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James Rankin's avatar

The competition is very close between these two. I think Thomas is more about doing whatever benefits himself regardless of other considerations (much like Trump). Alito, like Bannon & Flynn, wants to subvert our Constitution, destroy what's left of our democracy, & turn us into a fascist authoritarian state. Thomas is happy to assist Alito accomplish his goals, but Alito is the driving force. At least that's my impression.

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Nora's avatar

Barrett needs to go also. She lied during her Confirmation Hearings and was illegitimately given the seat days before the election.

While I’m at it, put the former squatter at 1600 in prison already. He is orchestrating the Public Comments given by his Cult Members, a Direct Violation of his Gag Order.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

YES YES YES! All of this Nora

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Janine's avatar

Scott THANK YOU for BLASTING THIS EVERYWHERE

Do you think they could put huge billboards all over the country BLASTING the truth?

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

LOL did you see it is trending on X? Thanks Janine. I'll look into billboards but not sure who would want to do it.

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Janine's avatar

It was just a brainwave on my part !! Lol

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Janine Pierson's avatar

I like the idea. Who can put this together? Meidas Touch? I'll donate.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

They could do it or Mad Dog, Really American, DemCast could do a digital side of it

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Carol's avatar

I wish there were a way to get rid of the crooked justices. But since Congress at this point is equally corrupt, I have little hope of holding them accountable. Integrity is becoming a focus of nostalgia for me.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

It really is discouraging but we shall press on Carol!

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

Thanks for the dose of reality! These people who are all Impeach! Resign! haven't thought things through, starting with the process of replacing them. The Senate, which does the advise and consent thing, isn't as screwed up as the House, but a resignation of even two of them, never mind three, four, or five, would edge us close to constitutional crisis territory, and if the chief justice resigned too we'd be over the line.

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Carri Nicholson's avatar

I'm intrigued - from a British perspective, why would it cause a constitutional crisis if a whole bunch of your corrupt bought-and-paid-for Supreme Court judges resigned?

The UK now also has a Supreme Court, and one of my cousins was one of the first members. One of the key principles of the judiciary over here is that you cannot, at all, have any political views: in close on 40 years, I've yet to hear my cousin display any political views. Even within private family gatherings. Because you don't, and you're not allowed to.

Tolerating behaviour like that of Thomas, Alito, et al is what would actually lead to a constitutional crisis, rather than their sacking or resignation due to being caught having snouts in the trough, imposing their religious views on the nation, or supporting an attempted coup...

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Amy 0415's avatar

You are absolutely correct. What is happening now would never have been tolerated 30 years ago here. At that time, we operated exactly as you describe in Britain. I was in Law School then and today's scenario would never have even been suggested as a hypothetical in an ethics class. It would have been laughed at and dismissed as ridiculous, as it clearly could and would never happen. However, I can tell you that in 2004, a lawsuit was pending before the Supreme Court against Vice-President Dick Cheney in which then Justice Anton Scalia participated. Unfortunately, Justice Scalia had previously gone duck-hunting with Cheney, and refused to recuse himself on that basis causing substantial outcry. The rule is only an appearance of impropriety is necessary for recusal to be warranted. In today's situation, we have actual conflict of interest that is all but proven. The Supreme Court is no longer functioning as a check and balance against the other branches of our government because Thomas, Alito et al are being tolerated. Neither the other Justices nor the Congress nor the Justice Department has even attempted to correct the situation either by impeachment or Constitutional amendment. We are in crisis.

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James Rankin's avatar

Exactly! I agree with you wholeheartedly. It used to be we'd never hear such opinions from any of the justices. Now we do all the time, especially from Alito &, by his corrupt actions, Thomas.

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Janine Pierson's avatar

I was in Law School 40 years ago and always felt that the Supreme Court would make sure that things didn't go crazy. I always understood that beliefs would change over time, but held the comforting belief that a wacky change, i.e., Dodds, would swing the other way after another election. That will be no longer possible if Trump wins again, as he won't allow real elections--we will be like the Russians--we can vote but we will never win.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

The problem (as I see it, and I am *not* a constitutional scholar or historian) is that the U.S. Constitution doesn't lay out a path to deal with a situation where a majority of the Supreme Court resigns. We're got a procedure for appointing justices (they're nominated by the president, vetted by the Senate Judiciary Committee, and voted on by the Senate), but it takes time and assumes that the Court, possibly with 8 instead of 9 members, will continue to function. Which in the past is what has happened.

The U.S. system assumes that everyone will play by the rules, and that the system can deal with those who don't. What's happening now is that a whole political party isn't playing by the rules, and "the system" (of which that political party is part) is, uh, sorely challenged.

So what *would* happen in the UK if not one or two but several members of your Supreme Court decided to become overtly political, i.e., supporting a particular party? (My understanding is that the UK doesn't have a written-down constitution the way the U.S. does. Is that true?)

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James Rankin's avatar

Biden is currently the President, so it is his duty to nominate justices to fill any vacancies, no matter how many there are. I should think he would like that opportunity.

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James Rankin's avatar

Now I think I get what you're concerned about. There will be a period of time between the time the former justices are removed & the new ones are confirmed. We've done okay with just 8 justices, & 7 should be okay, but when it gets much lower than that, their decisions are likely to be questioned, maybe even considered illegitimate.

Maybe remove no more than 2 at a time, & once those 2 positions are filled, continue with the next 2, & repeat if necessary.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

In your first para, you get the problem. In your second you create another: how does "remove no more than 2 at a time" work? As I understand it, the removal options are resignation and impeachment followed by conviction. IOW, no one can just pick up justices and lift them out of the playpen. Impeachment takes time, and how likely is it that the House could/would conduct two impeachments at once? No justice is going to resign without massive outside pressure to do so, and expecting them to time their resignations in the interest of the country and the Court is a pipedream.

Probably the best strategy at this point is to focus on Alito and Thomas, whose conduct has been the most blatantly contrary to ethics standards.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Just curious Susanna, do you think the crisis exists with these scandals though? What do you recommend we do? Thanks for commenting!

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

There's a crisis for sure but it didn't start yesterday or the day before that either. Congress didn't get this bad overnight either. Separation of powers does get in the way, but I'd still like to see senators, esp. on the Judiciary Committee, calling on CJ Roberts to act. I also think that members of the legal profession have a role to play here. The legal arm of the right has gone on its merry way for years manipulating bench and other appointments. It's long past time for the moderate and liberal legal types to call them on it and point out how damaging it is to the country. Stop leaving it up to the Jamie Raskins and Marc Eliases and Dahlia Lithwicks and Joyce Vances.

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James Rankin's avatar

I think it's time we stop worrying about reactions by the far right. They'll do what they'll do. We can't let them stop us from doing what's right & doing what's necessary to preserve & strengthen our democracy & justice system. We have to bring to justice those who break the law no matter what position they hold or how wealthy they are or how many followers they have.

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Carolyn's avatar

The insult to Americans of having this unelected minority controlling our lives; ENTIRELY UNDEMOCRATIC!!! I’m from Caldwell NJ where Alito is from. He and CT are an abomination and should be removed from SCOTUS. How this can be allowed to continue in our democracy clearly illustrates the danger we are facing today.

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Carolyn's avatar

As a journalist isn’t there some way you could get wider reporting for these issues? Additionally like the dt bribery speech to the oil executives?

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Yeah I am gonna have to start doing tv again soon.

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Carolyn's avatar

Hurry! MSNBC has good people and righteous reporting but somehow only those of us who already respect democracy and truth, are getting the facts.

Everything is distorted lately and the minority is continually ruling the majority.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

I agree! I will probably start doing rounds in June again. What's funny is me telling the truth and being positive brings in ratings too. They don't need liars on air.

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Michelle Ponkutcat 060's avatar

I, for one, would watch with bated breath--a fresh beacon to brighten what seems to be a dismally dark path! A path I refuse to go down. Throughout it all, I remain hopeful that our democracy and calmer heads will prevail! Scott, and others like you, continue to be that beacon of hope.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

We have to put the message out there calling on resignation for others to feel they can do the same—especially electeds

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James Rankin's avatar

The terrifying truth is far more riveting than what most of the networks are letting out. They used to go for the more sensational news. Well, I really don't know how you can get more sensational than the truths of a president inciting an insurrection to stay in power, confiscating top secret government documents to send to foreign adversaries, for a political party with the help of the Supreme Court & right-wing media to become beholden to a foreign power subverting our Constitution & democratic system in attempts to have a fascist system modeled after the Nazis of the 1930s & 40s, & for many on the right calling for all out civil war.

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Don Soucy's avatar

What if we told the hard truth, that this 'time' in history,

is called The End.

That as a species, we've been tried and found wanting.

That the imbalances of destruction had crossed thresholds, that we couldn't step back from.

We are entering a time of contraction, but the thrust of mankind is press on harder. We refuse to learn anything that flies in the face of contemporary capitalism.

It appears the weight of arrogance and greed outweigh the side of goodness and justice.

The social order of earth had a core dynamic that was the net result of 2000 years of the influence of Jesus Christ.

People could expect a minimal gracious congeniality, regardless of skin tone. The current "Melanin Deficiency Neurosis" is a clear sign the sun is going down on the "Love your brother, as you love yourself after you love God",

How? All the same, "Love with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. No one is excluded. No one is better".

This is the minimum we should demand, of ourselves, of our neighbors, our leaders, everyone. Anything less we can't get out of this mess.

That is ending.

So comes the period of Anti-Christ where all of the amity and harmony fades slowly but in an ever quickening flow.

The world we know and love is slipping from our hands because we won't fight the forces and powers we know nothing of.

That is why I call this time of THE END.

Yes life will go on but the problem is it is always an "almost but not quite". And the 'not quite' is gaining

We have been on a accelerating curve of 'novelty', 'things that never happened before'. This phenomenon is a rapidly curving inward, giant spiral that somehow is causal for human evolution.

I call this phenomenon "Hyper-Novelty". I have studied it since 2012.

It has implications, beyond anything we can imagine.

Basically, all human and planetary actions will assume more chaos than order. These are forces affecting us- we can't change nor affect them in anyway.

By facing and accepting where we are, we can make better choices within the limits of our personal influence and power.

The time of "The End", is a time for rebirth and renewal but it won't follow the ways of the past.

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Carolyn's avatar

Scott, love your writing but how can I stop getting emails for every comment? Too many emails!!!

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James Rankin's avatar

Please do!

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Peg Blair's avatar

Absolutely!

I agree on term limits for all - when the current "rules" we're made, life expectancy was 45 yrs.

I truly believe some SCOTUS are involved in the ongoing Coup 😕

#expandthecourt

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James Rankin's avatar

4 of them seem to be: Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch & Kavanaugh

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Well said Peggy Sue!

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Peg Blair's avatar

Thank you! I'm really hoping that enough Americans feel the same to VoteBlue and save democracy ✌️💙

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Nancy Bainter's avatar

Of course, we all might open convo channels to our reps from Congress & start inquiring there about the issue? It’s all been a seemingly “first time ever” but it’s not the last. . . and, so what? It’s time to move and maybe a shaking of the tree will bring all of us together?

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Michelle Ponkutcat 060's avatar

I agree! We hold it in our collective power to make our stand, and voices heard, at the polls. We need to make sure everyone gets to exercise that right and able to get their vote counted. Inaction is our worst enemy because it enables those who would continue down the slippery slope they have created to erode our democracy!

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Sabra Perkins's avatar

President Biden isn't a fan of expanding the court. All three of Trumps appointments to the court lied under oath.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

They absolutely did lie multiple times Sabra!

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Julie's avatar

It's well documented that some lied at their hearings. It's well documented how corrupt some are. It's well documented they vote according to what their donors want and not the American people. It's well documented they chose money and gifts over any moral fiber in their being. When Joe takes the election by storm in November, I'm sure it's already in the works to expand the court. Unlike some who want nothing to do with Biden, he is always one step ahead of everyone else and would never let the American people down. Joe's got this.

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Susan Beals's avatar

They should resign. They would resign if they had any ethics/morals. But they don’t. So they won’t. Mmm

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

That’s correct Susan. I just needed to say it, cuz it needed to be said.

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Elizabeth Sugar's avatar

Alito, Thomas are the worst. They have been on the take for decades. How is it that they have not been terminated or impeached. They and the other SCOTUS grifters must resign. Total clean up needed, and extra judges nominated. This should be non partisan. Term limits needed and punishment for breaking the law. Time for accountability.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

I totally agree Elizabeth

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Carol V Childs's avatar

To realize that most Republican lawmakers are corrupt does not surprise me.

What shocks me are the Republicans that I know, who accept this behavior in their representatives. Are they blind, gullible, stupid, or just don’t care?

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Maryhelen Hagge's avatar

My dentist is a rabid Republican. He has accused me of wearing hippy shoes. I told him him they were John Fluevogs. Hallelujah he doesn’t like Trump. I don’t think he is unique.

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Ashleyboop(She/her)'s avatar

This amount of corruption sickens me and I hope it’s righted soon by forcing them to resign or just firing them or something. There needs to be accountability for their corruption.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Agreed!

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Robert Mize's avatar

Sad sick & disgusting I'll admit to being beyond pissed off at their apparent willingness to disregard their OATHS of office & to humanity.

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Janice Kane's avatar

Democrats should expand the Court and have better representation. We all know about Thomas and his wife and their relationship with elites, like Crow and Trump.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Absolutely Janice!

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Joe Colacino's avatar

When I think of Alito and Thomas, nothing but expletives come to mind so I’ll stop right here.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Understood Joseph I held back as well

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Joe Colacino's avatar

Sad state of affairs. The current SCOTUS makes Taney, Chase, and poor Fortas look quaint.

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Just When We Thought…'s avatar

It's all six "conservative" justices, yes Alito and Thomas are the worst of them but this 6-member "conservtive" cabal is shredding our democracy before our eyes while collecting their taxpayer funded $312,200 a year salaries. Fuck Mitch McConnell and criminal Trump for polluting the entirety of the federal judicial system with these dangerous Federalist Society fucktards. Shame on Chief Justice Roberts is equally accountable as Chief Justice for continuing to turn a blind eye to the blatant corruption happening in front of him and our nation. #ExpandtheCourt #TermLimits

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