Justice Samuel Alito expects the public to accept his impartiality, even after news broke that a "Stop the Steal" flag was flying over his house. He should recuse himself from cases involving J6.
As I understand it, the alleged sign that gave offence to Mrs. Alito referred to Donald Trump. I can see that she might have taken offense to the term “f*ck”, but don’t know why she took it “personally”, as it made no mention of her or her family. If Justice Alito did not notice the flag that flew at his house allegedly for several days, he needs to become more aware.
And Chief Justice Roberts needs to get control of his court. When there are no consequences to one’s actions, then you end up with someone like Donald Trump.
For the record, and inmyhumbleopinion, there is no way on God's Green Earth that Mrs. Alito flew that flag upside down. It was Justice Alito himself who did it. And he should own up to it. But being a loyal Trumpist, in his denials and throwing his own wife under the bus, he's just following the modus operandi of Dear Leader.
P.S. - If I were the missus, the so-called "Justice," Alito would be counting on a lengthy stay in the doghouse.
As the Manhattan Hush Money trial proceeds, we have seen Trump aggressively questioning the impartiality of Judge Merchan because his daughter has been critical of Trump. And despite the gag order that prohibits him from publicly attacking spouses of those involved in the trial he has given surrogates those very talking points. Sen. Tuberville admitted as much last week. And, we have seen, the surrogates have followed through. Judge Merchan's daughter was once again publicly attacked.
Let's apply the same standard Republicans are using against Judge Merchan to the spouses of Justices Alito and Thomas.
The hypocrisy and the situational application of social norms by Republicans, which has been evident for a long long time now, needs to stop. It completely undermines our trust in our government institutions, it adds to the chasm of us vs them attitudes perceptions on both sides of the political aisle, and it dilutes the faith we have in an impartial justice system.
The damage already being done by MAGA supporters will take a generation to correct.
We have a deer 'problem' where we live. These adorable, sweet and shy animals, whom we love to see are eating everything in sight, including everything we plant in villa's small front area. They began with a nibble or two and then realized that they like it and are of course oblivious to the destruction they cause. We are by turns trying lots of things to repel them with sprays, dryer sheets, etc. Nothing had worked until we decided to fence off the area with deer netting, which seems to be working. We created a boundary…a red line of sorts, that they cannot cross. They are free to roam, just not in our garden. In addition, we have used our deck to create a wonderful container vegetable garden…one that they cannot access. It appears that, although less than ideal we have found a way to show them that our yard is off limits to what for us has become destructive behavior. We can both live in peace and harmony.
So why is it that I feel like a helpless bystander when it comes to norm-busting, destructive behavior by Trump, The Supreme Court and MAGA Republicans in Congress? If I could just wall them off I would…but I can't. We have to find a better way to react other than picking our jaws up off the floor each time they do something frankly unbelievable and performative…and find a more creative way to combat this undemocratic and flagrantly disrespectful behavior! It will require ALL of us, dems, republicans, independents…people everywhere who still care and still have hope. Voting is one thing, of course, that we can do. We can organize and participate in peaceful protests…but it takes a LOT of people…and a BIPARTISAN showing of strength to do so. Whether online or in person, we have to show wrong-doers who feel protected by their institutions when they violate codes of conduct that these institutions ARE protected…by rules of decency and honor. To flagrantly violate these codes of conduct should be really, truly, materially unacceptable. There should be direct and forceful consequences that we can all look to and depend upon. Federal judges with rank and fervor for the common good, as well as former higher ups in government should be speaking up, loudly, consistently, and long. We should not tolerate this indecency and disregard for the institutions we venerate, or soon they will be damaged beyond repair. I realize that I have no definitive answer, but if we don't recognize that we have an urgent problem that requires us to look for all creative and bipartisan solutions right now, our norms and boundaries will be completely destroyed. Democracy in action cannot wait for the next election. We must speak up, speak out…not just howling into the wind or barking at every trespassing deer. Let's unroll the metaphorical deer netting so that we can all live in peace.
A bunch of 75 — 80 year-olds were together yesterday saying basically the same thing. Even with “limited” years in the future we are still vitally concerned - and damned scared of all that’s going on in our country. We do not know how to effectively communicate to everyone, regardless of political stripes, the dangers involved in a possible and maybe probably Trump resumption as President. As much as we’ve seen in our lives, all-told 600+ years of living on this earth, what’s happening now reverberates among all right-thinking people as a return to the fascist-like 1930’s when the “worship” of Hitler among our citizens was largely ignored. For this is what’s ahead unless we defeat Trump and his enablers at the polls in November. We’re not saying we should shove progressive ideas down the throats of Americans, only that we want to have a clear chance of repairing our democracy which is severely threatened by Trump and his cronies. Can we all discuss our ideas on this platform? The clearest indication is what Steven said about the future of the Supreme Court if Trump were put in office again, perhaps for “life”, is as dire a warning as could be made to ensure Trump does not get elected.
80 next week and I join the crowd. I can remember my dad worrying about a friend being blacklisted under Joe McCarthy.
Arthritis keeps me from postcarding, we have no need for electoral workers in an all mail in state, and I live in the bluest corner of a blue state with over 84% turnout in 2020. So not much I can do to "get out the vote" beyond send money. So I am pushing "get out the Word."
I've said on another post: I wish Substack would let us search amongst only the posts we subscribe to. There is so much good analysis here, but not always easy to remember who said what, and when, about something. But linking in letters or comments to MSM to some of those posts if the MSM stories even peripherally touch on the point--say Project 2025--would be a great way to Get Out The Word.
Thank you, Helen! It’s just so darned frustrating. I am an artist…a creative…and yet I cannot seem to come up with a truly creative solution to our ‘Deer Leader’ problem!
Thank you, so well stated... Seems we should go a step further and subpoena Ginni Thomas & maybe Mrs Alito to make it glaringly obvious ... if the "boys" do not know how to recuse themselves then start making "blinking" signs over them that they are compromised... they both are close to being unfit for office
According to Sidney Powell, a convicted attorney who was working on the insurrection, Judge Alito was prepared to issue an injunction to stop the legal transfer of presidential power to Biden on January 6th. If Nancy Pelosi had not acted quickly and decisively to reconvene Congress and complete the legal election process despite the insurrection, Trump may still be in office. Every citizen of this country needs to write to their Congressional representatives and demand that Alito be removed from the court. Elizabeth, www.democrazy2020.org
It is obvious to even the casual observer that Alito and Thomas are highly biased and compromised. Neither should be participating in any case regarding trump or January 6. If Alito doesn’t notice the American flag upside down at his home for several days then he has a problem with situational awareness. Not a good attribute for a judge, particularly one who sits on what is supposed to be the highest court in the land.
Robert’s comments regarding integrity and nonpartisanship is a joke. A very bad one. He is Chief Justice over the most biased Supreme Court ever. When people refer to the Roberts Court, it will be in reference to the worst decisions, the most biased and most criminal justices. His Court is in contrast to the honorable Warren Court.
The rule regarding non-political activities is for “employees”. Who really believes that the Justices consider themselves “employees” and that it applies to them?
It's the equivalent of "the dog ate my homework." As long as Alito was going to lie about it, he could've said something that didn't scapegoat his wife.
They may be lifetime appointees, but they are our employees, and they owe their allegiance to the Constitution, not Trump or any other President or person. Once again Alito has shown his true colors and bias. Enough!
Both Alito and Thomas have shown distain for the ethics that should be necessary for justices to remain in high regard. They are spitting on the Constitution, and We the People, it is time for articles of impeachment against them both to be filed.
Very good article. There seems to be no accountability, no responsibility, blaming others, no ethics...the list could go on and on. I used to look up to the Supreme Court. Now I think some of them are just black robe wearing buffoons bought and paid for by dark money. Democracy and fairness and justice should be what we strive for. It would be so interesting if we could bring our Forefathers back to life to see this mess and get their opinions on how to move forward.
Alito should resign from the Supreme Court because he has proven that he's an "activist" judge who will freely engage in making public political statements instead of remaining impartial. His hubris in making those inane excuses for an upside down flag flying over his house is also an insult to his position on the court.
The Republicans in the Senate, under the leadership of Mitch McConnell, have stacked United States Supreme Court with far right conservatives. He brags that it is his finest accomplishment. The result...the Supreme Court is lost to more moderate and liberal Americans for the next generation. And if Trump manages to win in November, he could very well be able to appoint another conservative justice. The evidence of corruption and partisanship that has come out about Thomas and Alito over the past few years is stunning, surpassed only by their arrogance and refusal to accept any responsibility for their actions. And yet, Roberts has done nothing to manage it. It's time for Congress to pass a fully enforceable code of conduct, as well as term limits. The lifetime appointments with accountability to no one have promoted an entitlement mentality, is a recipe for more of the same.
The American flag flies at the Supreme Court building. There is a 20 cent US postage stamp with the flag in the forefront of that building. Justice Alito passes beneath it daily. Apparently his wife is like Rand Paul-can't get along with the neighbors. Since it flew upside down for several days, the judge violated the rule that our flag can only fly between sunrise and sunset. He, like Thomas, has no interest in following rules, even those of the Court on which they sit.
For 5 weeks, US marines fought a bloody battle to take Iwo Jima.They incurred 25,000 casualties and almost 7,000 deaths. 6 Marines , filled with pride, raised our flag there, and the picture of that is a classic one in American history. Wonder what the ghosts of those brave men who fought and died for that flag are thinking about an upside down flag and what it stands for these days.
To me the tragedy is the liberal $CROTUSes obviously knew FOR DECADES that these two criminals were taking massive bribes and said nothing. With friends like that...
Enough! In a sane world (if I may quote you, Steven?) where morality mattered, Alito and Thomas would be impeached and removed from office. In the world we live in, however, where hypocrisy and shame are not so much as pebbles in their shoes, these two, in concert with their rightwing colleagues on the Court, are allowed to ride roughshod over our laws in service of their own, repressive and immoral ends.
It's not going to be enough to win the forthcoming election unless we do not do so by an overwhelming margin. If it is anything less, these "Justices" will invent ways to uphold the spurious appeals that are going to find their way up to them: Alito and Thomas, in league with their henchmen, will use the cover of "law" to overturn the will of the people and install the fascist as "President." We have to prevail in numbers that are too large to question. But will a largely ignorant and jaded electorate be up to the challenge?
As I understand it, the alleged sign that gave offence to Mrs. Alito referred to Donald Trump. I can see that she might have taken offense to the term “f*ck”, but don’t know why she took it “personally”, as it made no mention of her or her family. If Justice Alito did not notice the flag that flew at his house allegedly for several days, he needs to become more aware.
And Chief Justice Roberts needs to get control of his court. When there are no consequences to one’s actions, then you end up with someone like Donald Trump.
For the record, and inmyhumbleopinion, there is no way on God's Green Earth that Mrs. Alito flew that flag upside down. It was Justice Alito himself who did it. And he should own up to it. But being a loyal Trumpist, in his denials and throwing his own wife under the bus, he's just following the modus operandi of Dear Leader.
P.S. - If I were the missus, the so-called "Justice," Alito would be counting on a lengthy stay in the doghouse.
"Alito's Wife Takes Credit for All His Clothes Being on Front Lawn"
https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/alitos-wife-takes-credit-for-all?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
You will get no argument from me!
As the Manhattan Hush Money trial proceeds, we have seen Trump aggressively questioning the impartiality of Judge Merchan because his daughter has been critical of Trump. And despite the gag order that prohibits him from publicly attacking spouses of those involved in the trial he has given surrogates those very talking points. Sen. Tuberville admitted as much last week. And, we have seen, the surrogates have followed through. Judge Merchan's daughter was once again publicly attacked.
Let's apply the same standard Republicans are using against Judge Merchan to the spouses of Justices Alito and Thomas.
The hypocrisy and the situational application of social norms by Republicans, which has been evident for a long long time now, needs to stop. It completely undermines our trust in our government institutions, it adds to the chasm of us vs them attitudes perceptions on both sides of the political aisle, and it dilutes the faith we have in an impartial justice system.
The damage already being done by MAGA supporters will take a generation to correct.
We have a deer 'problem' where we live. These adorable, sweet and shy animals, whom we love to see are eating everything in sight, including everything we plant in villa's small front area. They began with a nibble or two and then realized that they like it and are of course oblivious to the destruction they cause. We are by turns trying lots of things to repel them with sprays, dryer sheets, etc. Nothing had worked until we decided to fence off the area with deer netting, which seems to be working. We created a boundary…a red line of sorts, that they cannot cross. They are free to roam, just not in our garden. In addition, we have used our deck to create a wonderful container vegetable garden…one that they cannot access. It appears that, although less than ideal we have found a way to show them that our yard is off limits to what for us has become destructive behavior. We can both live in peace and harmony.
So why is it that I feel like a helpless bystander when it comes to norm-busting, destructive behavior by Trump, The Supreme Court and MAGA Republicans in Congress? If I could just wall them off I would…but I can't. We have to find a better way to react other than picking our jaws up off the floor each time they do something frankly unbelievable and performative…and find a more creative way to combat this undemocratic and flagrantly disrespectful behavior! It will require ALL of us, dems, republicans, independents…people everywhere who still care and still have hope. Voting is one thing, of course, that we can do. We can organize and participate in peaceful protests…but it takes a LOT of people…and a BIPARTISAN showing of strength to do so. Whether online or in person, we have to show wrong-doers who feel protected by their institutions when they violate codes of conduct that these institutions ARE protected…by rules of decency and honor. To flagrantly violate these codes of conduct should be really, truly, materially unacceptable. There should be direct and forceful consequences that we can all look to and depend upon. Federal judges with rank and fervor for the common good, as well as former higher ups in government should be speaking up, loudly, consistently, and long. We should not tolerate this indecency and disregard for the institutions we venerate, or soon they will be damaged beyond repair. I realize that I have no definitive answer, but if we don't recognize that we have an urgent problem that requires us to look for all creative and bipartisan solutions right now, our norms and boundaries will be completely destroyed. Democracy in action cannot wait for the next election. We must speak up, speak out…not just howling into the wind or barking at every trespassing deer. Let's unroll the metaphorical deer netting so that we can all live in peace.
We need to get the guardrails back up before we end up in a ravine.
No kidding!!!
A bunch of 75 — 80 year-olds were together yesterday saying basically the same thing. Even with “limited” years in the future we are still vitally concerned - and damned scared of all that’s going on in our country. We do not know how to effectively communicate to everyone, regardless of political stripes, the dangers involved in a possible and maybe probably Trump resumption as President. As much as we’ve seen in our lives, all-told 600+ years of living on this earth, what’s happening now reverberates among all right-thinking people as a return to the fascist-like 1930’s when the “worship” of Hitler among our citizens was largely ignored. For this is what’s ahead unless we defeat Trump and his enablers at the polls in November. We’re not saying we should shove progressive ideas down the throats of Americans, only that we want to have a clear chance of repairing our democracy which is severely threatened by Trump and his cronies. Can we all discuss our ideas on this platform? The clearest indication is what Steven said about the future of the Supreme Court if Trump were put in office again, perhaps for “life”, is as dire a warning as could be made to ensure Trump does not get elected.
80 next week and I join the crowd. I can remember my dad worrying about a friend being blacklisted under Joe McCarthy.
Arthritis keeps me from postcarding, we have no need for electoral workers in an all mail in state, and I live in the bluest corner of a blue state with over 84% turnout in 2020. So not much I can do to "get out the vote" beyond send money. So I am pushing "get out the Word."
I've said on another post: I wish Substack would let us search amongst only the posts we subscribe to. There is so much good analysis here, but not always easy to remember who said what, and when, about something. But linking in letters or comments to MSM to some of those posts if the MSM stories even peripherally touch on the point--say Project 2025--would be a great way to Get Out The Word.
Expressed beautifully Ellen. I am with you.
Thank you, Helen! It’s just so darned frustrating. I am an artist…a creative…and yet I cannot seem to come up with a truly creative solution to our ‘Deer Leader’ problem!
Thank you, so well stated... Seems we should go a step further and subpoena Ginni Thomas & maybe Mrs Alito to make it glaringly obvious ... if the "boys" do not know how to recuse themselves then start making "blinking" signs over them that they are compromised... they both are close to being unfit for office
Good ideas Ginger
According to Sidney Powell, a convicted attorney who was working on the insurrection, Judge Alito was prepared to issue an injunction to stop the legal transfer of presidential power to Biden on January 6th. If Nancy Pelosi had not acted quickly and decisively to reconvene Congress and complete the legal election process despite the insurrection, Trump may still be in office. Every citizen of this country needs to write to their Congressional representatives and demand that Alito be removed from the court. Elizabeth, www.democrazy2020.org
Blame the wife, then the dog, then the neighbors, then the wind, then...
It is obvious to even the casual observer that Alito and Thomas are highly biased and compromised. Neither should be participating in any case regarding trump or January 6. If Alito doesn’t notice the American flag upside down at his home for several days then he has a problem with situational awareness. Not a good attribute for a judge, particularly one who sits on what is supposed to be the highest court in the land.
Robert’s comments regarding integrity and nonpartisanship is a joke. A very bad one. He is Chief Justice over the most biased Supreme Court ever. When people refer to the Roberts Court, it will be in reference to the worst decisions, the most biased and most criminal justices. His Court is in contrast to the honorable Warren Court.
The rule regarding non-political activities is for “employees”. Who really believes that the Justices consider themselves “employees” and that it applies to them?
It's so obvious he's the one who put it up, not his wife. That's the lamest excuse in the history of excuses.
It's the equivalent of "the dog ate my homework." As long as Alito was going to lie about it, he could've said something that didn't scapegoat his wife.
IKR?
Just like he’s the leaker on the ruling overturning Roe.
They may be lifetime appointees, but they are our employees, and they owe their allegiance to the Constitution, not Trump or any other President or person. Once again Alito has shown his true colors and bias. Enough!
Both Alito and Thomas have shown distain for the ethics that should be necessary for justices to remain in high regard. They are spitting on the Constitution, and We the People, it is time for articles of impeachment against them both to be filed.
Very good article. There seems to be no accountability, no responsibility, blaming others, no ethics...the list could go on and on. I used to look up to the Supreme Court. Now I think some of them are just black robe wearing buffoons bought and paid for by dark money. Democracy and fairness and justice should be what we strive for. It would be so interesting if we could bring our Forefathers back to life to see this mess and get their opinions on how to move forward.
Alito should resign from the Supreme Court because he has proven that he's an "activist" judge who will freely engage in making public political statements instead of remaining impartial. His hubris in making those inane excuses for an upside down flag flying over his house is also an insult to his position on the court.
The Republicans in the Senate, under the leadership of Mitch McConnell, have stacked United States Supreme Court with far right conservatives. He brags that it is his finest accomplishment. The result...the Supreme Court is lost to more moderate and liberal Americans for the next generation. And if Trump manages to win in November, he could very well be able to appoint another conservative justice. The evidence of corruption and partisanship that has come out about Thomas and Alito over the past few years is stunning, surpassed only by their arrogance and refusal to accept any responsibility for their actions. And yet, Roberts has done nothing to manage it. It's time for Congress to pass a fully enforceable code of conduct, as well as term limits. The lifetime appointments with accountability to no one have promoted an entitlement mentality, is a recipe for more of the same.
The American flag flies at the Supreme Court building. There is a 20 cent US postage stamp with the flag in the forefront of that building. Justice Alito passes beneath it daily. Apparently his wife is like Rand Paul-can't get along with the neighbors. Since it flew upside down for several days, the judge violated the rule that our flag can only fly between sunrise and sunset. He, like Thomas, has no interest in following rules, even those of the Court on which they sit.
For 5 weeks, US marines fought a bloody battle to take Iwo Jima.They incurred 25,000 casualties and almost 7,000 deaths. 6 Marines , filled with pride, raised our flag there, and the picture of that is a classic one in American history. Wonder what the ghosts of those brave men who fought and died for that flag are thinking about an upside down flag and what it stands for these days.
Thank you, Steven. for your focus on the partisan Alito. I find this to be so aggravating. Accountability!
To me the tragedy is the liberal $CROTUSes obviously knew FOR DECADES that these two criminals were taking massive bribes and said nothing. With friends like that...
Enough! In a sane world (if I may quote you, Steven?) where morality mattered, Alito and Thomas would be impeached and removed from office. In the world we live in, however, where hypocrisy and shame are not so much as pebbles in their shoes, these two, in concert with their rightwing colleagues on the Court, are allowed to ride roughshod over our laws in service of their own, repressive and immoral ends.
It's not going to be enough to win the forthcoming election unless we do not do so by an overwhelming margin. If it is anything less, these "Justices" will invent ways to uphold the spurious appeals that are going to find their way up to them: Alito and Thomas, in league with their henchmen, will use the cover of "law" to overturn the will of the people and install the fascist as "President." We have to prevail in numbers that are too large to question. But will a largely ignorant and jaded electorate be up to the challenge?
Alito should have blamed the flag inversion on the dog. Or maybe the Mrs. is proud of it?