Justice Thomas Opens Up

Being a Supreme Court justice was fun, before all these “rights” came and spoiled the fun. In a meeting with high school students, Justice Clarence Thomas—who usually plays his cards close to his vest—opened up a little about his worldview. The most intriguing moment? When Justice Thomas explained his distaste of "a proliferation of rights.” Thomas, who often portrays himself as a Horatio Alger-type figure who rose to the top of the judicial world through his own dedication, explained that he is repulsed by the notion "that each of us is owed prosperity and a certain standard of living." Reflecting on the challenges of his job, Thomas said that he can become pretty "morose," and at times seeks solace in classic speeches and the film Saving Private Ryan.