Now that’s influence.

Here’s the list from May, 2004.

It includes Rice, Colin Powell, Michael Powell, and Rod Paige. But not Thomas. It wouldn’t appear that conservatism alone is a disqualifying trait. However, it does seem to be a rather purposeful slight, doesn’t it?

I still haven’t seen the list. Was Condoleeza Rice on it? If she was, that would tell us that conservatives are eligible and Thomas was left off for a different reason.

On the other hand, if Rice doesn’t make the list, then the magazine’s critics are apparently right. One may debate Ms. Rice’s positions or even her competence, but not her influence.

Politics aside, Clarence Thomas is at the very pinnacle of his chosen profession — only the second black man or woman to hold such a position (and is apparently on the short list to be Chief Justice when Rehnquist leaves). Any black child who thinks of becoming a lawyer should be looking to Clarence Thomas as a role model, not a traitor. You don’t have to agree with the man (at least he didn’t vote to allow private businesses to take your house) but give him his due.

Bush the First was a Reaganite (remember those eight years as VP?). If you’re going to be an ignorant, issue-avoiding troll– oh, never mind. You’ve got that covered; excellent work.

Now Thurgood Marshall was a true hero. I think it’s rather sad that MLK Jr. gets as much attention as he does and Marshall gets pushed into the background. Marshall did more for civil rights in arguing Brown v Board and Sweatt v Painter than MLK ever did. Not that MLK isn’t worthy of accolades, I just feel that MLK cleaned up the few skirmishes that were left after Marshall had won the war.

Fine we can argue a major entertainment celebrity versus a supreme court justice, but the justice didn’t even make the top 100. Thats ideological vindictiveness and you guys know it.

Pionar,

“What has he done that was influential to blacks?”

Fine also then if Ebony limited their criteria to only influence among blacks. But even then, considering that roughly 10% (not sure actual) voted for Bush, he shouldn’t be in the top 100?

As to this:

“You have an inconsistency that makes it hard to know when you re serious and when you re just blowing shit.’

An open mind helps

Dugger

However, I feel safe in asking this question of those who think Thomas belongs on this list: What evidence do you see of his influence?

Simply holding the title of Supreme Court justice does not ensure that one’s actions have weight. To wield influence, one must act in ways that alter the lives of others. How has Thomas done this?

Excellent call by MRC. Clarence Thomas is probably the most powerful black person in this country – last quarter century. But its OK if Ebony wants to have a list of the most influential black liberals. Nothing wrong with that. Just say that is what it is. I mean more Americans voted for Bush (sort of Clarence Thomas way) than for any liberal President and I suspect those people would be influenced more by a Justice Thomas. Or does Ebony mean influential only among black liberals?

What has Thomas done to influence the country? What has he done that was influential to blacks? So he’s on the Supreme Court. Has he used that to do anything positive for the black community? Not that I know of. If you know of something, let me know.

It’s also interesting to paint Ebony with such a broad stroke over leaving someone off its list for 15 years when the magazine itself has been published since 1947. So, you’re saying that the magazine that has been in business almost 60 years doesn’t accurately represent the values of its readers? Bull.

About more people voting for Bush than any liberal president, you’ve got your logic screwed up there. More people also voted for Kerry than any liberal president. In fact, more people voted for Kerry than voted for every president but one. So that argument is stupid. Second, we’re not talking about everyone, we’re talking about the black community. There’s no way Bush even came close to Kerry among blacks. Therefore, it can be surmised that the vast majority of blacks (around 90%) don’t agree with Clarence Thomas, according to your logic.

Think a little, dugger. You have an inconsistency that makes it hard to know when you’re serious and when you’re just blowing shit.

Thats the first time I have heard someone refer the Supreme Court of the United States as some military-like acronym. Its called the Supreme Court people!

Dugger

Justice Thomas’ voting may reflect his superior understanding of the Constitution, but that possibility doesn’t exist for Ebony.

I need to take a minute to catch my breath. I laughed for five minutes straight after reading that.

his superior understanding of the Constitution? According to whom? I’m sure every judge on SCOTUS has an excellent understanding of the Constitution. I’m sure they’re the best constitutional scholars in the country, and most of them can probably recite a great deal of it from heart.

Interpreting and understanding are two different things. Ultra-conservatism is nowhere in the Constitution, yet Thomas and Scalia seem to think it is.

Or perhaps what’s influential to the MRC isn’t influential to the black community. I’d like to know how many blacks are part of the MRC. My guess, if it’s like most other conservative groups, is none.

Neither is the right of private business to take your house, but the USSC  found it nonetheless&

Exactly. They all know what’s in the Constitution, and that isn’t. However, it’s their interpretation that it is allowed.

And a stupid one at that.

Clarence Thomas should not be on any list of influential people, because he’s not.

And, PSU94, let us not forget that many Bushies were Reaganites, so the statement AlexCorrigan made is still valid.

Ultra-conservatism is nowhere in the Constitution, yet Thomas and Scalia seem to think it is.

Neither is the right of private business to take your house, but the USSC “found” it nonetheless…

Actually, he was chosen by the Bushies, not the Reaganites. If you’re gonna be a race-hustler, at least try to be one that gets his facts straight. Idiot.