| Clarence Thomas Speech to the
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research |
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Clarence Thomas' February 13th speech to the American
Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research as this year's Francis Boyer Lecture Award
winner has stirred quite some talk among the left media.
Thomas delivered a version of a speech that he has given before and that has the principal
theme that courage is required to battle an intellectual orthodoxy imposed on the general
population. Though he was not explicit, the theme was distinctly autobiographical, as he
has often been the object of withering criticism for his conservative views that are at
odds with the views of most other black Americans.
Justice Thomas has often been portrayed as a supreme recluse, many times either not able
or willing to formulate even one question during oral arguments before the court. But in a
Washington more to his liking with Republicans in power, he seems to have suddenly become
more of a presence. It is unclear whether that was his intention, but this speech was the
latest of some recent events he was involved in that were tied closely to the news.
For example, even though he reportedly did not speak at all during two court hearings that
led to the decision to block the recounting of votes in Florida, Justice Thomas was
expansive in publicly addressing an issue that has been pressed by opponents of the
ruling, namely that the court had divided along evident political lines.
His speech is well worth the time of review and digestion.
Go To Thomas Speech
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