Thomas: Institutional nihilism these days is real, and unfortunately spectacular HotAir

Is the trend toward institutional nihilism especially aimed at the Supreme Court a problem of polarization, or immaturity? Clarence Thomas says & yes. In a speech at Notre Dame, the most senior member of the court deplored the impulse to demolish institutions over the lack of instant gratification they provide, but also echoed Stephen Breyer and Amy Coney Barrett in defending the justices from accusations of politicization:

Justice Clarence Thomas defended the independence of the Supreme Court on Thursday and warned against destroying our institutions because they don t give us what we want, when we want it.

Thomas, the longest serving justice, acknowledged that the high court has its flaws, comparing it to a car with three wheels that somehow still works. But he said the justices are not ruling based on personal preferences and suggested that the nation s leaders should not allow others to manipulate our institutions when we don t get the outcome that we like.

The justice s remarks came during a lecture at the University of Notre Dame in which he talked about traveling by RV in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee with his wife, Ginni. Thomas reflected on his childhood in the segregated South and his religious faith. He also alluded several times to the political polarization in the United States.

We ve gotten to the point where we re really good at finding something that separates us, Thomas told the crowd of more than 800 students and faculty gathered at the school s performing arts center.

via hotair.com