Clarence Thomas’s bizarre claim that he failed to disclose the lavish gifts he received from Republican megadonor Harlan Crow because he didn’t believe he had to brought me back to a day 30 years ago when Bill Gates asked me to lunch. I was secretary of labor then. Gates was the CEO of Microsoft, and the richest person in America.
Everybody who works for the Federal government knows this. My father, a WWII navy veteran and Civil Engineer, spent his entire career in Federal Civil Service working with DIA, NLM, and NBS fighting the Cold War in military intelligence. He never accepted anything from anybody — no free coffee, no lunches, no dinners, no drinks, not a stick of gum. In these positions, you have to avoid not only impropriety and the appearance of impropriety but also the possibility of influence, leverage, or indebtedness to anybody for anything. That a Supreme Court Justice with no real or natural friendship with a significant political donor would believe he could accept these lavish gifts without actual impropriety, much less creating the appearance of impropriety or the possibility of influence, leverage, or indebtedness, is absurd. And that’s the point: Thomas had no qualms about accepting these lavish gifts because (a) he was happy to be bought by a fellow radical right-wing ideologue and (b) he knew that our institutions and our systems are designed to allow exactly this kind of misbehavior at the highest levels consistent with our predatory patriarchal White Christian status quo order of power and wealth. He knew that the Supreme Court is excepted from oversight and that he could get away with it, so he did. He is a shameless liar and fraud.
Yes, that's the standard, and the law, that I followed as a career diplomat. Later, as a state commissioner, I limited myself to accepting no more than a cup of coffee.
Hope Mr Justice Thomas reads your account of lunch with Bill. I d like his explanation for why the same ethical standards in the Executive branch are waived in the Judicial Branch of our government.
I have been a public servant a few times during my working career. I worked for a non-profit, government grant funded program, the USPS and for a New York State County Department of Social Services. I always felt very nervous accepting any gifts in all of these jobs. I would accept produce from a client's garden and place it in our work break room, so that I alone, would not benefit from the bounty. The modest gifts offered were heartfelt and appreciated but I often declined for fear of appearing to be giving "favors" or favored treatment. How disappointing that our higher officials in Government work cannot feel the same apprehension that I and others in lowly positions have felt.
My clients are at the movie studios and at Christmas we liked to send Starbucks gift cards. Most people would just email “thanks”, but a couple of VPs would call and say “thanks, but can’t accept” and have their assistant mail it back. But if a Saudi wants to invest $2 billion with a young man with a troubled real estate history, who’s to say no?
This is what conscientious honest people do. At my first job at Jack in the Box ( back in 1972 I believe) I dropped an egg on the floor. I immediately offered to pay out of my next paycheck.The manager looked at me like I was an idiot.
P.S.: When I had to send a personal check to Bill Gates, for lunch
“he didn’t believe he had to”
A Supreme Court Justice pleads ignorance of the law. I don’t think a Supreme Court Justice gets use that defense.
You did the right thing Professor Reich!😎 maybe I should say the “left” thing since today the “right” thing seems to be wrong.
Everybody who works for the Federal government knows this. My father, a WWII navy veteran and Civil Engineer, spent his entire career in Federal Civil Service working with DIA, NLM, and NBS fighting the Cold War in military intelligence. He never accepted anything from anybody — no free coffee, no lunches, no dinners, no drinks, not a stick of gum. In these positions, you have to avoid not only impropriety and the appearance of impropriety but also the possibility of influence, leverage, or indebtedness to anybody for anything. That a Supreme Court Justice with no real or natural friendship with a significant political donor would believe he could accept these lavish gifts without actual impropriety, much less creating the appearance of impropriety or the possibility of influence, leverage, or indebtedness, is absurd. And that’s the point: Thomas had no qualms about accepting these lavish gifts because (a) he was happy to be bought by a fellow radical right-wing ideologue and (b) he knew that our institutions and our systems are designed to allow exactly this kind of misbehavior at the highest levels consistent with our predatory patriarchal White Christian status quo order of power and wealth. He knew that the Supreme Court is excepted from oversight and that he could get away with it, so he did. He is a shameless liar and fraud.
Too bad Gates wasn't already your "dearest friend." You would've eaten for free.
Yes, that's the standard, and the law, that I followed as a career diplomat. Later, as a state commissioner, I limited myself to accepting no more than a cup of coffee.
Hope Mr Justice Thomas reads your account of lunch with Bill. I d like his explanation for why the same ethical standards in the Executive branch are waived in the Judicial Branch of our government.
Wow. Wonderful story. Integrity is a great thing!
Honesty. That’s the difference between “us” and “them”. I admire you.
I love your personal stories. Is Clarence Thomas really that dumb, or just doesn't care?
You are an honest man. I trust what you say and admire your efforts to make the world a good and peaceful place thank you.
I have been a public servant a few times during my working career. I worked for a non-profit, government grant funded program, the USPS and for a New York State County Department of Social Services. I always felt very nervous accepting any gifts in all of these jobs. I would accept produce from a client's garden and place it in our work break room, so that I alone, would not benefit from the bounty. The modest gifts offered were heartfelt and appreciated but I often declined for fear of appearing to be giving "favors" or favored treatment. How disappointing that our higher officials in Government work cannot feel the same apprehension that I and others in lowly positions have felt.
As a California state employee I could accept exactly zero gifts. No biggie to me. Never got a call from Mr Gates. 😏
Have you had a $135 lunch since?
My clients are at the movie studios and at Christmas we liked to send Starbucks gift cards. Most people would just email “thanks”, but a couple of VPs would call and say “thanks, but can’t accept” and have their assistant mail it back. But if a Saudi wants to invest $2 billion with a young man with a troubled real estate history, who’s to say no?
$135 for a lunch 30 years ago??? Wow! I hope at least your mustard was Grey Poupon!
This is what conscientious honest people do. At my first job at Jack in the Box ( back in 1972 I believe) I dropped an egg on the floor. I immediately offered to pay out of my next paycheck.The manager looked at me like I was an idiot.