A Call For Impeachment and Recalls Before 2024

By: Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper

The attitude of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas only adds to concerns about non reported gifts from wealthy donors. In addition, it adds to the ongoing discussion of his wife Ginny Thomas’ involvement with the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Mrs. Thomas’ emails have already proven to be very telling as to her position with the “far right” and the false statements about a “stolen” Presidential election. It was already hard to believe that she never shared any of her views with her husband, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Considering the Justice’s conservative position on most issues, it became very hard to believe that the two persons in that marriage didn’t discuss politics.

of Florida in 1989.

Americans With Long COVID Struggle to Make a Living and Get Benefits

Across the U.S., governments have declared an end to pandemic-era protections. But for the millions of people who still suffer from long-term symptoms, the fight is far from over.

Larry Buhl sheds light on the multi-faceted effects of long COVID — a persistence of symptoms brought on by the virus long after it’s gone — that impacts long-haulers’ ability to claim disability benefits or stay employed.

The pandemic has exacerbated numerous disparities in the workforce, Buhl reports in the first of two stories. Jobs where workers are most at risk of COVID — such as leisure and hospitality, in which it’s hard to work remotely — are lower paid and much less likely to accommodate sick workers.

Part of the problem is that many long COVID symptoms, as defined by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, are real but vague, and can worsen, or improve, over time.

And unlike those with well-established disabilities, COVID long haulers have to jump through more hoops. According to attorney Claire Kennedy-Wilkins, insurance companies and Social Security require special tests and lengthy observations to demonstrate ongoing impairment. This makes it much harder for some to qualify for federal disability benefits, Buhl writes.

Now we find a trail of gifts and favors to the Justice, spanning decades, as well as a personal real estate deal involving the home of the mother of Justice Thomas having been sold to his billionaire donor with no record of the sale being reported, as required by law. Also, no reporting of income from the sale. The excuses offered by Justice Thomas, when he chooses to give one, reflect neither remorse nor concern about the appearance of such actions from a Justice seated on the highest court in the land and expected to lead by example.

Justice Thomas can only be removed from office by death, resignation or impeachment. He is not expected to resign. Justice Roberts, the Presiding Justice, is not expected to take any action and, therefore, the only recourse is impeachment as provided by the United States Constitution.

So far, the only Federal Judge removed from office by impeachment was Judge Alcee Hastings of the Southern District

The issue is not whether the Senate has the votes to convict Thomas, or if a Republican controlled Congress will allow the impeachment proceedings to clear the House of Representatives, as required by the Constitution, but the need to show the American people that some elected officials still take their Oath of Office seriously enough to make the effort for removal from the highest Court in the Land.

While the United States Constitution does not have a recall provision, each state which elects individuals to the U.S. Congress does have such a provision in its State Constitution. It is time for the voters of each state to take a look at the people they have elected to some of the highest offices in the land and for the people of each state to consider recalling those elected officials who are ignoring the will of the people on such issues as gun control, abortion and voter suppression. While there may not be enough votes to remove many of the Republicans in state and national office, the idea of a Recall against them should be enough to let them know the American people have had enough of the attack on democracy.

Something to think about.