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An Afternoon with Friends and Justice Thomas
Gary Robbins, Bob Thompson, and I held a Ricochet mini-meetup on Saturday in Scottsdale, AZ. We met at the Il Capo Restaurant for a nice Italian lunch — Gary’s treat, so thanks again, my friend. In our lunch discussion, we reached complete political agreement on all issues. Gary is now a confirmed, ardent Trump enthusiast who loves walls and Big Beautiful Coal and hates Adam Schiff. No, wait, not yet. (He will be, once the Gary pod growing in my garage is matured.)
After lunch, Gary and I watched the new documentary about Justice Thomas, called Created Equal: Clarence Thomas In His Own Words. I enjoyed the movie, which was a touching and interesting presentation of the life of this outstanding Justice and American hero. There was little focus on his jurisprudence, and much focus on his extraordinary life story, from extreme rural poverty on the Georgia coast during the Jim Crow era, to his study in a Catholic seminary, his days as a student radical in the ’60s, and his eventual development into a Reagan Republican.
There was significant coverage of the outrageous Senate hearing, for political junkies.
I think that the real hero of the movie was not Justice Thomas. The real hero was his grandfather, Myers Anderson, who raised him and was plainly the most important influence on his life. Mr. Anderson personifies “tough love” and “salt of the earth,” in a way that I found admirable almost beyond words. If our country is ever fortunate enough to produce an American Dostoyevsky, I don’t think that he would be able to write a better character.
I recommend the movie. Screenings are limited. Here is the link.
I know that it would be easy to simply wait for the video to be out on YouTube or something. I ask that you consider attending in person, both to encourage the production of more films like this, and to express your appreciation for a great American jurist.
Published in Entertainment, Law
A nice post, Jerry! Michael Pack, director of the Clarence Thomas film, is one of the few (relatively) big time documentary filmmakers who is conservative. He’s had a remarkable career. At the moment, his nomination for a high ranking post supervising America’s overseas broadcasting (Voice of America, etc) is being blocked by a nasty, fact-free coalition of people who hate the president who nominated Pack. Probably deserves a post of its own.
Thanks for the info.
I don’t usually drive that far for a movie, but I may make an exception this case!
I saw it Saturday evening–one of the screens is here on the north side of Atlanta. Highly recommended. Also check out Byron York’s latest podcast–an interview with Michael Pack. He shares a few anecdotes that didn’t make it into the film.
I definitely want to see the photo of you guys!
Your wish is my command, GrannyDude! It finally worked.
I’m in the middle, with Bob on the left and Gary on the right. Our lineup was driven by height, not politics, of course.
I love seeing photos of our members. What a cute group you made. Aren’t meetups great?!
You sure those pictures weren’t from the wall at the Post Office?
It was a lot of fun. We have so much more in common with each other, than opposed to each other.
The sky was a deep blue, without any clouds. We ate outside. It was a bit cool at first, but it warmed up.
Bob talked about his path and buying and selling homes. Boy, I wish I had invested along with him.
Jerry had an interesting observation. If there are a mass of “trans women” who were originally biologically male, win at the olympics in women’s sports, that could create a huge backlash. I think that he is right.
The movie was great! A few years ago, the local tea party group had a showing of Atlas Shrugged, and we sold out a theater. I would recommend “Created Equal,” the biography of Clarence Thomas for Republican and Conservative groups for showings.
Hey Gary, you didn’t invite Jerry and me to the Bloomberg rally.
Gary is so kind. I didn’t say this. I probably said something a lot more blunt, and accurate, like “I think a bunch of sensible people are going to freak out when they see a bunch of transvestites winning the women’s events at the Olympics.”
I didn’t think to add anything about Pocahontas giving a war whoop and tomahawk chop, each and every time!
I stand corrected. Jerry has a more accurate memory of what he said and how he said it.
It was lovely to hang out with fellow conservatives.
Ideology trumps common sense:
Outsports, a sports news website that focuses on LGBT issues in sports, named [MMA fighter Fallon] Fox the “bravest athlete in history” in a recent article written by Cyd Zeigler. Fox, who is a biological male fighting physically weaker females and inflicting life-altering harm, apparently qualifies as brave because, according to Zeigler, “she was the target of a torrent of hatred I have literally never seen targeting an LGBTQ athlete.”
https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2020/01/22/transgender-mma-fighter-who-fractured-womans-skull-named-bravest-athlete-history/
Never-Trumpers take note: for the Democrats, Fallon Fox has a Constitutional right to cripple women, which they are prepared to enforce by law.
Huh? “Never-Trumpers take note:”
Are NeverTrumpers to blame when there is a hurricane? Are they to blame when Dems say stupid stuff? Are they to blame if you have a bad hair day? Are they to blame for the 49er’s or the Patriots losing football games? Are they to blame for global warming? Are they to blame for Trump disrespecting the National Anthem at the Super Bowl? Are they to blame for Jerry Nadler being overweight?
I agree with your point, other than the gratititous slap at NeverTrumpers.
Gary, I think that is directed at unwitting alliances that help those who have lost their mind.
Dang! What a beautiful group!
Hair is greatly over-rated.
Gary
Is Gary trying to start something?