Supreme Court Ethics: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

John Oliver discusses the Supreme Court, the ethically questionable gifts some of the justices receive, and an offer for Clarence Thomas that could ruin John’s life. Genuinely. You’ll see.

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[hondaguy]

If I accepted a meal that was over $25 from someone looking to do business with the company I work for I would get fired. How am I, as a mechanic, held to a higher standard of ethics than a supreme Court Justice?

[Tatchko]

I'm a prosecutor in San Antonio. A few years ago, I was doing traffic tickets in one of the JP courts and this really anxious lady came in for a speeding ticket. She was freaking out because she had never been in trouble before. It took me 30 minutes to calm her down and calmly explain how deferred disposition works and that it really wasn't that big of a deal.

She came in the next day with a thank you note and a $25 chili's gift card. I was really touched by the note cause she explained that I had done a lot to ease her worries. I accepted the thank you note but returned the gift card because it would be unethical of me to accept it.

Its fucking wild that I have more god damn ethical consideration in a god damn traffic court than a fucking Supreme Court justice does.

[Astrobrant]

Well, it's been two months, and Clarence hasn't taken the deal. I can figure only three possible reasons for that:
1) He doesn't believe this is actually a _real_ deal.
2) He never heard about this.
3) He gave his billionaire pals a chance to collectively make him a better offer -- and they did.

[chazellecromhout]

How is almost $300, 000/year not enough pay???? Thats LUDICROUS.

[cmucodemonkey]

There needs to be a recurring segment called "How is this legal?" where John can feature his signature shenanigans.

[Halbam]

I can just imagine him watching this and sitting there, cursing John, and quietly whispering: "... damn, this is a nice motorcoach."

[LunaShimmyDiva]

$298, 500 annual salary, and the job isn’t worth doing? Then how about stepping down Justice Thomas? Surely John Oliver’s exit strategy adequately addresses your financial grievances…

[xLolitaxRagxDollx]

AOC's introduction of articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Justices Thomas and Alito is so on point. I hope that true justice prevails here.

[josierosie]

A supreme court judge arguing "I didn't know that was a rule" is crazy

[CalibWilliams]

I'm speechless. This is the greatest attempt at creating change I've ever seen from a person with a public platform. Well done, John. Well fucking done.

[thomassaxon]

I work in the civil service in the UK. If I accepted gifts even of only £10 without declaring it and getting it looked at I'd almost certainly be fired for gross misconduct.

[daarianaharis]

As a teacher, I'm limited to presents worth 10 bucks - I can't even accept a reasonably sized flower bouquet for my birthday if it comes from parents or students. How are yacht vacations legal for people whose corruption could do so much worse than I ever could?

[genrlgadget]

And that right there, my friends, is why John Oliver wins every award. This episode was perfection!

[qgwguto]

So the Supreme Court has no ethical restrictions, yet their job is to decide what is ethical for everyone else. Unjust.

[garydarnellwortham]

This is one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen!!! How is this not being talked about everywhere????

[nancytaylor]

I'm still angry and disappointed with RBG for not stepping down when a Democrat could have replaced her with another Democrat. 😢

[alexanderliu]

Clarence Thomas legit has the chance to do the funniest thing ever now

[jerrylong]

We need to see people holding signs that say, " TAKE THE MONEY, CLARENCE!" in the background of every news story and sporting event for the next 30 days.

[andythorne]

John Oliver is officially a GENIUS!!! What an ending!!

[vigilantsycamore]

If someone was giving me a tour of his house and I walked into a Nazi Memorabilia Room, I'd need to be provided with a *really* good lawyer to defend me in court afterwards