Here's an alternative point of view on politics and the Supremes by Noah Feldman, a professor at Harvard Law School, also in the NY Times. It concludes:

"It is absurd for conservatives to criticize the cosmopolitan forums where judges from around the world compare notes. And it is absurd for liberals to criticize the conservative justices for associating with people who share or reinforce their views. The justices are human — and the more we let them be human, the better job they will do. Let the unthinkable be said! If the medieval vestments are making people think the justices should be monks, then maybe, just maybe, we should to do away with those robes."

But I agree, Clarence Thomas is a strange bird.

~ Becky in Long Beach