Letter to the Editor: PBS film highlights Justice Thomas

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TO THE EDITOR:

In May, PBS will broadcast Michael Pack's 2-hour documentary, “Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words.”

A prominent American born dirt-floor poor, Mr. Thomas breathed his first breath, 1948, not far from Savannah, Ga. Descended from West African slaves, young Clarence learned from his grandfather, who with his wife raised him, that "Can't died in a fight with Can."

A natural demeanor verging on the monastic abetted Mr. Thomas as a rigorous student through grade school, high school and college. Excellent grades gave his education a spritz of iridescence.

Yale University provided financial assistance. In 1974, he left Yale with his law degree and in 1991 took his position on the U.S Supreme Court. Presently, Justice Thomas is the senior Associate Justice and the least vocal.

Kahler v. Kansas is one of the five major cases being adjudicated. The Court's decision could give States the right to abolish a criminal's "insanity defense."

Always within reach while researching and formulating decisions is his grandfather's inscription: "Old Man Can't is dead. I helped bury him."

JIM MALONEY

Perryville