Justice Thomas' Question Begs a Deeper Response

Yesterday made US Supreme Court history. Justice Clarence Thomas spoke in open court for the first time in over a decade!

Justice Thomas, presumed to be the “strong silent type” had not asked the parties a question or made a comment in over ten years, but yesterday he ended the long-standing streak by asking some questions in a case where gun rights (a 2nd Amendment challenge) had been removed from someone convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.

What’s more significant to us than the Justice’s decision to ask a question was the question he asked…

“This is a misdemeanor violation, it suspends a constitutional right. Can you give me another area where a misdemeanor violation suspends a constitutional right?” he asked.

Every day the rights of registered citizens are suspended. Rather, not just suspended, but permanently revoked!

Through restrictions on housing, on employment, on travel, compelled speech on our drivers licenses and passports, the chilling of speech through registration of internet identifiers (even the elimination of anonymous speech) and the constant piling of new punishments (yes, punishments) upon us year after year.

Many registrants had misdemeanors, many had their adjudication withheld! Yet, because they appear on a “sex offender” list their constitutional rights are suspended.

A question to throw back at Justice Thomas and the entire SCOTUS…. Can you give me another class of citizen where a misdemeanor violation or non-conviction permanently revokes a constitutional right?