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

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?

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.

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.

so i work for the court. Most shows i watch are interesting, but as most people know: when a show starts to talk about something you REALLY KNOW, you see holes in it. Not the case here. Your research team must be EXCELLENT. This was informative and accurate to my understanding. the fact that you used the phrase "the appearance of impropriety" was a double-take moment for me. i don't think half the people I work with realize that is one of the core tenants of our court - not only actual impropriety, but the mere appearance. your show is an absolute credit to the platform (both HBO and YouTube) and I wish you all many many more years of success.

It's truly bizarre that in America the highest court has the lowest ethical standards.

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

That A.Hitler joke was genius and did not get enough respect

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

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

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.

$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…

So... it's a month later... I wonder... I wish my wife hadn't passed away 4 years ago (for many, many reasons) because she adored this show and I keep seeing episodes that would have continued to make her cheer out loud!

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.

No one should ever be appointed to a position for life

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

One of the best examples why these judges shouldn’t be Supreme Court judges for lifetime. In Germany these judges can only serve for 8 years

As an elementary school teacher who gets paid an insanely low amount, I blurted out a “fuck you” when he said the job wasn’t worth doing for the price. You don’t know the meaning of underpaid, Clarence.

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

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.

Wow, I am impressed with John Oliver! God bless you!