Speaking the Truth

The road to confirmation was looking smooth and easy for Judge Clarence Thomas until what began as a “press leak” turned into a raging flood. It nearly swept away Judge Thomas’s opportunity to become the 106^th Justice of the Supreme Court. A former associate, Professor Anita Hill, claimed to be part of a controversial dark secret about Judge Thomas’s past. The media got wind of the damaging information, and her confession brought the confirmation to a new bend in the road. She testified of the truthfulness of her accusation, and Judge Thomas defended his integrity.

Both Judge Thomas’s and Professor Hill’s stories were convincing yet conflicting. Their friends and work associates gave them both positive character references. In fact, it was very difficult to come to any solid conclusion as to who was telling the truth. Each person who testified gave clear and convincing arguments that