Breaking a decade-long silence, Justice Clarence Thomas on Monday suddenly started asking questions from the Supreme Court bench.<br />After saying nothing for years during oral arguments that have helped shape the fabric of American law, Justice Thomas seemed eager to re-engage as he subjected a government lawyer to a number of pointed inquiries.<br />But Justice Thomas said nothing to clear up why he had chosen to end his silence now, exactly 10 years and one week after his last question.<br />His record will stand for a long time — it has no modern competition.<br />It has been at least 45 years since any other member of the court went even a single term without asking a question.
