Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas hasn't spoken up at oral arguments in 2 years, according to CNN.  At least 142 cases have passed through the Supreme Court since Thomas last asked a question to the lawyers who represented the various sides of the cases, CNN reported.

Thomas came under fire in the controversial December 2000 case of Bush v. Gore, in which he never asked a question.  Thomas says his colleagues ask too many questions. "My colleagues should shut up!" he says.

The Republican appointee has been widely criticized by some African American leaders who feel he does not represent their interests on the Court, but Thomas has argued that his job is not to represent black people.  Thomas was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to replace Justice Thurgood Marshall.

The last time Thomas asked a question in court was on February 22, 2006, in a death penalty case, according to CNN. [MORE]