An Image A Little Too Carefully Coordinated (Roberts)

The Washington Post ^ | 7/22/05

[kingu]

It has been a long time since so much syrupy nostalgia has been in evidence at the White House. But Tuesday night, when President Bush announced his choice for the next associate justice of the Supreme Court, it was hard not to marvel at the 1950s-style tableau vivant that was John Roberts and his family.

There they were -- John, Jane, Josie and Jack -- standing with the president and before the entire country. The nominee was in a sober suit with the expected white shirt and red tie. His wife and children stood before the cameras, groomed and glossy in pastel hues -- like a trio of Easter eggs, a handful of Jelly Bellies, three little Necco wafers. There was tow-headed Jack -- having freed himself from the controlling grip of his mother -- enjoying a moment in the spotlight dressed in a seersucker suit with short pants and saddle shoes. His sister, Josie, was half-hidden behind her mother's skirt. Her blond pageboy glistened. And she was wearing a yellow dress with a crisp white collar, lace-trimmed anklets and black patent-leather Mary Janes.

[kingu]

Geeze.. What is it with these people? Can't come up with anything to complain about in someone's record, so you start attacking their CLOTHES?

Granted, it was the Style section, but still...

[kcvl]

Which idiot at the Washington Post wrote that crap?! I noticed they didn't lend their name to it.

[Michael.SF.]

They have got nothing, pathetic.

[pbear8]

I thought they were a beautiful looking family. Most likely those were the kids Easter outfits.

[IRememberElian]

Admit it ... planting that lady out there, lifeless, with her two kids. That was just creepy.

[Dr.Hilarious]

They just can't stand it that someone is being presented to the nation who is just a smart, intelligent, decent person--they have to have overcome a drug habit or a "poor" upbringing (Clinton). The left is OBSESSED with judging people by socio-economic status and gender and race. If Roberts were a poor liberal black woman the Post would be publishing commemorative issues. But the very people who are always saying you shouldn't judge people by their race, gender or the amount of money in the bank account--or "judge" them for having a point of view that doesn't gibe with yours--can never, ever judge anyone by anything else.

[ncountylee]

Talk about superficial!

[Vision Thing]

Funny how the Washington Post writer of this article bemoans the 50s nostalgia of Judge Robert's family. We all can surmise that the writer longs for the smelly 60s and the shaggy-haired Woodward/Bernstein 70s.

[SpringheelJack]

This is the weirdest attack article on Roberts I've read yet.

[little jeremiah]

I thought they were beautiful as well.

I suppose leftist sick freaks would rather they dressed in black, chains, and piercings. Or that his "wife" would be a Mr, and the kids sulking and skulking misfits.

[kingu]

We all can surmise that the writer longs for the smelly 60s and the shaggy-haired Woodward/Bernstein 70s.

Likely the author is more into the runways of Milan and Paris than anything so stogy as last week's fashions. Be that as it may, the point of the article wasn't the clothing style, but to mock the candidate for the Supreme Court. Such clothes are far from alien to that building, nor to the guests that visit, so the only reason why it would come up as an issue now is as a thinly veiled attack against him, and if you're going to attack, at least have a good point...

Considering how many cards Hallmark sells each year with that dismal Christmas scene, as the author alludes to, perhaps he or she might notice that Hallmark always sells out of that card.

Guess the people of America are more than comfortable with that image, and the author might want to take a moment or three to integrate that into their brain.

[West Coast Conservative]

This is all they got? Looks like the Roberts confirmation is a sure thing.

[Echo Talon]

It sounded to me like whoever wrote that is jealous.

[kingu]

I suppose leftist sick freaks would rather they dressed in black, chains, and piercings. Or that his "wife" would be a Mr, and the kids sulking and skulking misfits.

Don't think kids would be allowed - it would show how the candidate doesn't stand strongly enough behind abortion as they didn't ensure that every kid they had was aborted.

[Texan]

They looked wonderful.

So nice to see people dressed up for a change.

I suppose he'd rather see Mrs. Roberts in a black pants suit and pink blouse.

[SpringheelJack]

This is all they got? Looks like the Roberts confirmation is a sure thing.

The shorts selected for Jack Jr. suggest EVIL tendencies on the part of Judge John Roberts!!!!!

EVILLLLLLLLLLL

[nutmeg]

...There they were -- John, Jane, Josie and Jack -- standing with the president and before the entire country. The nominee was in a sober suit with the expected white shirt and red tie. His wife and children stood before the cameras, groomed and glossy in pastel hues -- like a trio of Easter eggs, a handful of Jelly Bellies, three little Necco wafers...

Ugh... MEGA Barf Alert on this one. You have to read this drivel for yourself to believe it's for real...

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[Billthedrill]

The nominee was in a sober suit with the expected white shirt and red tie. His wife and children stood before the cameras, groomed and glossy in pastel hues -- like a trio of Easter eggs, a handful of Jelly Bellies, three little Necco wafers.

You. Have. Got. To. Be. Kidding. Me.

I do not have an overly high opinion of junior college newspapers in this country but I would hesitate to accuse any one of them of publishing something this insipid. Condescension is generally a two-edged sword, but when employed in this plodding, ham-handed fashion it only cuts the wielder.

[kaehurowing]

The fact that the "style" page can do nothing but attack people who attempt to dress properly for one of the more important events that can occur in one's life--meeting the President of the United States who is nominating you for the Supreme Court--shows how messed up the liberal elite in this country are.

[nutmeg]

Beyond belief ping...

[Texan]

Admit it ... planting that lady out there, lifeless, with her two kids. That was just creepy.

Didn't see anything "creepy" about it. Mrs. Roberts was beaming with pride.

[little jeremiah]

Actually you're right. They'd prefer not to see any well cared for children at all.

[AntiGuv]

She wasn't creepy at all. The way I saw it she had obvious stagefright and not surprising either what with the little boy dancing a jig. They are a beautiful looking family and the WP is beyond silly. I wonder if Maureen Dowd was freelancing for them. This is just like her petty style.

[MEG33]

Indeed!

[k2blader]

Yikes, that pic is a little creepy. Why'd they do that to their children?

[dob]

"Don't think kids would be allowed - it would show how the candidate doesn't stand strongly enough behind abortion as they didn't ensure that every kid they had was aborted."

lol! :)

[durasell]

Since nobody has the guts to ask, then I'll ask the apparently forbidden question: what the hell is a "taupe pump?"

[kingu]

Yikes, that pic is a little creepy. Why'd they do that to their children?

The Roberts are a beltway family - that's how you dress your children to attend serious functions.. You know, embassy parties, etc. A bit of a 'different world' type situation, but aside from the saddle shoes, that is how a lot of folks in my neighborhood look every seven days in their Sunday Best.

[mrsmel]

But these same kinds drooled over Jacqui and "Camelot". Hypocrites.

[Finalapproach29er]

I'm getting damn tired of the anti-white remarks by this newspaper and Letterman, among others.

It's getting old and offensive. The self-hating guilty, white libs should go live in France.

[jan in Colorado]

This was one pathetic article.

It's nice to see that some people still do dress with class and modesty.

[Yossarian]

Just so people can see what the fuss is all about:

It was a beautiful image. I also think the kids were brought out to remind the Dims that when they lauch their assinine fact-free attacks on Supreme Court nominees, they are working to tear down not just a man, but a family.

[AntiGuv]

Well, taupe is a hideous greyish-brown color invented to make women look drab, and pumps are a type of shoe but I'm not exactly sure what kind. I think it means those broad low heels as opposed to stilettos. I'm sure one of our freeperettes could explain better.

[Vision Thing]

Likely the author is more into the runways of Milan and Paris than anything so stogy as last week's fashions.

You're right! Any fruitloop who uses "tableau vivant" as a term of encroachment probably feels more at home on Rue du Rivoli than on America's Main Street. Now that you've pointed it out, I cannot imagine a hippy or a Bob Woodward using french adjectives to insult someone. Despite their questionable masculinity, at least they aren't as catty and effeminate as the author of this article.

[hsalaw]

what the hell is a "taupe pump?"

A greyish-beige ("taupe") high-heeled shoe ("pump"). You're a guy, right? ;)

[nopardons]

Do what to their children...dress them nicely? That's now "creepy" ?

[Vision Thing]

the kids were brought out to remind the Dims that when they lauch their assinine fact-free attacks on Supreme Court nominees, they are working to tear down not just a man, but a family.

Looks like the 'crats are doing just that in this article.

[durasell]

So, if a taupe pump could pump taupes, then how many taupes would a taupe pump pump?

People take this too seriously. It was a photo op designed to let the press, public etc. get a look at the guy and his family.

p.s.
I do not believe that taupe is an actual real color.

[k2blader]

Now I'm curious whether or not other justices ever brought out their families after being nominated (if so, pics would be cool).

[kingu]

Actually you're right. They'd prefer not to see any well cared for children at all.

Indeed; one also must not forget the finale for a press conference nominating a liberal justice - the celebratory burning of flags, just to ease any concerns among the base that they support free speech.

[advance_copy]

This is just hilarious. WaPo's "style" editorial is oozing with helpless hatred, like they are watching the world change around them and are utterly unable to do anything about it. They're mellllting...

[truemiester]

Clothes??? Thats all they can come up with??? They got nothing then!!

[msnimje]

This is totally immature and immaterial. Before you know it, somebody is going to be yelling at Judge Roberts, "I know you are but what am I?"

[nopardons]

No, "pumps", or "court shoes" in the English style, are plain high heels. High heels with no embellishments, a closed front/toe, sides, and back/heel, as opposed to sling-backs, or sandals, or slides/mules.

[durasell]

It was written for the style section.

[kingu]

This is totally immature and immaterial. Before you know it, somebody is going to be yelling at Judge Roberts, "I know you are but what am I?"

I believe that they're saving that for the confirmation hearings.

[NRA2BFree]

There was nothing wrong with his family being with him, and I thought they were all dressed very proper. In fact, it was quite refreshing to see those cute little kids. The losers at the WP are just mad because Bush got to appoint someone for the SCOTUS position. Jealousy is a terrible thing! They're just going to have to deal with it.

[durasell]

It's a personal decision whether he should bring his family or not. Some people don't want their families in the public eye. Once they enter the public eye, even if they are uner 18, they lose some rights to privacy under the law. My feeling is that it makes no difference, either way.

[msnimje]

Everybody should send them a comment.

Here is a copy of the one I just sent them

"Re: An Image A Little Too Carefully Coordinated

This is the most immature and immaterial bit of writing I have seen in quite awhile (that is saying A lot!). It is pathetic that your writer attacks the choice of clothes a loving mother puts on her children. This is not at all out of the ordinary for well dressed children going to the WHITE HOUSE on such an important occasion.

Pathetic, just Pathetic. "

[AntiGuv]

Hmm.. Well, you may be right for all I know. The only reason I could even venture a guess is because many, many years ago I had to put in some community service hours at a Good Samaritan thrift store and I had to write "taupe" in the color section of the labels.. =)