Posted on 03/04/2010 2:45:18 PM PST by OldDeckHand
Everyone is wondering: Where did that erroneous rumor of an imminent retirement by Chief Justice John Roberts come from? The gossip spread like wildfire, triggering thousands of texts, blog posts, and emails — a few hundred of them to the ATL tips line — before Radar, which first published the rumor, retracted its report.
We were skeptical, which is one reason why we didn’t write about the gossip as quickly as some other outlets. We reached out to the Supreme Court’s Public Information Office after we heard the rumor, and we didn’t want to write about it until we heard back from the PIO (or at least gave them a little time to respond).
Of course, we have many Supreme Court sources other than the official ones — and they reacted with extreme skepticism when we ran the Radar report by them. One of our SCOTUS experts actually laughed out loud after we (sheepishly) asked, “Have you heard anything about a possible Roberts retirement?” This source noted that JGR would sooner die — literally — than give Obama the chance to appoint his successor.
Like many a promising legal career, the Roberts resignation rumor traces its origins to a 1L class at Georgetown University Law Center….
Here’s an account of what went down in Professor Peter Tague’s criminal law class this morning, from a 1L at Georgetown Law:
(Excerpt) Read more at abovethelaw.com ...
Amazing how rumors can spread.
parsy
Thanks for the link. I’ll enjoy reading that.
The RadarOnline report was just the Chicago way of giving a warning.Obama will nominate a Chief Supreme Court Justice its just a matter of time and a death or two. Its the Chicago way!
Oddly enough, instead he's created a case study for journalism classes all across the country. He's also put himself on the "academic map", although probably not in the way he had envisioned.
Is this another reason to dislike Gtown? As if we needed one.
Even if it wasn’t planned as a trial balloon, it could certainly put that idea into the heads of those who think they might benefit from it.
It would be a mistake to not expect anything at all from the Left when it comes to control of power.
I posted it first after seeing it on Drudge and I have no problem with having posted it. People are then free to contact whatever sources they have or look online to see the story and how it developed.
It’s a wakeup call for the right..and shows just how precarious the situation is for America right now....and I am glad to hear Roberts would rather die in his seat than let Obambi nominate someone.
I am sure Scotus is not too amused at the antics of that professor.
This was Orson Wellian for a while there
I call BS. Next time any of those L1s hear a juicy rumor, they’ll pass it on.
And he asked his students not to tell anyone. I think his lesson today is one the students will not soon forget. Check your sources.
Not sure what you mean. I mostly saw panic.
Drudge is usually very reliable. I presume that the poster who opened the thread assumed that Drudge had verified the story.
WHEN OH WHEN will the aging hippies give up their academic posts and leave the world alone???????????????
He knew EXACTLY what would happen....he’s not without guile here...
Excellent point! I’m quoting it. — FRegards ....
I think he has plenty of guile. I’m not sure about guilt, though. ;)
OMG isn’t it rich that it’s a #$@#% hoya behind the outrageous rumor?
I think what the prof did was a truly meaningful and clever way to demonstrate an important point. However, I think his choice of subject matter was reckless. He should have chosen a topic relevant only at the Georgetown level, not the national level.
In the long run, the nutty professor’s rumor will backfire. Odds are 90% he’s a leftist [based on party membership averages of professors]. So he will be “glad” to know how this will help rally the right.
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