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Editor: Rod Sullivan
Profession: Maritime Attorney

Category: Supreme Court Rulings

New York Times Op-Ed Columnist Frank Rich chose to lynch Justice Clarence Thomas again in a recent op-ed piece, where is such lynchings are at least labeled as opinion. The occasion was the publication of Thomas' autobiography entitled My Grandfather's Son which was released by Harper Collins on October 1. Rich is fossilized 60's style social activist who claims that Thomas hasn't changed with the times. Thomas may not have changed with the Times, but the times have caught up with Thomas.

I couldn't help but wonder whether Rich was taking a shot not just at Thomas, but at his first wife, Gail Winston, who is Executive Editor of Harper Collins, Thomas' publisher. For all I know Rich and his ex-wife could be best of friends, but Rich did feature commentary on the $1.5 million book deal, not an inordinate sum based upon what the book should bring in to the publisher. Perhaps that was a backhanded slap at his former spouse, or her employer, for having compensated Thomas for a book which is bound to spend many weeks on the best-sellers list.

Rich's commentary is based upon the CBS 60 minutes interview with Thomas rather than the book itself. It is worth noting that the book has no index. That must have been intentional. There was no way for Rich to simply flip to the back, find the sections which support his thesis, and then print that. He would have had to have actually read the book to comment on it.

Although, if he and his ex are on good terms, perhaps she had slipped him a copy over the transom before the release date. Maybe he already knew that this was a well-written, thoughtful, and revealing portrait of a great man. If he hasn't read it yet, there is still time.