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LAWYER NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR
First Alberto Gonzales was forced to resign in disgrace. Now they've stripped his Lawyer of the Year crown from him. What next?
Earlier this week, the American Bar Association Journal, to universal derision, named Gonzales Lawyer of the Year. They tried to make it clear that the recognition was merely for Gonzo's talent for stealing headlines, a talent unmatched among lawyers in 2007, but still, the jarring combination of his picture next to the words "Lawyer of the Year" proved too much for many to bear.
So the journal has issued a clarification:
When this article was posted online on December 12, 2007, it was titled “Lawyers of the Year.” The article defined that term as the year’s biggest legal newsmaker, identifying former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales as the major newsmaker of 2007. The Journal regrets that we did not make this theme clear.We appreciate the feedback we’ve received, and we’re acting on it. So that there can be no confusion, the term “Lawyers of the Year” has been changed in the headline and story to “Newsmakers of the Year.” The story is otherwise unchanged from its original version.
Note: Thanks to TPM Reader MB.
Comments (13)
Tyrone Biggums wrote on December 14, 2007 3:32 PM:Aw, now they wanna redefine what kind of honor they bestowed upon him. A little late now, don't 'cha think???
Dano wrote on December 14, 2007 3:46 PM:What? Was "Lying Weasel of the Year" taken?
GreatAuk wrote on December 14, 2007 3:51 PM:The really sad thing about this issue is that, if "Lawyer of the Year" was reserved for the biggest newsmaker, there apparently is no category for the ABA to esteem the individual who was the best at actually lawyer-ing in 2007.
The medium *is* the message i guess.
linda wrote on December 14, 2007 3:52 PM:and, if anyone has been wondering where the hell the aba has been while the constitution has been shredded and the rule of law obliterated -- why they're all sitting around in conference rooms thinking up cutesy year-end p.r. stunts.
if you want expressions of outrage and disgust at an administration topped out in anti-constitutional decrees and contempt for the legislature, you'll have to look to pakistan, where attorneys actually take to the streets in defense of their ideals.
Beth wrote on December 14, 2007 4:12 PM:Gonzo being ABA Journal's "Lawyer of the Year" is the same way that Stalin was Time's "Man of the Year." Hardly a ringing endorsement.
hastingspete wrote on December 14, 2007 4:15 PM:Linda nails it. Somewhere in the last year, between the constitutional hijackings, the absolutely outrageous political corruption of the Justice Department, FISA II, and a list of depridations too long to list here (and that's only 2007!), the ABA was, what, debating internal organizational issues. What, are they too scared of the Federalist Society which apparenly took over our legal infrastructure in the last six years and now run things? Ridiculous. Newsmaker of the Year, Lawyer of the Year, whatever. Stop being Time Magazine and grow up.
EH wrote on December 14, 2007 4:19 PM:Sorry, but "LOL." So are they saying they aren't going to award a Lawyer of the Year now?
Bokonon wrote on December 14, 2007 4:44 PM:Not much of a retraction. They are swapping the label, not changing the substance of what is in the article. Don't forget that David Addington, Scooter Libbery et al are also being honored as "newsmakers."
So ... I read this change as the editor of the ABA Journal saying, "Gosh, so sorry you felt offended. So we'll change the title, and we'll otherwise stand by our original decision. So f____ you."
-- Bokonon
Melula wrote on December 14, 2007 5:29 PM:"What’s the difference between a dead lawyer in the road and a dead possum in the road? The possum has skid marks in front of it.”
The Limey wrote on December 14, 2007 8:35 PM:The ABA has outdone themselves yet again. No wonder lawyers have such a bad reputation. Gonzo's former classmates certainly don't hold him in such high esteem.
I'm quite surprised at both the "award" and the reaction to it.
Does nobody here recall that Time magazine gave Adolf Hitler "Man of the year" in 1939 - as with Lawyer solely for creating the news.
Stanton wrote on December 14, 2007 8:45 PM:I think it is important to note the difference between the American Bar Association and state Bar Associations.
In order to practice law in any particular state, you must be a member of that state's Bar Association. You become a member by passing that state's Bar Exam.
The ABA is not like that. There's no test to pass, and membership doesn't give you any rights (well, there is a discount at Hertz).
A relatively small number of lawyers nationally are members of the ABA. Everyone gets one year free membership when they pass the Bar in my state, if that tells you anything about the membership standards.
My point is this: the ABA does not speak for most lawyers in this country. And something tells me, after reading about this award, that the ABA Journal does not speak for most members of the ABA.
parrot wrote on December 15, 2007 4:08 AM:Basically, this tempest simply points to the continuing rot of intellect in the Republic. When Bush's thugs are out, it looks like we may just be exchanging them for another bunch of thugs who have little respect for the Bill of Rights or the law. Perhaps this is what Rome felt like in the 3rd or 4th Century A.D. The question is, who are the "Christians" today? Who will be fed to the lions to satisfy the political malaise?
peggy wrote on December 15, 2007 10:28 AM:Scooter is on the list? Wasn't he disbarred?