Hey, guess what? Jeri Thompson does NOT have a law degree, no matter what’s all over Google

 

Out of all the subjects I could tackle, I’m choosing this one? You’ll see why in a minute.

I was amused to read the following earlier this evening. It seems that Fred Thompson’s campaign listening tour fundraising effort uh, whatever it is he’s doing spokesperson has now decided to release a statement that his wife does not have a law degree. This is after scores of articles from outraged! Thompson supporters and apologists insisting that Mrs. Thompson is actually an attorney as well as a political consultant. (I believe the words “trophy wife” were being bandied about, which brought the heated defense in the first place.) Mrs. Thompson worked for a law firm as a consultant, it seems, but it was interesting to me that it took this long for the record to be corrected.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/08/06/the_truth_about_jeri_thompson.html?hpid=topnews
The Truth About Jeri Thompson
It is a measure of how rapid Jeri Kehn Thompson’s rise to prominence
has been that there has been widespread confusion about a basic fact of her background: whether or not she is a lawyer.

Several major news organizations — including USA Today, the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, and The Post — have in recent months referred to Jeri Thompson as both a political consultant and lawyer in articles about Fred Thompson’s nascent presidential campaign, in which his wife has taken a leading role.

And supporters of the Thompsons have repeatedly invoked Jeri Thompson’s status as an attorney to challenge insinuations that the 40-year-old mother of two is a mere “trophy wife” for the 64-year-old actor and former Tennessee senator. On Fox News last week, host Chris Wallace quoted a letter from a viewer attacking NPR’s Juan Williams for having previously used the ‘tw’ phrase in reference to Thompson: “You chauvinist pig. Jeri Thompson is an intelligent, accomplished woman. She is a lawyer. And she has worked in the public policy arena.” Added conservative blogger Ed Morrissey last month: “Anyone with access to Google knows that Mrs. Thompson worked as an attorney and media consultant in DC.”

Well, presumptuous as it may be to challenge the holy writ that is Google, the hard fact is that Jeri Thompson is not a lawyer. There is no trace in public records of Thompson holding a license to practice law in D.C. or any of the states in which she has resided. And today, campaign spokeswoman Linda Rozett said conclusively, “Jeri Thompson does not have a law degree.”

Evidently, there was enough of a delay that Mrs. Thompson’s alleged law degree is all over Google. You do the math.

-S

Belated Happy Birthday wishes to Julian Peterson of the Seattle Seahawks

Photo: Seattle PI 

Let’s just say that politics sucked this weekend. It’s always nice to know that those we voted into office Just Don’t Care about little things like, oh, restoring habeas corpus and defeating the ability of Alberto Gonzales to conduct even more warrantless wiretapping in our names. (Of course, Rep. Jay Inslee cares, and he gets a pass.) In the meantime, we spent four pleasurable hours watching the Hall of Fame game last night, so I now have football on the brain. (What happened to the New Orleans Saints? Are the Steelers that good this year, or were the Saints having an off-night? Last year, they dominated.)

I digress.

I didn’t watch professional football for years. Too predictable, too commercial, and can I tell you how desperately sick I am of the various dynasties in the NFL? Jeez, could someone else win for a change? I love college football because the players are still enthusiastic — after all, it’s not a business for them. They’re still playing because they love the game. Bla, bla, bla, yada, yada, yada, and then I found a player in the NFL worthy of my devotion. Good thing he plays for the Seahawks!

Julian Peterson of the Seattle Seahawks rocks the free world. I realize that other people prefer to watch the offense, and hey, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get a lot of enjoyment out of watching Shaun Alexander score at will. At the same time, it is more than a bit exciting to see my beloved #59 schooling quarterbacks in his extra-special World O’ Hurt. You’d think they’d already know that maybe it would’ve been a smarter decision to NOT step onto the same football field he’s currently playing on. I looked my favorite player up in Wikipedia this morning and discovered that we have the same birthday! (Of course I’m still 29. Why are you looking at me like that?!?!)

Preseason starts this weekend, baby! In the meantime, happy birthday, Julian, and I’ll look forward to another big year!

-S