Yet another first-rate opinion piece with reams of links for further research from this virtuoso columnist of culture and politics. Arguably the most influential in his field.

I haven't been paying much attention to the other stories reviewed here, but an earlier person rightly pointed out that this is an op-ed piece. Whether you agree with the opinions or not - they are just opinions. The evaluation criteria seem inappropriate for this kind of article.

Folks - this is an op ed piece, not a news story, so let's treat it as such. Mr. Rich is on an opinion page and he is entitled to publish his opinions there. The thing I think is questionable is his statement that the race card is played out - look at the Jena (is that spelled right) case in Louisiana.

Excellent op-ed piece about the “poor-me-but-I’m-out-to-get-my-enemies” fictional opus by Thomas. One of his fellow justices, when queried about the difference between him and Thomas replied, “I’m also a conservative, but I’m not crazy.” I remember those shameful hearings when "roll-over-and-play-dead" Democrats sat on their hands whilst Republicans threw Anita Hill under the bus. Everything anyone needs to know about the book is that Limbaugh and O’Reilly like it.

Whatever journalistic value this opinion piece has is masked by its hyperbole and sheer nastiness.

This water-cooler gossip piece should be an embarrassment to the New York Times. The writer seems to have a fixation on Anita Hill, whose attacks on Mr Thomas which were disproven by the statements of dozens of coworkers. He should read the book: it is not about Anita Hill. The comment of Jehan Sadat, widow of Anwar Sadat, about the attacks on Judge Thomas needs to be repeated: "they are laughing at the U.S. around the world" (page 276). The Times is paying the author for producing this soft-core racial bigotry a lot more than the pay Justice Thomas receives, and will continue to lose audience and money so long as they print these irrational opinion pieces.

A typical hit-piece by a former movie critic. Evidently Rich couldn't even be bothered to read the book he's hypothetically reviewing, since all he mentions is what he saw on television. Also, he displays his ignorance by not knowing that Asst Atty Gen'l in Missouri is hardly a plum but the lowest lawyer job in the system, as well as that *most* (98% or so) of all top law school graduates secure their first job just after their second year of law school and before their third and final year. Rich is an ignorant joke, but he's a reliable ignorant joke.

This op-ed is another embarrasing hit piece from the times. Frank's poor efforts at character assasination and distorted "facts" earn him very low marks. On the plus side, his spell-checker worked.