January 31, 2007

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How I Scooped Every Major Newspaper, A Full Year Ago

Almost a year ago, I posted my anticipated class schedule for this school year. In it, I indicated that I had signed up for Robert Drinan's Professional Responsibility course. He's a former congressman, Jesuit priest, and human rights activist.

Zhubin then warned me, in the comments, "You're treading in dangerous waters taking Drinan. Go with Frisch for PR in your third year."

I responded, "Aside from the danger that he'll die and screw up my schedule, what is the danger with Drinan? I thought he was supposed to be pretty cool?" So anyway, I dropped Drinan's class.

Well, this weekend, he died. And thus I saved my schedule. Go, go, gadget prophecy!

In a new twist on the big geek meme, here is this story in a nutshell:

1. Predict death of beloved and progressive ex-congressman.
   
2. Ex-congressman dies.
   
3. ???
   
4. Prophet!

Also, it should be noted that, despite his warning, Zhubin posted some kind words about Drinan on his blog. And although I did not know him at all, based on the (admittedly one-sided and saccharine) articles and obits following his death, it seems like he was a really great guy. He was both religious and progressive, and so he supported unpopular things like birth control and abortion rights, despite his stances going against the official word from the Church. The Pope finally issued an edict prohibiting priests from holding public office, apparently in a large part simply to oust Drinan. In general, if the Pope has to issue an edict against you, you're probably pretty noteworthy, in one way or another.

Posted at January 31, 2007 11:34 AM | Comments (2)

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