New York Times investigates Roberts adoptions, National Council for Adoption Outraged

As first reported by Drudge Report, then Fox News and Underneath Their Robes, New York Times journalists have expressed an interest in reviewing the adoption records of John Roberts' children, but were rebuffed by at least one lawyer they consulted about the possibility.

The National Council for Adoption issued the following statement:

"NCFA denounces, in the strongest possible terms, the shocking decision of the New York Times to investigate the adoption records of Justice John Roberts’ two young children. The adoption community is outraged that, for obviously political reasons, the Times has targeted the very private circumstances, motivations, and processes by which the Roberts became parents."

The Times' would-be Woodward's & Bernstein's actions are not surprising. Many a nominee has been withdrawn when "moderately illegal" activity has been uncovered, at least activity dealing with illegally hiring caretakers of children. Recall that:

- In 1993, Zoe Baird, Bill Clintons' first nominee for attorney general, was withdrawn when it was discovered she had hired an illegal immigrant as a nanny

- Soon thereafter, Kimba Wood, Clinton's second unsuccessful nominee for attorney general, also withdrew when it was discovered she had hired an illegal immigrant as a nanny.

- In January 2001, Linda Chavez quickly withdrew her nomination for Labor Secretary, charging that "search and destroy" politics had focused on the haven she gave an illegal immigrant from Guatemala in the early 1990s.

- In December 2004, New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik withdrew his nomination as homeland security secretary when questions arose concerning the immigration status of a housekeeper and nanny he employed.

So it would only be a matter of time before reporters would go on fishing expeditions into adoption records hoping to make a name for themselves by uncovering a scandal. Where will it end?