1.   Although not all of the courts of appeals have endorsed the judicial function exception, it is nevertheless clear that the doctrine has a substantial following.

2.   As the following discussion indicates, the judicial function exception is almost as deeply rooted as Bramblett itself.

3.   Once planted, the judicial function exception began to flower in a number of other Circuits.

4.   We must, therefore, turn our attention to that case before deciding the fate of the judicial function exception.