Tuesday, March 19, AD 2024 3:43am

The New York Times as State Organ

In the old Soviet Union the two dominant newspapers were Izvestia (News) and Pravda (Truth).  People luckless enough to be born in the Soviet Union had a cynical joke about them:  “There is no News in Izvestia and there is no Truth in Pravda!”  James Tarantino in The Wall Street Journal notes that The New York Times, in its sycophantic coverage of the President and in its hostile coverage of the Church, resembles these two old propaganda organs of the Soviet State.

Despite being based in Rome, the reporters don’t seem to have a deep familiarity with the Catholic Church. They even quote a fellow journalist, from the Kansas City-based National Catholic Reporter, as an expert. What’s really striking about the Times story, though, is its ideological perspective–one that views the Catholic Church through the distorting lens of contemporary American liberalism as that weird religion that discriminates against women and has some sort of hang-up about condoms. Again, it reminds us of the way totalitarian propaganda outfits “report” on enemy states.

If you think “enemy states” is overwrought, check out the Times op-ed page. In a piece titled “Farewell to an Uninspiring Pope,” playwright John Patrick Shanley rants against the church:

Priests cannot marry. Why? I will tell you why. Priests cannot marry because they would have to marry women. Women cannot be priests.

Why? Women cannot become priests because of a bunch of old men. These old men justify their beliefs with a brace of ridiculous arguments that Jesus would have overturned in a minute. . . . I have little reason to hope that the Church of Rome will suddenly realize that without women, the Catholic Church is doomed, and should be doomed.

Wait, hasn’t he heard of nuns? Why yes he has. He continues: “I think of those good nuns who educated me, of their lifelong devotion and sacrifice. They have been treated like cattle by a crowd of domineering fools.”

Go here  to read the brilliant rest.  Contemporary liberalism has morphed into a very illiberal thing, a fact easily observed when liberals talk among themselves.

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Thomas Collins
Thomas Collins
Wednesday, February 13, AD 2013 8:48am

And the young lady in the video grew up to work for the Washington Post and publish a story that Sarah Palin was going to work for Al Jazeera:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/palin-mocks-false-report-joining-al-jazeera-article-1.1262016

Besides being biased, reporters also stupider and lazier than just about any other profession.

George Haberberger
George Haberberger
Wednesday, February 13, AD 2013 9:27am

Writer Andrew Klavan had a character in his novel, “The Identity Man” make this statement: “If stupidity were a communicable disease, journalists would need to be herded into a pit and shot like infected cattle.”

Alphatron Shinyskullus
Alphatron Shinyskullus
Wednesday, February 13, AD 2013 12:05pm

I do believe Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood and fan of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, uttered similar things about the Catholic Church.

Jon
Jon
Wednesday, February 13, AD 2013 10:23pm

Alphatron, during the initial phase of progressivism in America, eugenics was considered to be an enlightened application of science to social problems. Progressives were of one mind in believing they, as educated professionals, should control society’s course. However, the ultimate outcome appeared in Nazi Germany.

trackback
Thursday, February 14, AD 2013 12:01am

[…] Dr. Taylor Marshall Map of Where the Twelve Apostles Died – Catholicgauze, Geographic Travels The New York Times as State Organ – D. R. McClarey, The American Cthlc 40 Days of Lent in Practice of the Presence of God […]

Rose
Rose
Thursday, February 14, AD 2013 9:56am

Nothing like parading your ignorance for all to see. Shanley’s opinions don’t demonstrate even the slightest understanding of Catholic Church teaching, nor any interest in cultivating an understanding, just spreading the same old tired myths and prejudices. Those “good old nuns” he speaks of would be horrified because they were humble, holy and obedient servants of God.

Micha Elyi
Micha Elyi
Thursday, February 14, AD 2013 3:30pm

Is Shanley one of those “I can’t be an anti-Catholic bigot because I’m Irish!” types?

And does he imagine that all he needs to know about the Church he learned in kindergarten? Or in CCD? And, of course, what he picked up from cool kids who think the late George Carlin’s gags and jibes are full of deep theological insight?

Kevin J Jones
Thursday, February 14, AD 2013 11:48pm

Is Tarantino trying to mock the NYT’s quotation of John Allen? That really discredits his criticism.

Allen is a great journalist who was honest enough to admit he misjudged the then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. The NCReporter needs him a lot more than he needs the NCReporter.

k c Thomas
k c Thomas
Friday, February 15, AD 2013 11:47pm

Is the paper meant for criticism only ? Are not people alloweed to have different views, faith, religion etc ? Is not that freedom recognized by New York Times ? If so they should have something called “Tolerance”. Every religion including atheistic communism has its rules and regulations, principles and faith. Is it right to go on criticising everything like the many different customs of groups ofpeople ? A hindu believes that a bath in Ganges will help his salvation. can New York Times see the millions that gather for this bath ? It shows their faith You may call it superstition, The reasons, the backgrounds, the culture , all things have to be studied before condemning any customs or faith.

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