A Peculiar Article In The Jewish Journal On The Mainstream Press And Mayor Hahn
The Jewish Journal carries a lengthy article reporting that the mainstream press has ducked a story about Mayor James Hahn's private life, that at the Valley News and L.A. Weekly, reporters rebeled and wouldn't pursue it, and at the L.A. Times there was no thought of pursuing it.
But I've been told what the rumor is, and it seems to me that Rick Orlov and his colleagues at the Valley News and Weekly and the editors at the Times were entirely correct in not pursuing it. I wonder why the Jewish Journal even thought this was worth a long story.
The mayor's divorce has been reported. This rumor is an elaboration on that, but it has nothing to do directly with the mayor or anything he has done.
"All the news that's fit to print," long the motto of the New York Times, is applicable here. There is nothing here that the public need be concerned about. This is contemptible gossip.
It seems now that every major election is accompanied by wild stories, rumors and sordid nonsense. I'm not supporting Hahn in this election and have been critical of the Times editorial pages for not following through thus far on their primary endorsement of City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa.
But that is not to say that Hahn deserves being smeared with inconsequential nonsense, no more than the first President Bush did with campaign rumors he had had an affair.
The Times, the Daily News and the L.A. Weekly are reacting to this rumor honorably, by refusing to print it. More power to them.
Now, on the other hand, I think Times columnist Steve Lopez was entirely on point this morning, April 6, by suggesting that Cardinal Mahony was in error in flying first class to Rome, and that Jesus certainly would have flown coach. Steve Lopez is always the epitome of good taste.
But I've been told what the rumor is, and it seems to me that Rick Orlov and his colleagues at the Valley News and Weekly and the editors at the Times were entirely correct in not pursuing it. I wonder why the Jewish Journal even thought this was worth a long story.
The mayor's divorce has been reported. This rumor is an elaboration on that, but it has nothing to do directly with the mayor or anything he has done.
"All the news that's fit to print," long the motto of the New York Times, is applicable here. There is nothing here that the public need be concerned about. This is contemptible gossip.
It seems now that every major election is accompanied by wild stories, rumors and sordid nonsense. I'm not supporting Hahn in this election and have been critical of the Times editorial pages for not following through thus far on their primary endorsement of City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa.
But that is not to say that Hahn deserves being smeared with inconsequential nonsense, no more than the first President Bush did with campaign rumors he had had an affair.
The Times, the Daily News and the L.A. Weekly are reacting to this rumor honorably, by refusing to print it. More power to them.
Now, on the other hand, I think Times columnist Steve Lopez was entirely on point this morning, April 6, by suggesting that Cardinal Mahony was in error in flying first class to Rome, and that Jesus certainly would have flown coach. Steve Lopez is always the epitome of good taste.
posted by Ken Reich at 10:25 AM
2 Comments:
The Lopez column was amusing. On the other hand, the RC church, and its princes such as Mahony, have always adopted the high style. Lopez is critical of the Rog Mahal, but, had he been living centuries ago, would he have counseled the church to forego Notre Dame and Rheims because of the expense? What would Lopez permit, only bare clapboard along the lines of a rural Baptist church?
Although he is careful, Lopez takes a few cheap shots at the RC church and its beliefs. With JPII not yet buried, can't he hold his fire on that? Will he follow up with a column on how the other religions are wrong and hypocritical? Is attacking a faith of a billion appropriate for the Los Angeles Slimes?
I'm not a RC or Christian. I'm a runner.
I think Jesus would not have flown at all.
He would have walked while they waited...
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