If the Los Angeles Times' Tim Rutten is determined to establish himself as one of the nation's worst journalists when it comes to writing on the issues of abortion and Catholicism, he's doing a helluva job. His latest column on the Obama-Notre Dame controversy unfairly characterizes pro-lifers and misrepresents the scandal.
Here's how Rutten portrays pro-life Catholics who are protesting President Obama's appearance at Notre Dame:
Some people just won't be happy until the Inquisition has office space again and kindling is being piled up around the local stakes.
Puh-leeze. Rutten is completely ignorant to the fact that those who protest Obama's appearance are simply seeking to uphold what the full body of United States Catholic bishops declared five years ago:
The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.
And if Rutten or anyone else is unclear as to what those "fundamental moral principles" include, the very same document states:
[T]he killing of an unborn child is always intrinsically evil and can never be justified.
Got it?
As the bishops' statement five years ago clearly indicates, Notre Dame's invitation clearly defies the Church in the United States. Yet that doesn't stop the dishonest Rutten from repeating an awful smear published by the National Catholic Reporter against the Cardinal Newman Society, a leading voice in opposition to Obama's appearance at Notre Dame. The Newman Society is a Catholic group that is "dedicated to renewing and strengthening Catholic identity at America's 224 Catholic colleges and universities." But as Rutten reports, the Reporter newspaper has accused the Newman Society of wanting Catholic universities to become "Catholic madrasas."
Rutten characterizes the Reporter simply as an "influential" newspaper. In fact, it is unquestionably an outspoken liberal newspaper that frequently provides a forum for dissident Catholics, including losers like Fr. Richard McBrien. While Rutten has no hesitation in slapping a "conservative" label on anything representing what is traditional, he flat-out refuses to label anyone "liberal" in this debate.
+_+_+_+
In the interest of brevity, I have posted a shortened, edited version of my post. For the full version, go to TheMediaReport.com.
Also from TheMediaReport.com:
Book Review: William Lobdell's 'Losing My Religion'
Attorney John Manly : An Index
—Dave Pierre is the creator of TheMediaReport.com and a contributor to NewsBusters.
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I know he's trashing the Catholic Church, but . . .
March 28, 2009 - 21:00 ET by CKA in Red State USA. . .he's also, through smearing our Catholic Christian brothers and sisters who affirm life and what the Christ stands for, trashing us Protestant Christians who share the same respect of life as Catholic Christians.
And, you know, maybe he's right: It is time for an updated Inquisition.
It's coming, but not like he thinks.
And it will be hot, very hot, for those who decide to continue turning their hearts and minds against life itself and the Creator thereof.
CKA
March 28, 2009 - 21:08 ET by Kelly72"...he's also, through our surrogate Catholic Christian brothers and sisters who affirm life and what the Christ stands for, trashing us Protestant Christians who share the same respect of life as Catholic Christians."
Absolutely.
Such "contempt" as is on display by this person (and so many others like him) is difficult to fathom.
Contempt for those who believe in the sanctity of all life? Contempt for those who want to protect the weakest members of our human family? Contempt for those who make the effort to stand up for those who cannot do so themselves?
Contempt?
Where do such people think such an attitude comes from... and where do they think it ultimately leads?
Just my take on their "contempt,"mind you . ..
March 28, 2009 - 21:23 ET by CKA in Red State USABut I think it gets to their hatred of God.
They want to be gods of their own worlds.
And they're not about to acknowledge the Creator of all.
They can't.
But they seem to know enough.
Remember in Genesis, that God said that man (yes, we know it includes all humans) was created in the Triune God's image?
So if you war against the unborn, kill the unborn, aren't you really waging war against God Himself?
And if you believe that Christ is the life giver, as He says He is, then one way to get even is to war against humanity's most defenseless.
To me, that's unfettered evil.
The journalist doesn't really know this, I suspect.
But it doesn't matter, does it?
His contempt really is from the prince of darkness.
Right
March 28, 2009 - 21:50 ET by Kelly72You had me at the first line. :)
Seriously, I think you are absolutely right.
Dave.. if I may add to your
March 28, 2009 - 21:01 ET by celatorDave.. if I may add to your comments about The National Catholic Reporter. As you know, it is in no way sanctioned by the Catholic Church and more often than not, editorializes against the teachings of the Church on many topics.
Non-Catholics sometimes assume that because the word "Catholic" is in the name of the paper, that it is "Catholic". It promotes the leftist rebel agenda, much like main stream media.
It's journalistic trash.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
Yes, celator ...
March 28, 2009 - 21:15 ET by Dave Pierre"Journalistic trash," indeed!
Trash? You're being polite. It's excrement.
March 28, 2009 - 21:25 ET by CKA in Red State USAFrom a dark God-hating heart and constipated mind.
Not so fast
March 28, 2009 - 21:26 ET by KC MulvilleNational Catholic Reporter may not reflect conservatives, but it does boast an outstanding reporter: John Allen. I don't read much of the rest of it, but I always read Allen. I'll tell you how good he is ... I can't tell if he's liberal or conservative. I look forward to his columns, usually on Friday. He gives you an insider's perspective on the church, and he's not just focused on Europe or the US. He covered the pope's trip to Africa, and his latest piece is a solid analysis of the African church.
Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater - Allen is worth reading, even to non-Catholics.
"Puh-leeze" Indeed.
March 28, 2009 - 21:05 ET by MotherWomen killing their own offspring 'legally' is just wrong on so many levels that religion does NOT need to play a part in someone's psyche to understand how EVIL that IS.
Susan Smith killed her young boys...maybe she just 'aborted' too late huh?
At the 'cell level' I don't think abortion is murder.
-But, at the hands, feet, eyes, ears, fingers grasping level...it's pure murder now matter how some Libtards want to paint it.
Good evening Mother
March 28, 2009 - 21:13 ET by cocodrieI believe that once the egg is fertilized everything is present in it, the hands, feet, and everything else.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Evening back, cocodrie
March 28, 2009 - 21:21 ET by MotherThat's the age old argument...when does the soul happen?
-And, do people who don't believe in 'having' souls...
Wellllllllll are they believing they are soulless? What a strange state of belief that is.
I know Mother
March 28, 2009 - 21:37 ET by cocodrieI know Mother. Adam became a living soul the instant God breathed His spirit into him. I believe a baby becomes a living soul the instant God gives it life, and that is at conception.
The double standard whackos want to put us in jail if we harm the unhatched egg of an eagle but they want to kill babies even after they are born. Why do they consider an unhatched egg to be an eagle but an unborn human is nothing?
WE have become a nation with no morals.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
"Puh-leeze" Indeed.
March 28, 2009 - 21:10 ET by MotherDouble post fix.
*juggles some bowling balls*
It would seem
March 28, 2009 - 21:10 ET by FastEdthat when words are couched in simple terms, without "feelings" then libs don't have a clue what is being spoken - therefore, it becomes necessary to say "Baby kill bad, people who want baby kill - bad too". It has to do with mature thinking and age, libs are still in kindergarten.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
The arrogance of journalism
March 28, 2009 - 22:04 ET by KC MulvilleRutten is addressing Catholics, telling them to pay no attention to the people who are protesting Obama's invitation. Well, then, who the hell is Tim Rutten to advise Catholics how to think? That's a job reserved for bishops, and as it turns out, the local bishop has made his intention clear - he's boycotting the thing.
Personally, I wouldn't have invited Obama. If the Notre Dame tradition is that you reward a newly elected president with an honor that you normally give to people who represent Catholic values, then your tradition will inevitably produce a pointless conflict between the two. It's a predictable conflict, so why set it up that way? It puts Obama in an uncomfortable position, and we all know how much he likes to be in uncomfortable positions. It would have been better had you just never invited him. I don't think it's the end of the world, but it's a conflict no one needed. It would have been more judicious to let it alone.
Rutten is using the most unimaginative rhetorical cheat: instead of defending the ideas involved, he simply wants you to believe that tradition is bad. A new wave is coming, so don't hold onto your old ways of thinking. Join the new bandwagon, where you don't have to deny yourself anything.
Rutten also makes the idiotic claim that church's teaching are going to change because polls show that young people think more liberally. That rests on two obvious misconceptions:
Neither are true.
One more thing
March 28, 2009 - 22:28 ET by KC MulvilleFor any young people who refuse to change their attitudes to conform with the church, and who believe that the church must conform to them, I have two words:
KCM - I've been expressing myself the same way lately!
March 29, 2009 - 18:11 ET by Cape ConservativeThe student spokesperson for the Boston College Democrats was explaining their invitation to Bill Ayers, that 'respected' professor - to which the college administration has since said NO. Believe it or not, the story is that this young girl, 21 but with a 13-year-old outlook, thinks she is going to join the Marine Corps after graduation. Wonder how her defense of this 'respected' admitted "guilty but free as a bird" planner of Pentagon bombings is going to fly during OCS at Quantico!
These so-called young adults haven't learned to be RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN WORDS/ACTIONS! They have been coddled all their lives and were NEVER taught that there are CONSEQUENCES to each and every decision they make! I, too, wish they would just GROW UP!
It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
This is an unthinkable invite
March 28, 2009 - 22:14 ET by Delsafor Notre Dame to have made.
I am left speechless.
If the young folks at ND don't understand the twisted truth of what inviting the devil to their school and giving him an award means, then I think the school has failed to teach and there is no hope for these young graduates.
Graduates, maybe. Catholics, No!
Somehow the Catholic teachings were left out. A little thing like killing babies.
Very sad day indeed.
God Bless the Bishop for not attending.
If SOBama had any class, he'd withdraw all by himself! Save ND the embarrasment of rescinding the invite.
BUT he has NO class and loves being on stage stage too much.
Delsa... TOTUS is a
March 28, 2009 - 22:30 ET by bigtimerDelsa...
TOTUS is a soulless empty vessel....he is to be feared as he is controlled by Satan.
...IMHO.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Did they mention Irving
March 28, 2009 - 22:35 ET by ConservativeRexDid they mention Irving "Bud" Feldkamp III's family in this article? I suggest you read Gingi Edmonds article about this monster. You can link it through Ann Coulter's website. It's fairly astounding, and you can make of it what you will.
Rutten is probably just your
March 29, 2009 - 11:16 ET by EugeniaRutten is probably just your typical cafeteria Catholic if not former Catholic completely who's angry cuz he didn't want to give up a perverse lifestyle rather than "picking up his cross to follow Me." Hmm, gee, I wonder Who said that...
Rotten Tim Rutten
March 29, 2009 - 16:29 ET by ledurchiI'm not sure I understand his point. Is he advocating a return of the inquisition? The abortion mills he seems to supports have torn apart, exponentially, more people than Torquemada's torture machines ever did. Maybe Rotten Tim finds that appealing?
St. Clement of Alexandria,
March 30, 2009 - 16:21 ET by rbosqueSt. Clement of
Alexandria, Christ the Educator, 2:10, 202 A.D.
"If we should but control our
lusts at the start and if we would not kill off the human race born and
developing according to the divine plan, then our whole lives would be lived
according to nature."
"Women who resort to some sort of deadly abortion
drug kill not only the embryo, but, along with it, all human kindness." Ibid,
23:174