This is a tiny story but opens our eyes to how liberals think, yet again. How depraved they can be. How hateful. How hypocritical. Imagine, for example, if it were about gays rather than the Pope—or a gay man dying of AIDS. And imagine the headlines that would be generated then.
The New York Daily News (don’t get this confused—they’re not the bad guys in this story) reports on a commentary printed in a rag called “New York Press”—a weekly piece of garbage, basically, from what I can gather.
It’s written up in the New York Daily News’ “Lowdown” column, assuring more attention than it would otherwise have gotten, but that’s the way things work sometimes.
Of course the New York Press’s point was to get “reaction” (and thus the “Lowdown” is more about the reaction to what was written than about what was written) and just the kind of attention it’s now getting, no doubt. And to that extent the stunt worked. But I think I’ll go ahead and turn it back on them. My take is to expose their depravity, their habit of being total hypocrites, their hatefulness, as liberals. I take the opportunity to demonstrate once again how liberals think, which includes stooping this low.
The weekly New York Press – a handout that is best used to line birdcages – has finally found a way to attract attention: Publish a tasteless cover story that ostensibly plays 84-year-old Pope John Paul’s current medical ordeal for laughs.
The story – by Press contributing editor Matt Taibbi – is headlined: “The 52 Funniest Things About the Upcoming Death of the Pope.”
But I didn’t find it funny – just shockingly offensive.
A typical entry is No. 47: “Upon death, Pope’s face frozen in sickening smile, eyes wide open and teeth exposed, like a baboon.”
I wondered about the reasoning behind publishing such a nauseating piece, but New York Press editor in chief Jeff Koyen chose not to return my phone calls yesterday.
Lowdown’s spot check of New Yorkers suggested that I’m not the only one who doesn’t get Koyen and Taibbi’s sense of humor:
Sen. Chuck Schumer: “This is the most disgusting thing I’ve seen in 30 years of public life.”
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton: “Pope John Paul is one of the world’s strongest forces for peace and understanding at a time when discord and rancor threaten every nation. It is outrageously offensive to make light of his physical suffering, which he has borne with such strength, dignity and grace.”
A spokesman for Mayor Bloomberg: “As disgusting as this is, it’s sadly par for the course for this publication.”
Rep. Anthony Weiner: “All I can tell you is that this is outrageous and the New York Press is way overpriced. Everyone has a right to free speech, but I hope New Yorkers exercise their right to take as many of these rags as they can and put them in the trash.”
Former Bronx Borough President Freddy Ferrer: “It’s juvenile and not funny. For a lot of New Yorkers, the Pope embodies beliefs that are important to us, and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”
Anti-Defamation League President Abraham Foxman: “It crosses the line of decency. This is a man who has devoted his life to love and compassion and reconciliation. To treat him in such gross manner is so ugly.”
Polish-American Congress official Frank Milewski: “I would say it’s hate speech – a most extreme example of hate speech.”
PTBC was founded by Mr. Johannesen in 2000.
Contact Mr. Johannesen about this article using this form. Please refer to article's title.
FOLLOW @JoelJohannesen ON X!
- Say something. - Friday October 25, 2024 at 6:03 pm
- Keep going, or veer right - Monday August 26, 2024 at 4:30 pm
- Hey Joel, what is “progressive?” - Friday August 2, 2024 at 11:32 am
