April 03, 2005
Newsflash, Newsflash
The Pope is dead, just in case you hadn't heard. Yes, he was an important world figure, but Our Media, once again, is busy wringing the last teardrop out of this handkerchief. Honestly, you would think he was Princess Di . Even my beloved NPR and the BBC are taking part in the frenzy. Soon we will be hearing about the details of his hat and jewelry collection.
While the tedium of it all is nearly unbearable, the real question is what happens to other important stories while the world is mourning the Pope twenty four-seven? I guess Tom Delay's indictment, and the death of the filibuster will have to wait. Besides, some issues are too complicated for the public to understand. Now death, there's solid subject that captures everyone's attention. Too bad the Pope's passing happened in the same week as Terri Schiavo's. Such poor timing. I was hardly even tired of hearing about that one yet. Both of them, bless their hearts, provided the press with long, drawn out, agonizing ends - literally months of big red herrings.
George W. has taken the opportunity to communicate covertly with all his Fundamentalist Christian constituency in his Pope Paul death speech, by peppering his remarks with multiple references to the culture of life. Thank heavens I cannot find an unedited version for your perusal. Wait until they find out that the Pope, to his credit, was opposed the invasion of Iraq, the torture at Abu Gahrib, and the death penalty. But let's not make a big issue out of little differences when there's an opportunity to send a message to the flock.
Our press recently spent a week or two interring Ronald Reagan while hardly mentioning his unappealing little prejudices, and the tradition continues. The Pope had a few blind spots that take away from his shining image in my book. I felt that his opposition to condom use in the AIDs epidemic in Africa was unconscionable, though I do understand that it goes along with the ensconced tradition of opposing birth control in the Catholic Church. Usually all that means is the oppression of women and the propagation of poverty -- but epidemic AIDS? I thought it might be an exception.
I could not believe the Pope's appointment of Cardinal Bernard Law to his inner circle at the Vatican, not two years after Law's forced resignation rom the Archdiocese of Boston. Cardinal Law participated actively in a thirty-year coverup of clergy sexual abuse of children. The Pope, in the old boy, patriarchal tradition, quickly found a place for Cardial Law in his inner sanctum. What does that say about his position on the sexual abuse of children in the church, or rather the corruption of power that exists in the institution as a whole that needs careful examination? I would give the Pope an "F" on that one, for Flagrant Denial.
For the occasion of the Pope's death, Cardinal Law can be seen commenting on ABC's "This Week". He's back! Let's hope he's not on the short list to be Pope. Perhaps he'll be satisfied by replacing Dan Rather, instead.
Photo note: Best I could do with death on short notice.
Posted by Dakota at April 3, 2005 07:28 AMDear Dakota,
What a smart and really funny page today! Thank you...I am still laughing over the "Princess Di" comment. The front page of the Globe these past few days makes me feel as if I am reading "Catholic Weekly" or something like it. You are so right...where the hell is the other news? (I mean, omigod, what about Charles and Camilla, for example?). Anyway, thanks for the laughs. If you want to see a thoughtful piece on poor Terri Schiavo, see the latest New Yorker column...really interesting. Love to you in these appalling times. Mrs. W
Thanks, Dakota, for restoring the balance and reminding us of the the distraction and the reality.
My feeling is that the probably millions dead/to die from AIDS in Africa and the 100,000 or so Iraqis killed are invisible in the calculus of American morality.
The Culture of Life, like all of the slogans of Satan, is an inverted lie. Easy to see, once you get the hang of it.
Beautiful, haunting photograph.
Wow, Helium stopped by?
Wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeee!
Hi Mrs. W.
I do love Camilla -- the New Yorker had a great interview with her too, several years ago, which made me realize why Charles is crazy about her. The NY Times Sunday Style Section has a piece this week on them. Did you realize that she hasn't changed her hairstyle in many years? A girl after our own hearts.
I'll look for Terri Schiavo in the New Yorker. What's on the cover, so I know what to extract from my pyramid.
Always lovely to hear from you . D
Posted by: Dakota at April 4, 2005 09:43 PMHello there An0n -
The Culture of Life is a Slogan of Satan. Perfect line for a bumper sticker, a cup or a T. We could set up shop right here, if only I had the technical expertise.
I was astonished to hear from Helium, but when I tried to email him/her/it, the message bounced back. Could it be a fake? We'll have to wait and see.
with baited breath,
I remain
your friend Dakota
This is somewhat beside the point, but I want to send you an email and can't find your contact thingy anywhere on your site. Is that because it's not there? (I mean the contact address). Please send me un petit email so I can then reply.
Posted by: Natalie at April 5, 2005 10:05 AMIt'sthe first real column (maybe "Talk of the Town"?...I can't recall) in the issue with the baseball player on the cover.
Posted by: Mrs. W at April 5, 2005 11:46 AMHello Dakota
Did an google image search on the word sweet and stumbled on your site. Very nice.
I think they did a spot on Peter Jennings tonight about the company that makes pope hats.
As for those that died of AIDS in Africa. Guess old popey is going to have to answer to them now!
Posted by: Coffeedog at April 5, 2005 09:01 PMHey Coffeedog-
Thanks for stopping by and letting me know how you found me. Googling "sweet" --now there's a little irony for you. I tried, but couldn't find anything of mine in the first twenty five pages of sweet images. You must be a very persistant person.
Sadly, I missed the Peter Jennings proof of the pudding piece. Just knowing about it gives me more confidence in my psychic abilities.
One wonders whether popey will end up in the same place as the African AIDS victims at all. Did you know that, like Ronald Reagan, started out as an actor? There's a lot of dramatic ability required in the pope job.
Hi Dakota
Sadly Peter Jennings annouced last night that he has lung cancer. I tuned into the show just as he was annoucing it, his voice was horse and I yelled at the TV, CLEAR YOUR THROAT PETER - just seconds later he said lung cancer. I felt || this big when I heard that.
Yes I heard that, and also that the pope was a poet. I think if there is a god, then he sent popey to the same place as all the victims just for spite.
It was odd the way your site appeared - the internet and Google are amazing things. I'd post the link but the commenting feature is not letting me. The pic that lead me here was the pic of a baby, yet I could find no baby here on your site. If you are really interested email me and I'll send you think link so you can see it :-)
Dear Coffedog -
Help! I can't get either your email or your url (which comes up almost all black except for your name in ultramarine in the corner. Are you out of business, or don't I have the trick to open it?)
So sad about Peter Jennings. We are losing all the classics. I thank heaven for Daniel Shorr's longevity.
Did you hear that Jimmy Carter wasn't invited to the Pope's funeral? Too much good PR to waste on one of our most moral citizens. Maybe one way to measure morality is to count the number of sychophants surrounding a person.
Best D
Posted by: Dakota at April 7, 2005 08:40 AM