April 3, 2005
SOLEMN AND RESPECTFUL
Pope John Paul II, Keeper of the Flock for a Quarter of a Century
(New York Times, April 3rd, 2005)
The death of Pope John Paul II came at a time when Americans have been engaged in an unusual moment of national reflection about mortality. The long, bitter fight over the unknowing Terri Schiavo was a stark contrast to the passing of this pontiff, whose own mind was keenly aware of the gradual failure of his body. The pope would certainly never have wanted his own end to be a lesson in the transcendent importance of allowing humans to choose their own manner of death. But to some of us, that was the exact message of his dignified departure.
Just as the message The Times got from his fight for freedom in Eastern Europe was that women should have the right to control their bodies.
In New York TimesLand, "choice" is of "transcendent importance" only in matters of death or activities likely to lead to a debased life and/or death.
In matters relating to where one sends children to school, how much income citizens are allowed to keep and the size of the tank on a homeowners own toilet there are obligations to society of "transcendent importance" which must be honored.
Evidently the Times put their obit online before it was finished. John Hinderaker from PowerLine got a screenshot of it, before it was taken down and fixed:
Pope John Paul II Dies; Times Can't Find Someone Who Liked Him
Posted by: joe shropshire at April 3, 2005 1:49 PMThey're slipping; Howell would have figured out a way way to work 'women in Augusta!' into the piece, too.
Posted by: Noel at April 4, 2005 2:14 AM