KOPEL: McCain preachers merit scrutiny, too

By Dave Kopel, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 5, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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On March 28, RockyMountain News.com published an unedited Speakout piece by Evergreen resident Justin Dick, arguing that the media were racist because they covered the hateful statements made by Barack Obama's minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, but failed to cover the equally outrageous statements of pro-Republican ministers. The Op-Ed raises an important point, although not an original one.

The point is not original, because almost all of Dick's piece is a verbatim copy of a March 19 article on the Huffington Post Web site by Cenk Uygur. An astute commenter on the Rocky's Web site pointed out Dick's plagiarism.

So here's a tip for Op-Ed editors everywhere: For any Op-Ed being considered for publication, take a couple of sentences, and run each through an Internet search engine. The check should take less than a minute, and can save editors from wasting time on plagiarists.

Uygur, besides writing for the Huffington Post, is an early-morning host for Air America, although his program isn't carried on 760 AM, Denver's Air America affiliate.

To support the thesis that the media treat the misdeeds of white, pro-Republican religious figures differently from the way they treated Obama's Jeremiah Wright, Uygur writes that "Rudy Giuliani's priest" has been accused of child molestation. Actually, the man, Alan Placa, isn't really "Giuliani's priest" or anybody else's priest, since he was ordered by the Catholic Church to cease his performance of priestly functions. Before that, Placa did officiate at Giuliani's marriage to the second of his three wives. Notably, Giuliani did hire Placa to work for Giuliani Partners.

In any case, the Placa-Giuliani relationship was detailed in an Oct. 23 report by ABC's Brian Ross. If the Giuliani campaign hadn't collapsed, the story would have merited further discussion in the mainstream media. But I wouldn't fault the Denver media for not covering the story. Given the increasingly severe space limits for national news, you can't fault the Denver papers for ignoring a peripheral story about an also-ran candidate.

In contrast, readers should expect in-depth coverage of the candidates who might really become president. As with Giuliani, it was ABC's Ross who brought forward the story of Obama's association with a scurrilous man of the cloth.

In March and April 2007, The New York Times published two articles about Obama's efforts to distance himself from his former mentor Wright. In the following 10 months, it would have been easy for a journalist to do what ABC's Ross finally did by March 2008: buy and report on the videos that Wright's church sells, containing Wright's many hateful diatribes. Any Colorado TV station, or even the Web site of one of the Colorado newspapers, could have reported a major national story that would have been important to many citizens, including Coloradans, who cast ballots in January and February, not knowing about Obama's decades-long close relationship with a radically anti-American extremist.

The national political correspondents for the Denver papers were among the many journalists who failed to report a story that was important and easily reportable.

Uygur wonders why the media have devoted so little attention to John McCain's association with mega-church leader Rev. James Hagee (who has made a variety of strongly anti-Catholic statements) and with the Rev. Rod Parsley, who believes that one of God's purposes in creating America was to fight a holy war against Islam. McCain had sought and received Hagee's endorsement, and had praised Parsley at one campaign event in Ohio.

Yet the only mention of Hagee or Parsley in either the Rocky or the Post has been in letters to the editor (and in Dick's plagiarized Op-Ed).

After the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights began a public campaign on the Hagee issue, McCain on March 10 stated: "I repudiate any comments that are made, including Pastor Hagee's, if they are anti-Catholic or offensive to Catholics." Catholic League President Bill Donohue responded: "Sen. McCain has done the right thing and we salute him for doing so. As far as the Catholic League is concerned, this case is closed."

Uygur's March 19 article should have noted McCain's March 10 statement about Hagee. McCain has not issued a similar statement about Parsley.

Uygur (and Dick in plagiarizing Uygur) theorized racism as the explanation for the disparate media treatment of Wright and Hagee/Parsley, but added, "I'm willing to listen to other possible explanations."

The obvious explanation is that McCain has not spent the last 20 years attending a church headed by Hagee or Parsley, nor did he title his own book after a Hagee/Parsley sermon saying how terrible America is, nor did he credit Hagee or Parsley with converting him to Christianity. Simply put, the intimacy and intensity of Obama's association with Wright is orders of magnitude greater than McCain's association with Hagee or Parsley.

That said, a paper that provided thorough campaign coverage would have at least had a short item about Hagee once the Catholic League began making him an issue. Unfortunately, such comprehensive coverage isn't possible given the size of the national news holes in the Denver papers.

Dave Kopel is research director at the Independence Institute, an attorney and author of 10 books. He can be reached at kopeld@RockyMountainNews.com.

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Comments

April 5, 2008

7:18 a.m.

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JamesRearden writes:

Hey Rocky - what's up with this headline? It has nothing to do with the editorial - in fact, it gives one the opposite impression of what the ed. says...
April 5, 2008

11:13 a.m.

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HolierThanThou writes:

Rev. James Hagee called the Catholic church the "great whore", a mistaken reference from the Book of Revelations. Hagee has not repudiated this insult to his fellow religionists and McCain continues to accept Hagee's endorsement.

The "whore" reference originated with Anglican hostility to the Roman Catholic church. The Pope refused to countenance King Henry VIII's series of divorces and executions of his own wives. The Anglican church was founded on royal divorce and murder. I'm not criticizing them because most Anglicans are nice people but it's a simple historical fact that anyone can look up. Nevertheless while Anglicans have forgiven and forgotten, Pentecostals and other fundamentalist have run away with this animosity for Catholics and enjoy bandying about the Catholic whore talk. They have neither any understanding of Revelations nor any love whatsoever for Catholics, a most anti-Christian attitude.

I refuse to put Rev. in front of Rod Parsley's name. The man is a complete and shameless fraud. He's a political activist who defrauds the government of taxes by wrapping his politics in a thin skin of crack-brained piety. He no more deserves tax-exempt status for his "church" than a circus does for using dancing elephants and clowns to sell tickets. And the clowns are better for your brain.

In 1992, the Columbus Post Dispatch reported the filing of a lawsuit by Naomi Endicott against Parsley and his father for sexual harassment after they offered her money for sex and silence. So, let's not be so shocked when Parsley repeats, "I just love to talk about money, I just love to talk about your money. Let me be very clear — I want your money. I deserve it. This church deserves it."

Parsley needs money from suckers to support his lavish 21 acre estate and to pay those lawyers. Parsley has said that adultery should be outlawed and treated with prison in America. In his own particular case, he might be right about that.

One thing that makes Parsley so special is his psychotic attachment to the power of war. To quote, "I cannot tell you how important it is that we understand the true nature of Islam, that we see it for what it really is. In fact, I will tell you this: I do not believe our country can truly fulfill its divine purpose until we understand our historical conflict with Islam. I know that this statement sounds extreme, but I do not shrink from its implications. The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed..."

So, naturally Parsley believes that our Constitutional separation of church and state is wrong. He wants you and your kids to bleed on battle fields all over the world crusading against a religion of approximately one billion adherents.

A smart idea? Maybe not.

Makes you wonder where John McCain got the idea to bomb Iran.
April 5, 2008

12:08 p.m.

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anderson writes:

It may not be perfect, but the headline fits the column. Read closely.

Kopel loses credibility when he refers to (U.S. military veteran) Rev. Wright as a "radical anti-American extremist" without any argument in support of such a claim. Maybe Kopel should write a column about the effects of repeating a specific claim over and over again in media on public perception. The association of Sadaam with 9-11 is as classic example. Calling Wright anti-American, or racist or hateful is another. I've noticed in the Denver newspapers this particular claim is seldom accompanied by argument or quote. It's just a given. And if you repeat something often enough, people tend to believe it.
April 5, 2008

12:17 p.m.

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HolierThanThou writes:

You need not wonder where I got the idea to discuss McCain's "spiritual" advisors here. It wasn't my idea. I got it from the Republicans when they derided Barack Obama for having a minister who criticizes America.

As has already been pointed out. Reverend Jeremiah Wright is a veteran. I believe that veterans have more than earned the right to sharply criticize their country for its transgressions. I don't agree with everything Wright said but he has made a number of valid points on the subjects of racism, poverty, and hunger amidst our amber waves of grain.

As a practical matter, pious frauds like Parsley, who incite real hatred, global violence and war, contribute nothing of value to the national dialog. As Americans, we have very little power to solve the problems of other nations and world. We can easily make matters worse, but solutions that work for everyone are hard to come by without careful consideration and cooperative action.

Reverent Jeremiah Wright actually makes a valuable contribution to the national dialog, as do most serious critics. He refuses to quietly allow us to take our eyes off the problems that we ourselves have created, the ugliness that we tolerate and excuse in our own country. He loudly demands that we face up to what we are, admit our mistakes, and then get up and do something about it. These are issues that Americans alone can actually solve. But they will never be solved if we ignore them. So, listen up when men like Jeremiah Wright speak. He bled for America and, no doubt, it makes him furious to watch us turn into a nation of hogs who only care about themselves while turning a blind eye to injustice and the relentless suffering of our fellow Americans.
April 5, 2008

1:16 p.m.

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RMREADER writes:

I notice that nobody has mentioned that one of Bush's spiritual advisor's (Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell) has endorsed Senator Obama and this WAS AFTER the Rev. Wright fracas.
Frankly, the Rev. Wright dust up is just an attempt to knee cap the Obama campaign since running on the issues, job experience, and other real matters has proven unsuccessful for Clinton. This low and ham handed strategy should be repudiated as both an attack on free speech and the ability to worship freely.
How come nobody has brought up the hate speech of Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson? Both of those men have had access to Republican White Houses for years and I never heard a peep of outrage. Of course both of those men are white and that doesn't threaten white and christian America. Hypocrisy continues.
April 5, 2008

3:56 p.m.

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Darwin writes:

HolierThanThou stated "You need not wonder where I got the idea to discuss McCain's "spiritual" advisors here. It wasn't my idea. I got it from the Republicans when they derided Barack Obama for having a minister who criticizes America."

"...criticizes America." He is doing more than criticizing America, he is spewing hatred and presenting lies. Where is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when you need a real patriot.

So Wright was in the Marine Corps, so was Lee Harvey Oswald. Criticize but don't lie and spew hatred.

Many of you are making the point (by attacks on McCain and Obama) that perhaps the candidate to vote for is Clinton. As an unaffiliated voter and not a lackey of either party, I will consider her if she is the Democratic candidate.
April 5, 2008

5:51 p.m.

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jay writes:

The FAR religious right is willing to give a pass to the hate and bigotry that spew from the mouths of mccain's spiritual advisors...simply because they are hating and discriminating against the "right" people

hypocrisy at its finest
April 6, 2008

12:01 p.m.

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Brain writes:

anderson, hollierthanthou, jay = hypocrisy at its finest!

I suppose you guys think your objective. Spiritual advisors of McCain? Do you have a quote from McCain that he acknowledges they are his "spiritual advisors"?
April 6, 2008

12:18 p.m.

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anderson writes:

Darwin, you too repeat the claim of "hatred and lies" unsupported by any quote or discussion, as if it's a given. Well, it's not a given.
April 6, 2008

1:45 p.m.

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jvb writes:

Gene: "hee hee" you are an idiot.
April 6, 2008

3:45 p.m.

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jay writes:

brain...willful ignorance is no excuse to refuse to use google...go ahead...google "mccain""spiritual advisor"...it won't hurt...much
April 6, 2008

5:20 p.m.

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Brain writes:

jay, I have; have you read everything closely? McCain does not say that Parsley is his "spiritual advisor" at all. Please prove me wrong. The spin on this one is ridiculous.

I do prefer Yahoo though.
April 6, 2008

5:47 p.m.

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jay writes:

mccain has not said he's a spiritual advisor?

that is certainly news to those of us who are well informed on the issue
April 6, 2008

5:54 p.m.

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jay writes:

my sincerest apologies brain...mccain apparently called him a "spiritual guide"...not a "spiritual advisor"....i stand humbly corrected.

you should try youtube for the some of hagee's and parsley's greatest hits...including those at mccain functions...don't know if yahoo is giving you the good stuff

surely you don't disagree that hate and discrimination and hate and discrimination...regardless of who the targets of such ventures happen to be?
April 6, 2008

6:34 p.m.

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Brain writes:

jay, I accept your apology but you did write: "from the mouths of MCCAIN'S SPIRITUAL ADVISORS" these “guides/advisors” are not McCain’s.

McCain has said that Parsley is A "spiritual guide".

Here is what McCain said;

“I am very honored today to have one of the truly great leaders in America, a moral compass, a spiritual guide…thank you for your leadership and your guidance. I am very grateful you are here.”

I am sure that McCain is correct that Parsley is a spiritual guide to many people just like Wright is/was to Obama; but McCain did not say that Parsley is HIS spiritual advisor/guide, in fact the two first met at this campaign rally in February 08’.

Obviously there will always be hate and discrimination and I would not knowingly support or be apart of a group that supports hate and discrimination; the reverends do say some radical things (all three), I personally don’t support any of them.
April 6, 2008

8:15 p.m.

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jay writes:

lol...rationalize your rationalization any way you wish, brain....parsley and hagee have been called spiritual guides by mccain...and they advocate hate and bigotry...i'm not sure how you can continue to fail to see the hypocrisy of the far right on this issue
April 6, 2008

11:12 p.m.

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GWBushwacked writes:

Parsley=scary

Anyone who has performed exorcism to try to cure the mentally ill is dangerous.
April 7, 2008

11:17 a.m.

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Spencer writes:

another good reason to play golf on Sunday and avoid church altogether
April 7, 2008

12:33 p.m.

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Brain writes:

I consider myself a moderate conservative and am not registered as a republican; I do side with republicans much more than democrats though. (just the logical thing to do).

It is also obvious that the lefties on this forum are also partisan which is why they cannot see the differences between McCain's relationships/endorsements from a couple of preachers and the relationship that Obama has with his hate and racist reverend not to mention the endorsement from farakan.

Only point for me to make is that jay, charles-b, hollierthanthou, anderson, to name a few are just as partisan or more as the ones they are calling partisan.

BTW, I don't have any religion or church and never will. Seems to me that most democrats are also religous (Sharpton, Jesse Jackson)
April 7, 2008

1:02 p.m.

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jay writes:

"I do side with republicans much more than democrats though. (just the logical thing to do)."

really? what bush accomplishments make you want to vote for a third term under mccain?

as far as your apparent inability (or unwillingness) to acknowledge the hypocrisy from the far right concerning the hate and bigotry coming from the religious on both sides of this campaign....partisanship is partisanship...regardless of whether you choose to come to terms with it.

yet another reason why religion should be kept out of politics
April 7, 2008

1:09 p.m.

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anderson writes:

Brain, like a good consumer of a certain type of media, it seems all you know how to do is pick sides, and repeat the same charges over and over, based on whatever was the last thing you heard from some angry white man in a suit who wants to make you angry too. Although asked, I see you are bereft of arguments as to why Rev Wright is hateful or racist. Shall we ask a black person if s/he agrees with your assessment, or does her opinion even count? Would Rev Wright throw you out of his church if you showed up? I doubt it.
April 7, 2008

1:30 p.m.

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rg writes:

Jodie chronicles many reasons why I should not vote for Obama; I attach my response to her; it is a dilemma for me, to wit: (Richard Grimes, deicide)

Yo Yipes: I am accorded a horrible choice: Do I vote to get out of a hole Bush dug in Iraq in which he pours $5000 per second into and Navy Man McCain the Navy Man Grimes prefers will continue the Bush policy? If I vote for McBush, I will find my hands drenched in blood from a fiasco perpetrated by a President that can't even speak correctly. Woe is me. I've got to get out of Iraq before McBush sends my boy into the fray that cannot be won. I've got to prevent the death, disability of other boys. I can't be a part or contribute to the death of those Christians whom have abandoned their homes, thousands of them, and thousands have been killed already and their churches destroyed. For thousands of years, those people who Bush seeks to impose his will upon have had their way of life: It takes a very stupid man to think he can change millennia of culture; McBush will pursue the same policy the stupid man initiates. I cannot bring myself to vote for stupidity. It is stupidity that drains the national treasury and takes millions of lives and creates homelessness for millions more. Bush borrows $65 billion to give to his god http://planetatheism.com/?s=Linda+All... that sends him to Iraq causing Michael Savage from the Savage nation to say: If Bush takes off his mask you will find a Chinese." Yo Jodie: I will revisit your concern and may or may not get back to you. Yo

Deicide Corner: “The biggest advantage to believing in God is you don't have to understand anything, no physics, no biology. -- Nobel Laureate James Watson
April 7, 2008

1:39 p.m.

Suggest removal

Brain writes:

Anderson; why don't you try Jaun Williams!
April 7, 2008

2:13 p.m.

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Spencer writes:

BTW, I don't have any religion or church and never will. Seems to me that most democrats are also religous (Sharpton, Jesse Jackson) posted by Brain.

I don't know about the numbers (I'm not the least bit religious) but I think more Democrats feel that religion should be out of government than do Republicans. No links to support my belief but that sure is how it feels to me. I know a few people that I would consider to be a little nutty about their religion and they belong to the GOP
April 7, 2008

2:14 p.m.

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anderson writes:

Brain, can I ask Juan Williams (Fox News) the same questions I asked you--to justify your condemnation of Rev Wright? No, I guess I can't since his medium is a one way street. Do you think Fox gave you a fair and balanced assessment of the matter? Did they show you different perspectives, or just one or two? Did they by chance contrast Wright's speech with any other prominent black preachers, such as, oh, MLK Jr? Do the opinions of black people count only if they're employed by cable TV networks? Sorry for all the questions. I note you are still bereft of arguments except apparently that Juan Williams said so. Oh, and Dave Kopel said so too. I guess that absolves you or anyone else from having to do any further thinking on the matter. Here's another stone. Go ahead and cast it in the direction of Chicago.
April 7, 2008

2:39 p.m.

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raysmom writes:

Politicians ALL pander to religious leaders for financial support and to establish a certain "identity". Let's face it- most high profile religious leaders are extremists. I have never agreed with a single thing you have ever said before, Jay, but I do agree that religion should be kept out of politics. We obviously have enough to keep us busy fighting with each other without religion in the mix, and nobody here is changing anyone else's mind. We're at each others' throats just like the politicos need us to be to keep them in business. And we all think we're SO SMART.
April 8, 2008

8:16 a.m.

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davis_x_machina writes:

How can mcinane have any "spiritual" advisors when he can't make up his mind which religion he follows being for years the navy standard Episcopalean until recently when he decided he might urgently need to votes of neanderthal christians and proclaimed himself to be baptist:http://www.christianpost.com/...'m_Baptist,_Not_Episcopalian.htm
Regardless he's four more years of Bushevik policies and I'm not sure the country can handle that.
April 8, 2008

9:15 p.m.

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Sweetpickle writes:

You just have to hate the correct group privately, and keep a safe distance from your buddies.
April 16, 2008

8:52 a.m.

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Spencer writes:

there should be a column about columns with mis-leading titles

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Home › Opinion › Opinion Columns & Blogs

KOPEL: McCain preachers merit scrutiny, too

By Dave Kopel, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 5, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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