The Wall Street Journal runs an editorial by a former Washington Times staffer defending the Times' pro-Moon "coronation" piece:
"Only yesterday the Times ran a story, titled "Clerics Defend Moon Event," in which the Rev. George A. Stallings, the archbishop of the Imani Temple African-American Catholic Congregation in Washington, was quoted saying that "the term 'Messiah' is relative. It depends on your particular religious persuasion. Ultimately, we must judge Reverend Moon not by what he says but by what he does." Clergymen affiliated with the Unification Church made similar statements of support.
It should be said that such a blatantly pro-Unification Church article is the exception. The Washington Times has never been a mere lapdog to the church. Today -- as in the 1980s, when I worked there -- the newspaper's editors produce an indispensable second newspaper in the nation's capital. Times journalists have operated since the paper's 1982 founding under assurances that the church would not interfere with editorial policy. Only occasionally have such breaches occurred, allegedly."
I envy the author his belief in his former employers' noble intentions. It must be very peaceful to be that naive.
