Back in September I vented about a cartoon that appeared in The Journal. Much to my surprise it appears again - with top billing! - as a letter to the editor on page 2 of the latest issue.My piece was entitled The World as it seems in Texas. In its latest incarnation it has been rechristened The World as it seems in New Zealand.
Hmm.
Now I probably deserve to be soundly whacked across the chops on this one. It was a cheeky piece. Clearly I stomped over someone's toes in the process.
And, viewing the toon on the iPad it seems I misread the artist's cognomen as Clayton rather than Cayton which, mea culpa, was just plain sloppy.
The editorial comment beneath my now retreaded blog piece notes that Mr Cayton hails from San Francisco, not Texas. Well, OK, but my unkind and intemperate reference to the Lone Star State was related to The Journal itself, which is published in Big Sandy.
It's also inferred that I suffer from a surfeit of "political correctness" in finding Mr Cayton's humor inappropriate - if not downright offensive - in this context.
Hmm.
Now I don't want to bring down the ire of the proud citizens of a great state. And for the record, I'm very fond of older renditions of "The Yellow Rose of Texas".
But there's a question of political impartiality in any publication that seeks to credibly inform a broad readership.
Please don't misunderstand. As I've said a number of times in the past (and been roundly derided by some readers for doing so) I actually quite like The Journal. Many of its lead articles over the years have been textbook examples of balanced journalism, studiously respectful to all parties. Much of the credit for that goes to Dixon Cartwright who treads the path between the various factions with great aplomb.
But the point made is still relevant. Wingnut political vitriol of this sort is a nasty business best left to Fox, WND and prophecy panders.
Having got that off my chest, you can download the full PDF for yourself from The Journal website. Among other worthwhile features there's an interesting article on the Hammer family's history in regard to the WCG, and a tribute to the late Shirley Armstrong, widow of Garner Ted.
When I saw that cartoon, I remember saying to myself, "If HWA were alive, and the president were a white Republican, someone would have been reprimanded for not having called him "Mr." even in a cartoon!"
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Fox "News" is the preferred (only?) news channel of the COG's. I've heard Fox "News" quoted in their sermons. I nearly laughed out loud the first time I hear a COG minister quote Fox "News". The nearby brethren all gave me funny looks.
ReplyDeleteNo need to apologize Gavin, you got it "spot on". The prevailing mindset of the COGs = the prevailing mindset of most white Texans = the prevailing mindset of the U.S. Republican Party. It's a tautology.
The majority of the Church of God culture is clearly somewhere to the right of Archie Bunker. Even when I was a part of the Worldwide Church, I always found it curious that folks who refused to vote or serve in the military could be so overtly political. Still, I agree with you that Dixon has displayed great skill in treating what has become a cacophony of opinions with balance and respect.
ReplyDeleteMany of its lead articles over the years have been textbook examples of balanced journalism, studiously respectful to all parties. Much of the credit for that goes to Dixon Cartwright who treads the path between the various factions with great aplomb.
ReplyDeleteExcept when it comes to British Israelism.
And let's face it, The Journal is like a nice Mafia magazine reporting on the mob's picnics and garden parties. The insanity and felonies have been pretty much sanitized. We wouldn't want to upset those dear delusional people looking at the absolute craziness of daft kooks advertising there.
It should be pointed out that for years (maybe decades now), I have been calling the ministers of the Cult of Herbert Armstrong 'Republican dog owners'. But when it comes to real conservatism, there are some... um... anomalies.
And for those Republican dog owners, Rush Limbaugh gives new meaning to 'Rush hour'.