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Down The Middle - Apr 12, 2005 - Printable Version
- The Pope and I
by Down The Middle
What a month for the Media, it's been! Although I've been avoiding network news like the plague...a few days ago, I thought I would check out the "fairy tale of the day" while I slurped down my first coffee of the morning. If there's anything that gets my blood flowing quicker than a cup of joe, it's the pitiful excuse for "news" coverage that the networks try to spoon us. Although, I find no joy of listening to this "allowance" of truth, I do feel obligated to check in with the corporate nets, now and again, just to see what they're shoveling at the circus. Michael Jackson had been put on the back burner when the Schiavo frenzy erupted but now that she was dead, so was her story. Then, poor ole Johnny Cochran passed away but before these great investigative journalists of cable had the chance to elaborate on what Michael and O.J. were wearing at his funeral, the Pope up and died.......twice, if you count the erroneous first report of the Pontiff's demise, by Shepard Smith of FOX News Network (All the while a voice in the studio repeatedly yelling, "The Pope's dead! The Pope's dead!", via open mike).
Of course, I knew the coverage that morning would be predominately about John Paul II, but I didn't mind that. After all, I was baptized Catholic as an infant, and I did happen to believe this Pope was a good man who did many good things. I also knew, however, the "corp-nets" would use the Pope's death for another one of their week long, tabloid soaps, just like they did with Terri Schiavo, but what I didn't really think about was how completely ridiculous they would be.
The first story of the morning was about President Bush announcing that he would be traveling to Rome, for the Pope's funeral...and also how "CONNECTED" Mr. Bush was to the Pope. "Whaaaaat?", I thought to myself. "Connected? What the hell are they talking about, connected? The only thing I can remember about Bush and the Pope was how the President tried to get the Holy Father on board for the Iraq War, and how His Holiness rebuked the him for the effort. After all, when you're representing the Prince of Peace, it's rather a sticky thing to go around endorsing war. You might think, the President was even a little "silly" for thinking otherwise, to begin with...but then, you must remember, this is the same guy who waved at Stevie Wonder.
Before I could refill my cup...or recover from the ludicrous "connected" story, we were on to the next one, where they played a taped telephone conversation of Nancy Reagan, expounding on the similarities between her deceased husband, President Ronald Reagan...and the Pope! (It seemed, there were other Republican Presidents that were "connected" with the Pope.) The "story" went on to explain how they both fought communism (seemingly arm and arm) and brought down the "the wall". (And all this time, I thought it was just Reagan delivering that crushing verbal blow, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall"). But say what you will, I thought it was nice of Nancy to give the Pope a mention...especially since this story was about HIS death!
Well, what could I say? It was all my fault. I was the one who turned on the news, foolishly thinking there might actually be some. And what did I expect? That these "Protestant Politicians" wouldn't suddenly be "joined at the hip" with this great man of faith, the head of the Catholic Church (at least, while the whole of the network news world was watching). Did I really believe these shameless politicians would actually show a little respect for this man, instead of trying to attach themselves to his glory with exaggerated stories of kinship and a photo "op", viewing his body. I personally would have liked to have seen the miracle of the Pope rising up and asking them, "Where is Jimmy Carter, the only President I was really connected with? The only President who really joined me in my quest for peace, and my war against hunger".
I have to tell you, from my childhood days I can still remember Chet Huntley and David Brinkley, and how they impressed me with their demeanor...or maybe, Walter Cronkite delivering the evening news with a reassuring tone of honesty in his voice. No one ever doubted those men. No one ever doubted their investigative efforts. Their word was trusted throughout the country and the stories they reported were real. Back in those days, the news was...well, it was "news".
I hope by now, most of you do realize...the Pope and I were really "connected".
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