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The Current Crisis
Hand Wringing
Must liberal newspapers be so morbid?
WASHINGTON — The other day I sat down to breakfast. It was a normal day. Five daily newspapers were laid out before me. As I went over the front pages, I downed orange juice and a bowl of oatmeal powdered with brown sugar and flax seed. Then I went off to my library with the newspapers and a cup of coffee. By then, incidentally, I was revolted.
The New York Times carried on its front page a perfectly disgusting story. It was not a news story, for it broke no news. It was rather a feature story, meant to inform, and, I presume, to move me to action. It was about the prevalence of suicide in Afghanistan by woman who use cooking oil and matches to do themselves in, sometimes successfully, sometimes incompetently and all the more painfully. This was brought to my attention even before my matutinal coffee!
It is not the first time the Times or for that matter the Washington Post have put on their front page appalling stories that did not have to be there. Both newspapers run such feature stories on the front page rather regularly —not the Washington Times, not the Washington Examiner, and certainly not the Wall Street Journal, my other three newspapers. They run repellent stories, but usually inside. I think it tells you something about the bias of these newspapers.
The New York Times and the Washington Post share a Liberal bias, and their preoccupations are increasingly morbid. The Washington Times, Washington Examiner, and Wall Street Journal are biased toward the conservative position. They do not shy from reality but generally keep it inside the newspaper, at least when they can. Whether they have my oat meal in mind, they, for a certitude, have the dignity of the individuals covered in the story in mind, I hope. If the story were breaking news, I would expect all five newspapers to put it on the front page, but even then I would expect the conservative newspapers to desist from running pictures of corpses and mangled bodies. Certainly the corpses would not be front and center as they often are in the Liberal newspapers and faces would be covered.
As I say, Liberals have become morbid. They are obsessive about the gruesome and the gloomy. “The night before she burned herself, Gul Zada took her children to her sister’s for a family party,” the Times tells us. “All seemed well. Later it emerged that she had not brought a present, and a relative chided her for it, said her son. This small thing apparently broke her heart.” She was rushed to the hospital with burns over 60% of her body and after two weeks of excruciating pain she died. In the course of telling us of her death, the Times talks about other suicides and their cause. It tells us of these women’s suffering. It is all quite pitiable, but what am I to do about it?
Presumably not much — I cannot even talk about it, for what it tells us about Islamic culture is not very favorable. Life, particularly a woman’s life, is not cherished in Afghanistan. But we do not talk about it even in America. It is not politically correct. So the Times wrings its hands about the fate of women in Afghanistan and goes on. Perhaps tomorrow the paper will be talking about the fate of women in Kenya, or dogs in Indonesia, or a fabulous new disease. It is all of a piece with the Liberal preoccupation with the morbid.
Actually two days later the Times pictured on its front page a young woman lying on a floor on some kind of pallet. She is in an isolation tent, but it is not very sanitary. Supplies are piled around her. She is forlorn. The caption reads: “Cholera Spreads Into Haitian Capital” and goes on to explain: “A woman suspected of having cholera, in an isolation tent in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The outbreak has spread into the city.” Again, what are we to do? Well, I suppose we can send money, more money. We certainly cannot help the victims in Haiti in any real way. Nor can we aid the women of Afghanistan. We can share the Liberals’ morbid preoccupations, or do what I usually do. Read the Liberal newspapers last.
About the Author
R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. is the founder and editor in chief of The American Spectator. He is the author of The Death of Liberalism, published by Thomas Nelson Inc. His previous books include the New York Times bestseller Boy Clinton: the Political Biography; The Impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton; The Liberal Crack-Up; The Conservative Crack-Up; Public Nuisances; The Future that Doesn’t Work: Social Democracy’s Failure in Britain; Madame Hillary: The Dark Road to the White House; The Clinton Crack-Up; and After the Hangover: The Conservatives’ Road to Recovery.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (34) | Leave a comment
More Articles by R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.
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Appleby| 11.11.10 @ 7:00AM
I live in socialist Ontario, and I know the answer to that question: because the way to keep people resigned to socialism is to teach them to whine, *What can you doooooooooooooooo?* and carry on. You are not supposed to do anything. You are supposed to accept the idea that the world is a howling wilderness and there is nothing you can do -- that your lot is to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous, tax-happy nomenklatura and apparatchiks, and carry on.
Oh, and hate the Americans and the Jews because they DO make the desert bloom while you live in the 1970s and accept the word of Your Betters that there is nothing-you-can-do. You want them to live in misery and squalor, because that would prove that Your Betters are correct: if the Americans and the Jews are miserable, there really IS nothing you can do.
That is why socialists emphasize the negative, the squalor, and give their readers the impression that misery is normal. Because that is the only way socialism can keep its hand on the wheel.
Eric Cartman| 11.11.10 @ 4:10PM
Spot on Appleby! In our neck of the woods, however, the accompanying whine is "there oughtta be a law!" and the Democrats go about writing one (thousands) involving giant bureaucracies and billions of dollars. But guess what? The problem either continues or gets worse. Then they can whine that we aren't funding the program enough. It's all part of the circle of life for Democrats and Socialists. They are perpetually miserable people.
Alan Brooks| 11.12.10 @ 1:15AM
At least Tyrrell has enough to eat-- even if he can't keep it down.
bluecollarbytes| 11.11.10 @ 7:06AM
Yes, 'what are we to do about it'? 'What should I do about it?' These are natural questions I ask myself when PopMedia runs endless stories on the misery of the world. I came to the conclusion that this stuff is Meant to shame me into 'action', which simply means buying the Leftist narrative.
The Clintidote| 11.11.10 @ 5:13PM
Afghanistan is but one of many Moslem shiiteholes excreted upon the world - these defective "cultures" are the source of endless stories like this and we expect nothing less from this evil death cult.
Leftist rags just love to point out that we are much better, and better off, and thus must feel guilty.
Simple as that.
Alan Brooks| 11.12.10 @ 1:17AM
"It's all part of the circle of life for Democrats and Socialists. They are perpetually miserable people."
So why don't YOU say something pleasant? talk about Jesus.
ggoblue| 11.11.10 @ 7:45AM
the only thing we can do is export democracy.
of course we first must get rid of our democracy hating ruling class.
Redstateboy| 11.11.10 @ 8:56AM
You think Leftists would celebrate accomplishments and the courage of woman in both Afghanistan and Iraq?? Of course not.. and what?? Acknowledge America's benefit to their freedom and by default - George W. Bush's vision?
Bill| 11.11.10 @ 9:08AM
The Left would find it perfectly OK for Mr. Tyrell to be revolted over his breakfast when he reads morbid and revolting material. A big part of the Left is about "epater le bourgoisie," and the Left thinks it's the morally right thing to do, to do things that will upset the middle class, since the middle class needs to be brought to terms with the suffering middle class values have brought to the wretched of the earth. So when the WaPo and NYT publish their horror stories on the front page so you can barf up your orange juice, oatmeal and flax seed, it tells you where they're coming from (not that you didn't already know) and what their sensibilities are.
A. Murray Kahn| 11.11.10 @ 9:34AM
NPR is famous for "illuminating" some world event - such as a new fad for flavored coffee - by dragging a microphone to some mountain hovel in Povertia (just above La Ciudad de los Muertos) and we listen while Raoul complains in his native tongue about how the artificial cholo bean flavor has cut deeply into his cholo bean fermentation business that previously generated 12 pesositas every month to buy grain for the chicken so they could have an egg every other day for sustenance, one for each of his 12 children and their cousins. In the background we are able to hear the stroke of a machete as Maria is forced to kill the chicken. The crying comes later. As others have asked, what are we supposed to do with this information? The only possible response is to just feel guilty. Why would anyone want us all to feel guilty all the time? I mean about the cholo bean collapse, but not about how we ended the last pregnancy scare or the lies that were required to ram through the cholo bean assistance administration and resettlement outreach.
The Clintidote| 11.11.10 @ 5:14PM
Perfect. Just perfect. If I was from NPR, I'd say ole'.
Kevin| 11.11.10 @ 5:40PM
@A. Murray Kahn
A perfect description of NPR! The other narrative they seem to pursue is the lesbian bongo drum repair shop in some obscure village. These are the uplifting counterpart to your stories.
Heywood| 11.11.10 @ 9:53AM
It's not what you can do about it---it's the way they've been facilitated in journalism class--to *make a change in the world* by showing the cruel injustices therein. Toss in the losses of readers experienced the past few years and you end up with titillating gruesomeness splayed out on the front page--to sell to the lowest common denominator-type reader.
Desperation is evident here.
And your reaction was way, way wrong--you're suppose to express outrage and then run around on the Huffington Post blaming it all on Republicans.
Cynicon Implant| 11.11.10 @ 10:24AM
RET, if only it was as simple as morbid fascination with horrible things happening to people. I'm afraid it's much worse than that. This is a self-aggrandising mental problem rooted in deep-seated insecurity. You see, by revealing the suffering of others to us the revealer has shown themself to be a compassionate, caring person. This means they are a good person -- and compared to the unenlightened going about their daily business of caring for themselves and families, morally superior. This desire to place themselves in a morally superior position is driven by their sub-conscious belief that they are inferior and must make up the difference. As inferiors, I would feel sorry for them if they weren't finding so many gullible minds to bend. Instead I will just laugh at the losers and ridicule them every chance I get.
Kim M. | 11.11.10 @ 1:10PM
The way to stop being revolted & to stop hurling up breakfast is to get hip to the eugenics endgame. (Please watch the Alex Jones video called Endgame: Blueprint for Global Enslavement, which exposes the eugenics agenda.) 3rd-world pain & suffering is part of a deliberate agenda by a megalomaniacal elite. Laugh if you will & cry "conspiracy kook," but the aforementioned documentary also exposes how the same revolting agenda is being implemented here in the US as we speak. The pain & suffering you find so revolting is coming here in spades (are you wholly unaware of the economic collapse?) & will affect everyone, both high & low. The liberal newspapers are giving you a glimpse of YOUR future.
bob alou| 11.11.10 @ 3:21PM
With all due respect to RET; What are you doing reading the NYT and WP anyway? Of course you recall the saying by the Soviets about the two organs of the state Pravda(translated as truth) and Isvestia(translated as news. Ne Pravda in Isvestia, ne Iisvestia in Pravda. Cancel your subscriptions--throw the money in the trash, it is a better use than keeping these jokers in business.
The Clintidote| 11.11.10 @ 5:18PM
Somebody has to keep an eye on the Idiot Left's burblings and bleatings. Bob does it so we don't have to.
J. Moses Browning| 11.11.10 @ 6:09PM
Or, you could do what I do. Click on only those stories on the Liberal newspaper websites that your team of bloggers, tweeters, and pundits flag as being interesting.
I've got a pretty good team these days, including you. Now, you can't put yourself on your team, because that wouldn't save you any work. But you could probably come up with somebody to fill the Midwestern-jock-turned-humorpundit slot.
Troy| 11.11.10 @ 7:50PM
They're obviously tring to copy TV: "If it bleeds it leads."
Margie| 11.11.10 @ 7:54PM
It's not that they are morbid, it's that they want to do what they usually do~ remind us of how it's because of us~ America "The Aggressor" that these women in Afghanistan are suffering. You know, it's all our fault that the terrorists are terrorists, like Ron Paul said.
Has Mr. Tyrrell really missed that? Hmm.
This isn't just morbid for the sake of morbidity.
Occam's Tool| 11.14.10 @ 1:01AM
Brilliant and beautifully put, as usual, Margie.
Tim*| 11.12.10 @ 2:24AM
Republican Texas Congressman Dr.Ron Paul:
"A nation without secure borders is no nation at all. It makes no sense to fight terrorists abroad when our own front door is left unlocked."
Occam's Tool| 11.14.10 @ 12:55AM
Especially when Muslim terrorists are coming in over the unlocked border. Dr. Paul fails to realize that this is all of a piece, Tim*, as do you. Go abroad for a bit and see how loose the security is overseas for planes coming to America, as I have in Australasia and Central America. And spare me the ad hominems.
Banjo| 11.12.10 @ 7:26AM
The darkness of the NYTimes front page can be explained by a boast GLADD made a while back. Three-quarters of the people who decide what stories and pictures are placed there are homosexual, it said. Their view of society and life in general can be predicted.
Margie| 11.12.10 @ 11:17AM
"Dr." Ron Paul, "They're terrorists because we're Occupiers!"
About 5 mins. in he reveals his insanity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSODUhnS5vM
Occam's Tool| 11.14.10 @ 12:57AM
A slight disagreement, Margie. Paul IS an MD, specializing in OB/GYN. He is also a blithering idiot on matters relating to American foreign policy. He should stick to delivering babies, which is the whole circle of his competence.
victor| 11.12.10 @ 2:17PM
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree:
ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F04wvqTdC0A
Pelligrino| 11.12.10 @ 3:00PM
I have a different take on the "morbid" news that comes in major national and international news.
(If these news reports not too exaggerated & filled with hyperbole), it reminds of what we might become if we let laziness, poor schools and poor schooling, corrupt politicians, crime, and our own self indulgence overflow. (and, yes, wayward morality as well)
While we may not exactly like this brand of journalism, it should lead to questions that inform...and spur toward action:
Why does a cholera outbreak take place in Haiti?
What are people there doing with the billions of dollars of US aid and that from many other nations (post-earthquake aid this year)?
And, why, after ALL the aid (and US troop presence) bestowed upon Haiti and Haitians in 1994 and 1995 (we "invaded" remember? -- it turned out to be a large-scale aid mission), why, 16 years later, are things there still so appalling?
What will Haiti look like just 6 years from now? Will the billions have been invested wisely?
And if we have it better here than in Sudan, Burma, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iran, Indonesia, Kenya, Tunesia, China, Russia, and Haiti...then why?
....and why do we have so many amongst us who aim to (daily)chip away at our "betterment?"
What must we do to preserve & foster what we have while denouncing and thwarting those who seek to tear our nation and our bedrock Judeo-Christian faith and values down?
Dean from Ohio| 11.12.10 @ 10:57PM
Culture of death.
Occam's Tool| 11.14.10 @ 12:59AM
You must realize, Margie, I completely agree with you. I just believe in giving my opponents full credit for their accomplishments, just as I give them full hell for their stupidity.
Dean from Ohio noted a "Culture of Death" among our opponents. I agree. The Liberal mind also embraces a culture of death with abortion and euthanasia.
Petronius| 11.14.10 @ 8:44AM
Come back Ben Thomas. I miss the old Evening Whirl.
scythe| 11.15.10 @ 10:36AM
For all their "sophistication" the NYT and WaPo are still following the tabloid formula: if it bleeds, it leads. You call it morbid and gloomy. They know it is sensationalism. They are so desperate for readership that they are now the highbrow version of the National Enquirer. It' s pretty obvious.
weddingdress | 7.15.11 @ 5:15AM
RET, if only it was as simple as morbid fascination with horrible things happening to people. I'm afraid it's much worse than that. This is a self-aggrandising mental problem rooted in deep-seated insecurity. You see, by revealing the suffering of others to us the revealer has shown themself to be a compassionate, caring person. This means they are a good person -- and compared to the unenlightened going about their daily business of caring for themselves and families, morally superior. This desire to place themselves in a morally superior position is driven by their sub-conscious belief that they are inferior and must make up the difference. As inferiors, I would feel sorry for them if they weren't finding so many gullible minds to bend. Instead I will just laugh at the losers and ridicule them every chance I get.