National Media Watch

Hillary Clinton Offers ‘Warm Words’ to Pro-Lifers

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 24 — In a speech to about 1,000 abortion supporters near the New York Capitol Jan. 24, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton reiterated her support for legalized abortion while offering “warm words” for pro-life supporters, The New York Times reported.

Clinton, widely viewed as the possible Democratic Party presidential nominee in 2008, praised the influence of “religious and moral values” that discourage teen-age girls from becoming sexually active. She asked that abortion supporters and opponents work together to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies by endorsing sex education, abstinence counseling, family planning and morning-after contraception for sexual-assault victims.

According to the Times, Clinton appeared to seek political approval from beyond traditional core Democrats who support abortion rights. 

Her speech was on the same day as the March for Life in Washington.


Ignore Scorn from the ‘Sophisticated,’ Scalia Says

THE ADVOCATE, (Baton Rouge), Jan. 23 — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia told a largely Catholic crowd of 350 that people of faith should not fear being viewed in “educated circles” as “fools for Christ.”

 Speaking for no fee at the Knights of Columbus Council 969 centennial anniversary, Scalia praised “traditional Catholics” who say the rosary, go on pilgrimages, kneel during the Eucharist and “follow religiously the teaching of the Pope,” according to the Baton Rouge, La., newspaper.

The Advocate described Scalia as a Catholic who has become an anti-abortion hero to many and is viewed as a leading conservative on the Supreme Court. He has referred to himself as an “originalist,” interpreting the Constitution as it was written.

The newspaper quoted the justice as saying, “If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.”


Shanley Trial Begins With Harrowing Allegations

THE BOSTON HERALD, Jan. 26 — On the first day of the child-rape trial of defrocked priest Paul Shanley, Deputy First Assistant District Attorney Lynn Rooney told jurors that Shanley’s alleged victim sat in Sunday School in fear of being raped, The Boston Herald reported.

“If you tell,’’ Shanley allegedly told him, “no one will believe you.’’

The Herald said defense attorney Frank Mondano ridiculed the concept of repressed memories, referring to it as a “psychiatric quagmire” that could not meet the standard of proof “beyond a reasonable doubt’’ required by a criminal case. “This case is . . . about two things,” he was quoted in the story as saying, “old memories — and really, really old memories.”

 Whenever Shanley would “pop in,” Kathleen Bennett, a substitute Sunday School teacher in the 1980s, said, “Oh, my God, the kids would just freeze.’’

 The Herald reported that Shanley, in a gray suit and glasses, sat impassively. It was his 74th birthday.