I long have criticized the bias of the NY Times, and mocked its business death spiral. My posts Nude Swiss Hikers Rescue NY Times and NY Times New Business Strategy: DEATH mocked the sensationalist trend on The Times’ website. I was the first (as far as I know) to suggest The Times convert to non-profit status. I have attacked the spineless hypocrisy of columnists such as Paul Krugman and David Brooks, and taken The Times to task for its attacks on Eric Cantor and Sarah Palin, photo bias about Israel, despicable characterization of the immigration issue, and The “Military Recruiting Goals” Media Lie. And I’ve only been blogging six months!
Now The Times is giving it back to me, describing me as “seething” over the report by the Department of Homeland Security defining a broad range of citizens as “extremist” for doing nothing more than voicing their opinions on issues and seeking to influence government, both of which activities are protected by the 1st Amendment.
Here is The Times’ description of me followed by The Times’ quotation of my post on the issue. You decide whether The Times is being honest in its characterization of my post:
William A. Jacobson of Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion is seething over the document’s apparent anti-Federalism:
This definition is so broad as to include anyone who seeks to preserve the foundation of our federal-state constitutional distinction, under the 10th Amendment (”The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people”), because such a person could be deemed to “reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority.” So Texas governor Rick Perry, who has come out in support of preserving the constitutional integrity of Texas now should be on the DHS’ extremist and radical watch-list.
Similarly, the reference to “abortion or immigration” is purely political. Why pick those two subjects? If someone is planning violence, that is one thing. But vocalizing one’s view on a subject and seeking to influence the government are protected by the 1st Amendment (”Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances”).
Wow, quoting the 1st and 10th Amendments to the Constitution sure is a threat to the republic from this extremist. I must be mad as hell and not willing to take it anymore.
Let’s see who else The Times has described over the years as “seething”:
- Serbia, in reaction to NATO bombing of its territory
- Gaza, in reaction to the Israeli invasion
- The New York Giants after a loss in 1989 to the Eagles
- An American of Palestinian descent living in the West Bank
- Bill Clinton in reaction to G.H.W. Bush’s attacks on his tax plans
- Georgians, in reaction to the West not helping them when Russia invaded
- Newlyweds after a photo studio didn’t deliver their wedding photos
- Veterans over conditions at Walter Reed Hospital
- India in 1922 under British rule
- George Steinbrenner, in general
- Ben Stiller the seething man-child
- Obama in reaction to Rev.Wright’s press conference during the campaign
I could go on and on with examples, but I hope you get the point. The NY Times overuses the word. And in my case, used the word to express political disapproval in line with the theme of the article: “The reaction on the right was swift and scornful.”
Nothing in the article says anything about the seething liberal netroots who called the Tea Partiers every name in the book and used vulgar sexual innuendo. No, the article characterizes Matthew Yglesias as describing DHS as “sensible” and “the right as hypocritical.” Why wasn’t Yglesias “seething”?
I am staying the course on my anti-NY Times Jihad (whoops, can’t use that word), even if my head explodes (no, that’s not a threat) from my seething anger.
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Related Posts: Andrew Sullivan Still Silent On Obama-Chavez LoveFest and Obama Throws Venezuelans Under The Bus
UPDATE: Doug Ross reveals the source of all this seething in His Majesty’s Secret Report. And Smitty at The Other McCain hearts my selfless determination.
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Comments
I find it “interesting” that these attacks on Constitutional protections are being launched at the start of the presidency of a “Constitutional scholar” who graduated from Harvard Law School and taught at the University of Chicago Law School.
Professor, isn’t the U.S. Constitution suggested reading for Constitutional law students?
Badge.Of. Honor. Wear proudly.
Criticized by the Grey Lady? A badge of honor. Congratulations!
WOW I have hated them for years and could quote their lies as if they were scripture but in 6 months you have pissed them off…BRAVO, BRAVO, HEAR, HEAR…you are my new hero!!!!
OBTW when they get down to $1.00 for their stock and they will I will 1000 shares and have a burning party!
Bruce,
Please update the reference, Grey Lady is dead and buried. NYT became the Bag Lady the day the stock hit single digits.
Wishing the NYT would call me seething! Automatic Life Membership in the Conservative Hall of Fame!
I got a mention from them back in December. A shame so few people read the Opinionator since I barely got any traffic.
Wow – and to think I never even learned to seeth. I frankly never saw the necessity – until now. ‘scuse me, I’ve got work to do.
I came to your blog via Instpundit. I like that you provide links which back up your statements and not just make them and leave us to wonder on our own as to their truthfulness. I will continue to follow this page with interest. Thanks for being so “seething”!
Don’t know if it’s so bad to say you were seething —
1. To be in a state of turmoil or ferment: The nation seethed with suppressed revolutionary activity.
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I’m sure there was a better word choice, but “seething” isn’t entirely out of bounds.
As a practical matter, I think it helps that you are described as “seething”; it suggests the gravity of the offense.
Yeah, but “seething” in common usage is synonymous with “seething in anger.” There was nothing angry in what he quoted, and he didn’t use that term to describe the truly angry netroots.
The quality of a man can be determined by the quality of his antagonists. You’ve hit the big time now. Of course, the NYT probably has only a couple of years left in it’s current incarnation, so enjoy it while it lasts.