This page was last updated on February 8, 2012.
Zubik put words in President’s mouth; Lonzie Cox, Jr.; Beaver County Times; February 8, 2012. I am not related to Mr. Cox.
Most of Mr. Cox’s at least 72 letters since 2004 are tinged with race, and all take leftist positions. The most recent previous Cox letter I critiqued was “King more than a dreamer.”
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“It looks like Catholic Bishop Zubik was upset about a recent abortion ruling. I won’t get into that argument. But a question needs to be asked.”
[RWC] A correct title for this letter would be “Lonzie Cox put words in Bishop Zubik’s mouth.” You’ll see what I mean as you read on.
Here’s a link to the BCT article about this, entitled “Zubik: ‘To Hell’ with new healthcare act.” As you read Mr. Cox’s letter, you will find it appears safe to conclude he did not read either the BCT article or Bishop Zubik’s piece on the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh website. Right off the bat, Mr. Cox says “Bishop Zubik was upset about a recent abortion ruling” when Bishop Zubik actually wrote about Obamacare forcing religious groups to provide products/services that violate their beliefs, of which abortion is only one. If Mr. Cox did read either of these pieces, he’s lying below.
“The Times quoted him as having written in the Catholic newspaper that President Obama had suddenly told all Catholics that they could travel to Hell or words to that effect. ‘To Hell with you’ is not a statement any politician would ever make to as large a voting bloc as Catholics represent.”
[RWC] Bishop Zubik never wrote “President Obama had suddenly told all Catholics that they could travel to Hell” and, contrary to Mr. Cox’s claim, the BCT article did not make that assertion. The BCT article correctly quoted Bishop Zubik as writing, “The Obama administration has just told the Catholics of the United States, ‘To Hell with you!’ There is no other way to put it.” At no point did the BCT article claim Bishop Zubik quoted Mr. Obama.
“I have been scouring the media to find when or where or why the president, a very cautious man, would say such a thing. Having found no such comments attributed to Mr. Obama, I have concluded that he never said ‘to hell with the Catholics’ in any form.”
[RWC] For the sake of argument, let’s say Mr. Cox isn’t lying and really thought the BCT article said Bishop Zubik quoted President Obama. So, after his alleged “scouring [of] the media” found Mr. Obama didn’t make the comment, which is true, Mr. Cox didn’t think to check Bishop Zubik’s piece to see if the BCT article misquoted Bishop Zubik?
“I think Bishop Zubik should show where Obama said those words or admit that he put words in the president’s mouth that were not only false but might even be damaging politically to Obama’s re-election in the Pittsburgh area. Or was that his intent? Right is right and wrong is wrong.”
[RWC] Reworking Mr. Cox’s words a bit, “I think [Mr. Cox] should show where [Bishop Zubik] said those words or admit that he put words in [Bishop Zubik’s] mouth.” I won’t hold my breath waiting.
There is an actual misrepresentation in the BCT article, but Mr. Cox missed or ignored it. As noted above, the BCT article was entitled “Zubik: ‘To Hell’ with new healthcare act.” Bishop Zubik never wrote that or anything similar.
Finally, I am surprised Mr. Cox didn’t find some tortured way to bring skin color into this and claim Bishop Zubik is a racist.
© 2004-2012 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.