WHY DOESN'T LIBERAL "SENSITIVITY" EXTEND TO CHRISTIANS?

6/26/13 COVER SANTA FE REPORTER

Lately, the community of Santa Fe, New Mexico, was roiled by an extremely callous and uncalled for caricature of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which appeared on the front cover of The Santa Fe Reporter. Showing the Lady of Guadalupe garbed in a bikini and downing a margarita, it is obvious that Andy Dudcik, editor of the Reporter, wanted to contrive a controversial cover to spur readership, in total disregard of the place that that the Lady holds in the hearts and minds of millions of Christians in the Southwest

Having spent a great deal of time in Santa Fe and having engaged in a considerable amount of research on the apparition and its implications for religion and culture, I am appalled by the journalistic shoddiness and the open contempt for a symbol that has brought love and compassion to many who might not otherwise have had those elements in their lives.  And, this is not even taking into account the Virgin's role as a common denominator and unifying force for those who trace their origins to Mexico and Latin America.

As for Mr. Dudcik's ideological persuasion, I have little doubt that he is likely aligned with what passes for "liberalism" these days. Earlier in life, I considered myself a political liberal and stood strongly for equality of opportunity, freedom of expression, and academic freedom, tempered by respect for others and their traditions.  These days, I find that practitioners of the type of questionable journalism represented by Mr. Dudcik and his ilk have discarded common decency in favor of  mean-spirited sensationalism.

Sadly, the disgusting cover on Mr. Dudcik's publication is all too typical these days of leftist elements and their efforts to demean Christians in the United States.  Also, I find it more than a little perplexing as to why political correctness and multiculturalism do not extend their insistence on understanding and toleration of various ethnicities, viewpoints, and sexual orientations to forbearance for Christians.

In answering objections to the Reporter's June 26 cover,  Mr. Dudcik had this to say:

"The intent of our Summer Guide cover design was not to insult or denigrate any religion or ethnicity, but rather to incorporate an important part of Santa Fe's culture into an image that also unites other diverse cultures that flourish in our city.We do, however, appreciate our readers' perspectives on the issue, as we hope they appreciate ours."

Oh, Mr. Dudcik, give us a break!  Your words are so wimpishly self-serving as to bring on nausea! And, no, I shall never appreciate your perspective on something that should never have been an issue. To use  terminology that is so much in vogue on the left these days: Mr. Dudcik, your publication is guilty of nothing short of rank bigotry and hypocrisy.  If you are any sort of a gentleman, an apology should be forthcoming.