The year was 1976.
The newspaper was The News World.
In brief, my career as bona fide print journalist consisted of a few interviews (Nathan Pritikin, James Irwin and one or two others) under the editorship of the lovely and gracious, Josette Sheeran.
The city was New York.
The (Old) Tiffany Building (Built in 1905)
Offices of The News World from 1977-1991 (circa)
Arguments can and should be made, of course, as to whether that defunct newspaper (or its reinvention as The New York City Tribune) was major in any sense of the word.
As for New York City, it has been and will always be *major* now and forevermore. Amen.
As newspapers, generally, struggle (constantly, it seems) to re-invent, retool, and/or revamp themselves (choose your own poison, accordingly) there seems to be some minor dispute as to whether The Washington Times (offspring of that brave, New York endeavor) is and/or has ever been part of some great, Asian or right-wing conspiracy.
For those not following such a premise, congratulations (and God bless you!).
For everyone else, The Times, founded in 1982 by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, has been subsidized by the Unification Church community (similar in that to The Christian Science Monitor and The Deseret News) since its inception.
Some differences appear when one looks closer, naturally, as that community of subsidizers has been comprised mostly of members of the Japanese Unification Church, which, "of late" (in the news sense, at least) have been waging a separate battle against parents and certain "Christian" pastors who've decided that it's better to [be?] forcibly kidnap[ped] and/or imprison[ed] than to be a "Unificationist."
Previous writing on that appears here.
Also, the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, born in Sangsa-ri, Deogun-myon, Jeongju-gun, North P'yŏng'an Province (now in North Korea) has ever been, "controversial."
"Houston, we have a problem."
Asians in America, for the most part, have long gotten a bum rap for some reason.
The great yellow scare (or peril) goes back to 1895 and Kaiser Wilhelm II who reportedly had a portrait (ostensibly painted by himself) that depicted the Archangel Michael and an allegorical Germany leading the charge against an Asiatic threat represented by a golden Buddha entitled Gelbe Gefahr or "Yellow Peril." That "portrait" was reportedly hung in all ships of the Hamburg America Line, which exclusively connected European ports with North American ports, such as Hoboken, New Jersey and New Orleans, Louisiana.
And how long have Native Americans been demonized and "China-men" ridiculed by Hollywood?
Then, there is the ever present "Chinese Dragon," that either gets slayed or dominates the realm, depending upon one's mythical, moralistic or mystical perspective or worldview.
A book that debuted earlier this year, The Dragon's Gift: The Real Story of China in Africa, may offer some tangential insight on this recurring allegory/reality within an essential and contemporary context.
An aspect of author, Deborah Brautigam's thesis seems to be that China's influence via investments in Africa (unlike those in other arenas; though surely not including America?) should be viewed less strategically, more plainly or pragmatically (i.e., for economic benefit). America and the West may win on one level or another - or not. Regardless, China (that great dragon) is there (and here) to stay.
In other words, the great dragon is us, not them as Nietzsche, Russell and especially Pogo would say:
"The man who fights too long against dragons becomes a dragon himself."
~Friedrich Nietzsche
"It is possible that mankind is on the threshold of a golden age; but, if so, it will be necessary first to slay the dragon that guards the door, and this dragon is religion."~Bertrand Russell
"We have met the enemy and he is us!"~Pogo
Hence, further extrapolating liberally here, The Washington Times newspaper of today (and not the one found only in archives past ), is either friend or foe; agent/representative of God or the devil, literally (see here, if still not convinced).
Die-hard cynics, etc., or those simply disinclined when it comes to religious and/or moral motivations, meditations; generally, should turn away at this point.
*****
The real story of The Washington Times, from this insider, one who was there and has been there since before its auspicious birth (until last year), officially on May 17, 1982 is something more profound and much less sinister than any scenario aforementioned or even yet conceived.
Further, it has neither been the worst [of] Times, nor the best [of] Times, but somewhere in the middle like so much else when all veils, walls and myths are at last removed.
Amidst the highs and lows, the glowing gems and the mediocre, unpolished minerals; the role of journalism or "media" as fourth estate and/or watchdog remains as the essential.
The "Best. Journalism Quotes. Ever." noted here certainly support that humble observation.
Let it be noted quite boldly and brightly here and now in any case that The Washington Times, in the broad world of "media," IS (or has been) the greatest gift, bar none, ever given to one nation (or people) from another.
Look! Écoute! 봐!
[Perhaps therein lies the rub. The "gift" may have been far too generous?!]
Granted, The Washington Times might have been more like The Christian Science Monitor in clearly delineating or simply publishing some of its spiritual message or content within from the very beginning; but that seems fairly academic at this point.
Since The Times founder, the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, was at the time of its establishment, "under suspicion" or attack by other media as well as various agencies of the U.S. government, there seems not to have been much objectivity to spare.
And that's the story of Christmas and/or Democracy in America . . . sort of.
God's speed to the gift that remains The Washington Times (in whatever form or configuration) now and forevermore!
"America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."~Alexis de Tocqueville
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