New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg received oblique cover from left-wing Protestant leaders for his 9/11 clergy gag rule. While the leaders nominally disagreed with the mayor, they saved their real salvos for those who were critical of Bloomberg.
Tim King, the director of communications for the left-wing group, Sojourners, characterized Bloomberg’s decision as “understandable but regrettable.” His choice of words reflected his real interest in pinning the blame for the controversy on the mayor’s critics. “And to those religious leaders who are stirring up a media controversy about this decision…you are showing exactly why Mayor Bloomberg didn’t want you there in the first place.”
In other words, the Mayor of the City of New York insulted hundreds of millions of Americans of all faiths by banning the clergy and First Responders from the 9/11 memorial ceremonies, and those who objected are responsible for “stirring up a media controversy.” But when Sojourners held their press conference a couple days prior to the memorial ceremonies, somehow we were to believe that they were not adding to the controversy. Guess the peace-makers traveled to New York with their healing kit.
It was time for them to stop the lying. Those who blame the critics of religious intolerance for “stirring up a media controversy” took the side of those who promote it. With its statement, Sojourners laid anchor with Bloomberg.
