LA TImes Changes "Pro-life" to "Anti-abortion"

NewsMax ^ | 3/4/04 | Limbacher

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

A Los Angeles Times critic is up in arms because the paper changed the "pro-life" language in his review of an opera - and the opera has absolutely nothing to do with abortion.

According to LA Observed, critic Mark Swed's review of the Richard Strauss opera "Die Frau Ohne Schatten," which described the work as "an incomparably glorious and goofy pro-life paean...," was altered to say "anti-abortion," instead of "pro-life."

While the opera extols motherhood, it makes no references to abortion, and Swed was in a sweat over the Times' altering his writing to imply something he had not meant to infer.

But his anger reportedly mounted after the Times ran a correction that failed to make it clear that Swed was not responsible for the error, stating only that "A review of Los Angeles Opera's 'Die Frau Ohne Schatten' in Tuesday's Calendar section incorrectly characterized the work as 'anti-abortion.' In fact, there is no issue of abortion in the opera, which extols procreation."

As a result, the Times ran another correction stating that "A correction in Wednesday's paper about the review of Los Angeles Opera's 'Die Frau Ohne Schatten' incorrectly implied that it was the reviewer who characterized the work as 'anti-abortion' in Tuesday's Calendar.

"As the correction should have made clear, the lead paragraph submitted by the reviewer was incorrectly changed to include the term 'anti-abortion.' There is no issue of abortion in the opera, which extols procreation." (The Times just can't bring itself to use such a politically incorrect word as "motherhood" which is what the opera is all about).

Commented one LA Observed reader: "The goofball editor who changed Swed's piece must have thought "pro-life" sounded too benign and pleasant. In his or her mind - likely biased in a liberal direction - "anti-abortion" probably sounded more appropriately pushy and rigid.

"Of course, that same editor never would have considered it necessary to change the phrase 'pro-choice,' were it in Swed's article, to 'pro-abortion.'"

Notes LA Observed: "As of March 3, at 4 p.m., the erroneous story than ran in the paper" remains on the LAT website with no correction attached.

[MrB]

I have a liberal aquaintance

The first thing you have to do is stop referring to him/her as "liberal" because he's not. He's a leftist.

I've found that making this distinction really ticks them off.

[Publius6961]

No, it is just a rule of the AP stylebook.

Sounds like an issue for the RICO statutes.
Or at the very least violations of rights due to a conspiracy, if everyone is expected to "comply".

Or else? Seig Heil!

[Marie]

I don't mind being labled "anti-abortion". Or anti-ripping babies apart. Or anti-murder. It's all the same to me.

[FourtySeven]

Yeap.....no such thing as liberal bias in the media. < /sarcasm >

[Old Professer]

He's the same guy who comes over and brags about how he only paid $220K for his house which is just like yours when he knows you paid $300K.

[Condor51]

"..stop referring to him/her as "liberal" because he's not. He's a leftist"

You got it, they are Leftists - PERIOD. 'Liberals' went the way of the Ford Pinto & Chevy Nova - they're all LEFTISTS now. And the lefties who call themselves 'progressives' are Marxist Commies. (see; Nancy Pelosi)

'Liberals' believe in liberty, leftists don't. They want the gubmint to control everything and everyone. So I guess that conservatives today are truly more of a 'liberal' in that sense than those who call themselves 'Liberals' - because we believe in liberty.

---

And yes, calling them leftists makes them apoplectic -- they don't like the fact that we see through their little charade. So I do it every chance I get!

[gcruse]

I am in favor of calling the other side "pro-death" or maybe "pro baby murder for convience sake".

Be careful.  You might find yourself labelled  pro-welfare-breeders, or maybe "concerned right up until post-birth."

[Iron Eagle]

In my opinion, "pro-life" is a bit tricky. I know many people who are "pro-life", which to them means both opposed to abortion and opposed to the death penalty. (Interestingly, some of these "pro-life" people have more exceptions to their abortion beliefs than a legal disclaimer at a used car dealership.)

I consider myself "anti-abortion." Or, I could be considered "pro-innocent life."

I believe abortion kills children, and I am opposed to it. On the other hand, I vigorously support the death penalty. So I can see why some would not believe I am "pro-life."

[GLDNGUN]

I think we need bumper-stickers which state: "Pro-Choice Republican: I don't care how many of their own babies the Democrats kill."

I understand the sentiment, but can't agree. Babies are innocent and in need of protection, ESPECIALLY from democrats.

[GLDNGUN]

The first thing you have to do is stop referring to him/her as "liberal" because he's not. He's a leftist. I've found that making this distinction really ticks them off.

He gets offended when someone refers to him as a "radical". I guess in his mind it's not "radical" to want to kill as many babies as possible.

[joonbug]

Sort of like "estate" tax and "death" tax? Liberals prefer the former and conservatives the latter.

[airborne]

Here's a better change -

'PRO LIFE' to 'ANTI-CHILD KILLER'

[jwalburg]

I'm against abortion and for the death penalty, but also against euthanasia and cloning. So "pro-life" still describes me. The fact that I don't want brutal killers out killing others means I'm pro-life, too.

[CalKat]

Didn't you do the same thing with your use of pro-abortion rather than pro-choice?

[jwalburg]

The same thing as what?

[Arthur McGowan]

Because there is no such right. The AP should be neutral as long as about 80% of Americans oppose about 90% of all abortions that are actually done in the U.S.

[Mr. Silverback]

Didn't you do the same thing with your use of pro-abortion rather than pro-choice?

Except that "pro-abortion" is true.

When Bush cut funding to the UNFPA (because of their record of funding forced abortions in China) and moved the money to other family planning programs, the abortion lobby had a cow. They called him every name in the book. Now, if they're so interested in "choice," why did they want taxpayer dollars to end up helping forced abortions and sterilization?

[Sloth]

My vote is for "baby killers"!

I'll go with 'infanticidal maniacs.'

[MayflowerMadam]

Unfortunately, the threat of "I'll stop subscribing to your newspaper" is empty now, since all decent people have already stopped taking it. They've called to say they're going to give us free papers for one week, at which point I've gone ballistic and shouted that if I even SEE one of their rags in my driveway they'll be sued. Haven't seen one yet.

Our preacher's daughter's bumber sticker: Save the baby humans