Logically, yes - it is completely possible - but this possibility does not reveal any flaw in my reasoning.
The fact that Bernard Law is a venal and evil man has no bearing on my argument.
My argument is this: if Bernard Law had covered up the crimes of Shanley and others AND at the same time been an outspoken, vocal critic of the Church's position on abortion, contraception, sodomy, etc. the media would have given him a free pass.
Well-known liberal bishops in the Catholic Church, like Cardinal Mahony, the late Rembert Weakland, the retired Daniel Ryan and others are guilty of crimes worse even than Law's.
Ryan didn't just cover up cases of molestation: he himself personally molested young men 5 years ago. Concerned Catholics went to the media then, and the media did nothing because Ryan was sympathetic to the "gay pride" and "rainbow sash" movement among disobedient Catholics.
The media was very selective in their coverage of the scandal and their spin was very obvious.