come off it, Hugh

Hugh Hewitt, in typically bombastic fashion, calls various media outlets "junior officers in the 'Dictatorship of Relativism,'" approvingly citing the new pope's fabled phrasing. Hewitt then rips quotes out of context to somehow prove the "overwhelming hostility of the American media elite to the announcement of Benedict XVI's election."

Here's what Hugh left out:

From the Washington Post:

Pope John Paul II was famous for reaching out to other faiths, and there's reason to hope that his successor may continue that tradition. Pope Benedict XVI could do great good by expressing clear and open opposition to bigotry and religious prejudice in a world containing far too much of both. We also hope that this pope, like his predecessor, will stand up to the world's dictators and for the rights of Catholics and others to practice their faiths freely. Because of his church's presence in almost every country, the pope is unusually well placed to speak about human rights abuses, respect for human dignity and the rule of law.... It is an extraordinary pulpit that the former Cardinal Ratzinger has been given. If he uses it well, the whole world will benefit.

From the New York Times:

The new pope is, at 78, not likely to serve long enough to have the kind of impact his predecessor had. But the church has seen men elected as supposedly transitional figures in the past turn into agents for sweeping change. The beloved Pope John XXIII was a recent example. And in an era as fraught with peril as today's, anyone who occupies the throne of St. Peter is given overwhelming power to do good and responsibility to prevent harm. Today, the world can only wish Pope Benedict XVI strength and inspiration as he takes on this extraordinary burden of spiritual, moral and political leadership.

From the Boston Globe:

By all accounts, the new pope is a brilliant theologian with a stated commitment to preserve his faith without being blown off course by current events. He is also an eminent administrator. He is expected to eschew the well-traveled footsteps of John Paul II, opting instead to be a stay-at-home pope who concentrates on putting the Vatican's house in order. It is only natural, however, for observers around the world -- Christian and non-Christian -- to wonder how the election of the 265th pope will affect them.... The late John Paul II shared his successor's conservative views but connected people and issues on a personal level. He was a man of great range. Respecters of religion worldwide are hoping that the reign of Benedict XVI will be known for similar beneficence.

Lest it be said I'm being unfair to Hugh, think again; the LA Times editorial is definitely the shrillest of the bunch. It's the only one that might arguably have contempt "dripping from every page."

I don't know where Hugh has been for the past three weeks, but it's been all-pope-all-the-time in every wing of the MSM--even on (ack!) NPR, where nearly every lead story has been conclave this, conclave that. This is hardly hostility. The press's fascination with the ritual may stem from the nation's generally non-Catholic disposition (after all, only 25% of Americans are Catholics in the first place), but Hewitt has to cherry-pick to make the MSM look bad. For the most part, their coverage of the situation has been quite friendly.

A couple asides:

Anti-Catholic bigotry has deep roots in American Protestantism; when discussing "contempt" for Catholics, start there.

For bonus points, name the party of the first Catholic president. Hint: it wasn't the GOP.

Update: this news item from the New York Times is another example of the blatant non-hostility I'm talking about.