Wailing Wall Wrong -- Could Spark New Accountability for the Media?

Some things in this life are sacred, and should exist outside the world of politics and news reporting.

There is sanctity to a person's direct prayers to their G-d. If there any truth to the publication of our presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama's direct and private conversation at the Wailing Wall, it is just wrong. This is one of the most sacred rituals on this planet, and one that should be treated with the utmost respect and dignity. It should not be reprinted in the press.

At long last, there may be the impetus to move beyond mixing politics with religion in our news reporting. Respectfully, CNN would not publish the note stuck in the cracks of the Wailing Wall. They made us proud this morning. It could have been an easy and cheap thrill.

There may be hope for the media machine yet. This could spark a new sense of accountability. One can only hope.

Comments

[DaOne]

Laura Bush left a note in the wall in 2005. I don't recall its contents being published.

Why is Barack Obama not entitled to the same degree of privacy?

Irrespective of whether you are a believer or not. I think it's safe to assume we all decry theft.

[Easttexas82]

It was incredibly wrong to take his note. It's like taking a child's coin out of a wishing well. But now that it has been published, can we all admit that it has shown Obama to deep down be a good and decent man?

[Sweetie4Obama]

I apologize...I didn't know someone had already made the same comment (about CNN having already published the prayer). At any rate, I think it is despicable what people will do for fame, notoriety, and money. This invasion of Sen. Obama's privacy truly did upset me, and I'm not at all religious.

[Sweetie4Obama]

Actually, CNN did initially (Friday) publish the prayer. After outcries by viewers, they decided to remove it.

[edgraham]

I don't believe in gods and demons, but I try to stay out of the way of those who have these delusions. In that spirit of inclusion, I suggest that you might want to call the site - - the Western Wall. The "Wailing Wall" is a slang expression.

On the real meat of your post, revealing the note was just wrong. I hope you are right about the media gaining a new sense of accountability, but as I said, I don't believe in the supernatural.

Ed Graham

[Idytme]

Call me cynical but I don't think any world politician would put any private thoughts in a public place.
I'd say that for it to be pulled and printed was to be expected, and I really doubt if the campaign didn't think of this ahead of time.

[uhappytoo]

The question of sanctity was not about the probability. It was about the media's obsession. And the media truly sank to new depths by printing a personal prayer. Those who printed it, and MSNBC.com was one, deserve the outrage and scorn for doing so. Frankly I think they deserve far worse than mere outrage and scorn.

[michellekraus]

I of all cynics hoped it wasn't so that there was something sacred about the Wall. Silly me.

[laylahb]

I wonder what happened to the Yeshivah student who took the note out of the Kotel? How proud his family--and his Rabbis--must be. Apparently he hasn't learned anything, beginning with "thou shall not steal."

[QuestionAuthorityDammit]

I will be voting for Obama in the fall, and I think he will be a great president, but:

Obama asked for it when he went to "publicly pray".

Matthew 6:5 - 6 says:

5. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

He should have avoided the Wailing Wall in the first place. I for one, do not want the separation of church and state to blur:

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State." Thomas Jefferson

Mr. Obama, do not tear down this wall!!!

[michellekraus]

It showed the upmost of respect for him to go to the Wall for all the people of the surrounding countries. What struck me, was the sensitivity with which he conducted himself. He won big points for his actions on the entire trip. The polls suggest that the country concurs with his new 8 point lead in Gallup released this morning.

[BADEN]

It was stated that a SEMINARY STUDENT walked up, took the note and passed the information around.

Now, you tell me.

They KNEW who was there at the wall at that time.
They KNEW this person.
They KNEW he was going to that area and what he was up to,

So, who's the REAL evil in this.

A representative of an ORGANIZED RELIGION with IDEOLOGICAL REASONS FOR COMMITING AN ABOMINATION.

I blame the AIPAC rightwingnut ideologues and their supporters (which I believe this SEMINARY STUDENT was once such person) for warping even a communication between a man and his god.

Shame on ALL Organized Religions.
They are the BANE of civilization.

[IndependentTogether]

CNN *did* publish it. That's how I found out about it.

[michellekraus]

My apologies. They made a big deal early this morning on broadcast about NOT publishinig it or partaking in the frenzy to publish. My bad. Apologies.

[IndependentTogether]

Considering that CNN was likely not fully divulging their culpability, you have nothing to apologize for. In fact, CNN should be apologizing to *you*!