Skunk at the Dinner Party The Washington Post The Reliable Source By Lloyd Grove Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, May 16, 2002; Page C03 The Washington Times is gearing up for its 20th anniversary gala next Tuesday, but conservative commentator Cliff Kincaid isn't joining the celebration. Yesterday the 47-year-old Kincaid -- a vehement United Nations and Hugh Hefner opponent who writes forAmerican Legion magazine and Reid Irvine's Accuracy in Media Report -- launched a broadside at the Washington Hilton event, which is expected to draw up to 3,000 partygoers, including members of Congress and the Bush administration. In a press release headlined "Big Buck$ From Cult Leader: Sun Myung Moon Snares Dr. Laura," Kincaid noted that "almost one-third of the Senate and one-third of the U.S. House . . . are listed as members of a host committee to honor Moon and the paper." He claimed that the dinner will exploit bona fide conservatives such as radio scold Laura Schlessinger, who is listed as a featured speaker, to scrub the image of the controversial Unification Church and the Washington Times founder, who in the 1980s served 13 months in federal prison for tax evasion and conspiracy. Yesterday Schlessinger spokeswoman Keven Bellows told us her boss will receive a $35,000 speaking fee -- which she intends to donate to her private charitable foundation -- but she added that Schlessinger is coming to show her appreciation for the right-leaning newspaper, not for Moon (who on occasion has claimed to be the "savior of the world"). Bellows insisted: "She doesn't know Sun Myung Moon from Adam." Washington Times Executive Editor Wesley Pruden, meanwhile, personally attacked Kincaid. "This guy's a nut. He's angry with us because we had an editorial that was mildly approving of something the U.N. and Kofi Annan had done, and he wrote a letter to the editor that we didn't want to run. . . . Look, everybody knows that Reverend Moon provided the wherewithal for the Times when it started. . . . But he has kept his promise 100 percent: They have never interfered with the editorial side of the paper." Kincaid, he added, "needs professional help." Kincaid responded: "I need help? I am not a member of a cult, and I don't claim to be the Messiah." Dr. Laura, Who Denounces Cults, Will Appear With Cult Leader Moon Dr. Laura Schlessinger, who is being paid $35,000 for a photo-op with Sun Myung Moon on Tuesday night in Washington, D.C., has denounced cults. "I'm often horrified at how people call themselves religious and are really excruciatingly ignorant…" she said on April 8, 1999. "But there are a lot of kids who think cults are religions. There are some people who think witchcraft is a religion. I put them close to the same category." Meanwhile, in preparation for its 20th anniversary celebration dinner on Tuesday night, the Washington Times published a "Special Section" that contained several deceptions about Moon and the paper. It stated that Moon is a "Korean evangelist," falsely implying that he is a Christian. The term "evangelist" is Biblical and refers to preachers of the Gospel in the early church. Incredibly, on December 30, 2001, the Times printed a 24 page Advertising Supplement which quoted Jesus Christ as saying that Moon was the true Christ. Titled, "God is the Parent of Humankind: Reflections of 120 Christians who illuminated History Conveyed from a Seminar in the Spirit World," it claimed that 120 dead religious leaders were channeling their views through a Moon organization and proclaiming their support for Sun Myung Moon. Jesus Christ is even quoted as saying that Moon is His Messiah: "Now I will follow the true teacher who had revealed new truth. This is none other than the Messiah at the Second Coming, the Reverend Sun Myung Moon." The Washington Times 20th anniversary section obscured Moon control of the paper. It declared that, "James R. Whelan, the first editor in chief, departed after two years in a dispute with corporate management." This half-truth does not explain that the contract involved promises to Whelan, the founding editor, publisher and CEO, that he would have complete independence from the Moon organization. He resigned when those promises were violated. He was offered $1 million to stay on as a figurehead. The paper also said that William P. Cheshire, editorial of the editorial page, "departed in 1987 after disagreements with Arnaud de Borchgrave, by then the editor in chief, over editorial policy." The "disagreements" concerned allegations that de Borchgrave allowed the Moon organization to change an editorial to support the president of South Korea. Moon's plan for the reunification of North and South Korea is reflected in his business dealings with North Korea and the paper's failure to expose the true nature of the communist regime. A Moon company exploits slave labor at a car plant there. Cult Leader Sun Myung Moon Pays Dr. Laura $35,000 In a new disclosure, the Washington Post reveals in today's paper (page C3) that Dr. Laura "Do the right thing" Schlessinger is receiving $35,000 for appearing with and honoring Sun Myung Moon at the Washington Times 20th anniversary celebration next Tuesday night. "Dr. Laura was tricked into accepting the speaking engagement," charged journalist Cliff Kincaid. "At first, she was not told that Moon would be at the event, that she would only be honoring the newspaper. Then she was told that she would have to 'recognize the contribution of the founder' - Moon - in her remarks and that he was a featured speaker as well. Moon, who is giving the "Founder's Address," is scheduled to follow Dr. Laura to the podium. Not surprisingly, she is trying to distance herself from Moon, a convicted felon who runs a business in North Korea and claims to be the savior of the world. She is emphasizing that she doesn't know Moon and is only going to recognize the paper. "But Moon will use her appearance to give himself respectability," noted Kincaid. In response to the controversy, Times executive editor Wesley Pruden attacked Cliff Kincaid for highlighting the problem and claimed that Moon has no influence over the content of the paper. "This is demonstrably false," said Kincaid. "Moon's propaganda appears regularly in the paper. The latest example was the April 28 story in the Washington Times covering a mass wedding ceremony performed by Moon. The writer of the story is a member of Moon's church. A photo with the story showed Moon sprinkling 'holy water' over the participants." Another example was a January 24 Washington Times article about a pro-United Nations symposium sponsored by various Moon front groups. The story by a Unification Church member did not disclose Moon's covert backing for the event. Kincaid noted that conservative journalist James Whelan, the first editor of the Washington Times, resigned, claiming Moon organization interference with his editorial independence. Whelan says he was offered $1 million to stay on the job as a figurehead. Sun Myung Moon Snares Dr. Laura Dr. Laura Schlessinger is accepting a large fee from a controversial business operation headed by Sun Myung Moon to appear with and honor him in Washington, D.C. on May 21. Moon, a convicted felon and billionaire who claims to be the Savior of the world, generates funds from a slave labor car plant operation in Communist North Korea. He wants a photo op with Dr. Laura so that her credentials as a moral spokesperson will rub off on him. Dr. Laura, who tells listeners to "Do the right thing," is doing the morally wrong thing in this case, says journalist Cliff Kincaid. Dr. Laura says she is merely honoring one of Moon's media properties, the Washington Times. But she is highlighted with Moon on the invitation to the event and was asked to "recognize" Moon in her remarks. She claims she didn't know at first that Moon was going to be there. Journalist Kincaid, who has investigated the controversy, commented, "Dr. Laura may have been tricked into this, but has now decided to participate anyway. She knows that Moon has business dealings that are more convoluted and controversial than those of Enron. One difference is that Moon has been convicted of a crime and Enron CEO Ken Lay has not. Moon has business in North Korea and Enron did not. This May 21 event takes place as news is breaking of raids on Moon's operations in Brazil seeking evidence of money laundering, immigration violations and tax evasion. Some of these charges are reminiscent of those he was convicted of in the United States. Moon served time in federal prison." A Dr. Laura associate claims the fee for the speech will go to her foundation to benefit kids. "Ironically," noted Kincaid, "Moon turned his back on his own grandchildren, as disclosed in the book, In the Shadow of the Moons, by his former daughter-in-law Nansook Hong. She fled the Moon estate with her children after being brutalized by Moon's son." Dr. Laura is not alone. Almost one-third of the U.S. Senate and one-third of the U.S. House of Representatives are listed as members of a "Host Committee" to honor Moon and the paper at the same event. The vast majority of members on this committee are conservative Republicans. A representative of the Bush Administration is also listed as a speaker at the event. Kincaid said, "Liberals must be salivating at the prospect of making the charge that conservatives have sold out to a cult leader with communist ties." Washington Times Honors Friend of Castro While conservatives are criticizing Jimmy Carter for being soft on Castro, the Washington Times newspaper has given a major honor to one of Castro's biggest boosters. Cesar Gaviria, a notorious crony of Fidel Castro, received the "International Courage in Leadership Award" at the Washington Times 20th anniversary event on May 21. But the paper lied about his service on behalf of the Communist dictator. Meanwhile, Times founder Sun Myung Moon spoke at the event, delivering a more than one-hour sermon that put the editors of the paper on the defensive over their "independence." (see Washington Post story below). A January 6, 1997, Miami Herald story noted, "Of all Latin American politicos who have rubbed elbows with Fidel Castro of late, perhaps none has spent as much time with him as Cesar Gaviria, secretary general of the Organization of American States. 'Yes, I'm a friend of Fidel Castro,''' Gaviria told CBS-Telenoticias talk show host Jaime Bayly last month." The story quoted Gaviria as saying Castro "has done a supremely important job on social issues" and that "I admire the way in which he fought to topple the dictatorship of [Fulgencio] Batista, and the effort he has made to keep the revolution alive.'' The Latin American News Syndicate reported that Gaviria assumed the presidency of Colombia in 1990 and renewed relations with the Castro dictatorship in 1993. Relations had been broken on March 23, 1981, after Colombia had proven that Castro's regime had been training and furnishing arms to the Colombian terrorists. Bogotá's La Prensa headlined its description of this with "Boca a Boca con Fidel" [Mouth to Mouth With Fidel] while El Nuevo Siglo described Gaviria as "trying to save the Castro dictatorship." A September 26, 1996 Miami Herald story noted that House lawmakers had "clashed fiercely over Cuba" with Gaviria and "accused him of weak leadership in promoting democracy…" Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said Gaviria's request for help from Cuban President Fidel Castro to win the release of his brother, who had been kidnapped by pro-Castro Colombian terrorists, "had undermined his credibility" as OAS leader. By contrast, the Washington Times story about the anniversary event described Gaviria as "a conflict mediator, democracy advocate, staunch supporter of regional integration and defender of human rights." James Morrison, author of the "Embassy Row" column in the paper, quoted Douglas D.M. Joo, president of The Washington Times Corp., as saying to Gaviria, "you have truly exhibited courage in leadership over your distinguished career in public service." Morrison said Gaviria "has negotiated with guerrillas, tracked down drug lords and promoted democracy throughout Latin America." The award to Gaviria comes at a time when Times founder Sun Myung Moon is expanding his business activities in Latin America. However, Moon's Brazil operations are currently under investigation for alleged money laundering, immigration violations, and tax evasion. Moon Eclipses Birthday Bash For Times By Roxanne Roberts Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, May 22, 2002; Page C01 What do you call a gathering of 3,000 people, a self-aggrandizing lecture by Dr. Laura Schlessinger and an hour-long sermon from the Rev. Sun Myung Moon? The Washington Times 20th-anniversary bash. An eclectic crowd convened at the Hilton Washington last night to celebrate the other paper in the nation's capital. The party was to honor the success of the scrappy conservative daily; instead, it was dominated by Moon's address, titled "The Life of Jesus as Seen From God's Will, and God's Warning to the Present Age, the Period of the Last Days." Even the most charitable souls might have come away thinking that the newspaper -- founded by the Unification Church leader -- is a conduit for Moon's religious message, something its editors have repeatedly denied. "I hope that the Washington Times, UPI and other major media will accept this lofty command from Heaven and take up the task of educating humankind, taking a stance beyond religion and ideology," Moon told the audience. He delivered the address in Korean, but printed copies in English were at each seat. "Please note that I have distributed to you a booklet containing messages from leaders in the spirit world. I ask that you read this carefully." The paper's brass were unfazed by Moon's remarks. "The Reverend Moon is a religious leader, and he speaks in religious terms," said Managing Editor Fran Coombs. "He has always respected our editorial independence, and I have no reason to think that's going to change." But it was not exactly the aura the Washington Times team hoped to convey. The evening was planned as a joyful slap on the back for swimming against Washington's media tide. The newspaper emerged two decades ago as an alternative to what some felt was an overly left-leaning media establishment; now it's a must-read for conservatives in town. Even many liberals have come to respect it for aggressive reporting and provocative editorials. "If living well is the best revenge, then in our business today, surviving is cause for celebration," Editor in Chief Wesley Pruden said earlier in the day. And so they planned a party. The guest list boasted Moon, Dr. Laura, Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), former editor Arnaud de Borchgrave, former defense secretary Cap Weinberger, former Virginia governor Jim Gilmore, some United States Marines and singer Randy Travis. The hotel lobby was filled with blowups of colorful Times front pages; there were Times T-shirts on sale in the lobby. "We are here to celebrate a two-newspaper town," said syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, who is carried by the Times. "I think we ought to have more than two." The Times turned 20 last week, which has to annoy the critics who confidently predicted it would fold in months, if not weeks, in the face of competition from The Washington Post, then as now the dominant newspaper in the nation's capital. Others assumed the Times would fail because it was launched by the wealthy and controversial religious leader. Moon has poured more than $1 billion into the enterprise despite huge losses, and shows no indication of stopping. The Times is owned by Moon's News World Communications, which recently acquired United Press International. Pruden said that the owners have never imposed their religious beliefs on the newspaper staff. "They have never, ever, not even once, told any of us to put anything in the paper, nor have they ever asked us to take anything out," he said. "As the editor, I have complete and total independence from the owners." The paper began in the halcyon days of the Reagan Revolution, with the idea of recording Reagan's battle against communism. It moved on to reporting about "traditional values" issues -- religion, education, sex, culture and welfare -- and became an oft-quoted conservative voice in congressional debates. The newspaper is now a staple on Capitol Hill and think tanks, despite its relatively small circulation. So it was time to celebrate with 3,000 friends. Many, as it turned out, were not connected to the newspaper. The Washington Times Foundation, in conjunction with the anniversary, convened two groups here: the International Leadership Conference (elected officials from the United States, Korea and Japan) and the American Leadership Conference (African American leaders and volunteers from across the country). All were invited to the dinner last night. The program included awards to 12 local students and remarks by Burns, Davis and Dr. Laura, who lauded the paper for publishing the truth "contrary to the herd mentality" and for getting it right when the radio talk host was accused of homophobia. "From one survivor to another: Congratulations, we're still here," said Schlessinger. Following a 20-minute video about the paper, Pruden introduced Moon. "Well, Reverend Moon, they said it couldn't be done, but we did it." The 82-year-old Moon received a standing ovation. He smiled and teased the crowd, disclosing his secret for the paper's success: "I pray every day that God would love the Washington Times." Moon explained his reason for launching the newspaper: "Celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Washington Times has a particularly gratifying meaning for me. The memory is still fresh in my mind how, in May 1982, I made the final decision to publish The Washington Times in response to Heaven's direction. This took place while I was being unjustly tried in a New York federal court, in a prosecution motivated by both racial and religious bigotry." (Moon was convicted in 1982 for failing to report $162,000 in income and served 13 months in federal prison.) Communism was sweeping the world, he said, and he wanted a way to protect America: "It was certainly not my intention to set up a newspaper company just to make money. Over the years, more than a billion dollars have been invested in the Washington Times alone, but I have never regretted this nor felt enmity towards anyone. That is because this was a way to practice true love toward Heaven and humankind." Moon talked for more than an hour about Jesus, communism, Israel and a new Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. The evening ended with the paper's Courage in Leadership Awards, which were presented to Cesar Gaviria, secretary general of the Organization of American States; former congressman Floyd Flake; Michael Joyce, founder of Americans for Community and Faith-Centered Enterprise; and three heroes from the Sept. 11 Pentagon attack: Virginia State Trooper Michael Middleton, and firefighters Jerry Rousillon and Steven McCoy. Staff writer Frank Ahrens contributed to this report. NOTICE HOW THE WASHINGTON TIMES STORY ABOUT THE ANNIVERSARY EVENT IGNORED MOON'S EMBARRASSING DISPLAY: May 22, 2002 Glasses raised high for Times' 20th By Ellen Sorokin THE WASHINGTON TIMES The Washington Times threw a party last night celebrating its 20th anniversary at a gala to a packed house at the Washington Hilton. More than 3,000 congressmen, state legislators, and business and religious leaders from across the country attended the dinner and the reception to congratulate The Times on "Two Decades of Dedication and Distinction." The visitors even included members of the Diet, the Japanese parliament. President Bush, preparing to depart for Moscow, sent a message via a White House aide. "Since 1982," he said, "people across America and throughout the world have relied on The Washington Times as a distinguished source of information and opinion. "As a forum for the debate of timely issues, The Times has contributed significantly to a more informed public," the president wrote. "I commend the individuals whose hard work has helped The Washington Times become a major U.S. daily paper. Your continued pursuit of excellence is a credit to journalism." Other greetings included those from Sen. Thomas Daschle of South Dakota, the leader of the Democratic majority in the Senate, who praised The Times in a video for enlivening the national debate. The evening's keynote speaker, radio personality Laura Schlessinger, congratulated The Times on its 20 years of commitment to truth and freedom. "In my experience, The Washington Times operates according to the tried-and-true traditions of a free press," she said. "Reporters and editors take their responsibilities seriously, always checking the facts. Then, they publish the truth, often in opposition to the herd mentality that guides the coverage of most of its competitors." Wesley Pruden, the editor in chief of The Times, greeted the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the newspaper, with a cheery salute: "Rev. Moon," he said, "they said it couldn't be done. But we did it." Asa Hutchinson, chief of the Drug Enforcement Administration; Rep. Jennifer Dunn, Washington Republican; David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union; and the Rev. Walter Fauntroy of the New Bethel Baptist Church, who gave the invocation at the dinner, talked of the "balance" the newspaper had brought to Washington journalism. "A lot of what is printed wouldn't be printed if it hadn't been in The Washington Times," said retired Sen. Malcolm Wallop, Wyoming Republican. "Its presence keeps journalism honest." "We appreciate having you in town," said Sen. Conrad Burns, Montana Republican. "It's been said that journalism is the ability to meet the challenge of filling space," said Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, Virginia Republican. "The Washington Times is exceptional in that it fills that space well." Rev. Moon, in his remarks, spoke of his vision for the newspaper. "The memory is still fresh in my mind of how, in May 1982, I made the final decision to publish the newspaper." He challenged the guests to "embody the qualities of defending freedom, promoting family values and strengthening your faith in God." Douglas Joo, president of The Washington Times Corp., said, "We are proud to set a distinctive tradition in public discourse." The first edition of The Washington Times rolled off borrowed presses May 17, 1982, nine months after the Washington Star's presses fell silent. News World Communications, a publishing company founded by Korean businessmen and others who were members of Rev. Moon's Unification Church, took on the mission of financing, designing and launching an independent newspaper in Washington. The Times began operating from a makeshift newsroom in an old warehouse at 3600 New York Ave. NW. The paper was staffed by a handful of newspaper professionals recruited by a working group from News World headed by former Korean diplomat Bo Hi Pak. Today, The Times has more than 820 employees, a daily circulation of 110,120, and is a newspaper with national influence. Country music star Randy Travis entertained at the gala, after opening the proceedings by singing the national anthem. Also performing during the dinner were the Viennese Strings and the Children of the Gospel Choir. As part of its 20th-anniversary celebration, The Times held an essay contest for students in grades three through 12 in the Washington area. From more than 800 submissions, 96 winners were selected in 12 categories. The top 12 winners honored last night were Valerie G. Peckarsky, Max Koehler, Matthew P. Farrell, Gina Depaul, Bin Yang, Linnay Corley, Graham Spicer, David Kay, Paul Thornley, Cherryce Lynn White, Kim Sorensen and Tara Lester. The Times presented its Courage in Leadership Awards, which honor individuals who have shown distinction and courage in their fields of endeavor. Virginia State Trooper Michael Middleton, Fairfax County Fire Capt. Jerry Roussillon and Arlington County Fire Capt. Stephen McCoy were honored for their heroic efforts during the September 11 recovery efforts at the Pentagon. The International Courage in Leadership Award was presented to Cesar Gaviria, the Organization of American States' secretary-general, known in Latin America as a conflict mediator, democracy advocate, staunch supporter of regional integration and defender of human rights. The National Courage in Leadership Awards were presented to the Rev. Floyd Flake of the Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Queens, N.Y., and Michael S. Joyce, founder and chief executive officer of the Washington-based Americans for Community and Faith-Centered Enterprise, which seeks to channel government and private funding to small, religious social service groups.              Printer-friendly version Click here to be added to our mailing list.