TPM LiveWire
Wash Times Editor: I Was Forced To Attend A Moon Church Mass Wedding
Justin Elliott | November 17, 2009, 1:04PM
Sun Myung Moon and Richard Miniter (inset)
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Washington Times editorial page editor Richard Miniter is filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the paper today, alleging discrimination based on age, disability, and religion -- being forced to attend a Unification Church mass wedding -- and he will ask the government to enjoin the Times' assets, his lawyer tells TPM.
The development adds to an already daunting mess of problems at the newspaper, whose top executives were fired last week, and whose executive editor resigned.
"The state of affairs at the Washington Times, to put it mildly, is in disarray," Larry Klayman, Miniter's attorney, tells TPM. "What we're seeking to do is to freeze everything right now." Klayman, whose firm is based in Washington and Florida, is the founder of conservative legal group Judicial Watch.
The Unification Church of Rev. Sun Myung Moon, whose son Preston controls the paper, is known for its mass weddings, in which Rev. Moon is said to often personally make matches based on photographs of brides and grooms.
A spokesman for the Times did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment.
A former Wall Street Journal editorial page writer and author of multiple books, Miniter was hired as editorial page editor and vice president of opinion at the Times in March. The article announcing his hire described it as "the latest of a series of dramatic moves to boost the newspaper's global impact."
Besides the mass wedding charge, Klayman alleges Miniter and other employees who were over 40 were victims of age discrimination.
Finally, he claims Miniter was forced to work when he was having severe heart problems. During a health scare earlier this year, Miniter was brought out of the newsroom on a stretcher, newsroom sources say.
All of these allegations will be included in the EEOC complaint, Klayman says. He adds that there is a dispute over Miniter's employment status at the paper, and the paper is improperly continuing to use his name on its masthead.
Politico reported in October that Miniter hadn't been in his offices since July. Klayman later told the Washington Post that Miniter was negotiating with the paper over compensation issues, citing "financial problems at the Washington Times."
Klayman tells TPM of the EEOC complaint: "This is just round one."
Late Update:: Read the complaint here. We hope to have additional information on this tomorrow.
Late 11/18/09 Update: We've got more details on Miniter's complaint -- and a picture of the Times masthead -- here.
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pinson
November 17, 2009 1:15 PM
Surely this is political correctness run amok. Miniter needs to understand that this is the market at work. He shouldn't rely on the government to solve all his problems.
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commie atheist
November 17, 2009 2:35 PM in reply to pinson
Heh.
Including "Losing Bin Laden: How Bill Clinton's Failures Unleashed Global Terror." So, he's a member of the "Everything is Clinton's Fault" school.
It's too funny, these conservatives suddenly discovering that the Washington Times is owned by a religious cult leader. I guess when they were cashing Moon's checks, it was all good, but now that the whole sordid mess is coming apart at the seams...
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Overreach THIS!
November 17, 2009 3:03 PM in reply to pinson
That's right! Let the market decide! Bunch a trial lawyers moving to seize the assets of these gangsers in some government court?! Sounds like socialism!
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rynato
November 17, 2009 4:38 PM in reply to pinson
There can't possibly be enough popcorn to get us through this one as it unfolds.
Let's hope something sleazy about the GOP spills out as the truth unfolds.
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bracken
November 22, 2009 8:12 AM in reply to rynato
As certain as the sunrise!
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wbstpm
November 17, 2009 1:22 PM
LOL. Wow we all know what's been going on recently at TWT. Miniter saw an easy handout and will try his best. Give me a break.
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Rheinhard
November 17, 2009 1:26 PM
Wait... there must be a misprint here. Surely a CONSERVATIVE would never stoop to claiming *discrimination*, and worse, use *trial lawyers*(spit) to sue over it?? And using the *Equal Employment Opportunity Commission*?? Created by that pansy LBJ? No, only pussy liberal welfare queen whiners would do that. Stauch self-reliant John Galt conservatives would suck it up and pull themselves up by their bootstraps!
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commie atheist
November 17, 2009 2:39 PM in reply to Rheinhard
Reminds me of when that champion of tort reform, Robert Bork, sued the Yale Club because he fell down and couldn't get up:
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/06/07/robert-bork-files-slip-and-fall-lawsuit-against-yale-club/
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kernel
November 18, 2009 2:06 PM in reply to commie atheist
Couldn't get up, or couldn't get it up?
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bracken
November 22, 2009 8:26 AM in reply to kernel
He was already on the floor when it couldn't perform, so he figured he'd sue.
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Neil
November 17, 2009 1:27 PM
wait, i thought there was an impenetrable firewall between the owners and editors at the WaPo, and any insinuation otherwise was just small minded and cynical ad hominem attacks on the integrity of journalists in the free marketplace.
i'm terribly shocked by these developments and may have to rethink other media outlets owned by non-news conglomerates which may have an ulterior agenda. like for example, all of them.
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Neil
November 17, 2009 1:33 PM in reply to Neil
Err Wash Times. (when i think "shoddy reporting" my fingers just type WaPo all by themselves ;)
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Schmed
November 17, 2009 1:50 PM in reply to Neil
Either one works!
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commie atheist
November 17, 2009 2:40 PM in reply to Schmed
Seriously. Both are willing to sell out their journalistic ethics to the highest bidder.
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midnight rambler
November 17, 2009 6:51 PM in reply to commie atheist
I don't think the WT is, actually. It sounds like their "ethics" [sic] are set by divine fiat.
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JEP07
November 18, 2009 1:33 AM in reply to midnight rambler
Devine fiat du jour...
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An Outhouse
November 17, 2009 1:32 PM
I didn't know that the welfare recipients were allowed to sue the wing nuts. It seems rude anyway.
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Neil
November 17, 2009 1:41 PM
That pic is hilarious! I knew the Moonies are nuts, but really... they can afford better garb. That getup is some kinda Burger King ghetto Halloween costume.
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Kuyleh
November 17, 2009 3:30 PM in reply to Neil
Ya know...Now that you've pointed it out, I agree. Maybe they could make some extra cash by selling it to BK as a holiday uniform?
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pppwww
November 17, 2009 3:31 PM in reply to Neil
yeah, as soon as i saw that photo, i thought, "burger king."
[and then, "every marriage comes with a free whopper!"]
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Verified
November 17, 2009 3:36 PM in reply to Neil
You obviously have a suburban prejudice against gold ric-rac.
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pppwww
November 17, 2009 3:58 PM in reply to Verified
+1 for mentioning "ric-rac"
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Mr. Conspiracy
November 17, 2009 4:01 PM in reply to Neil
Seriously, that crown looks like it's made of cardboard.
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howie
November 17, 2009 1:46 PM
When Larry Klayman is the voice of reason in a story...
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MiniterTruth
November 17, 2009 2:11 PM in reply to howie
Larry Klayman is a tool and TPM ought to demand some facts so they can check out Klayman's accusations. TPM doesn't even have answers to the high school journalism level questions. When and where was this mass wedding? How was Miniter forced? What other Washing Times editors were forced to go? If there is an actual verifiable event and a verifiable date and time, is there any evidence that Miniter actually showed up? If Miniter was forced to go was the fired moonie publisher the one who "forced" him?
If you follow Miniter's career, he has a habit of getting crossways with his employers. He worked at the WSJ and departed for mysterious reasons. He worked at the American Spectator and the same thing happened. He was writing for Regnery Books and ended up suing them just as he threatens Washington Times.
Has he ever worked anywhere for more than a few years? Poor widdle Miniter, all the rightwingers hater him and are mean to him.
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gonzo
November 17, 2009 2:53 PM in reply to MiniterTruth
Watching all these fuckers circle slowly down the toilet just got more interesting now that uber-jackass Klayman has insinuated himself. Klayman vs. The Moonies? This is actually a circular firing squad of epic proportions!
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unknowncitizen
November 17, 2009 7:00 PM in reply to MiniterTruth
Printing the story with the facts of the suit as filed does not require establishing the merits of the suit does it? Why do you think a baseless suit by an influential wingnut John Bircher filed aginst a cult religion is less newsworthy then one with merit anyway?
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MiniterTruth
November 17, 2009 8:35 PM in reply to MiniterTruth
Ha I was right. The date of the discriminatory religious ceremony is some unspecified weekend in December and the date of his hire is more than two months later.
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cinesimon
November 17, 2009 9:16 PM in reply to MiniterTruth
The cult is here I see.
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JEP07
November 18, 2009 1:36 AM in reply to cinesimon
I noticed that too.
Defenders of delusion...
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Oygevalt
November 19, 2009 9:37 AM in reply to MiniterTruth
PREEcisely MT
The problem with the suit is that during discovery, Miniter would end up in prison for a long time. He is an irascible con artist, has a long record of it, and always has been. This is fun stuff to TPM, but would need more work by a real paper.
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Oygevalt
November 19, 2009 9:39 AM in reply to MiniterTruth
PREEcisely MT
The problem with the suit is that during discovery, Miniter would end up in prison for a long time. He is an irascible con artist, has a long record of it, and always has been. This is fun stuff to TPM, but would need more work by a real paper.
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microtherion
November 17, 2009 2:01 PM
While I don't think anybody deserves being discriminated against, I'm not sure being forced at a wedding amounts to much of a case... unless it is as a groom or bride.
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Jamal
November 17, 2009 2:04 PM
How come no one is talking at length about the Moon-Bush connection. The Moons and the Bushes have been "in bed together" for thirty years or more. Without the Washington Times, the Bushes would have never been able to steal the 2000 election for George Jr. aka the worst president in U.S. history.
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de TOQUEville
November 17, 2009 2:35 PM in reply to Jamal
Yes, check out the archives of Gorenfeld's blog for more about the Bush/Moon connections:
http://gorenfeld.net/john/
Also, I "second" Miniter's comments, above....
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Winston Smith
November 17, 2009 2:05 PM
Der. Whaddya expect? You're an editor for the freaking Washington Times.
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commie atheist
November 17, 2009 2:42 PM in reply to Winston Smith
He was shocked, shocked to find out that his boss was a batshit insane religious cult leader. Why didn't anyone tell him?
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bwthemoose
November 17, 2009 2:16 PM
Jeebus, what's with that hat? Did he pick it up at the clearance bin at Party Warehouse?
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planetsean
November 17, 2009 2:31 PM
Man alive...No one pulls off a paper crown like zany Rev. Moon!!!
Why are Koreans always so hysterically funny with a dash of megalomaniacal perscapacity?
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gatalski
November 17, 2009 2:32 PM
реально бред. у вас все строится на суде, чуть что сразу в суд с настолько придуманными проблемами что я фигею, и ведь моральный ущерб возмещают, вот у нас же работают люди, а если пожаловался то попрут с работы без вопросов, найдут свидетелей что он все насочинял, и все поэтому люди работают ибо у нас работу хорошую найти много сложнее чем у вас у нас $500 это отличная работа. а вот вы смогли бы прожить на такие деньги, я конечно понимаю что у вас все дороже но вы бы с такой суммой не смогли бы прожить и у нас вы слишком привкли что вас нельзя обижать, у вас негра негром назвать нельзя. сразу в суд побегут.
вообщем чесно вы творите бред, вы живете как нелюди у вас т что бы незнокомый сигарету на улице попросил наверное должен быть русским или дождь пойти.
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commie atheist
November 17, 2009 2:43 PM in reply to gatalski
I like your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
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gatalski
November 17, 2009 2:52 PM in reply to commie atheist
It seems to me, that you at all have not understood about what I here have written.
I badly speak in English so I ask to forgive me for my English.
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commie atheist
November 17, 2009 5:44 PM in reply to gatalski
No apologies necessary. My ability to read Russian is far worse than your ability to speak English, believe me.
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Numbersguy
November 17, 2009 9:13 PM in reply to commie atheist
Da, Tovarich Blogger.
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gatalski
November 19, 2009 3:41 PM in reply to commie atheist
I trust you. But after all the matter is that I on your site instead of you on our. Therefore I think that costs will apologise nevertheless costs.
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mjshep
November 17, 2009 4:04 PM in reply to gatalski
Exactly what I was thinking!
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joeyess
November 17, 2009 2:36 PM
You know, I find it hard to feel even the tiniest bit of sympathy for this guy. He was a shill. He is a shill. And he knows it.
I find it amusing that free market/small government conservative hacks like this would enjoin the federal government to intervene when it directly affects them. "Socialism for me, capitalism for thee" should be their motto.
Hypocrites.
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Tao Jonesing
November 17, 2009 2:53 PM
I didn't realize Andy Richter was an editor at the Washington Times. Separated at birth?
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mycomment
November 17, 2009 3:09 PM
***Washington Times editorial page editor Richard Miniter is filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the paper today, alleging discrimination based on age, disability, and religion***
lololol... oh man. where to begin -- esp considering the eeoc has been one of those agencies these assholes have demagogued forever...
and, i also just have to note last week's shitcanning of the publisher when he was walked to his car and his cellphone and computer confiscated by moonie security goons. i bet those boyz never ever expected to be treated like so much disposable help. lololol.
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ariseatex
November 17, 2009 3:09 PM
Does this explain the racist filth that was published as opinion by the Washington Times today (as discussed on DKos)?
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/17/pruden-obama-bows-the-nation-cringes/?feat=home_headlines
Wonder if Miniter was distracted by his complaint and let something completely reprehensible through.
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commie atheist
November 17, 2009 4:46 PM in reply to ariseatex
Wesley Pruden was responsible for hiring another purveyor of racist filth, Robert Stacy McCain, when he was editor of the Times. Nice to see that his brand of ugliness still has a home at the Times, even in its darkest hour.
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NuttyProf
November 17, 2009 3:19 PM
Hey! I thought this was a Christian newspaper!
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Verified
November 17, 2009 3:33 PM
But the True Father is the Messiah! Can one - does one - sue a Messiah? Should've been a mandatory arbitration clause in his contract.
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Mr. Conspiracy
November 17, 2009 4:05 PM in reply to Verified
Poor God. Can't even afford a proper crown for his Messiah. No jewels, just little stick-on gold stars stolen from the Sunday School attendance chart.
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kenga
November 17, 2009 8:52 PM in reply to Mr. Conspiracy
Well of course it's not some garish bejeweled crown - he's displaying humility before god.
Humility.
Yeah, that's the ticket.
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robcat2075
November 17, 2009 3:47 PM
How may editorials have appeared on the WT pages complaining about the laws now being invoked in this case?
I'm guessing it's greater than zero. Anyone have a real answer.
Cue Jon Stewart and the Daily Show.
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pppwww
November 17, 2009 3:52 PM
Wash Times Editor: I Was Forced To Attend A 10-Year-Old Boy's Birthday Party in the "King's Room" of the Falls Church Burger King
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warbaby
November 17, 2009 4:27 PM
Miniter is going to collect big time on this. The one thing that totally terrifies the Moon organization is the possibility of exposure though the legal discovery process.
If Larry Klayman gins up a truely hellish discovery process with lots of demands for records and documents, the Moon-units will spew a river of gold into the hands of this deserving, humble and righteous scrivener.
Heh.
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Oygevalt
November 19, 2009 9:45 AM in reply to warbaby
Miniter simply could not stand up to discovery. He'll end up in jail for a long time.
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MinisterOfChaos
November 17, 2009 6:49 PM
I find it amusing that Mr. Miniter's name is still on the times executive and editors list in the paper. So if his name is there and he does not work there, are they that screwed up as a paper they cant delete his name?
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Numbersguy
November 17, 2009 9:16 PM
I REALLY REALLY hope that someone is saving the good stuff for a big big expose. For instance, that religious ceremony attended by all the fat cat Repukeliscum. Do we have movies? Are any of those tu.rds still in office?
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cinesimon
November 17, 2009 9:17 PM
CLASSIC.
A hard right columnist utilizing what he undoubtedly would call an 'evil socialist institution' if he didn't have to use it himself.
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sparky
November 17, 2009 11:35 PM
How many people has Miniter sued in the past two years? First Eagle Publishing sues him for taking a book advance and not delivering the book then he counter sues for god knows what. Now, he is suing the Washington Times...I think Rich is a bit of a sc*mbag
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ConservativeGuy
November 18, 2009 8:15 AM
Boy, are these true conservatives at the paper? Sound like more left-wing pigs. EZ MONEY. I can understand using food stamps when times are tough, for a time. But it's like the young man who sues McDonald's because the last clerk did not clean up the spilled Coke fast enough (just 15 seconds late), and EZ MONEY LEFT-WING PIG forgot to look where he was stepping.
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mutt
November 18, 2009 12:39 PM
these loons OWN the Repubs. Have, since Reagan...
http://www.truthout.org/article/robert-parry-the-gops-3-billion-propaganda-organ
useful reference piece. Its far crazier than you can wrap your mind around.....
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Measure for Measure
November 18, 2009 2:26 PM
If newspapers are not self financing, one solution is to have them sponsored by someone with deep pockets. In Britain, it takes the form of upwardly mobile tycoons. Matt Yglassias points out that a nonprofit that subsidizes a newspaper to the tune of 20% of its revenues might be getting a good deal. Murdoch's 20th Century Fox sponsors the Weekly Standard. And TPM solicits donations.
When setting up these business arrangements, care should be taken to maintain a bright line between the sueable entity and the deep pockets. So I ask: is the Washington Times a subsidiary of Moon Inc., or is it an independent entity receiving regular cash infusions? The class action possibilities are almost without bound.
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bracken
November 22, 2009 8:31 AM
O! I can hear the muted, broken sobs.
Oprah continues, sympathetically, "And when they forced you to go to the wedding, you were all alone, weren't you? And you were told to keep it a secret. How did that make you feel?"
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Tosh
April 2, 2010 8:50 AM
they have all gone amok
kamagra l m65
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