We depend on correspondents in China or Hong Kong to report on this case, but the Chinese press has to be careful in avoiding conflict with government officials.

To many Chinese overseas, there may not be much difference between Zhao Yan and other activists who have been detained.

The American government wants to talk about detained activists, but they probably won't talk about specifics during presidential visits.

When things are good, there's nothing like getting up in the morning, issuing that press release and watching the stock pop.

In the Church, priests also are sinners. But I am personally convinced that the constant presence in the press of the sins of Catholic priests, especially in the United States, is a planned campaign, as the percentage of these offenses among priests is not higher than in other categories, and perhaps it is even lower.

The scandal, I can tell you for sure, is much smaller than the press would lead you to believe. It's driven by the L.A. Times, which hates the administration of the LAPD and has for many years. Part of the fault of that lies with LAPD, for not cozying up to the Times when it should have. I think a police department must give access to the press, and be open with the press, and the LAPD was not for many years, and they're paying the price for it now.