Separation of church and press? Not at the SD Union-Tribune

New owner "Papa" Doug Manchester says in a publisher's letter that "no other individual, before or since, has so influenced mankind as Jesus Christ." That may be true, but I'm not sure what it has to do with the running of a secular newspaper. There's more:

I have come to love our San Diego as the finest city in the greatest country in the world. I give thanks to God for the gift of being able to live in this wonderful city. I would particularly like to thank all of the military and their families who live in San Diego. These many Navy and Marines are the best and brightest. Their sacrifices and efforts to protect our freedom are so very much appreciated, and we are proud and happy they are fellow San Diegans. I pray that ownership of the U-T will provide me the opportunity to support our community, promote the economic strength of the region and improve the lives of all San Diegans.

This is a special kind of boosterism, and it suggests an intolerance to any story or column that goes against the God-and-country platform (even though Manchester insists that, "we will adhere to the highest standard of journalistic integrity and objectivity"). And it gets worse. From the Voice of San Diego (via Fish Bowl LA):

Doug Manchester, the hotelier and new owner of The San Diego Union-Tribune, is interested in buying the North County Times, the region's other major newspaper, which covers Del Mar to Riverside County. Lee Enterprises, the Times' parent company, filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this month, struggling under the weight of nearly $1 billion in debt. Manchester said he hasn't made an offer for the paper, but has discussed how it could allow the Union-Tribune to expand.

Earlier: New owner of SD Union-Tribune sounding like a cheerleader