NPR concludes their Graham crusade....

Well, I woke up to what I hope is the final NPR story on Billy Graham's religious revival here in San Diego.

The closing night was last night. True to form, NPR's local affiliate covered the event in a reverential, dare I say "worshipful?" tone. They devoted 3 or more minutes to the story (I didn't actually time it--it seemed even longer!) and once again inflated the numbers of attendees.

NPR introduced the story saying, "a quarter of a million attended," neglecting to qualify, "over the four days." Yet, NPR numbered last night's crowd at only 54,000.

So, according to NPR's coverage, there was a capacity crowd the first night (70,000, according to Qualcomm's website); 46,000 the second night; not sure Saturday night, so let's be kind and say 70,000; then 54,000 last night. That's maximum 240,000--IF it was a capacity crowd on Saturday, which I doubt. And that's not accounting for people who attended multiple nights. It's possible, though again, doubtful, that the same 70,000 attended each night.

There again, maybe NPR was consulting the local ultra-conservative San Diego Union Tribune for their crowd estimates. The U.T. numbered the attendance at 270,000 over the 4 days--a true miracle, considering the stadium can't hold that many people.

The U.T.'s tone was positively awed. It opened:

His handshake is still firm. His spirit still strong. So don't look for the Rev. Billy Graham to retire anytime soon.

"I'm going to retire when the Lord says retire," the 84-year-old evangelist said....

The U.T. labeled the event, in which "men, women and children prayed and praised in Mission Valley," probably the "largest Christian event in county history," and praised attendees for leaving behind clean parking lots.

What a tribute.

The U.T. reporter said that after he delivered his sermon, Graham bid farewell to San Diego. "I probably will not preach another sermon in San Diego, but I'll see you in heaven."

Not me, you won't.

Complete story, if you can stomach it, here.