Muslims mad at Pope Tom Smith

That darn Pope, being undiplomatic again.  Perhaps because of his high rank, he was allowed to skip the mandantory session on cultural sensitivity.  Or maybe they don’t have one at the Vatican?  I guess there are advantages to being your own country.  I wish I could be my own country.

It seems like the NY Times is trying to play this as some kind of “embarrassment” for the Vatican.  It’s really embarrassing if Arab governments get mad at you.  And I guess if you get embarassed enough, you become a kind of honorary Jew.  That of course, would be the worst of all.  Meanwhile, pick your organ of official opinion in any Arab country, and on any random day, unless I am greatly misinformed, you will find a veritable gyser of hate against Israel, Jews, America, crusaders, etc. etc.  But dare you say, maybe a religion that seeks to impose itself by violence is not such a hot idea, well, then, you have really put your foot in it.  Why, you’re no better than a damn Jew, then.  You are the very image of intolerance.  How is one supposed to keep this straight?  I may be due for another workshop.

From the Times article:

I do not think any good will come from the visit to the Muslim world of a person who has such ideas about Islam s prophet, Ali Bardakoglu, a cleric who is head of the Turkish government s directorate of religious affairs, said in a television interview there. He should first of all replace the grudge in his heart with moral values and respect for the other.

And if he doesn’t, we will kill him.