Pope - A Dope? Nope!

I hadn't commented yet on Pope B16's comments about Islam. Since I've sort of gotten out of the habit of watching the "news", I often miss the latest liberal outrage over B16's radical insistence on speaking the truth to his flock.

I found a post on The Cafeteria is Closed that covers the subject rather well. The blogger, Gerald Augustinus (what a great name!), states the obvious about the coverage the comments have received, with a simple title:

Moronic column on the Pope

That says it all, folks. But, for those who need more proof,

(Bold emphasis mine)By unwittingly angering Muslims with his comments on Islam, Pope Benedict XVI has shown that he has yet to shake off his academic theological roots and master the global media machine with the same deftness as his predecessor.

In clinging to theology and orthodoxy, the bookish Benedict has shown little regard for media management in getting his message across, unlike the communications-savvy John Paul II.

That the same communications-savvy John Paul II they used to fry for his writings on women, ordination, celibacy, birth control, and other topics?

I thought so. Better the dead pope than one whose words you can't twist without him butting in to tell you what he really meant to say.

B16 didn't just fall off the turnip truck. He says and writes exactly what he means.

In the most provocative part of a speech this week on “faith and reason,” the pontiff recounted a conversation between an “erudite” Byzantine Christian emperor and a “learned” Muslim Persian circa 1391. The pope quoted the emperor saying, “Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”

I agree - it IS evil and inhuman to put a sword or gun to the head of a person, and make them swear to follow Islam. And to have ALL Islam consider that person a legitimate convert, whose repudiation of Islam would justify a death sentence.

I've heard rumors that the visit to Turkey is off, but:

Turkey's foreign minister said Sunday that the pope was still expected to visit in November in what would be his first trip to a Muslim nation.

"From our point of view, there is no change," Abdullah Gul told reporters before departing for a trip to the United States.

I hope he's still going - I realize that security is paramount, but Turkey's Catholics are under seige. Priests have died, and everyone is stepping lightly, hoping to ride out the anti-Catholic sentiment. The flock NEED a pastoral visit.