September 18, 2006

Mau-Mauing The Vatican

***Bumped Because Nobody Ever Reads My Weekend Posting***

MuslimeProtest.jpg
"Call my religion violent? I kill you!"

Steve-O's caption: Episcopalians outraged by the latest antics of the General Convention promise a wave of fire and death on the apostate Bishop Robinson and death to all his supporters everywhere. Or at least poor table service at the club followed by a round of golf well, well over par.

I haven't much to say about the ongoing kerfluffle over the Pope's recent remarks on the history of Islam except that this whole business has become an exercise in the theatre of the absurd.

It strikes me that the outbursts of rage on the Muslim "street" don't have much to do with offended sensibilities per se. Rather, somebody recognized a perfect opportunity to play some more on the West's perpetual self-doubt by whipping up the mob.

So what ought B16 to do? Well, I doubt if grovelling and backtracking is the right answer, as the only real signal it sends is one of weakness. Instead, His Holiness might consider simply flipping the Papal bird.

UPDATE: The Corner obviously reads the Llamas. Here's Jonah on Monday morning:

I don't think the Pope's original comments have elicited nearly as much authentic rage as the images on TV would suggest. But I do think those driving these protests and whipping up anger know what they're doing. The West wants to be loved. It can't stand the idea that somebody — anybody — doesn't like us. This is doubly so in Europe and perhaps triply so at the Vatican. So much of European — and American liberal — foreign policy is based on the idea that being disliked is an enormous indictment, a sign of serious moral failings on our part, rather than resentment, envy or scapegoating on the part of those fomenting anti-Americans. What have we done wrong to make you hate us so!? And so we apologize again and again. Anyone remember Bill Clinton's global apology tour? The Jihadists must cackle at all of this, because it shows that the West can be rolled. I know the apologizers think they're fostering a climate of reconcilliation and dialogue. But it seems obvious to me that our opponents simply pocket these apologies and say, "See: Even the Pope agrees with us" or "Behold: we have made the Americans admit they are wrong."

UPDATE DEUX: Heh. Courtesy of John at Wuzzadem, it's the Islamic Extremists' Rage-Ometer:

islamicextremistsrageometer.jpg

UPDATE TROIS: It's also evident that the Puppy Blender himself is a sekret Llama reader. And a thief, too! Damn you, Gleeeeeennnnnn!!!

Posted by Robert at September 18, 2006 08:41 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Well, except that he is quietly reestablising the Templars and is planning to liberate Outremer in the Vatican map room as we speak.

http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/europe/european-union/vatican-city/photos.htm

Posted by: The Colossus at September 18, 2006 08:29 AM

Benedict, that is. Not Jonah.

Posted by: The Colossus at September 18, 2006 08:30 AM

Don't take it personally, Robbo. No one reads anyone's weekend postings.

Posted by: agent bedhead at September 18, 2006 09:39 AM

You guys have out done yourselves with this one. The best laugh I've had in a month. Thanks!

Posted by: Chai-rista at September 18, 2006 12:05 PM