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September 16, 2006For Popes and Presidents, it feels like 1981 out there
What a difference 25 years can make…or not. Pope Benedict XVI has, appropriately, stopped just short of apologizing to the perpetually offended and angry Islamists, for daring to remind the world that violence is not the perfect means to effect conversion and promote faith, and that Islam has not progressed markedly away from the sword in some hundreds of years. An apology would be useless, of course, because one could never be crafted to placate them, short of Benedict’s bloody head on a silver platter. Proving Benedict’s point, of course, radical Islamists have decided that introspection is unappetizing, and thus they have, quite predictably, begun to rampage, burn, pillage, and otherwise carry on pretty much the way people do when they feel trapped and want to change the subject. I’m going to write more on that later, but what has struck me today is this talk of Benedict being assassinated in Turkey. There is a best-selling book predicting it, and it is apparently the big topic of conversation in certain chat rooms. I can’t remember a time when the assassination of presidents and popes was so openly discussed by so many, and so clearly considered a desirable event by people who have lost their moral compasses. All I can say to these folks is: be careful what you wish for. In March of 1981 an attempt was made on the life of Ronald Reagan. Only a few months later, in May of ‘81, an attempt was made on the life of Pope John Paul II. Payback was a bitch. Even though the attempt on Reagan’s life was born from a sick celebrity-obsession (quite unlike the attempt on John Paul’s life, which was political), those two very hated men, once recovered, ended up being enormously effective tools in the beating back of an evil ideology whose tentacles were vastly flung. Who knows if those two seemingly unrelated assasssination attempts, and the fortitude and courage with which the targets endured them, didn’t create a cosmic shift of sorts. Hey, I’m entertaining a notion here - there are things seen and unseen. As I wrote earlier this year, though on a different subject: By greatness, I don’t mean a quality of goodness, but that aspect of a public person which raises them above the ordinary. Popes and Presidents, by definition, crowd that category and, you know, I don’t think the universe likes it when its great men are targeted like this, or struck down. Call it Karma. Call it God, or “Cosmic energy” or whatever you like. I don’t think it liked those assassination attempts in 1981, for things certainly (and quickly) doubled back and bit the asses of those who applauded the violence (I recall reading somewhere about cheers in a newsroom when Reagan was shot, but the specifics of that anecdote have long since left my brain, so it will have to remain an anecdote. But I do clearly remember reading that a few on the left had champagne bottles in the fridge, waiting for Reagan’s death.) Today, were attempts made on the lives of President Bush or Pope Benedict XVI, I have no doubt that there would be cheers in some newsrooms (hello, NYT) and hopes that either (or both) would die. I have no doubt that some would pop their corks in gleeful anticipation. And funnily enough, they’d mostly be the same people who did so in 1981. If you’re one of those pathetic people intrigued with the idea of someone, or some entity, assassinating Bush or Benedict, heed my warning - be careful what you wish for. Payback will be a bitch. And you won’t see it coming. You didn’t last time.
Related: Faith and Reason and Forced Conversions *** Instapundit has a great round-up (thanks for the link, Glenn) and he keeps adding to it. He includes a pst from Q&O which wonders if the press is stoking the Muslims fires on this issue. (Ummm…yes, some are). John Hinderaker discreetly points out the differences in rhetoric between Muslims and Benedict. Tigerhawk lays it out and has lots of links, also. Tammy Bruce gets the irony Hugh Hewitt urges everyone to read the full text of the speech, because so much is being lost or ignored while this latest tantrum is being focused upon. He is correct. Flopping Aces has a long thoughtful post you’ll want to read, and he points out some really excellent commentary highlighted at Michelle’s. http://theanchoressonline.com/2006/09/16/for-popes-and-presidents-it-feels-like-1981-out-there/trackback/ 15 Responses to “For Popes and Presidents, it feels like 1981 out there” |
September 16th, 2006 at 5:44 pm
Here’s Tammy’s article from Front Page, where she relates, “Part of my life, however, is still reflective of what I call my “old” life – my years of leadership in the feminist establishment and involvement in the gay-rights movement. This night, those two lives collided. As I cried after the interview because of the sadness of it and my own guilt and shame, I checked my phone messages. There was one from a gay male friend, whom I see infrequently these days but with whom I share some fun and important activist memories.
He had been watching the same interview, but he was cheering. ‘Woo hoo! It looks like we might be opening up that champagne sooner than later! I hope you were watching the Dragon Lady on “60 Minutes” tonight. I suppose with Alzheimer’s, he’s not suffering anymore, but it sure looks like she is! There is a God after all.’”
September 16th, 2006 at 5:49 pm
Thank you, Benning - that was the article I remembered reading. You’re fast!
September 16th, 2006 at 6:05 pm
There is a Fatima prophecy that talks about “the bishop in white” (Lucy didn’t know, then, that the Pope wore white) being on his knees among hostile soldiers, with other dead littering the ground around him, and then being shot. Debate is still ongoing about where this takes place Some believe it’s an invaded Vatican City. This is not impossible. Personally, at this point in time, I worry about him walking into a terrorist trap in Turkey. If he survives that trip, I don’t put it past the crazies to invade Vatican City to “get him.” His Holiness spoke nothing but the truth that day. And the truth hurts.
September 16th, 2006 at 8:42 pm
Will We Hear Anything About This?
My guess is that the MSM will ignore it. Michelle Malkin has a full explanation on where this picture came from, plus of a lot of other things related to this incident, but I’d search most of the Catholic blogosphere for some really excellent posts …
September 16th, 2006 at 8:56 pm
Muslim Leaders Call Pope’s Comments Medievil Yet Refuse to Denounce Beheadings and Forced Conversions
Muslims leaders, by refusing to denounce beheadings and forced conversions, are proving 14th century Byzantine emperor the Pope quoted right. Now they are demanding that the Pope apologize: Pope Benedict XVI was last night facing angry demands from Mus…
September 16th, 2006 at 8:57 pm
One extremely side point… 2000 years is a very long time, and the papacy has seen some times when greatness was in rather short supply. Google “cadaver synod” sometime.
But anyway, it doesn’t contradict your main point.
September 16th, 2006 at 11:29 pm
Gee, and it was only just the other day two journalists were forced to convert to islam at gunpoint. Have yet too see THAT refernced on CNN.
Well I must say ihop n pray the pope stands by his guns. It will send the right message. If not, it will most certainly send another kind of message.
Anyway, like the cartoon riots, this will be over in a week if the media fids something else to gnaw on. Asan ex-journo It pains me to say that.
Forgive typo’s arm in a cast but i just had to comment.
September 17th, 2006 at 9:20 am
On the set of Meet the Press - a Satire
Here\’s what happens when we visit Meet the Press to administer truth serum into the coffee…
September 17th, 2006 at 9:36 am
Pope apologizes for comments on Islam
Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday that he is very sorry about the reaction to his recent remarks about I
September 17th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
VDH Mourns Fallaci
It’s easy to forget in a crisis that yes, we’re in danger of being swept away –but we’re equally on the cusp of a glorious –perhaps unlooked for– victory. (The Anchoress gets it.)
September 17th, 2006 at 6:09 pm
Other than the Arabic writing, that alteration of the photograph of Pope Benedict looks like something the American left would do (it has a Goth like quality to it).
Another love letter from the “Religion of Peace.”
September 18th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
“Payback was a bitch.”
Ain’t that the truth. You’re quite right - be careful what you wish for. Both Reagan and John Paul got up off of their sickbeds “stronger” than they were before.
September 22nd, 2006 at 11:02 am
Yak of the Week: The Return of PMS
We’ve been remiss the past few Fridays, but as it happens world events made this a spectacular week for the Return of the Yak of the Week Award.
Not familiar with the Yak of the Week Award? The primer is here.
We hereby bestow the Yak of the …
November 28th, 2006 at 9:29 am
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