The Anchoress

:::UPDATED:::Scroll down for original post:::
Bizzy Blog has some very interesting information (confirmed by phone, it must be said) up at his blog. The AP apparently doesn’t know 5 victim names. This on top of the “4 burning mosques” seeming to be only 1. (H/T Larwyn)
:::END UPDATE:::

Yes, I did! As Red Skelton would say, “I dood it!” I finished the stupid book today (it’s dun-diddley-done) and will do one more proofread and ship it out.

Working on it nonstop as I have, I don’t even want to look at or touch the thing for a while, but I have to. Deadline, etc.

But finally I have been able to raise my head and look around a bit, so here’s a round-up of things Iraqy-and-Murky and Pope-y but Perky. And some other stuff, too.

Let’s start with the Pope, because I missed all the tv coverage.

I am in love with this picture of Benedict disembarking from his plane, which Sissy Willis captured. He looks like The Man in White (even White Hair!) Come to Dodge City! I like the fact that the picture is a little fuzzy and the face is indistinct. I like the way it emphasizes that the man, Joseph Ratzinger, is not the focus here and not recognizable…all that is recognizable is “The Vicar of Christ.” Sissy also points out that Benedict is now encouraging Turkey’s admission into the EU, which - like Sissy - I think is a good thing and long overdue.

Gerald over at Closed Cafeteria (who is having one of those weeks where he just has one great post after another) points out that while the Pope faced East while he prayed (why not? I always try to, when I can) there was no Koran-kissin’ going on, which is as it should be.

I always thought JPII, who for all that he was a holy man was also trained in theater, sometimes got a little carried away with the theatrical aspects of a moment, and I think that’s what happened when he kissed a Koran so long ago. Papa Ratzi is not inclined to drama. He put on some comfy clean socks, respected where he was at, but kept his lips to himself.

The pictures of the mosque show some beautiful arcitecture. The pictures from Hagia Sophia should be remarkable, too.

Benedict seems to be getting some thoughtful and nice coverage in the secular press and in the Turkish press. Since I have not seen televised coverage, I have no idea if they are reflecting any of the substance of what Benedict is saying - images are so much more powerful for broadcasters, than words. I like this story about his celebrating Mass at a Marian Shrine in Ephesus.

Rocco has gorgeous photos and excellent excerpts of remarks by both Pope Benedict and Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I that are really good reads.

Jim Geraghty is updating his running commentary on the pope and takes issue with an Oliphant cartoon. Yes, Oliphant is being an adolescent again. Still. Perpetually.

American Papist has yet another great picture. I got an email from someone who, watching the pope on EWTN was very moved by the singing and reverence of the Turkish Christians. Wish I’d seen it.

The pope may not be everyone’s cuppa tea, but he’s a great theologian…or at least he’s better than this fellow, who says Christians should give up some of the stuff they believe, so the Muslims will like them better. Yes, he’s a “Christian theologian.” And, apparently a pretty confused one. H/T Dr. Melissa Clothier, who points to some amusing news about a nativity set up.

The Murk in Iraq:

It wouldn’t have to be so murky if the press was differently inclined, I guess, but bloggers are following up on this story about the dubious sources involved in the “burned alive” story. The press is even starting to pay heed and ask (careful) questions.

The AP is digging in, of course, and insisting that one un-named source and a fellow that can’t be found is plenty convincing to them! Curt at Flopping Aces is not backing down, either.

While Gaius rightly notes that the AP is refusing to retract or correct their story, Seedubya is noticing that the AP is amending it a little. They’re probably hoping a little amendment will make Curt and everyone else go away. I don’t think that’s going to happen.

And as ever, Michelle Malkin is breathtaking in her ability to roundup and update on a story. She follows through and picks up some interesting and thought-provoking tid-bits from many sources.

Classical Values rips the press, while Ace sums up the AP’s position in a sentence and credits Michael Fumento with creating a new buzzword: Virtual Reporting.

A soldier accuses the press of fanning the flames, and Democracy Project is starting a letter-writing campaign.

Ed Driscoll is wondering why, allasudden, the press seems to be enthusiastically reporting that Iran is -gasp- training terrorists for Iraq and might not be trustworthy. I’m wondering why, too. I do not suspect altruism or a burning desire to report truth, truth, truth.

Gateway, meanwhile, points out that AP sources also told them about a 60-mile trench, and the AP believed that, too!

Rusty Shackleford brings us an important arrest in Iraq which you probably missed. The other day I wrote:

If she continues to fight, America will continue to weaken AlQaeda. If that weakness can be sustained while Middle Eastern liberty is allowed to gain a foothold, it will eventually break AlQ and de-glamorize terrorism as a means of movement. If America folds, if she “stops” the war, because the NY Times and NBC don’t like it, what do you think will happen next? Think hard. The answer is important.

We are weakening AlQaeda.

On other topics:
Jules Crittenden points our attention to a heroic little girl.

Laura Lee writes about another, long ago, little girl.

And Newton writes of a little girl waiting to be born. Egad, Newt, it feels like you’ve been pregnant forever! What is the name gonna be, already???

Dr. Sanity points to and expounds upon this insightful piece by Selwyn Duke on how we will lose our freedom of speech. A must-read.

There isn’t much free speech on college campuses lately, that’s for sure. And those are bastions of liberalism, right?

Finally, Siggy says someone has found the Holy Grail. Well, the someone is Gagdad Bob and the Grail is another psychologist. But it’s like the same thing, right?

Oh! And the very excellent Richard Miniter has joined Pajamas Media - here is a multi-parter on the Flying Imams and it’s really good.