The Finch Formerly Known As Gold

19 September 2006

Uh-oh, the D word

Editorial comment by the Telegraph:

The Pope quotes a barbed medieval criticism of Islamic violence in the course of a scholarly discourse, and Muslims all over the world go into uproar; churches are firebombed. The Prime Minister's wife delivers a playful slap to a cheeky teenager, and six detectives rush to question her.

We are living in a world that has lost not only its sense of proportion but also its ability to discriminate.

And the enablers of this loss chant in unison: "But discrimination is wrong!" As, of course, they must; having misappropriated the word for their own purposes, they must now enforce their trademark.

We suspect that Western public opinion is not displeased that Benedict has said the unsayable. Now it is time for other churchmen to tell their Muslim counterparts that, in addition to dishing out criticism, they must learn how to take it.

Islam has swords; Scientology has lawyers. Deprived of these, neither of them would dare pose as a religion, let alone demand a role on the world stage.

Yes, I've heard about those "moderate" Muslims. I think I've even met one or two. Until they figure out some way to shut down — and shut up — the maniacs in their midst, they're the exceptions that prove the rule.

(Muchas gracias: Scribal Terror.)

Posted at 9:05 AM to Immaterial Witness


Well, on the udda hand, I saw in one of those giveaway NYC papers (AM NY, though the News and Post are quietly given away in some locations -shh) a little minipoll: 'Do you think the Pope should do more to apologize to Muslims?' A whopping 80%+ said 'no'. I think if they'd had the option, they'd have said HELL no.

The thing is, what we see are institutions and politicians caving in. The craven cowards running the fourth estate want a target that won't hit back (Hey! Let's attack Bush today! It'll generate no hate mail, and shore up our urban base!). The politicians won't stick their necks out. Writers remember Solomon Rushdie (remember how the publishing community rallied around him when he was 'marked for death' by the fanatics? oh wait - that NEVER HAPPENED).

It's not that the public can't discriminate. It's just that there's no leadership to be found. Anywhere.

Present company excepted of course.

Posted by: Mister Snitch! at 8:15 PM on 19 September 2006