Comments on: Don’t apologize; you did nothing wrong!

By: JJ

JJ — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 04:53:20 +0000

Joe Ratzinger is a bright guy, and made a name for himself as a genuine scholar. Whether one agreed with him, as the latest (rather intolerant) exemplifier of the Inquisition (the simple, straitforward name for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which he headed under JP II) or disagreed with him, the quality of his reasoning was always compelling.

I agree with Marguerite: he knows precisely what does and does not constitute an apology. And I applaud him for not apologizing in this case.

The Catholic Church has always stood for something. Like it or not; agree with it or not; they have maintained some sort of standard now for 2,000 years. Their standards have changed, or evolved if you prefer, from time to time in that two millenium span; but the base message remains the same, and the way to salvatiion was established right at the beginning. It has not been, and it remains not, subject to much alteration.

I very much approve of his non-apology. Good for Papa Joe!

By: Ymarsakar

Ymarsakar — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 01:51:59 +0000

And people thought I was extreme.

By: Al Jay Z

Al Jay Z — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:04:46 +0000

Marguerite,

how’s about a pacifier attached to the barrel of an M-16 or better yet, a grenade launcher?

I agree with Tom Tancredo, Colorado congressman who suggested we bomb Mecca if they set off a nuclear device in the US.

We should take that one step further — if there’s another attack on US soil, put every muslim in America in a camp (or a bullet in their temple) and turn the middle east into glass.

By: Marguerite

Marguerite — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 19:07:33 +0000

Mr Pope knows exactly what an apology is and what it isn’t. And so do I. My kids remember that the word following “I’m sorry” MUST be “I” or it isn’t an apology – and thank goodness (dare I say thank God)the good Pope is sorry ‘that’. It is taking every grace within me at this moment not to use more flagrant language to denounce those sissy *sse* that call themselves men who are seen jumping around demanding this and that – just give them pacifiers and let them suck away. Sheeesh!

By: Ymarsakar

Ymarsakar — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 16:34:07 +0000

Sure, the truth hurts, but proving the point is true seems an odd way to protest it.

It works. Meaning they get what they want.

By: Zhombre

Zhombre — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 13:20:52 +0000

Yes, smarter, more savvy and more learned than the editorial staffs of the NYT and WaPo combined.

By: Trish Olsen

Trish Olsen — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 06:23:17 +0000

That’s one savvy, classy Pope.

By: Don Quixote

Don Quixote — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 06:19:32 +0000

The Pope proved himself an excellent politician by issuing a classic non-apology (Gee, I’m sorry you were offended by my comments). I love it! Hope he sticks to his guns.

By: Patrick O'Hannigan

Patrick O'Hannigan — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 01:45:13 +0000

My evangelical Protestant friend Gary had this pegged: he said the pope expressed regret (doubtless because he hadn’t meant to provoke a Muslim reaction). But he stopped short of apologizing. And for that I am grateful, as is my friend Gary (and many others, too).

By: benning

benning — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 00:42:12 +0000

Too bad, so sad for the Muslims who don’t have an actual clue as to what the Pope really said.

He did apologize for hurting the feelings of Muslims. He didn’t apologize for the speech.

The NYTimes said he should pretty much grovel for forgiveness. They are insane!