Slapstick Politics: Pope Benedict On Islam: A Roundup

Pakistani Muslims hold rally after evening prayers at a local mosque to condemn Pope’s remarks, Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 in Islamabad, Pakistan. Pakistan’s Parliament unanimously adopts a resolution condemning Pope Benedict XVI for making what it called ‘derogatory’ comments about Islam and seeking apology from him for hurting the sentiments of Muslims. (AP Photo / B.K.Bangash)

LGF has more background and pictures here, here and here.

Vatican security has been ramped up:

The Vatican is seriously concerned at the possibility of acts of violence being staged against the tiny city state situated in the heart of Rome, after a barrage of criticism from Muslims in many countries against Pope Benedict XVI.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel defends the Pope.

Hot Air catches the NYTimes in hypocrisy and dhimmitude. Shocked, shocked!:

There is more than enough religious anger in the world. So it is particularly disturbing that Pope Benedict XVI has insulted Muslims, quoting a 14th-century description of Islam as “evil and inhuman.”

In the most provocative part of a speech this week on “faith and reason,” the pontiff recounted a conversation between an “erudite” Byzantine Christian emperor and a “learned” Muslim Persian circa 1391. The pope quoted the emperor saying, “Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”

Muslim leaders the world over have demanded apologies and threatened to recall their ambassadors from the Vatican, warning that the pope’s words dangerously reinforce a false and biased view of Islam. For many Muslims, holy war — jihad — is a spiritual struggle, and not a call to violence. And they denounce its perversion by extremists, who use jihad to justify murder and terrorism.

The Vatican issued a statement saying that Benedict meant no offense and in fact desired dialogue. But this is not the first time the pope has fomented discord between Christians and Muslims.

. . .

The world listens carefully to the words of any pope. And it is tragic and dangerous when one sows pain, either deliberately or carelessly. He needs to offer a deep and persuasive apology, demonstrating that words can also heal.

The Pope is to blame for beheadings, riots, and burning embassies forthwith--just like he was earlier this year when Europeans published cartoons and all hell broke loose.

Wait.
That was the Muslims?
Forgot.

Does the NYTimes honestly believe that appeasement will soothe Muslim anger? Will everyone calm down following a Clintonesque apology in the manner of "I feel your pain"?

Take a look at this animation of the decline of that "Byzantine Christian emperor's" territories and notice the extent to which successive caliphates succeeded in poaching first Byzantium's African territories, and despite a brief interlude of recapture of Anatolia (Turkey) and part of the Holy Lands after the Crusades, the rapid decline of the state, surrounded by Ottoman Turks at the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

Michelle Malkin--I support the Pope
Gateway Pundit--Muslims Turn On Each Other at Anti-Pope Rally in India
The Anchoress--Benedict’s “blunder” was partly media-enhanced-UPDATED
FreedomsZone--From Cartoon Jihad To Pope Jihad: Religion Of Perpetual Outrage Is Again - Outraged
Captain's Quarters--The Pope's Real Threat
Gates of Vienna--The Other September 11th (how Europeans averted dhimmitude in 1683)