(no subject)

[rymenhild]

I just read through a translation of Pope Benedict's remarks, the ones that seem to have triggered his current public relations mess. I'm fascinated by the way Benedict's quotation of Manuel II Paleologus on holy war, which was rather parenthetical to his actual argument on faith and reason, got taken out of context and recast as Benedict's own supposed anti-Islam.

In lieu of writing my own post on the subject, I'll link you all to the Telegraph's clear, thoughtful and accurate analysis of Pope Benedict's paper.

***

Edited, in order not to spam your friendslist any more today:

Associated Press: U.S. holds AP photographer in Iraq 5 months.

The U.S. military in Iraq has imprisoned an Associated Press photographer for five months, accusing him of being a security threat but never filing charges or permitting a public hearing .... The military said Hussein was captured with two insurgents, including Hamid Hamad Motib, an alleged leader of al-Qaida in Iraq. "He has close relationships with persons known to be responsible for kidnappings, smuggling, improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and other attacks on coalition forces," according to a May 7 e-mail from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jack Gardner, who oversees all coalition detainees in Iraq.

"The information available establishes that he has relationships with insurgents and is afforded access to insurgent activities outside the normal scope afforded to journalists conducting legitimate activities," Gardner wrote to AP International Editor John Daniszewski.

Hussein proclaims his innocence, according to his Iraqi lawyer, Badie Arief Izzat, and believes he has been unfairly targeted because his photos from Ramadi and Fallujah were deemed unwelcome by the coalition forces.

.... The AP has worked quietly until now, believing that would be the best approach. But with the U.S. military giving no indication it would change its stance, the news cooperative has decided to make public Hussein's imprisonment, hoping the spotlight will bring attention to his case and that of thousands of others now held in Iraq, Curley said.

One of Hussein's photos was part of a package of 20 photographs that won a Pulitzer Prize for breaking news photography last year. His contribution was an image of four insurgents in Fallujah firing a mortar and small arms during the U.S.-led offensive in the city in November 2004.

I don't have anything scathing enough to say. What is wrong with the world?

Comments

[fleurdelis28.livejournal.com]

I admit that if I were Muslim, I would have been a little bit taken aback by the Pope's choice of phrasing, and might, if I were a Muslim political group, demand that he clarify what he meant and didn't mean. When quoting a statement that speaks so strongly and unequivocally against another religion, it's generally a good idea to state explicitly that you do not agree with the statement's conclusions. Especially when you're the Pope.

But anything beyond that is ridiculous.

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

I'd agree with that; the Pope has a responsibility to avoid even the appearance of inflammatory statements where an ordinary professor making an ordinary speech might not. He wasn't clear enough about why he was quoting Manuel II Paleologus, and someone who didn't understand his point took the words out of context.

Still, though, the response to Pope Benedict's speech is a severe, severe overreaction, based on incorrect and incomplete information.

[fleurdelis28.livejournal.com]

I thought this was an interesting point:

"Pope Benedict is due to visit Turkey quite soon, but this trip has been placed in jeopardy by his gentle reminder that Islam has had a tendency to gain converts through violence. There have been demands from Ankara that he should apologise if he wishes to set foot on Turkish soil.

A subtle and astute politician, perhaps Benedict should apologise for having caused offence — and then demand by way of reciprocation that Turkey — Islam's democratic representative in the West — return to Christian denominations the land it has confiscated from them, allow the Christian churches to open seminaries (which they are barred from doing), make it easier to build new churches, and lock up Turks who terrorise priests. And maybe allow Turks to convert from Islam to Christianity without fear of official or unofficial reprisal. A fair exchange?"

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

That's an interesting article you've linked to. I'm trying to figure out where on the British political spectrum the author stands -- he's certainly not afraid to give offense himself.

(gramarye1971, if you're reading, want to give us some help here?)