Throwing Gasoline on the Fire

With the world teetering on a new type of world war between Western Societies and Fundamentalist Muslim extremists, how timely and helpful was the recent proclamations by Pope Benedict! Reiterating very negative anti-Islamic writings from an obscure 14th century Byzantine emperor was just what the world needed.

Instead of supporting Muslim moderates and speaking out to the world about moderation, diversity, and tolerance, the Pope has made a bad situation worse.

One can't help to wonder if the fundamentalist Christians are actually interested in a world struggle between religions that could result in the death and destruction of millions. Many of them believe the "rapture" and the "end times" are coming soon to a planet near you. Is this why they continue to support the simplistic and dangerous policies of "born again" George Bush?

Does the Pope want to join in another bloody "crusade" to wage war against Islam?

Do folks not realize that Chrisitans, Muslims, and Jews all worship the exact same deity?

And what happens to the rest of us, who simply want to live, learn, and make the real world a better, safer, and more peaceful place?

Watch for Pat Robertson and the other religious extremests on "our" side to gleefully proclaim the nearing second coming of Christ.

With two more years of George Bush, are we going to be able to survive?