Pope Benedict XVI must apologize, apparently, for quoting a 14th century description of Islam as "evil and inhumane," or so says Jason Blair's New York Times. His speech has been adjudged "provocative" by America's leading arbiter of propriety, honesty and common sense.

No doubt the threats and murders that have followed are because Benedict had the nerve to mention violence in the same sentence with Islam, the friendly faith.

"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."

<snip>

"A doctrinal conservative, his [Pope Benedict's] greatest fear appears to be the loss of a uniform Catholic identity, not exactly the best jumping-off point for tolerance or interfaith dialogue. 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."

While we're at it, let's stop referring to malaria as a disease. 

Thanks to Michelle Malkin for pointing to, The Pope, Jihad and Dialogue, from The American Thinker. See also this article from the same source.