Not in fact, but in practice. The answer to follow.

AP reports: “Muslims in Turkey, Iraq and the Palestinian territories demanded Tuesday that Pope Benedict XVI make a clear apology for his remarks on Islam…”

While denouncing violence, the pope said he hopes the killing “becomes the seed of hope to construct authentic brotherhood among peoples in the mutual respect for the religious convictions of each other,” according to a condolence telegram released by the Vatican.

Sister Leonella, 65, who taught and worked at a pediatrics hospital in Mogadishu, was shot dead by gunmen as she left the Austrian-run S.O.S. hospital on Sunday. There was no claim of responsibility, but many speculated the shooting was linked to Muslim anger toward Benedict.

Mutual respect?

You mean like the decades passed of Christians and Western civilization casually ignoring the angry vitriol from the Middle East, condemning us as “the Great Satan,” “evil”, “enemy,” and that we must be conquered and/or destroyed, depending on which Mullah is preaching that day? Examples abound. Oh, yeah, that respect.

In related news…

Iranian leader urges more papal protests:

“Al-Qaida in Iraq warned Pope Benedict XVI on Monday that its war against Christianity and the West will go on until Islam takes over the world, and Iran’s supreme leader called for more protests over the pontiff’s remarks on Islam.”

Somebody remind us: Why is the Pope apologizing?

Sounds like his remarks were merely stating the obvious.

So, what does Jesse Jackson have to do with all of this? Nothing. But the activists of radical Islam are embracing many of the same tactics used by Jackson and his race hustling friends. This flap with the Pope is an opportunity to magnify a grievance that measures beyond reality, but rather works to create a media message. By acting indignant, Muslim promoters are advancing their agenda. They’re moving their pieces across the board. Inflaming their footsoldiers. Inciting protests. And denying accusations of militancy, while the violence rages in the streets. What’s next: reparations?

Jackson and his Rainbow Coalition of liberal activists simply shakedown corporations, getting them to pay up so he’ll shut up. But some valuable lessons have been learned by those who also want to manipulate the public. The Islamic propogandists are reaching for much larger stakes, attempting to shakedown Western civilization with threats of global jihad while claiming it’s only a reaction to disrespect and oppression. Just like political correctness, they are forcing acceptance until it becomes dominant. “Free speech,” unless it offends. Someone.

First, it was cartoons. Now, the pope. Muslims activists are using every opportunity gain advantage.

They say the meek shall inherent the earth. Maybe. But, right now, it looks more in favor of those who are wielding swords against those who are afraid to use more than words.

Fortunately, America is ready for action.

UPDATE: And God bless our real allies…
Michelle Malkin: “Aussies refuse to submit”

1. [...] More PopeRage stuff at: A New Dark Age is Dawning, Hot Air, Liberty Lounge, 186K Per Second, Rightlinx, Strategic Outlook Institute, California Conservative [...]

   Pingback by Plus + Ultra » Blog Archive » All Apologies-BBC Rounds Up the Newspapers — September 19, 2006 @ 4:45 pm

2. Iraq al-Qaida Says Pope, West Are Doomed…

   An al-Qaida-linked extremist group warned Pope Benedict XVI on Monday that he and the West were “doo…

   Trackback by Unpartisan.com Political News and Blog Aggregator — September 19, 2006 @ 10:07 pm

3. [...] In 2006, some of the highlights we covered included: Muslims demanding “further apology” from the Pope, Muslims killing people after being offended by some cartoons (Christians don’t riot), Mel Gibson apologizing for a drunken rant, and Michael Richards apologizing for his onstage tirade — and Al Sharpton, predictably, said it’s “not enough”. Before all that, the S.F. Giants fired their PR director because some special interests took offense to a (internal, not-made-for-the-public) training video, KNBR sports radio host gets fired because a black coach took offense to some remarks about the players, and a political campaign manager gets fired because some people took offense to his remarks about black and white. [...]

   Pingback by California Conservative » In Defense of Rosie O’Donnell — December 15, 2006 @ 3:55 pm

4. Does xanax make sex better….

   Xanax bars. How long does xanax stay in your system. Xanax addiction. When was xanax created. Buying xanax online. Xanax without prescription. Side effects of xanax….

   Trackback by Xanax. — October 27, 2007 @ 3:29 am