The Sanctimonious Pontifications of Michael Coren
The sanctimonious hypocrisy of Michael Coren’s article in the September 23rd edition of the Toronto Sun, is enough to induce vomiting. This weeks article by this extreme right wing ideologue comes to the defense of Pope Benedict. Here is a brief sample:
"Let me make it extremely clear that I do not blame all Muslims for what is done by some of their co-religionists in the name of Islam. But when country after country and mob after mob behave thus, a certain pattern does seem to emerge. I hope and pray that this violence and extremism does not represent Islam. I hope there is room for genuine dialogue. But, frankly, I am not optimistic about the possibility of having such an honest discussion now."
Huh!???!!
What did the very same Mr. Coren write in his September 2nd Sun article? ...
"Put boldly and simply, we have to drop a nuclear bomb on Iran. Not, of course, the unleashing of full-scale thermo-nuclear war on the Persian people, but a limited and tactical use of nuclear weapons to destroy Iran's military facilities and its potential nuclear arsenal. It is, sadly, the only response that this repugnant and acutely dangerous political entity will understand. The tragedy is that innocent people will die. But not many."
He criticises Muslims for 'violence and extremism' yet he is anxious and ready to drop NUCLEAR WEAPONS on them! He claims that "I am not optimistic about the possibility of having such an honest discussion now.", yet a few short weeks ago, rather then honest discussion, he was anxious and ready to drop NUCLEAR WEAPONS on them!
This guy is unbelievabel! Period. Michael Coren needs a Royal Canadian Kick in the Arse!!
Toronto Sun Sept 23rd
Toronto Sun Sept. 2nd
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One can hope the article signals a change of heart and mind away from calling for pre-emptive nuclear war. We should allow him to change his mind. We want people with dangerous opinions to change their mind.
Nevertheless, given the shocking, dangerous, and provocative nature of his presumably prior position, he should clearly disavow what he previously said in order to cleanly break away from that radical discourse to begin anew with more level-headed opinions.
Posted by Walks With Coffee | 12:46 pm, September 23, 2006
I don't know what the hell has gotten into him. This is just not like him. I would expect him to be slightly more in tune with the Church's Just War theory, which, among other thing, requires that the damage inflicted be less than if the war had never been waged.
While the Church does have a Just War theory, I believe that it is more "pacifist" than it is sometimes believed among conservative Catholics.
I would also like to add that, since this doctrine involves many criteria and conditions, it is not a black and white issue.
Posted by Suzanne | 12:53 pm, September 23, 2006
I agree that anyone should be given the ability to rehabilitate themselves especially those who believe in the use of nuclear weapons to solve political problems.
If Mr Coren has had his awakening on the 'road to Jerusalem' and disavowed his September 2nd position, I would be the first in line to buy him a pint.
If, however, he is just being a typical right wing loud mouth, then I would like to be the first in line to put on my pointy toed shoes and kick him the arse.
Posted by leftdog | 12:55 pm, September 23, 2006
Psst... the expression is, "Road to Damascus" based on Saul to Paul's conversion c. AD 36. Acts 9:1-19a
Posted by Walks With Coffee | 1:58 pm, September 23, 2006
You are correct!! My bad!!! (it's been a LONG LONG time since I took my place in a church pew). Thanks for setting my quote back on track!
Posted by leftdog | 2:26 pm, September 23, 2006
"Thanks for setting my quote back on track"...
You are welcome for... err... putting your quote back "on the straight and narrow".
Posted by Walks With Coffee | 4:14 pm, September 23, 2006
I believe his statements are woeful, indeed, but the core concepts he is referring to are agreeable: when nation after nation, mob after mob act this way, it is indicative of an inherent problem with Islam, and not, as many would have us believe, a few "bad apples".
By the way, brutal that you force people to login as a blogger, and brutal that you moderate. Do you moderate those whom you do not agree with?
Posted by Raphael Alexander | 10:17 pm, September 23, 2006
Adam - I just realized that my settings were set for E blog members only and I changed that - thanks.
Comment moderation is set to prevent mischief making, abusive and profane crap that a couple of right wing types use here (always at about 2 - 3 am) since they cannot tolerate criticism of their ideology.
Posted by leftdog | 10:38 pm, September 23, 2006
As I posted elsewhere Adrian, Christianity is just as guily... progroms against Muslims in Indonesia, forced conversions in Cntral America (by Operation Christmas Child no less), Fallwell, the Pope, Robertson, Franklin Graham...
So by the same token, do not tell em that this stuff is the results of a few bad apples in Christianity. It is indicative of an inherent problem with Christianity. Frankly, its probably the same problem that Islam has - that you are right and that therefore everyone else is wrong and evil, and thus anything you do to them is justified.
Posted by Mike | 8:20 am, September 24, 2006
Bravo!! Well spoken!!!!
Posted by leftdog | 10:15 am, September 24, 2006