Clinton, Gingrich both defend the pope (Hillary's got Benedict XVI's back!)

Associated Press ^ | 09/20/06

[presidio9]

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, longtime foes in American politics, forcefully defended Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday against a wave of Muslim criticism over a speech last week.

When asked about the controversy prior to her speech at an American Cancer Society event, Clinton, D-N.Y., said the pope's follow-up statement should have been enough to settle the matter.

"It's just outrageous and offensive that people would be threatening violence against him based on what he said, especially when there is so much they should be working on together," Clinton said.

The former first lady has a huge lead in her Senate re-election bid this year. Her opponent, Republican John Spencer, had criticized her Tuesday for not speaking out in the pope's defense.

After appearing onstage with Clinton at the cancer event, Gingrich was even more outspoken about the religious tension.

"I think what he said in his entire speech ... is that Islam has to come to grips with having a genuine dialogue of mutual respect," said Gingrich, a Georgia Republican when he was in the House. "Everything you've seen of the viciousness and the evil that has been said since then by fanatics reinforces the pope's speech."

Both Clinton and Gingrich, who as House speaker sparred for years with President Clinton, are considered potential presidential candidates in 2008.

Benedict angered much of the Muslim world with a speech that cited a Medieval text that characterized some of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as "evil and inhuman," particularly "his command to spread by the sword the faith." He later said he was "deeply sorry" if Muslims were offended, but some Muslims demanded a more forceful apology.

The comments led to mass protests in several Muslim countries. In Somalia, a Catholic nun was slain, a shooting that may have been motivated by anger at the pope's remarks.

"I think it's amazing that a 65-year-old nun who's serving as a nurse in Somalia can be killed over words, and people aren't outraged by the vicious barbarians that killed her," Gingrich said.

[presidio9]

Hillary voted against the partial birth abortion ban. I don't think the Pope is interested in her support.

[presidio9]

ping

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I guess Hillary wants that Pennsylvania Catholic vote come 2008. Fat chance. As fat as her thighs.

[presidio9]

Note how AP declines to capitalize "Pope" in the headline.

[My2Cents]

No Catholic should be impressed with this obvious political attempt to curry favor.

[unkus]

This Witch will do anything for her personal gain. She should have absolutely no credibility in anything at all.

[Revolting cat!]

Panderama.

[BenLurkin]

Polling data and focus groups.

[Revolting cat!]

But it's not all bad, and it's rare - politicos going against the New York Times!

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Does a Hildabeast crap in the woods?

[presidio9]

No Catholic should be impressed with this obvious political attempt to curry favor.

Actually, as a Catholic I find the opposite to be the case. Hillary is among the most vocally supportive of several political causes that Catholicism directly opposes. I find her political opportunism here almost as insulting as when she laments 9/11. New York's junior Senator attended exactly ONE WTC funeral: That of FDNY chaplain Father Mychal Judge, who the buttsex crowd outted pothumously and tread to claim was the first "gay saint."

[sageb1]

I'd love to see New Yorkers say "Screw you, Hillary", and vote Spencer in.

Yeah, yeah...I know.

[OldFriend]

And Gingrich came out in favor of Mayor Blooming-idiot paying parents to send their children to school.

Paying parents to make sure their children get medical checkups.

Newt and Hilary, perfect together. Nanny's forever.

[mass55th]

This is too funny. Laura Ingraham was just talking today about how she was surprised that Hillary hadn't come out in support of the Pope to pander to the crowd, then lo! and behold! Her Thighness does just that.

[keats5]

Wow, you're right. I thought it was a typo by the poster, but "Pope" is not capitalized in the article's original title. That's just wrong.

[presidio9]

The AP, and the left in general HATES the Catholic Church, because it is the strongest pro-life, pro free choice, pro private charity, and anti homsexuality voice on the planet.

There is good reason to believe that this controversy was manufactured by the AP, the NYT, and the BBC. Muslims do not generally listen to German academic speeches made by Popes.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Does a Hildabeast crap in the woods?

Ha ha!

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I think if you just right pope by itself, not followed by a name, you don't capitalize. Example: "The pope is travelling all week."

Whereas, you would capitalize it if it had his name after pope. Example: Muslims would love to slip Pope Benedict's throat."

Another example would be "The responding unit was Officer Johnson." and "The officer responded to the 911 call."

I reserve the right to be wrong.

[OldFriend]

You are write.....

[presidio9]

If you are referring to a specific pope, as in "The Pope bought a hotdog," the it is a proper noun, and it is Capitalized. If you are talking about about popes in general, "No pope has invoked infallability in the last half century," then you are correct: no capitalization.

[montag813]

"Everything you've seen of the viciousness and the evil that has been said since then by fanatics reinforces the pope's speech." Mr Gingrich said.

Thank you Mr Speaker!

[mewzilla]

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, longtime foes in American politics, forcefully defended Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday against a wave of Muslim criticism over a speech last week.

What the heck took her so long?

Wait for the polls to come back, did ya, Hillie?

[presidio9]

No he isn't. Il Papa is a formal name.

[OldFriend]

I was punning. He misused the word right instead of write.

[presidio9]

Seriesly?

[ClaireSolt]

This sure shows she had her ear to the ground and her finger on the pulse of world events, "especially when there is so much they should be working on together," Clinton said. sarc/

[mewzilla]

Now I'm curious :)

FWIW, according to my AP Stylebook, the rule is capitalize when used as a formal title before a name (Pope Paul came, saw, went....); lowercase in all other uses (Afterwards the pope did x, x, z...)

But what does AP know :)

[presidio9]

"Pope" is part of the man's name. It signifies that he is the direct successor to the apostle Peter, the first pope. The AP might be clueless, but it is more likely that they are aware of this and choose to disregard it.

[mewzilla]

Well, all I know is Hillie sure took her time coming out with her support.

[CurlyBill]

Pandering, plain and simple. Clinton believes in nothing but her political career. If she has his back, he better watch out for the knife she will soon stick in it.

[beaversmom]

"It's just outrageous and offensive that people would be threatening violence against him based on what he said, especially when there is so much they should be working on together," Clinton said.

Can you get anymore weak than that?

[Frwy]

It's just outrageous and offensive that people would be threatening violence against him based on what he said, especially when there is so much they should be working on together," Clinton said.

HELLO. Who the hell do you think you are talking about Hitlery? They are terrorists. Flat out positively vicious killers. They are not offensive or even outrageous. They are KILLERS you stupid idiot viper. Talking is not one of their strong points.

[Cobra64]

"It's just outrageous and offensive that people would be threatening violence against him based on what he said,

Hey cankles. you miss the point. It is what the pope read from their Islamic propaganda that pissed off Islamofacists. These people are so dense they don't even know it.

[Cobra64]

I didn't capitalize "pope" because I'm not a Roman Catholic.

[Cobra64]

Does a Hildabeast crap in the woods?

I googled "hildebeast" as in the animal to get a picture to post here, and all the hits came up about the democrat Hildebeast senator from NY.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Hahahaha. You are right.

That's funny.

[oldbrowser]

"I think it's amazing that a 65-year-old nun who's serving as a nurse in Somalia can be killed over words, and people aren't outraged by the vicious barbarians that killed her," Gingrich said.

Amazing? it's an outrage. Before you can negotiate with savages you have to be able to speak their language. And their language is savagery.

[ladyinred]

Oh Hillary, thou is really running for President isn't thou? She would never defend a Christian other any other circumstances. Her administration sent out warnings to police depts all over the country about Christians being potential terrorists! (oh, you mean it wasn't HER administration!)

[Ruth A.]

Hillary speaks out in defense of the Pope and "moderate Muslims" stay silent. That speaks volumes.

[dayglored]

> "Pope" is not capitalized in the article's original title. That's just wrong.

Actually, I think it's right, strictly speaking anyway.

The phrase "the pope" indicates the current holder of an office, just as "the president" describes the holder of an office. Those usages do not require capitalization.

OTOH, the proper name "Pope Benedict" should be capitalized, just as "President Bush" is capitalized.

[farlander]

And, if noone is there to see it, did it happen ?

[mckenzie7]

I didn't capitalize "pope" because I'm not a Roman Catholic.
You capitalized Islamofacists.

Does your reasoning hold true and so it is safe to say that you are an Islamofacist?

[verum ago]

Hillary's just flapping in the political wind like her husband always did

[Cobra64]

Does your reasoning hold true and so it is safe to say that you are an Islamofacist?

Your logic, grammar, and punctuation are horrible.

What does capitalizing the word "pope" have to do with someone being an Islamofascist?

[mozarky2]

"Hillary's got Benedict XVI's back"

I've always known Hillary was behind me. I've felt her there many times!

[Perdogg]

Hillary's got Benedict XVI's back!

And his thighs too.

[TonyRo76]

cal'•cu•lat'•ing (adj.) -

[presidio9]

I didn't capitalize "pope" because I'm not a Roman Catholic.

What does that have to do with anything?

[presidio9]

The phrase "the pope" indicates the current holder of an office, just as "the president" describes the holder of an office. Those usages do not require capitalization.

Incorrect. The man's name is Pope Benedict XVI. "President" is a title. "Pope" is not.

[presidio9]

Your logic, grammar, and punctuation are horrible.

Pretty funny coming from someone who fails to use correct capitalization because he doesn't respect an honest man.