[Byron_the_Aussie]

..until then, I reserve my right to be cynical about organizatons that call on US to give away our treasure while holding onto theirs and call on US to let megalomaniac dictators bomb and nuke us without trying to prevent it....

You can stick all that hot air where the sun don't shine, Patriciaruth.

The FACTS are that Pope John Paul II was a tireless warrior in the fight against Communism, so much so that the KGB engineered a hit on him. A very strong argument could be made that without his effort that virus would still be going strong. What's your track record for freedom, that you feel qualified to criticise a man like him? You made a cheap shot, you were called on it, and now instead of showing some character and apologising you're trying to bluster your way out of it.

[KansasConservative]

I agree with you Byron. If folks want to disagree with the Pope's stand on the Iraq war, which I do, fine, but the anti-Catholic bigotry has no place here.

[patriciaruth]

The Pope was against godless communist suppression. I guess the feigned religous brutal suppression by Saddam doesn't cut it.

And I said a certain number of Hail Mary's to convert Russia, too; but I'm still glad President Reagan believed in peace through strength.

Hate me because I won't genuflect. But I'm calling this as I'm seeing this. But if you'll start a thread on President Carter, I'll happily say much worse things about him.