Interesting that in the photo you only see men who, I assume, are part of the Pope's staff. I'm surprised that no one from the King's entourage was in that picture. Surely he would have had additional people there. (Perhaps behind the camera? )

that is scary to me...

Rights for Catholics in Saudi Arabia?

Sure, that'll happen.

arent bibles illegal in the kingdome?

Who are the Ninjas in the background?

As a thought, House Saud might be pushing this to offset the islamists, and give thema different target than themselves

Sorry for the wicked early OT but this is huge:

Dennis Kookoo put up a resolution for the impeachment of Cheney.

Hoyer put up a motion to table the resolution.

The House is saying "no" to the resolution... and the Republicans are the ones who are tabling the tabling, so-to-speak.

Wow, the Republicans want this out there for discussion I see? Wanting the Dems to talk about impeachment?

This could get really good!

A futile exercise. Maybe more will come out of this later.

Could be they're swapping the names of robe tailors.

What I meant to say what they the Repubs were voting 'no' to table... thus tabling the table.

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"Pope to Abdullah: 'Lutsch mein schwanz' "

OK, maybe not.

so im reminded of the age old question.....does the pope wear a funny hat?....not by comparison!

re: #9 song_and_dance_man

re: #5 MandyManners

Who are the Ninjas in the background?

5th degree Red Belts.

I'm gonna get in trouble on this thread.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Seriously, though, they are the Pope's attendants and staff.

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Doesn't Revelations mention a meeting like this?

I don't see anything wrong with this. Seems like a highly interesting meeting, to me. I'm somewhat skeptical that it'll lead to sweeping changes in Saudi Arabia, but no harm in such discussion.

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"Rights for Catholics in Saudi Arabia... I'll arm wrestle ya for 'em, Abdullah. Ready? GO!"

Since we are talking about Pope Benedict, this post from LGF, shortly after he was elected, is illuminating. (Bold is mine):

#179 True German Ally 4/20/2005 8:57:37 am PDT

Pope Benedict may come across as the Great Inquisitor, but he has never refused discussion and arguments. He is firm on the "essentials" of the Catholic faith. The German Catholic professors he suspended clearly violated the essential principles of Catholicism. He is an extremely intelligent, bright personality... a bit shy with people though. He won't pretend to have the charisma of JPII.

From my conversations with him in the late 70s, when he was archbishop of Munich, I learned a few things about him:

1) That he hated the Nazis even during his short time in the Hitler Youth. He was a nominal member, but was exempted weeks after his compulsory joining because of his fragile health and studies in the Catholic seminary (many boys actually joined Catholic institutions to avoid service in the HJ.) His teen years had a lasting effect on him as he was able to see the difference between reality and what the Nazis taught. His love for truth and being truthful all the time stems from this early experience.

2) He was a progressive Catholic in his early year (played an important role at the 2nd Vaticanum), but the intolerance of 1968 made him change his mind. He abhorred communism and the carefree nihilist thinkings in these times and became a conservative, but not a reactionary, as many claim.

3) He saw the dangers of Islamic fanatism in the 70s already. Khomeini was a menetekel for him. At this time he didn't see Islam so much as a threat for Europe (yet), but for Asia and Africa.

4) He is more a friend of the Jews than most other Catholic priests. I remember him saying that Christians and Jews are on the same direction to salvation, just on different paths. Islam instead was an aberration that would lead humanity into a religious "dead end street" (Sackgasse was his exact word). He strongly favoured a rapprochement between the Catholic and Jewish faith, but didn't see any common ground between Christianity and Islam.

And yes, I think, we'll see a few surprises from him in the next years. I had to chuckle when I heard the Chicoms demands today. Oh boy, they are messing with the wrong guy here.

Benedict of Nursia one restored the Christian faith in a devastated Europe. Commentators have focussed much on Benedict XV as the closest role model of Ratzinger. But I think he's much closer to Benedict XIV.

[Link: [Link: www.newadvent.org...]...]

And yes, he loved the "Apfelmaultaschen" (pasta made with potato flour, filled with apples and powder sugar and cinnamon on top) my wife prepared for him :-)

They look like this:
[Link: [Link: www.donau.de...]...]

I guess you won't find this detail on CNN :-)

you like the cool desk they gave me.............those are my red belted ninja warriors who guard it night and day, and the even polish it, too......

Who are the Ninjas in the background?

The tall one appears to be the albino assassin from The Da Vinci Code.

Or maybe I'm just hoping.

Anyway... give 'em hell, Benedict.

Anyone else notice that the King gave the Pope something representative of Islam/Arabia and the Pope also gave the King something representative of Islam/Arabia?

Is that a black halo on the king's head?

did vatican city have a band play the imperial march?

I wonder if that large brass crucifix is ordinarily on that desk, or just meant as a gesture of friendship to the Mohammedan?

Benedict: ... But I'm a superstitious man. And if some unlucky accident should befall Christians in Saudi Arabia... if they should be shot in the head by a police officer, or if they hang themselves in their jail cells, or if they're struck by a bolt of lightening, then I'm going to blame some of the people in this room; and that, I do not forgive.

More photos of the Pope's meeting with Abdullah.

I'm working through some of the editorial comments, and some refer to the Pope's theological discussion at Regensburg:

Pope Benedict XVI (C) exchanges gifts with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah (L) at the Vatican, 6 November 2007. Pope Benedict XVI, who riled Muslims over his comments on Islam and violence, met for the first time Tuesday with the monarch of Saudi Arabia, which has been pressed by the Vatican to allow freedom of worship for Christians. Abdullah's visit comes as relations between the Vatican and the Muslim world have eased since the crisis provoked in September 2006 when Benedict appeared to link Islam with violence in a speech at Regensburg University, Germany. Dignitary at far (R) is unidentified.

All those attacks by Islamists against infidel Christians and Jews didn't exactly rile the Pope or cause much rioting or seething in response either. It's a one way affair, which actually proves the Pope's central point of that speech.

Which one is dressed better?

where's the bowl of holy water and the cloves of garlic, too..........

From the end of the article...

In an interview with Reuters on the eve of the meeting, the bishop in charge of Catholics in Saudi Arabia called on the country to guarantee more freedom and security for minority Christians and allow more priests in to minister to the faithful.

"What I am hoping is that there can be more security and freedom for our people in a very low profile manner," said Bishop Paul Hinder, a Swiss national who is based in Abu Dhabi.

"I am not expecting to be able to build a cathedral. But at least (we need) the freedom to worship in security," he said.

Vatican officials often ask why church construction is banned in Saudi Arabia while Muslims can build mosques in Europe.

Exactly.

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re: #31 Occasional Reader

Benedict: ... But I'm a superstitious man. And if some unlucky accident should befall Christians in Saudi Arabia... if they should be shot in the head by a police officer, or if they hang themselves in their jail cells, or if they're struck by a bolt of lightening, then I'm going to blame some of the people in this room; and that, I do not forgive.

So when is The Day he settles all family business?

37 nolocon

you mean, like going to the mattresses......?

The Italian police should've arrested King Abdullah in their terror sweep today.

The Pope is doing what he can to protect his flock from the likes of King Abdullah. I personally feel he is wasting his time with the Saudis but his is a mission of peace. That's more than what I can say for King Abdullah.

Here's the saudi spin:

The Vatican meeting offers Benedict an opportunity to be seen engaging in dialogue with a top representative of Islam. In September last year, the pope triggered controversy while delivering a speech in Germany when he associated Islam with violence, sparking protests by Muslims around the world. The pontiff has since made some amends, first by stating that his words had been misinterpreted and that he meant no disrespect to Muslims and then by a visit last November to Turkey where he stopped to pray in Istanbul’s main Blue Mosque becoming the second pope after John Paul II to enter a Muslim house of worship.

Today he may have another chance to show the world his intention to heal relations with Islam.

They paint the Pontiff as being conciliatory towards islam, but I don't think they're reading him right. He made demands of the sauds, the king had to come to him, the Pontiff offered no gifts. But mostly- if this is the view the saudis want me to have, I'm going to think it's taqiyya.

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sp does the pope have a few Luco Bratsi's(sp?) hidden away somewhere?

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They both have Jewish lawyers.

[okay, yeah, so actually he's German, and these Godfather references are slightly off-base... hey, just havin' some fun here]

Something I found earlier today - way OT but still worth posting since Veterans Day is coming up soon.

“Something has been bothering me, so I thought I might talk it over with you.

I remember some time ago people lined up on both sides of the street to watch the parade and naturally, I was leading every parade, proudly waving to all. When your daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and placed it over his heart.... REMEMBER? And you, I remember you too. Standing there straight as a soldier. You didn’t have a hat but, you were giving me the right salute. Remember your little sister? Not to be outdone, she was saluting the same as you, with her right hand over her heart.... REMEMBER..?

WHAT HAPPENED? I’m still the same OLD FLAG. Oh, I have a few more stars since you were a young boy. A lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago.

But now I don’t feel as proud as I used to.

When I come down your street, you just stand there with your hands in your pockets and I may get a small glance, then you look away. I see the children running around and shouting... They don’t see to know who I am.... I saw one man take off his hat and then look around. He didn’t see anybody else with theirs off, so he quickly put his back on. Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have you forgotten what I stand for and where I have been... Anzio, Guadalcanal, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf.

Take a look at the Memorial Honor Rolls sometime, of those who never came back, to keep this republic free.... FOR FREEDOM IS NOT FREE... One Nation Under God... When you salute me, you are actually saluting them. Well, it wont be long until I’ll be coming down your street again. So, when you see me, stand straight, place your hand over your heart.... And I’ll salute you, by waving back... And I’ll know that... YOU REMEMBERED!

Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star Spangled Banner, but what ever they call me, I am your Flag, the Flag of the United States of America.

--Author Unknown

re: #18 Cognito

I don't see anything wrong with this.

No more harm than when any leader meets with any mass murderer to define "common ground."

I don't see anything right with it.

30 years they switch seats.

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#53 song_and_dance_man 11/06/07 1:16:35 pm reply quote report 0

re: #47 Ben Hur

They both have Jewish lawyers.

And Swiss accounts.

yeah, but the pope has those swiss guards, too........

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King Abdullah was casing the joint for an upcoming raid

Go home, Abdullah. Mecca's about to be liberated.

Christians will have more rights in Saudi Arabia when porcine-arabians are put in charge of air traffic control

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The king also presented Benedict with a small silver and gold statue depicting a palm tree and a man riding a camel.

Idolatry! Let the Seetheing begin!

57 Ojoe

to true......

re: #27 dare333

Anyone else notice that the King gave the Pope something representative of Islam/Arabia and the Pope also gave the King something representative of Islam/Arabia?

No, both were given by Abdullah, not Pope Benedict. Nowhere in the article does it mention the Pope giving Abdullah anything.

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Ah, back to work.

re: #61 Ojoe

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Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI on Europe (2004):

Ratzinger comes to what he considers the West’s almost pathological hatred of itself. At a very time when everyone tries to be accommodating to any other values in other cultures, no matter how outlandish, Europe finds its own values “despicable.” “Europe, to survive, has need of new thought, certainly critical and humble, that can accept itself if it wishes to survive.”

re: #18 Cognito

I don't see anything wrong with this. Seems like a highly interesting meeting, to me. I'm somewhat skeptical that it'll lead to sweeping changes in Saudi Arabia, but no harm in such discussion.

I agree.

Anything that helps shine a light on the religious apartheid of the Saudi kingdom is good.

The Red Sashes are the Popes staff and advisor's.

The Kings people are out of frame to the right, behind the King.

Mr. NoRedSash appears to be a member of the Swiss Guards and/or the Pope's translator.

LEFT
ARMPIT
BULGE,
R

re: #59 MandyManners

Go home, Abdullah.

in referance to other faiths in Saudi Arabia

"They are only allowed to worship in private places, usually homes, and cannot wear signs of their faith in public.

Gee, according to the left its only Israel that is racist but total silence from those moonbats in San Fran Freako !

Who is the translator from Arabic to German who gets to translate "don't hold your breath" for the Pope? Or maybe it would be 'when hell freezes over'.

More Ratzinger:

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has criticised what he sees as a tendency among Islamic leaders to identify politics and religion, insisting on the importance of respect for religious freedom.

He was particularly insistent that converts to Christianity in predominantly Muslim countries should be treated respectfully. He urged Christians to be confident in their own beliefs, and welcome converts into their communities.

Speaking to the Italian daily Il Giornale, the cardinal argued that Christianity brought an entirely new idea into the world's history by making a "distinction between the emperor and God".

With the rise of Islam, he continued, a substantial portion of the world returned to the earlier identification between the political world and the religious world, with the belief that "only political power can make men moral".

He said the distinction between spiritual and temporal power "creates a space for freedom", in which an individual can oppose the state.

I'm wondering what Seventh Day Adventists would make of this meeting. On one hand, they think the Vatican is the "whore of Babylon". Hell, that's a big part of their interpretation of Revelations. On the other hand, there is the evil Saudi King.

re: #74 Ward Cleaver

re: #59 MandyManners

Go home, Abdullah.

At least they didn't give him an effing hijab as a gift.

re: #49 Occasional Reader

[okay, yeah, so actually he's German, and these Godfather references are slightly off-base... hey, just havin' some fun here]

I think was the right way to have some fun. I don't think we want to bring up any scary German stereotypes right now.

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Do whatever steps you want if
You have cleared them with the Pontiff.

Tom Lehrer

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re: #83 WriterMom

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[Link: www.iht.com...]

At the end of the meeting, Abdullah presented Benedict with a traditional Middle Eastern gift — a golden sword studded with jewels — and a gold and silver statue of a palm tree and a man riding a camel. The pope admired the statue but merely touched the sword.

He gave Abdullah a 16th century print and a gold medal of his pontificate.

Reuters just left out the Pope's gifts.

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You'll see no flying pigs here!

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re: #89 WriterMom

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re: #85 buzzsawmonkey

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fatslob data:

Registered lizardoid since: Jul 19, 2007 at 9:28 am

No. of comments posted (since July 26, 2004): 6

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re: #77 jill e

More Ratzinger:
With the rise of Islam, he continued, a substantial portion of the world returned to the earlier identification between the political world and the religious world, with the belief that "only political power can make men moral".

Ironically, it was Islam's intrinsic intermingling of politics and religion that facilitated its conquest of 2/3 of Christendom.

Note too, that true corporatism (aka fascism) fairly describes the framework of the Islamic politico-religious model.

re: #93 WriterMom

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The king also presented Benedict with a small silver and gold statue depicting a palm tree and a man riding a camel.

Wahhabi tchochke.

OK so the resolution to impeach Cheney is now going to the Judiciary Committee.

This is going to be good watching all the Dem candidates having to argue against the impeachment resolution, losing all the nutroot support.

Kucinich=3rd party. Oh how wonderful

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bluegrass boys says:

that is scary to me...

The Pope asking for more religious freedom for the one million Catholics who live in Saudi Arabia scares you?

(in the LGF grocery store...)

Stinky Beaumont, paging Stinky Beaumont. Cleanup in Aisle 82. Someone just left a major dump in the middle of the aisle.

bbl

re:

Sure, meet with the terror-sponsor-in-chief, but don't lower yourself to meet with Condi Rice.

But just remember what happened to the last Pope.....

re: #109 Junior

OK so the resolution to impeach Cheney is now going to the Judiciary Committee.

This is going to be good watching all the Dem candidates having to argue against the impeachment resolution, losing all the nutroot support.

Kucinich=3rd party. Oh how wonderful

Hey, maybe Rosie's new talk show will discuss impeachment. Kucinich can be a frequent co-host. And let's not forget Ron Paul. [did I just say Ron Paul?]

re: #109 Junior

OK so the resolution to impeach Cheney is now going to the Judiciary Committee.

This is going to be good watching all the Dem candidates having to argue against the impeachment resolution, losing all the nutroot support.

Kucinich=3rd party. Oh how wonderful

Paul/Kucinich '08 for the UFO Party? One's from the UFO, and the other believes he was abducted.

re:

Did Abdullah mention to the Pope that little problem that will be caused when Jesus comes back and gets together with the Mahdi? You know, the part where Jesus breaks all the crosses and kills all the Christians who refuse to convert to Islam? Its a small point I know, but it could be a deal breaker.
Oh, you mean they never bring up that part in polite company?

I wonder why, since Jesus is a beloved prophet and all.

re: #112 MandyManners

re: #102 jcm

*innocent look*

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

You know I can't stay mad at you ;-)

Thanks Stinky!

The common ground?

Holy Oil.

ANYONE HERE A POOOOOOOF SOUND?

LOL.

Meanwhile, for those following the situation in Pakistan, I provide updates on that sticky wicket.

Not fair. He was deleted before I could vote.

That is the fastest negative dinging that I have EVAH seen.

Some of those quotes from His Holiness are very interesting in a post John-Paul II world.

Hey fatslob, I was an alter boy back in the 70s and worked with three different priests over the years. Never a hint of funny business. It's not as widespread as they would have you believe.

I'm guessing the papal band didn't play the Imperial March when the king arrived.

Whoa-that looks like a Stinky reminder...

DON'T QUOTE THE REALLY YUCKY POSTS...just 'reply'.

re: #131 WriterMom

That is the fastest negative dinging that I have EVAH seen.

He earned it. Now I'll cheer if he comes back and gets banned for his efforts.