Turkey and the Pope

Yep. He went there. After Pope Benedict XVI quoted inflammatory remarks made by a 14th Century church theologian about Islam and its connection to violence, there was violent outrage in the Muslim world asking for everything from apologies to his head on a silver platter. That was only two months ago.

Besides that, he's never been kind to Turkey. He is German and therefore, some of his attitude toward Anatolia may be suspect. The two territories have never had a good relationship despite seemingly being far from each other. In the19th Century as Germany developed into an Industrial power (albeit late relative to the US and Great Britain) with a large focus on finance and banking, it came into conflict with the far-flung and long-lasting Ottoman empire. It would not take a leap in insight to understand that animosity was high. In modern day Germany, there is a large Turkish community in Germany. For the most part Germans have opinions about the Turks both within the German state and without. Its like trying to find an American who hasn't thought about Mexican Immigrants and Illegal Immigration. For good or bad, everyone has an opinion.

In the past when the current pope was the Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, he also made a comment specifically about Turkey. He basically said that allowing Turkey to enter the European Union would be "a grave error against the tide of history". So than the Holocaust was....? That statement makes it sound like adding Turkey is tantamount to Thermo Nuclear war! If you think its bad just say "Hey, uh, I think letting Turkey in would be bad. All those earthquakes. The funds needed to constantly rebuild their antiquated and crumbling infrastructure would be draining. Not to mention, depressingly repetitive." Or: "Turkey has a long dispute with many of its close neighbors. Greece for one has an ongoing hostility with Turkey over the small island of Cyprus. And they can't admit they commit genocide on Armenia."

He has been called the "anti-Turkish Pope" and I suppose its understandible. And with the recent uproar, he will not be welcomed with any zeal or happiness. He is being received as a visiting political leader: leader of the Vatican, that is. His presence is being handled on a secular basis. He has also now reversed himself on his belief about Turkey. He now thinks letting Turkey into the EU would be a grand idea. Who the hell does he think he is? Oh, yeah.... He's also quoting two other guys: Pope John paul II and Pope Gregory of the 11th Century. Oy Vey!

Is there a civil war in Iraq? Sure as hell seems like it. Last week one of the worst attacks since this whole debacle began occured in Sadr City. President Bush claims it isn't a civil war. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley claimed the reason it is not a civil war is it is "less aimed at gaining full control over an area than expressing differences and also trying to destabilize a democracy". Well, isn't that a civil war?

Well, civil war existance debate aside, lets also remember that we will be stuck in this quagmire unless we can, well, GET OUT! We need an exit strategy. In other words, we need to begin using tactics that will slowly enbale us to leave the God-forsaken place. I cannot remember who said this (it may have Henry Kissinger or Spiro Agnew): "There is only one acceptable exit strategy: Winning." Stay the Course is a great political slogan. You could even use Lincoln's fabulous illustration: You don't switch horses while crossing the stream. However, after the election has been won, we all start scratching our heads and ask "What's the course?" I'm not going there....

In Ecuador, it appears that Economist turned politician, Rafael Correa may have won his country's presidency. The opponent has yet to concede defeat but with Correa owning 63% of the vote, it would be difficult for Billionaire Alvaro Noboa to make up the margin.

Correa is a leftist who has been politically close to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez (you know, the guy who called Bush the Devil.) and has also promised to build 300,000 homes ofr the country's poor every year. He has also said he'd refuse to pay the "illegitimate" foreign debt and to nix a free-trade deal with the US. With all their economic problems, the nation has not a lot of success with presidents in the recent decade. Let's hope for the best. Whatever that is.

Way back about 900 years ago (in 1095, to be exact.... 911 years ago for nitpickers), Pope Urban II appointed Bishop Adhemar of Le Puy and Count Raymond IV of Toulouse to lead the first Crusade to liberate the Holy Land. Oh the Irony! (see above)

Two big reasons why November 28 is a really big day in Albania: First, in 1443, Skanderbeg, aka, George Kastrioti, liberated (all this liberating...) Middle Albania (is it big enough to have a middle?) with the capture of Kruje. He raised his standard which eventually became the flag of Albania. He has been quoted as saying "I have not brought you freedom, I found it here, among you." The second reason is far less poetic and epic: Albania declared independance from the Ottomans (finally!) in 1912. Again, Turkey hating... Albania is now the only officially Atheist nation in the world. Despite this, according to the CIA World factbook, Albania is 70% Muslim, 20% Albanian Orthodox and 10% Catholic. These are only estimates. There are no churches or mosques in Albania and private practice is allowed only.

Back on this day, in 2000, the eigth drop fell on the Pitch drop experiment in Australia. I shit you not. This experiment was initiated in 1927 when Professor Thomas Parnell of the University of Queensland in Brisbane wanted to demonstrate that some substances though appearing solid were really highly viscous and truly flowed. Pitch is one such substance. Glass is another. Over that last 79 years, 8 drops have fallen very, very slowy. Wanna watch it live? It's like watching grass grow or paint dry but more exciting!

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