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Italian author Oriana Fallaci writes about her terminal cancer
Bakersfield Californian ^ | 8/6/04 | AP - Rome

Posted on 08/06/2004 12:36:54 PM PDT by NormsRevenge

ROME (AP) - Oriana Fallaci, the Italian journalist known for ruthlessly grilling her subjects, says she detests interviews but has granted one herself - to herself - because she is dying of cancer.

The Milan daily Corriere della Sera published the slim volume, "Oriana Fallaci Interviews Oriana Fallaci," as a supplement to its newspaper Friday.

In the work, Fallaci, 74, asks herself why she agreed to the interview.

"Because death is on my back. Medicine has issued the sentence: 'Lady, you cannot get better. You won't get better,'" is the reply.

Fallaci's battle with cancer began some 11 years ago.

She writes that she stopped taking care of herself, including having medical tests and seeing oncologists, on Sept. 11, 2001, the day of the terror attacks against the United States.

Fallaci said she needed to spend all her time writing and translating two books that have since been published and which, in her typically blunt style, reflect scathingly on society, including the differences between Christian and Islamic culture.

The second of the two, "The Strength of Reason," came out this spring. In it, Fallaci accuses the Roman Catholic Church of being too weak before the Muslim world, and Europe of selling itself to Islam "like a prostitute."

Two years earlier, her best-selling essay "The Rage and The Pride" drew accusations that Fallaci was inciting hatred against Muslims.

In her work published Friday, Fallaci, a former war correspondent, says, "The West, Europe, Italy, is sicker than I am."

Interviewing herself, Fallaci responds that she "detests" interviews, including those of the "so-called powerful of the Earth."

"To be good, an interview has to stick itself into, sink into, the heart of the interviewee. ... In this I have always seen an act of violence, of cruelty."

Subjects of her interviews would unlikely disagree. Among those who expressed amazement over her relentless style is Henry Kissinger, the former secretary of state.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: author; italian; orianafallaci; terminalcancer; writes
The second of the two, "The Strength of Reason," came out this spring. In it, Fallaci accuses the Roman Catholic Church of being too weak before the Muslim world, and Europe of selling itself to Islam "like a prostitute."
1 posted on 08/06/2004 12:36:55 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
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To: NormsRevenge

Sounds like I'll have to put her books on my "must read" list.


2 posted on 08/06/2004 12:41:05 PM PDT by Mears
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To: NormsRevenge
"The second of the two, "The Strength of Reason," came out this spring. In it, Fallaci accuses the Roman Catholic Church of being too weak before the Muslim world, and Europe of selling itself to Islam "like a prostitute."



True. Europe has embraced terrorism and the Pope is busily criticizing the "prisoner of war abuse" and the act of toppling Saddam Insane while Americans and allies are being beheaded. Meanwhile Catholic Priests are molesting children and later sent to Rome to avoid prosecution and the parish declares bankruptcy to avoid paying money to victims.
3 posted on 08/06/2004 12:42:00 PM PDT by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: NormsRevenge
In her work published Friday, Fallaci, a former war correspondent, says, "The West, Europe, Italy, is sicker than I am."

We are losing a great voice in Fallaci. She is one who truly speaks truth to power.
4 posted on 08/06/2004 12:42:22 PM PDT by Rummyfan
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To: nmh

yeah,, but they got one helluva'n art collection. ;-)


5 posted on 08/06/2004 12:43:57 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... "The terrorists will be defeated, there can be no other option" - Colin Powell)
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To: NormsRevenge
I wish her the best. The Rage And The Pride kicks butt.
6 posted on 08/06/2004 12:44:21 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: NormsRevenge
she will be embraced by The Lord and comforted.

Her efforts, though probably small in the "grand scheme of things," will be seen as virtuous.

She is already forgiven for whatever it might be she needs forgiveness for, since God loves us, and that is proven by the sacrifice of our Lord.

7 posted on 08/06/2004 12:47:53 PM PDT by Phsstpok (often wrong, but never in doubt)
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To: Rummyfan
We are losing a great voice in Fallaci. She is one who truly speaks truth to power.

So true.

8 posted on 08/06/2004 1:31:58 PM PDT by Ben Chad
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To: Phsstpok

Actually I believe she is an atheist. She happens to find Christianity more beautiful and productive than that of the Muslims. Who knows now though, perhaps her situation has changed her attitude towards the Lord.


9 posted on 08/06/2004 1:33:45 PM PDT by ocr1
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To: ocr1
Actually I believe she is an atheist.

I know this isn't conventional, but I firmly believe that God loves the "lost" as well, and that Christ's death and resurrection was meant as proof for all peoples salvation, not just the ones that attend the "right" church or make the right magic gestures (ooooo I'm going to get it now).

The reason that it's important for us to believe in Christ is to convince US, not to convince God. He's already made up his mind. We have to overcome our guilt at where we have failed Him. Believing in Christ's message makes that easier FOR US, and doesn't affect God's judgment of us in the least.

OK. I admit it. I'm doomed.

10 posted on 08/06/2004 1:53:28 PM PDT by Phsstpok (often wrong, but never in doubt)
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To: NormsRevenge
I've read her book. I've read her all books (She's my favorite writer). When in Italy was published "Oriana Fallaci Interviews Oriana Fallaci" I was in NY... She said that she's dying killed by the cancer but she wants to stand up with the US until her last day. She doesn't care about the people that says they are for Peace but they are anti-america. She said we must fight, we mustn't surrender. And I'm with her. With you.
11 posted on 09/04/2004 6:58:22 AM PDT by an italian
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