[sinkspur]

Why are you obsessed with undermining JPII's efforts and successes --and in this thread-- motives?

Well, I wouldn't agree that Solidarity was as powerful as the Pershing missles, but that's certainly debatable.

Brian, I'm not undermining JPII's efforts. He is doing it himself. Calling for another UN, with more emphasis on the "rich-vs-poor" issue is a clear slap at the rich Western nations.

He also seems to feel that there may be some reason we ought to listen to what motivates the terrorists. These terrorists, most prominently, are funded by very wealthy nations.

What possible "motivations" he has in mind simply confound me.

I don't think John Paul II wants to come to terms with what is at work here: Muslim extremists, driven to destroy a culture that they abhor.

That culture includes the Western culture that he is very much a part of.

[Polycarp IV]

What possible "motivations" he has in mind simply confound me.

How about the purest gospel motives, Sink?

Ascribing to him any other alterior motives is sinful.

Just because you cannot grasp his motives does not make his motives wrong or nefarious.

[Polycarp IV]

with more emphasis on the "rich-vs-poor" issue is a clear slap at the rich Western nations.

And the problem with a clear slap as selfish rich western nations is...what is it again?

[Polycarp IV]

I don't think John Paul II wants to come to terms with what is at work here: Muslim extremists, driven to destroy a culture that they abhor.

I don't think you and America want to come to terms with what the bottom line is here: America no longer possesses a moral high ground from which to campaign this global war on terror. Did it ever occur to you that JPII sees and knows far more than you or I will ever hope?

He is not a drooling old doddard, Sink. He is a brilliant man, a mystic, the Pope of the Third Secret.

He knows what is coming and he is sincerely trying to mitigate the sufferings standing at our very door step.

You are wrong to ascribe to him any other motive whatsoever.

[ninenot]

On another thread, a poster who had lived in Egypt for a number of years and who, as a result, spent solid time in a number of MidEastern countries, summarized thus:

'The Middle East does NOT have a middle class....there are the very rich and the very poor...'

JPII seems to understand this, perhaps because his knowledge of the world is a little better than yours.

Think about that possibility--that JPII's information sources are better than yours.