Quick, get me rewrite!

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Sep 15, 2006

Over at his Cafeteria is Closed blog, Gerald Augustinus refers to an AFP story on the Regensburg lecture as a "Moronic Column on the Pope." If you think he's being harsh, you probably haven't read that AFP story. It's hard to tell what's worst: the accuracy of the reporting, the logic of the analysis, or the plain old English usage. A few samples:

By unwittingly angering Muslims with his comments on Islam,...

Unwittingly? Wrong. The Pope knew exactly what he was doing. He didn't intend to anger anyone, but he did intend to make a point-- which eludes AFP.

Benedict railed Muslims ...

I think they mean he "riled" them.

Earlier this year, the German-born head of the Roman Catholic Church fell foul of Israel

I think they mean he "ran afoul" of Israel.

Given the diplomatic battle ahead to placate the Muslim world, the pope may wish to still have at his side Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, the Vatican's top expert on Islam until Benedict controversially transferred him as papal nuncio to Cairo.

How did he transfer him? Oh, "controversially."

He is said to speak 10 languages, although the Italian press has commented on his German accent, and is an accomplished pianist.

Good to know that the Italian press can play the piano.

Say goodnight, Gracie.