The Apology Headline

Why do headlines like this get run?

"Muslim cleric apologizes for rape remark"

And then the first line is "Australia's most prominent Islamic cleric vowed Thursday to stand strong against widespread outrage" - HOW is that an apology?

The media are toasters. Never forget.

A few months ago they ran the same headlines for Pope Benedict. He didn't apologize either. The pattern seems to be 1) Startling comment 2) commentator says "I'm sorry if that bugged you 3) Headline "SO AND SO APOLOGIZES!" 4) Public consciousness now thinks so and so apologized. Grrrrr!

Speaking of Benedict, in comparison, how will this guys comments be responded to? Will anyone blow him up or threaten to behead him to show how non-violent we are? Will anyone threaten his daughters to prove that cats don't care WHERE the meat is kept?

Waleed Aly, a member of the Islamic Council of Victoria state, said al-Hilali's comments would result in more antagonism toward Muslims.

"I am expecting a deluge of hate mail," he said. "I am expecting people to get abused in the street and get abused at work."

First off, when has this happened? Ever? Second, can they blame us when we are shown uncovered meat like this? Oh, wait, we actually take some responsibility for our actions, so I guess that won't happen either.