unrepentant old hippie

When Georgie met Ratzi

King Georgie met Pope Ratzi for the first time when they had an "audience" earlier today:

"In a statement, the Vatican said Bush had "warm" talks with the pope and the Vatican's No. 2 official, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. They discussed international politics, particularly in the Middle East, the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Lebanon, the "worrisome situation in Iraq" and the "critical conditions in which the Christian communities (in Iraq) are found," the statement said.

The pontiff expressed his hope for a `'regional" and `'negotiated" solution of conflicts and crises that afflict the region, the Vatican said. Attention was also give to Africa, the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and Latin America."

During the discussion, the pope asked that the US double its current commitment to fighting AIDS in Africa. Sounds like an excellent idea, but:

"Skeptics say a significant proportion of the funds are channeled to religious groups advocating abstinence until marriage and refusing to distribute condoms, an approach that many believe is counter-productive and cost lives."

Counter-productive? Stupid even? Well, yes, but it actually makes sense considering both georgie and the pope believe in miracles.