Stuck on Stupid

Glenn Reynolds thinks the words uttered by General Honore today in a news conference may become the blogosphere's new catch phrase. He discussed it briefly on Hugh Hewitt's show this evening, although he had another reason for being there: discussing Porkbusters.

I think the blogosphere should have a periodic "Stuck on Stupid" Carnival, joining others such as Carnival of the Insanities, New Jersey bloggers, Cotillion, and the Christian Carnival. Blog Carnival has an extensive list for the insominacs among us.

My nomination this week for someone "Stuck on Stupid" would be the Right Reverend Richard Harries, the Bishop of Oxford, and his colleagues. According to a story in the News Telegraph, "Bishops suggest apologising to Muslim leaders for Iraq war:"

The Church of England should arrange a meeting with Muslim leaders to say sorry for the Iraq war, a group of senior bishops suggests today.

In the absence of a Government apology, a "truth and reconciliation commission" involving religious leaders could be formed to apologise for the West's "errors", the bishops say in a new report.

The report, "Countering Terrorism: Power, Violence and Democracy Post 9/11", was written by a working group of the Church of England's House of Bishops, chaired by the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev Richard Harries.

The Times (London) also has the story.

The Telegraph's editorial concluded (Hat tip to Lucianne.com):

One more thing. The bishops hope to appeal to "the various religious constituencies of the Iraqi community". As things are going in Iraq, its ancient Christian community will soon be heading, like that of the Holy Land, towards extinction. The bishops should be thinking of them, helping them - even praying for them.

Indeed.

The bishops provide a prime example of the mindset of the liberal intelligensia for whom I wrote the "Litany for Liberal Christians" (at bottom of "Why I didn't go to Church today"). Salient quote:

We have apologized to our enemies for our very existence while rebuking our leaders for fighting that evil.

I can understand preferring reconciliation and peace-making to the bloody reality of the battle field, but the bishops' apology accomplishes little except providing propaganda for the jihadists and publicity for themselves. Some saints do work directly for reconciliation, and I applaud their efforts. My pastor recommends the writings of Elias Chacour (Shah-koor), saying: "As a Christian Palestinian he is quite convincing in word and deed that even bitter enemies can be reconciled – his life and works in Israel are to that end. I was affected by his book, Blood Brothers because it does demonstrate a vision for peace."

Despite the left's keening, if you read President Bush's speech last week at the UN, you'll discover that force of arms is but one of many tools being used in the war.

Yet we know that this war will not be won by force of arms alone. We must defeat the terrorists on the battlefield, and we must also defeat them in the battle of ideas. We must change the conditions that allow terrorists to flourish and recruit, by spreading the hope of freedom to millions who've never known it. We must help raise up the failing states and stagnant societies that provide fertile ground for the terrorists. We must defend and extend a vision of human dignity, and opportunity, and prosperity -- a vision far stronger than the dark appeal of resentment and murder.

There's more than enough work here for everyone, both warrior and peace-maker.