[pope] stand by your words or don't say them

The Pope’s remarks on Islam which have caused protests and a terrorist group linked to al-Qaeda to vow to kill the pontiff have caused the Vatican to backpeddle. Look, his remarks may or may not have been wise but he made them and he had to have known their consequences - anything offends a Muslim these days. If he believed what he was saying, then he must now stand by his remarks. If he didn't believe what he was saying, then he should never have said it in the first place. But appeasement under pressure is no option whatsoever.