Pope urges motorists to be careful (says we must fight absentmindedness)

[UrbScotty]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050626/ap_on_re_eu/pope_1

Pope Benedict XVI urged motorists Sunday to take care as they embark on their summer holidays, lamenting the "tragic" loss of life on highways from careless drivers.

<snip>

The pope noted that the end of June marks the start of summer holidays, when many Italians head to the seashore or the mountains — and the death toll from highway accidents increases, particularly on weekends.

Benedict wished everyone a good "well-earned" rest, but he said he also wanted to make an appeal for "prudence" for those who will be traveling.

<snip>

"We must fight absent-mindedness and superficiality, which in an instant can ruin one's future and the future of others," he said. "Life is precious and unique: It must always be respected and protected, including with correct and prudent behavior on the roads."

COMMENT: Wow, I can't believe I'm saying this, but he's right! I actually find myself agreeing with Pope Benedict! So I guess that makes the score:

Things I like about B16: 2
Things I don't like about B16: A lot

(Hey, I'm Catholic. I can rib the Pope, right? :evilgrin:)

[Ediacara]

1. I agree too, but....

Can he like pay attention to important things like reversing the anti-condom order? Maybe rewording his hateful, anti-gay teaching from earlier in his life?

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Gee it sure would be nice to see him worry about

ruining the future of all the children who have been victims of pedophile priests. Just how prudent was that behavior?

[mitchtv]

3. Moday, on an "OPRAH" exclusive

a very special "OPRAH"
only kidding, good for him.More than JP did for anyone.

[UrbScotty]

13. At least JP2 worked for PEACE

B16? Well...

[whalerider55]

4. way to take a stand...

benny.

whalerider

[Renew Deal]

5. Cars are the work of Satan.

:evilgrin:

[UrbScotty]

11. Henry Ford = Pure evil

:evilgrin::evilgrin::evilgrin::evilgrin::evilgrin::evilgrin::evilgrin::evilgrin::evilgrin::evilgrin:

[insane_cratic_gal]

6. So his first announcement as

pope is this?

/sigh

Not that I had high hopes or anything but geeez

[Nite Owl]

7. Part of the

'good father' image maybe?

[Pithy Cherub]

8. The Pope has lived in Rome how long...

Italy is not for the 'absentminded' driver! :eyes:

But hey, the Pope needed to say at least one thing that was reasonable...

[Endangered Specie]

10. One begs to wonder how he would know how to drive at all...

hes got the Pope mobile to ride around in.

[Pithy Cherub]

16. They sold his Cardinal car on eBay

after he became Pope and now has a Mercedes Popemobile. I saw that somewhere on DU. Maybe, satire in the spirit of pay attention while you drive...:shrug:

[Endangered Specie]

9. Thou shalt not run a red light...

I dont remember that one :shrug:


Thou shalt not take thy Lord's Name in vain, except when thy is cut off in merge lane.

[UrbScotty]

12. LOL!

Though I think you mean "except when thou art cut off."

;-)

[alcibiades_mystery]

14. Bold new papal initiative

Pay attention while driving.

This guy's setting the world on fire.

Hey Benedict: you may want to pay attention to a little war going on in the Persian Gulf area. Plenty of US Catholics think its a dandy little war.Perhaps you could instruct them to pay attention to Catholic doctrine on this question, rather than the lunacies of various American right wing false prophets. Jagoff.

[IndianaGreen]

15. Let's take that plastic Jesus off the dashboard of our cars.

It will clear our minds of "absent-mindedness and superficiality"!

Is failure to buckle-up a venial sin or a mortal sin?

:dilemma:

[Mz Pip]

17. He needs to remind people to floss

daily. Good oral hygiene is import to the quality of life.

And lay off the junk food. High cholesterol is a killer.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Hardrada]

18. Pope urges attention to new food group listing

and urges intake of vitamins B, C and E. Also ginkgo biloba to help with that "absentmindedness."

[ninkasi]

19. Ok, I'm officially losing it!

After reading this thread, my first response was about 10 minutes of hysterical laughter. My husband was getting quite concerned, because I couldn't stop laughing long enough to explain.

I have been so worried about my beloved country changing so rapidly for the worse over the last five years or so; about the encroaching rise of fascism here, and the destruction brought about by Chimp and his thugs, and the new Pope is concerned about...absent mindedness?

Somehow, in light of the many real battles we face, the atrocities being committed, the death and destruction being brought about, this struck me as shallow and disconnected from reality. Yes, be careful, and yes, watch your driving, but really, is this the most important thing confronting us today?

I'm tired of crying, so I laughed instead.

[Bluebear]

20. Papal edict: Brush after every meal.

Plaque is satanic! Oh yeah, gays and abortionists are going straight to hell. Signed, Benny

[Swamp Rat]

21. Did he tell Bush about this?

Dumbya seems to have forgotten about Osama, the anthrax terrorist(s), the war in Afghanistan, etc.

[BiggJawn]

22. Wear your St. Christopher medals, kids!

In fact, don't drive, just hop in the back seat and make lots of beautiful life....

[truthisfreedom]

23. hmm. could it be that the Pope's research on cause of death is more

scientific than bushco's? bushco is totally preoccupied with maintaining a "culture of life" but they've NEVER ONCE discussed one of the main causes of death (leading cause of death for ages 1 to 45 is accidents, and leading cause of accidents is autos.)

the US government is LESS SCIENTIFIC IN IT'S GOVERNING OF THE UNITED STATES than the POPE is in his relgious leadership of the Catholic community. FREAKY.

just goes to show you what Jesus would do.

[bklyncowgirl]

24. And now a public safety tip from Pope Benedict XVI .....

And actually having been it Italy where every idiot in a Ferrari thinks he's back at the Roman Chariot races, a very good idea.

Score one for His Holiness.

[hollowdweller]

25. So he's embracing the Buddhist "mindfulness" concept ;)

[UrbScotty]

28. You mean the Pope is not CAtholic?

:D

[Rich Hunt]

26. ha, seconded

Although the automobile seems to bring out the worst in some people, and I have very strong feelings about selfish drivers, living in the city as I do, so perhaps there is a deeper moral message here. Bad drivers and road ragers do need to be spanked...hard.

;-)

[htuttle]

27. “Let’s trim our hair in accordance with the socialist lifestyle"

You can spot the world leaders by the weighty proclamations they make...

:eyes:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

29. oy vey...damn do i miss JPII

[are_we_united_yet]

34. self delete

[HuckleB]

30. Benedict's legacy? = The Safety Pope!

Hmm. Reminds me of a very old Simpson's episode.

[UrbScotty]

32. LOL!

:D

[NuttyFluffers]

31. Someone's gotta make photoshop pics of "PSA Pope"

series pics of Pope B16 standing there looking beatific, head tilted cloyingly to the side, "Remember:
"wash behind your ears,"
"Drive Safely,"
"Cleanliness is next to Godliness,"
"Eat five a day,"
"Don't forget to carry the one,"
"Beige is this summer's black,"
"Only you can prevent forest fires,"

oh god, a riot. he's absolutely radiating leadership. :crazy:

[UrbScotty]

33. LOL!

:D

[are_we_united_yet]

35. Huh?

[fortyfeetunder]

36. This is the same Pope...

That a few weeks ago blessed some cars? :wtf: is he, paid off by the automotive industry?

[TrogL]

37. I'm starting to like this guy

I was expecting an Papal Encyclical on gay marriage or some damn thing and he starts in about traffic????

[UrbScotty]

38. Good point (nt)

[Canuckistanian]

39. Maybe he could start a "War on Absentmindedness"

With some special magnetic ribbons and speeches by Bill Benett.

[-..__...]

40. Even the Pope would be flashing the "single finger salute"...

If had to deal with Massachusetts drivers everyday (they actually teach giving the finger in drivers ed here and the road test examiner will flunk a person if they fail to use it or if they use it improperly :smoke: ).

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

41. Pope urges people not to bathe with electric appliances...

Sheesh.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

42. Yes sir! Those issues are everyone's primary concerns.

[fleabert]

43. nice sentiment and all, but come on!

Next thing you know, he'll be telling us to tie our shoes before walking out the door.

I'd love to see him get more involved in the real problems the world is facing.

[captain jack]

44. Pope warns "pickle make squisshy bookmarker".