I came across a stunning explanation for why there has been so much violence in the Muslim world over the Pope’s remarks, from a CAIR spokesman.

The Patriot News

A midstate Muslim leader, responding to what he called “extremely distressful” remarks by Pope Benedict XVI about Islam, called yesterday for more dialogue between Muslims and Roman Catholics.

“That is our approach,” said Abul Hasan, a Penn State York professor who is spokesman for the local chapter of the Council of American Islamic Relations.

Hasan said the violent reaction of some Muslims elsewhere to Benedict’s speech was “the emotional outbursts of people who cannot control their emotions. … You cannot defend it in any way.”

Swell. They cannot control their emotions. They just can’t help themselves. The rage just takes hold of them and they rampage. And before they cool off there are churches burned and nuns are shot in the back.

Hey Abul, by saying they cannot help themselves you are defending it. But I guess that is your job as a CAIR spokesman.

In a civilized country, we lock up violent people who cannot control their ‘emotional outbursts’. But to do so, we have a civil code that criminalizes that conduct, regardless of who it is directed towards. In the Muslim countries, these thugs could never be prosecuted, because violence in the defense of Islam is fully acceptable. Attempts to even bring them to trial would only cause more violence on the streets, and condemnation from the powerful clerics.

It’s going to be tough going until the Muslim world can handle criticism with reason, instead of the sword. And all of the CAIR press releases they can pump out are not going to change that fact.