What he said

President Bush referred to Mohammed Bouyeri, the assassin of Theo van Gogh, in his speech yesterday. Here's what Bush said:

'In a courtroom in the Netherlands, the killer of Theo Van Gogh turned to the victim's grieving mother and said, "I do not feel your pain -- because I believe you are an infidel."'

And here is what Mohammed Bouyeri actually said:

'I don't feel your pain, I can't. I don't know what it is to loose a child that was brought into this world with pain and tears. It is in part because I am not a woman. But it is also in part because I can't feel with you. That's because I believe that you are an infidel.'

Admittedly, that's a little less suitable if soundbite material is what you're after. But it is relevant to get the full quote, because Mrs Van Gogh, Theo's mother, seemed, in the smallest of ways , somewhat comforted in the notion that Mohammed Bouyeri at least explained himself, which he hadn't until she had challenged him earlier (albeit indirectly) during the trial. This at least seems apparent from his closing words:

'Maybe my words will offer some measure of comfort, a little bit, for Mrs Van Gogh. That's all, I don't care about the rest.'

Call me a sentimentalist or an incurable optimist, but if a religious terrorist can see beyond his own hatred and notice the pain in a mother's heart, then perhaps there is some hope for the human race after all. Despite his incapability to empathize, there's hope in the attempt.

(As I said, I'm an optimist.)

19:58

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