According to the AP: “At weekly prayers on

Friday, a cleric condemned the mutilation of four slain American

contractors in this conservative city, but did not criticize the

killings.” The cleric explained, “Prophet Muhammed prohibited even the

mutilation of a dead, mad dog and he considered such a thing as

religiously forbidden.” So, the barbaric killing of civilians is OK,

but following death their remains deserve the same respect accorded to

dogs. It will be interesting to see if this condemnation holds up as an

example of a “moderate” cleric’s welcome influence. (No insult to Cosmo

intended. We know he’s not mad, just a little angry sometimes.)