elfs | Admiration.

I admire Ted Bundy. I mean, really. The guy was brilliant. Charasmatic to a fault, he could make people believe what he said even as he set them up for murder. I may not like what he did, but I surely admire him all the same for the dedication he had to his chosen role. He was focused, he was determined, and he was successful.

I don't think anyone in their right mind would say the above. And yet, there seems to be an incredible outpouring of support of John Paul II on the eve of his death, and I don't get it. "I don't like the fact that he emphasized and affirmed a centuries-old tradition that keeps women in their place, shackles men to unwelcome destinies, preaches an apocalyptic faith, seeks to undermine the Enlightment and turn back the clock on liberal democratic principles, and places an emphasis on spiritual care to such a degree that it encourages neglect of material needs, but damn I admire the strength with which he did those things."

Can you really say that with a straight face? Is admiration really the word you want to use?