Michelle Malkin: Dunkin Donuts, keffiyehs and Rachael Ray

A recent Dunkin Donuts ad featured pitchwoman Rachael Ray wearing a scarf that looked like a keffiyeh - at least according to eagle-eyed conservative pundit Michelle Malkin. Unsurprisingly Malkin views the keffiyeh as not simply a fashion item, but as "a symbol of murderous Palestinian jihad."

The scarf used in the ad was not in fact a traditional cotton keffiyeh (the Arab headdress worn by men - can also be draped around the neck and shoulders), it was a silk scarf with a paisley type design. This didn't stop conservative bloggers from demanding the ad be removed.

A spokesperson for Dunkin Donuts denied that Ms Ray's scarf was guilty of "symbolism" :

“In a recent online ad, Rachael Ray is wearing a black-and-white silk scarf with a paisley design. It was selected by her stylist for the advertising shoot. Absolutely no symbolism was intended. However, given the possibility of misperception, we are no longer using the commercial.”

The petty objections of Michelle Malkin to a scarf that merely resembles a keffiyeh, is about as small minded as it gets.

This is how Malkin attempts to rationalize her concern:

"Fashion statements may seem insignificant, but when they lead to the mainstreaming of violence -- unintentionally or not -- they matter."

Mainstreaming of violence? She doesn't give any examples of how fashion statements have led to the "mainstreaming of violence," because it's a subjective conviction on her part, and a far-fetched one at that.

Fashion statements with political edge come in many shapes and sizes - all the way from keffiyehs to Che berets and T-shirts with anarchist slogans. Political fashion is undoubtedly an irritant to those with opposing beliefs. It may even spark words, perhaps even the occasional brawl between individuals - but to suggest that such fashion statements contribute to the mainstreaming of violence is pushing it. Clothing with obvious gang tags and associations is more likely to contribute to violence than keffiyehs.

What Malkin's alarmist rhetoric does succeed in doing, in addition to putting a chill on creative freedom, is to provide satirical fodder for cynical detractors who love nothing more than ridiculing America. Not unlike Iraqi WMD, on closer inspection the Rachael Ray ad was found not to be in possession of a keffiyah - but it took the hit anyway.

A single hyphenated word I spotted on a comment thread accompanying the Rachael story perfectly sums up this tempest in a teapot:

"re-tard-ed."

Tags: Michelle Malkin, Rachel ray, Dunkin Donuts, keffiyeh, jihad

Michelle Malkin on the keffiyeh

Tags: Michelle Malkin, keffiyeh

Sharon Stone: karma comment adds insult to injury

From the safety of the red carpet in Cannes, Sharon Stone made an unfortunate comment about the earthquake in China:

"I am not happy about the way the Chinese are treating the Tibetans ... then this earthquake and all this stuff happened and I thought, 'Is that karma, when you're not nice that the bad things happen to you?'"

The earthquake centered near China's Sichuan Province has taken the lives of 70,000 people. Karma is about cause and effect. Neither the actions nor the personal opinions of the majority of those who died so cruelly at the hands of nature contributed directly to official Chinese policy toward Tibet.

Thousands were killed when the earthquake struck, others were entombed in the debris. Small children were trapped in the rubble, condemned to a slow, lingering death. In the face of such a monumental human tragedy even if the word "karma" flickers across the screen of your consciousness, out of respect for the death of thousands of innocents, you keep it to yourself.

Like Ms Stone, I have been supportive of the Free Tibet movement. However along with many other bloggers, my argument has been with official Chinese policies and the aggression directed against the people of Tibet by the Chinese military. Taking any satisfaction from a natural disaster impacting Chinese civilians shames our common humanity.

The karmic speculations of Sharon Stone come across as naive, ill-timed and insulting. Chinese anger is completely understandable. To infer on the basis of a shady karma thesis that the innocent are paying for the sins of Chinese officialdom, is superstitious nonsense.

There is a long history of earthquakes in the Himalayan region. The afflicted areas in the past have in some instances been in Tibet, not China.

If you follow the logic of the karmic cause-and-effect thesis, then you have to wonder what bad karma caused the great Himalayan earthquake in the 1600's that destroyed monasteries in southern Tibet and the Mustang region of Nepal. Monasteries don't spring to mind as logical targets for karmic negativity.

The Assam-Tibet earthquake, August 15, 1950, is one of the largest on record. There were 1,520 deaths all told, with at least 780 fatalities in the Nyingchi-Qamdo-Zhamo area of eastern Tibet where buildings collapsed. These numbers are only estimates - it is thought by experts that the death toll may have been much higher. Was this karma also? If so what did the Tibetans do to deserve such a fate?

It looks as though Ms Stone herself is about to become the recipient of bad karma for her unfortunate remarks. China is one of Hollywood's most important export markets. One of China's biggest cinema chains has stated publicly that it will no longer show her films. According to the Beijing Times, ads bearing her image have been removed from displays in department stores.

The Tibetan Foundation sent Ms Stone a letter recommending that she go and help the quake victims. A golden opportunity to work off bad karma ... assuming of course she would be welcome.

Tags: Sharon Stone, karma, Chinese earthquake, China, Tibetan Foundation

Harper's Canada: secrecy, control and the Obama memo

Barack Obama is promising to bring greater transparency and accountability to the business of government if elected president of the US. In Canada we seem to be headed in the opposite direction.

Like Obama, Stephen Harper campaigned on a promise of great transparency and accountability, but the reality has turned out to be the polar opposite. In Harper's ship-of-state the hatches have been firmly battened down - journalists side-lined, bureaucrats gagged and cabinet ministers put-on-notice that they must get the okay from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) before speaking to the press. Harper has centralized the apparatus of government, in effect making MP's more answerable to the PMO than to their constituents, especially if speaking out entails some perceived conflict-of-interest.

Federal Liberal leader, Stephane Dion, contends that Harper is running "the most secretive government in our history." David Taras, a professor of communications and culture at the University of Calgary has a similar take on the situation in Ottawa: "What we're seeing here is a degree of control within the government, within the caucus ... that we haven't seen for a very long time

Harper's bully boys bring MP's to heel, silence internal debate, gag free speech by elected members. In some cases MP's are prevented from standing in caucus without prior permission. The control extends throughout government making many afraid to speak for fear of damaging their careers.

When MP Garth Turner drew the wrath of the PMO for comments he posted on his blog, he received a call from Ian Brodie, former head PMO bully boy, and was ordered to stop posting on his blog. Brodie added: "If you want to be a fucking independent, then go ahead. We can arrange that." Turner has since crossed the floor, and is now a Liberal MP.

Harper the control freak, has turned government into a top-down operation in which the need for control and secrecy predominates.

With this background in mind, the release of the NAFTA memo that hurt Obama in the Ohio primary seems less of a misstep than a deliberate piece of sabotage. The memo that cast doubt on Obama's position on Free Trade, was almost certainly released by Conservatives close to Harper.

Harper has been playing a smoke-and-mirrors game on this issue. His deputy minister, Kevin Lynch, suggested that the memo had simply been circulated too widely without being identified as classified information. This is just a diversion. The release of the damaging memo was a deliberate attempt to embarrass Obama on a matter of key importance to Canada, and to give an assist to Republican pals in the US.

Numerous sources indicate that the memo was leaked from the PMO to a Republican contact before making it into the US media. That contact is widely believed to be Frank Sensenbrenner. Sensenbrenner has well established connections with Harper's circle. He had a contract to do work with Canada's Washington embassy on congressional relations.

As with many mysteries in Harper World, the story becomes obscured in a fog of denial and deception. The public is fed a version of events that suits the ends of the presiding spin doctor.

How long can Harper continue along a path that can only be self-defeating in the end? Professor Taras put it best - he is quoted in the Toronto Star as saying:

"You can control events for so long, you can only manipulate for so long and ultimately I think this has harmed the Harper government to the extent that Harper's image has become `Mr. Partisan, Mr. Mean, Mr. Control Freak.'"

Tags: Stephen Harper, Canadian government, Obama memo, Ian Brodie, Garth Turner, Barack Obama, Frank Sensenbrenner

We don't need loose cannons

Tags: Stephen Harper, Canadian government

Obamamania sweeping ... Germany!

According to a Der Spiegel article Germans are crazy about Barack Obama.

Karsten Voigt, the German government's coordinator for trans-Atlantic relations says "Germany is Obamaland." He says Germans view Obama as a "mixture of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King."

There are perhaps echoes of these American icons in Obama's style, but first and foremost the senator has always struck me as his own man.

Part of Obama's appeal is his ability to connect with people. The accusations of "elitism" seem almost frivolous when you watch him work a crowd. The unaffected, easy manner he brings to his campaigning, conveys most of all the man's humanity.

The anti-Americanism that has been so widespread in Europe, especially in the years following the Iraq invasion, all but vanishes at the sound of his name. He makes people feel good. Particularly it seems - in Germany.

Constanze Stelzenmuller of the German Marshall Fund in Berlin says that many Germans are projecting their 'hopes and dreams' on Obama.

By contrast John McCain is viewed with mistrust - a relic of the Cold War. McCain has been a regular at the Munich Security Conference, and Germans are familiar with his political views. Statements he has made, such as his wish to kick Russia out of the G-8 have met with a cool reception in Germany.

Obama has yet to forge more of a personal connection with Europe, but even in the absence of the man himself, the enthusiasm is high, as are hopes for the future. Norbert Rottgen, chief whip for the Christian Democrats sees Obama as a statesman capable of initiating 'a new wave of politics that could also provide a model for Germany.'

The Der Spiegel article also reflects the pragmatic view expressed by Voigt that "trans-Atlantic problems won't simply disappear if Obama is president." Nonetheless there is broad agreement that a 'window of opportunity' could allow for new initiatives.

Tags: Barack Obama, Germany, Karsten Voigt, Constanze Stelzenmuller, Norman Rottgen, G-8, McCain

Lou Dobbs: ginning it up on CNN

At a fundraiser in Florida, Barack Obama accused Lou Dobbs and Rush Limbaugh of "ginning things up," leading to a rise in hate crimes against Hispanics.

"A certain segment has basically been feeding a kind of xenophobia. There's a reason why hate crimes against Hispanic people doubled last year. If you have people like Lou Dobbs and Rush Limbaugh ginning things up, it's not surprising that would happen."

Obama set off a heated reaction with this statement, because Dobbs is an icon to those who view him as a defender of the middle class - a media voice willing to take on the corporate elite.

Dobbs' approach so impressed Kurt Vonnegut a while back, that the writer sent him a note that said: “You, as the only big-time television personality capable of not only feeling but experiencing sorrow for American working stiffs, are our hero.” High praise coming from Vonnegut.

Dobbs apparently believes that if he wraps himself in the mantle of the populist, he can get away with channeling bigotry, along with an ongoing serving of smears directed against illegal immigrants. The more you listen to Dobbs, the more it becomes clear that his high minded stance on behalf of the working American, doubles as a front for a line of commentary that would be branded hate mongering if it was coming from someone lacking Dobb's credentials.

Obama's criticism has much merit when you consider what Dobbs has actually said over the years on his CNN show, Lou Dobbs Tonight.

The show should perhaps have been called Lou the Ventriloquist, because as Dobbs editorializes and spins the story-of-the-day, back-up journalists, notably Christine Romans, are summoned to underscore the spin. Invariably the report offered up by Romans causes Dobbs to shake his dome-like cranium from side with something approximating disbelief, while saying "shocking" or "incredible" or "unbelievable."

In a show that aired in 2005, Dobbs made the statement - "The invasion of illegal aliens is threatening the health of many Americans." According to Dobbs, a percentage of illegals were carriers of leprosy. Dobbs even brought on a medical lawyer named Dr Madelaine Cosman, who confirmed that the lepers were on the move threatening the health of wholesome Americans. She claimed the incidence of leprosy had leaped from 900 cases over 40 years - to 7,000 cases in just three years. Dobbs shook his dome, pursed his lips and intoned "incredible."

It should be mentioned that the late Madeleine Cosman, his "expert", was in fact a Renaissance studies scholar - not a medical doctor, and certainly not a person with any expert knowledge about leprosy. Cosman once made a speech in which she said that Mexican immigrants had a tendency to molest children. She went on to explain that back in their homeland, rape isn't as serious as cow stealing.

As it turned out, Cosman's stats were dead wrong.

According to the National Hansen's Disease Program, there were indeed about 7,000 disgnosed cases, but over 30 years - not 3 years. A spokesperson for the Program made clear that leprosy "is not a public health problem." The disease has in fact shown a pattern of decline. The peak year was back in 1983 when there were 456 cases. There were just 76 cases in 2000.

Dobbs has been caught out spinning other statistics to suit his purposes. On a different show he claimed that one third of the inmates in the federal prison system were illegal immigrants. In fact, according to stats from the Justice Department, roughly 6% of the prison population were non-citizens at the time Dobbs made his claim.

Lou Dobbs has crossed the line from responsible journalism to demagoguery one time too many. He never seems to tire of profiling illegals as disease carriers, criminals, child rapists, potential terrorists. There is a strong xenophobic appeal in his message. Apparently his show is a big hit with white supremacists.

It's understandable that working people view Dobbs as a media voice prepared to go to bat for their interests - but given Dobbs divisive positions and inflammatory rhetoric, the question that needs to be asked more often is "at what price?"

Tags: Lou Dobbs, Barack Obama, xenophobia, CNN, illegal aliens, leprosy, Christine Romans

You gotta love Lou

Tags: Lou Dobbs, Christine Romans, CNN

Mehdi Kazemi: granted asylum in the UK

The gay equality organization, Stonewall, welcomed news this week that the young Iranian, Mehdi Kazemi, will not after all risk being returned to Iran where he could well face a death sentence. Thanks to a campaign in support of his case, Mehdi has been granted asylum in the UK.

Much credit has to go to British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Simon Hughes, the local MP who dealt with the case. Credit needs to go also to the many bloggers who helped to draw attention to the plight of Mehdi. The UK based Independent newspaper did an excellent job in covering the case.

In 2004, Mehdi left Iran and traveled to England on a student visa in order to pursue his education.

While in the UK he learned that his boyfriend, Parham, had been arrested by Iranian authorities. During interrogation Parham revealed the nature of his relationship with Mehdi. Following this Tehran police arrived on the doorstep of the Kazemi home with an arrest warrant for Mehdi.

In April of 2006, Mehdi was informed that Parham had been executed.

At that time Mehdi's request for asylum in the UK was turned down. Fearing for his life if returned to Iran, he fled to the Netherlands in order to seek asylum there.

He was returned to the UK, and as a result of an all-out effort by activists in the gay community and concerned MP's, MEP's and members of the House of Lords, his case became high profile. The home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, agreed to a review.

Iran has been responsible for ongoing human rights abuses against its homosexual citizens. It is estimated that since 1979, between 3,000 and 4,000 homosexuals have been executed in Iran.

Support for the rights of homosexuals in Iran should not be linked with US policies toward Iran. Nor should support for human rights in Iran be viewed as anti-Islamic. In fact many Muslims oppose the draconian policies in Iran that have seen the death penalty given to homosexuals, some just teenagers, for the "crime" of homosexuality.

Tags: Mehdi Kazemi, asylum, Jacqui Smith, Iran, gay rights

Hillary Clinton descends to new depths

While meeting with the editorial board of South Dakota's Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, Hillary Clinton descended to new depths, if indeed that is possible.

Clinton chose to raise the specter of Bobby Kennedy's assassination in June of 1968 in the course of making her argument for staying in the race. The only possible interpretation of this sick evocation of the Bobby Kennedy killing is to inform us that, delegates aside, the jig is not yet up. June is "assassination season" and the snipers are still home working on target practice.

To argue for the continuation of her quixotic cause celebre crusade on the grounds that ... who knows ... someone might knock off Barack Obama, is about as low as it gets.

There are those who argue that Clinton was simply referring to competitive contests. But why refer to a tragic assassination to make that point? There are lots of other examples to draw on - Ted Kennedy in 1980, Gary Hart in 1984 for example.

She knows as well as anyone about the threats Obama has received. She knows about the sub-strata of American society that doesn't want to see "the nigger" elected and that is floating all kinds of paranoid theories of the Obama-as-Muslim-terrorist-infiltrator variety. Given the very real concern with respect to an attempt on Obama's life, her comments are all the more outrageous and unforgivable.

The Democratic Party needs to step in and save Hillary Clinton from herself.

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Argus-Leader, assassination, Bobby Kennedy, Barack Obama

Nazi stamps courtesy of Deutsche Post

Germany's national postal service, Deutsche Post, recently issued stamps bearing the image of Hitler's deputy, Rudolf Hesse.

Deutsche Post printed twenty stamps that show Hesse sitting next to a bouquet of flowers. Twenty envelopes bearing the stamps were mailed out. This is part of a service that allows clients to design custom-made stamps by uploading pictures over the internet.

It isn't the first time customers have ordered stamps bearing the images of Nazi leaders. One one occasion a customer attempted to have stamps printed featuring Hitler as a small child.

Deutsche Post described the incident as "unfortunate" and said they suspected the request came from people on the far right of the political spectrum. A spokesman said they would make every effort to prevent a repeat situation.

The far right magazine Deutsche Stimme (German Voice), a vehicle for the far right National Democratic Party (NPD), made a point of celebrating the printing of the Hesse stamp.

Rudolf Hesse is a hero of the far right, and is viewed as a martyr. He was tried at Nuremburg and sentenced to life for war crimes. He was imprisoned in Berlin's Spandau prison, where he committed suicide in 1987 at the age of 93.

Tags: Rudolf Hesse, Nazis, Deutsche Post, stamps, National Democratic Party, Spandau prison

Geraldine Ferraro: Hillary Clinton a target for sexism

According to Geraldine Ferraro, Hillary Clinton has been a target for sexists and misogynists during the course of the Democratic campaign.

When it comes to hard evidence of sexism Ferraro comes up short. She brought up Obama's "Annie Oakley" comparison during interviews on NBC and FOX. How is referencing Annie Oakley sexist? It was an apt and amusing comparison. Following Obama's "bitter" comments, Clinton presented an image of herself as a younger woman that did in fact evoke Annie Oakley-like values of the family, guns and God variety.

Ferraro even brought up hip-hop music, linking a gesture of Obama's with Jay-Z's song Dirt Off Your Shoulders. She must be getting her lyrics mixed up. Perhaps she had a different Jay-Z song in mind.

Ferraro has stated that she regards some comments about Clinton's appearance as sexist. But apparently the double standard doesn't apply. She has commented on Obama's physical attributes on a number of occasions.

Having said that, you can never dismiss sexism in a political campaign, just as you can never dismiss racism. Of course Clinton has received some unwelcome attention - what political candidate doesn't at this level? Politics can be cruel when it comes to highlighting candidates' perceived vulnerabilities. Nobody gets a free ride. Based on reliable sources, Gore Vidal claims that some middle aged men are anti-Hillary because she reminds them of their first wife.

Obama has been the target of racism that far exceeds any negative attention Hillary received. He has had threats on his life, been the subject of racist email campaigns and recently an edition of the Roswell Beacon had an image of him on the cover as seen through the telescopic lens of a rifle, cross-hairs and all. The Roswell cover is a graphic illustration of the ever-present threat that accompanies his candidacy.

The American people have put distance between themselves and Hillary Clinton for reasons that have nothing to do with misogyny. This is a person who would say and do anything to get elected. Her rush to court the white working-class and to stir up gung-ho populism focused on a predominantly low-income white demographic, is exactly what America doesn't need in a national leader.

Rejecting her outlandish statements and narcissistic behavior has nothing to do with the fact that she is female. A male Democratic candidate using the same language and adopting similar attitudes would be subject to equally harsh scrutiny.

Bill Clinton has been making noises about an Obama-Clinton ticket. It's hard to see how Obama could work with the senator given the conduct of her campaign. Hillary Clinton is an embarrassment. A tawdry actor who will resort to anything in order to get her way. She doesn't have the class to be the Vice-President of the United States.

An article on the Huffington Post titled "Worst Person in the World" is well worth the read, as is the accompanying comment thread. Democrats are deeply divided on the issue of Hillary Clinton. It is rare for a candidate to be the focus of such antipathy and in the case of her supporters, uncritical adulation.

Geraldine Ferraro meantime continues to hack away in the undergrowth. The latest sexist offenders according to Ferraro are certain black journalists, who she refers to as "surrogates". She has it in for New York Times' Bob Herbert in particular: "There wasn't one column that had anything decent to say about Hillary."

How does negligence in the 'decent-things-about-Hillary' department constitute sexism?

Ferraro is clearly projecting her preconceived prejudices onto Bob Herbert. For evidence that this is so, check out this New York Times column by Herbert in which he says: "If there was ever a story that deserved more coverage by the news media, it’s the dark persistence of misogyny in America. Sexism in its myriad destructive forms permeates nearly every aspect of American life."

Not long ago Ferraro said of Obama's lead in the race that 'if he had been a white man he wouldn't be in that position.' Now apparently she's implying that Hillary Clinton is "in this position because she's a woman." Hillary's poor judgment calls have nothing to with it. Go figure.

Tags: Geraldine Ferraro, Hillary Clinton, Democratic race, sexism, Bob Herbert

Oh there's my foot

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Geraldine Ferraro, sexism

Diego Maradona takes a shot at 'undignified' Pele

Diego Maradona is in Cannes to promote a documentary, Maradona, by the Serbian director Emir Kusturica.

The film offers a glimpse into the cult of personality that surrounds Maradona. Footage is included of fans who belong to the "Maradonian Church", where the praises of Maradona are sung to the tune of Ave Maria.

The film also explores Maradona's cocaine use and his political views. Maradona was no fan of American actions in Iraq. He has described George W. Bush as "a murderer" and "a piece of human garbage."

Despite personal challenges with substances over the years, Maradona remains a football icon.

The Brazilian great and "football ambassador", Pele, has been pointedly critical of Maradona. He has said that Maradona's World Cup winners' medals should be stripped from him because of his drug offenses over the years.

Maradona answered Pele's criticisms at a press conference in Cannes. He suggested that Pele would do well to "keep quiet". He claimed that he has heard "a lot of stories" about Pele, and claims that "he (Pele) too has a dark side".

In reference to Pele's comments, Maradona said "His way of talking about me is undignified".

Diego Mardona was born in Villa Fiorito, on the outskirts of Buenes Aires. At 11 he was spotted by a talent scout and became a mini-star of Los Cebollitas (The Little Onions). His talents were extraordinary, even at 12 years old. He used to entertain the crowd during intermissions with displays of his wizardry with the ball.

He made his first international debut for Argentina at age 16 in a game against Hungary. After the 1982 World Cup he was signed by the Spanish club, FC Barcelona for five million pounds sterling - a record amount for a player at that time.

Maradona is arguably the most exciting footballer ever to play the game. His control of the ball was extraordinary. He was physically very strong, with a powerful, compact build. He could work his magic in limited spaces, even when pressured by opponents. One of his trademark techniques was to launch speedy attacks on the left-wing, dribbling past scrambling defenders before either shooting for goal or passing with killer accuracy to one of his teammates.

When his football talents have been compared with Pele's, Maradona often points out that whereas Pele went to bed at 10 o'clock, he was on the tiles until the early hours of the morning. At the Cannes news conference he said that he regards himself as the better player - a view that many football fans around the world share.

The director of Maradona, Emir "Underground" Kusturica, appears in the film a lot. Apparently it isn't a vanity thing. Kusturica explained that when he was filming in Buenos Aries, at times he was unable to track down the star performer and had to fill in the gaps.

Tags: Diego Maradona, Pele, Cannes, FC Barcelona, Emir Kusturica

Spike Lee slams Clint Eastwood movie Flags of Our Fathers

During a recent press conference at Cannes, the director Spike Lee hit out at Clint Eastwood for failing to provide a role for a single African-American soldier in Flags of Our Fathers, Eastwood's film about the Battle of Iwo Jima.

The press conference was for Lee's new film Miracle at St Anna, a story about members of the all-black 92nd Buffalo Division, which fought the Germans in Italy. An eight-minute trailer of Lee's new film premiered at the festival.

In Flags of our Fathers, Eastwood exposes the cynical fashion in which the iconic flag-raisers of Iwo Jima were exploited in order to help boost the war effort. With Eastwood's keen eye for injustice, you would think he would have noted that his movie renders all-but-invisible the role of black troops in the battle. This isn't a minor detail - almost a thousand African Americans took part in the historic battle.

Spike Lee is right on the mark with his criticism. The irony is that while Clint Eastwood exposes exploitive practices and government hypocrisy in his film, he overlooks the contribution of African-American soldiers at Iwo Jima - soldiers who were themselves subject to discrimination. As Spike Lee put it: “Here’s the paradox ... These African-American men wanted to fight against fascism in the name of democracy. At the same time, they were still second-class citizens.”

Lee made clear that Eastwood had been informed about the African-Americans who fought at Iwo Jima but had chosen to overlook that "information."

At a later point, a reporter from the London Times was present at the press conference in Cannes for Eastwood's new movie, L'Exchange, and asked for a response to Spike Lee's criticism. According to The Times report of the interchange, Eastwood stared at the audience in silence while the compere declined to accept the question, since it didn't relate to L'Exchange. A spokesperson for Eastwood also refused comment.

Defenders of the movie have argued that black units had an auxiliary role and weren't actively involved in the fighting. It's true that most black units were assigned to ammunition and supply roles, however this quickly changed in the heat of battle.The Japanese resistance was fierce and black soldiers took on a combat role.

Nobody is suggesting that Eastwood and his producers should have gone the extra mile and then some, in order to create roles for African-Americans. But the historical narrative isn't well served by a film that completely ignores an important feature of the black American troop presence on Iwo Jima.

The part played by African American troops on Iwo Jima isn't simply anecdotal. It has been documented in a number of books - notably Christopher Moore's, Fighting for America: Black Soldiers - The Unsung Heroes of World War ll.

In an attempt to rescue a Marine who was drowning in the surf at Iwo Jima, these African-American soldiers narrowly escaped death when their amphibian truck was swamped by heavy seas. From left to right, back row, they are T/5 L. C. Carter, Jr., Private John Bonner, Jr., Staff Sergeant Charles R. Johnson. Standing, from left to right, are T/5 A. B. Randle, T/5 Homer H. Gaines, and Private Willie Tellie." March 11, 1945. S/Sgt. W. H. Feen.

Iwo Jima...African-American Marines on the beach at Iwo Jima are, from left to right, Pfcs. Willie J. Kanody, Elif Hill, and John Alexander. March 1945

Carrying a Japanese prisoner from the stockade to be evacuated and treated for malnutrition. Iwo Jima.

Yvonne Latty, a University professor from New York and the author of We Were There: Voices of African-American Veterans, has argued that films "become our history, historical documents." Prior to the film's release, she appealed directly to Eastwood and the producers to touch upon the experience of African-American soldiers, but to little avail.

The tradition of whitewashing the role of African-Americans in WW2 isn't anything new. Melton McLaurin, author of the The Marines of Montford Point, says there were hundreds of black soldiers on Jima from the first day of the 35 day battle. McLaurin also noted:

"One of the marines I interviewed said that the people who were filming newsreel footage on Iwo Jima deliberately turned their cameras away when black folks came by."

Tags: Spike Lee, Clint Eastwood, Flags of Our Fathers, Cannes, Miracle at St Anna, Iwo Jima, African American soldiers

Max Mosley: Nazi themed orgy with an MI5 spy agency connection

Stories about masochistic Englishmen who enjoy a little flagellation on the side at the hands of assertive ladies, have been doing the rounds for years. The stories took on added believability recently with the release of a video featuring Formula One boss Max Mosley.

A YouTube video (since removed) shows Mosley engaging in an S & M Nazi-style orgy with five hookers. Although Mosley admits his involvement he has refused to step down as FIA boss and intends to fight demands that he resign.

The original video is five hours long. Some of the hookers are dressed in Nazi death camp uniforms and Mosley, dressed as a camp commandant, is seen whipping two of them. While brandishing a leather strap over the bare tush of one of the hookers he is heard yelling "she needs more of ze punishment!" When the whipping begins, Mosley counts the lashes out loud in Geman - "eins! zwei! drei! vier! fünf! sechs!" and becomes noticeably aroused. In turn, he also plays the role of an inmate. He is chained and whipped on his buttocks until he bleeds.

Although the YouTube video has been pulled, you can check out a clip on 23/6 here.

I suppose it is possible that the Formula One boss really does have a Nazi fetish and a need to play dress-up games, but it seems a little too sensational given the fascist connections in his family. His father, Oswald Mosley, was the notorious WW2 era fascist leader in the UK. The whole thing has the look of a sting. The fact that he went for it, demonstrates a lapse in judgment - at a minimum.

An added twist in the affair came into play with the emergence of a connection to the British spy agency, MI5. Turns out one of the hookers who appears in the video is the wife of an MI5 intelligence officer. He has been forced to resign from the agency in the wake of the revelations. His wife used the name Mistress Abi. Sources claim she was responsible for secretly videotaping the session, in which she appears wearing a Luftwaffe uniform. She later sold the story to the News of the World paper for an undisclosed amount.

Earlier this week MI5 used Whitehall channels to deny that the agency set up a sting with the intention of discrediting Mosley.

According to Mosley, a source close to the security services warned him that he was being targeted in an undercover investigation into his private life. It was allegedly undertaken "by a group specializing in such things for reasons and clients as yet unknown."

The MI5 connection to the Mosley family goes quite a way back. Documents released from the Public Records Office in 2002 confirm that MI5 placed informants inside the British Union of Fascists in the 1930's. The informants relayed information to the agency until Oswald Mosley's arrest in 1940.

Mosley was heavily involved with his father's post-war party, the Union Movement (UM), with its distinctive flash and circle symbol. He acted as an election agent for the movement and in 1962 ended up in court as a result of a fracas that broke out in London. In the 1960's a number of British papers linked Max Mosley to the French right wing Organisation de l'Armee Secrete (OAS) that was involved in the Algerian war.

Mosley remains determined to fight for his job as president of FIA. He faces a confidence vote on June 3 when 220 members of the FIA assembly in Paris vote in a secret ballot.

Tags: Max Mosley, Nazi sex orgy, Formula One, MI5, Oswald Mosley, Mistress Abi

Formula One plus

Tags: Max Mosley, Formula One

Jo Garcia: Cyber Girl of the Year isn't faking it

Jo Garcia is Playboy magazine's "Cyber Girl of the Year."

It's hard not to be skeptical. Hot models who are game-challenged are often used to promote product, and Jo Garcia at first glance seems to be yet another pretty face.

Turns out Garcia actually is a bona fide player. She owns a Nintendo DS and a PSP. Some of her favorite games include Xenosaga and Radiata Stories.

She complains about the geek myth - the popular misconception that gamers are nerdy types who wear glasses. She's also down on gender bias and thinks women are in fact more discriminating consumers when it comes to games - not as easily sucked in by flashy promotions: " ... if a woman wants to play video games, she's going to buy it regardless of the ads."

Garcia clearly wants to straighten out a few stereotypes when it comes to the gaming world. So what about the Playboy stereotype - isn't she just another hot bod in Hef's stable of lookers?

Maybe the reason there are misconceptions out there about female players is because, unlike a Jo Garcia, they aren't as likely to get profiled. Not that Garcia's center-fold good looks should be held against her, but her looks are really the point aren't they - otherwise we wouldn't be reading about "Cyber Girl's" thoughts on the gaming world.

A more diverse representation of women players and producers (Jade Raymond comes to mind), would be helpful. There is definitely an attitude out there on the part of some male players and the truth is, Jo Garcia's thoughts on gaming will be duly noted by some because she's well ... hot.

Tags: Jo Garcia, Cyber Girl of the Year, Playboy, Xenosaga, Radiata Stories

George Bush: God talks to me

A BBC series that will go to air later this month, includes mention of a meeting Bush had with Palestinian leaders in 2003. It was during this meeting that Bush divulged his "special" relationship with the man upstairs.

In the BBC program - Elusive Peace: Israel and the Arabs - due to be aired this month, Palestinian foreign minister, Nabil Shaath, says he and Mahmoud Abbas were treated by Bush to the following revelation:

"I'm driven with a mission from God. God would tell me, 'George, go and fight those terrorists in Afghanistan.' And I did, and then God would tell me, 'George go and end the tyranny in Iraq,' and I did."

The hymn "In the Garden" that includes the lyrics "he walks with me and he talks with me" has nothing on the President's relationship with the great hypothetical. To hear Bush tell it you would think he had God on speed-dial.

Bush's ill-conceived "War on Terror," launched on the back of 9/11 and a pack of lies, features an enemy that has been largely concocted in order to justify Bush's madcap adventures. R.T. Naylor's book - "Satanic Purses: Money, Myth and Misinformation in the War on Terror" - exposes the inner-workings of a "war" that is more myth than reality.

The tall tale the Bush administration has been peddling about a global Islamic terror network stretching from the Middle East, to Chechnya and the jungles of the Philippines - is a fiction. Worse Bush has conned the American people into buying this fable - but who are they to argue, God himself is giving Bush inside tips.

The tragic part is that a good time Charlie with limited skills and childlike notions about "God" was ever let anywhere near the Presidency of the United States. The American people and the global community have paid a terrible price for this man's follies, including a massive civilian toll in Iraq and 1,950 dead American service men and women.

Recently Bush said that he honored the military dead by giving up golf - an unintentionally insulting statement that turned out to be a lie, since there is evidence that he went ahead and played golf anyway.

The idea that Iraq has now been "liberated" and "victory is at hand" is Bush administration propaganda. Buying-off Sunni insurgents and maintaining a tenuous grip on the security situation is a guarantee of nothing, especially given the changing dynamics in the Middle East.

The global tensions fired up by Bush, with quasi-religious warnings of "evil doers", an "axis of evil" and a mythical global terror organization with the backing of a sophisticated financial network, was the scenario he needed to justify his military adventures. God apparently was in on it all, urging Bush along a path of lunacy - pushing the world ever closer to the abyss - an abyss that yawns wider with Iran now in the cross hairs.

God of course is a great alibi. If your schemes backfire or when you are faced with the horrific consequences of your actions, you can say "God told me to do it" and absolve yourself of guilt and responsibility.

God is a hypothetical, but unfortunately George W. Bush isn't. Even with his popularity at an all-time low, he continues to embrace his delusional world view and mocks American Democrats as "appeasers" from a platform in the Knesset. His comparison of the situation in the Middle East with Nazi tanks rolling into Poland and the machinations of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich is inflammatory and wrong headed. At that stage in WW2 the prospect of military actions unleashing a nuclear disaster wasn't part of the equation, as it is now.

Bush's term as president is drawing to a close, but the consequences of his actions will continue to reap a bitter harvest for many years to come.

Tags: George Bush, Iraq, war on terror, God, Mahmoud Abbas, BBC, Elusive Peace: Israel and the Arabs

God talks to me

Gabriele Paolini: condom prophet jailed for offending Christianity

Didn't Jesus tell his followers that if someone strikes you on the cheek, turn the other cheek for more of the same? Well apparently this lesson has been lost on Italian authorities - a country where you can be jailed for insulting the representative of Jesus Christ on earth - an offense otherwise known as insulting state religion.

Gabriele Paolini, the man known as the "prophylactic prophet" and the "television polluter" has been sentenced to five months in jail for calling the late Pope John Paul ll gay.

Paolini, also known as the "condom prophet," began his career as a subverter of television after a close friend died of Aids. His one-man protest, set out to up-stage television shows in order to promote safe sex and the use of condoms.

He followed the reporters and would show up on TV screens around the nation wearing a chain of condoms around his neck - often gesticulating behind some journalist in the middle of a news report. His campaign was so successful that he made it into into the Guinness Book of Records for appearing on television 20,000 times over a six year period.

In 2005, he positioned himself behind a TV broadcast in Rome and called the late Pope John Paul ll gay. It is against the law in Italy to interrupt a public service. Dissing the Pope also brought the charge of insulting state religion.

Paolini isn't a quitter. Despite being roughed up and threatened on numerous occasions he persisted with his campaign. Given his track record, he should be able to survive the five month stint on the inside.

His website is at gabrielepaolini.com

Tags: Gabriele Paolini, jail sentence, Italy, condom prophet

Vatican: life on other planets a possibility

Rev Jose Gabriel Funes, head of the Vatican Observatory and a scientific adviser to the Pope believes there is a strong possibility that life exists on other planets.

The alien life forms Funes has in mind doesn't exclude a race with intelligence.

"Just as there is a multiplicity of creatures on earth, there can be other beings, even intelligent, created by God. This is not in contrast with our faith because we can't put limits on God's creative freedom."

Funes sees no contradiction in belief in the existence of such beings and faith in his God. He even speculates that a good name for them might be "brother extraterrestial". No mention if they might regard such a label as sexist.

It's unlikely that any alien civilization could possibly rival the Vatican when it comes to out-and-out weirdness. The present eccentric residing on the throne of St Peter is low key compared to some of the acts that preceded him.

"Sightings" of a supernatural sort are part of the Catholic tradition. Whether it be claims by the faithful that the late John Paul appeared in the flames of a bonfire in Poland, or reports of the Virgin Mary beaming herself down on various parts of the planet or weeping statues or saints bearing stigmata ... Catholicism incubates a type of credulity that can best be described as "childish."

The over-the-top spectacle is very much part of Vatican tradition. Where else would thousands of people crowd into a square in order to view an old man waving from a balcony.

Some of the stories that get leaked from the Vatican are stranger than science-fiction. Not so long ago we learned about the bizarre investigative techniques of a Vatican priest named Monsignor Thomas Stenico. He was caught on hidden camera making advances to a young man he was counseling. According to Stenico he was merely pretending to be gay in order to get a deeper insight into the lying ways of priests-in-the-closet.

The Catholic Church is a never-ending resource of surreal and other-worldly occurrences, so really it isn't in the least surprising that they have now included aliens in their list of out-there possibilities.

Tags: Vatican, aliens, Pope Benedict, Vatican Observatory, Jose Funes

No cameras!

Tags: Vatican, aliens, Pope Benedict, Vatican astronomer

Albert Einstein: 'belief in God childish'

There has been a lot of debate over the decades about Albert Einstein's views on religion. Those who hoped to claim Einstein for the God team sometimes made reference to his quotation: "science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." On the whole however, the great man remained fairly cryptic about where he stood on religious matters - until now that is.

An Einstein letter that had been in a private collection for 50 years has gone up for auction in London. The letter leaves no doubt where Einstein stood on matters of a higher power and the status of the Jews as God's "chosen people."

He wrote the letter on January 3 1954. It was addressed to the philosopher Eric Gutkind, who had sent Einstein a copy of his book - "Choose Life: The Biblical Call to Revolt."

In speaking of God, Einstein was surprisingly direct:

"The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this."

On the subject of the Jews as "chosen people", he is equally skeptical. He rejects the notion, and says that he finds them no different from any other people:

"For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions. And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people. As far as my experience goes, they are no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power. Otherwise I cannot see anything 'chosen' about them."

Although Einstein was skeptical when it came to the dogmas and myths of mainstream religion, it would be incorrect to describe him as an atheist. In fact he became upset when atheists attempted to "claim him" as one of their own.

There is no doubt that Einstein had a mystical side to his make-up. He referred to the "cosmic religious feeling" he experienced when engaged in his scientific work. Prior to his death in 1954, he spoke of the wish to "experience life as a single cosmic whole." His spirituality was intensely personal and not easily pigeonholed.

Although Einstein was positive about his Jewish background, he was a critic of Zionism. He added his signature to a group letter published in the New York Times in 1948, that condemned an unprovoked attack on the peaceful Arab village of Deir Yassin.

This excerpt from the letter describes the incident:

"A shocking example was their behavior (Freedom Party) in the Arab village of Deir Yassin. This village, off the main roads and surrounded by Jewish lands, had taken no part in the war, and had even fought off Arab bands who wanted to use the village as their base. On April 9, terrorist bands attacked this peaceful village, which was not a military objective in the fighting, killed most of its inhabitants - 240 men, women, and children - and kept a few of them alive to parade as captives through the streets of Jerusalem."

A little known fact is that Einstein was approached by Israel and offered the position of the state's president - an offer he declined.

Tags: Albert Einstein, Gutkind letter, God, Israel, Jews, chosen people

Stephen Harper goes too far with his pro-Israel stance

In a recent speech to mark the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel, Canadian PM Stephen Harper suggested that hatred for the state of Israel is tantamount to hatred for the Jewish people:

"Unfortunately, Israel at 60 remains a country under threat - threatened by those groups and regimes who deny to this day its right to exist ... And why? Make no mistake, look beyond the thinly veiled rationalizations: Because they hate Israel, just as they hate the Jewish people."

Linking Israel and "the Jewish people" in this fashion, raises questions about Harper's Zionist sympathies and evangelical affiliations. It is reminiscent of the language used by certain pro-Israel US pastors.

Since Harper's focus was Israel and its 60th anniversary, it's worth pointing out that Israel is not in fact "Jewish", unless you consider non-Jewish Israelis to be widgets rather than citizens. The Jewish population of Israel is around the 76% mark. There are also 16.3% Muslims, 2.1% Christian, 1.7% Druze.

The identification of the state of Israel with Jewishness entails a leap that some Israelis themselves would question - not just progressive Israeli secularists and Arab Israelis, but also those orthodox Jews who have consistently drawn a line between their Jewish faith and the Zionist state.

Here in Canada, Yakov M. Rabkin, a Professor of History at the University of Montreal, is the author of "Threat Within: A Century of Jewish Opposition to Zionism". A passage from the book illustrates the impact of Zionism upon pure, Torah-based Judaism:

"Worse than the toll of suffering, exploitation, death, and desecration of the Torah, has been the inner rot that Zionism has injected into the Jewish soul. It has dug deep into the essence of being a Jew ... It has wreaked havoc among Jews both in Israel and America, by casting us in the role of Goliath-like oppressors. It has made cruelty and corruption the norm for its followers."

Harper's linking of hatred of Israel with hatred of Jews is a way of closing down political criticism of Israel by inferring that its critics are anti-Semitic.

The truth is many Jews do in fact question the state of Israel, while continuing to defend its existence. One such group is the Alliance of Concerned Jewish Canadians, that speaks out against Israeli policies they consider unjust. Are they also anti-Semitic?

Harper has taken such an extreme position on Israel that it is an embarrassment to many Canadians who value the traditional role Canada has played in international affairs. The one-sided views of the Prime Minister were echoed by comments made by Alan Baker, Israeli ambassador to Canada. Baker told The Globe and Mail that Muslims were having a growing influence on the foreign policies of European nations, and he 'feared' this might also turn out to be the case in Canada.

Baker seems to be inferring that Canadian Muslims are somehow crossing a line if they presume to advance their rights and interests as Canadian citizens. He refers to Canadian Muslims as having "their own values and principles". Note to Mr Baker: Canada isn't a lobby for the state of Israel (yet) ... Canada is a fully fledged democracy and the views of Canadian Muslims are no less valid than the views of Canadian Jews.

It should be noted in this context that according to the 2001 census, Muslims in Canada number 580,000 as compared with Jewish Canadians at 330,000.

Baker said: "I've got nothing against the fact that Muslims are members of the Canadian Parliament". Well that's very big of him. Canada isn't doing its Muslim citizens a favor by including them in the political process - it is their right.

Baker appears to be projecting the second-class status of Arab Israelis onto Canadian Muslims - a mistake, because unlike 'democracy' in Israel - democracy in Canada isn't a front for an entrenched supremacist ideology - at least not yet. At its best Canada is about equal opportunity and fair play for all.

The disproportionate influence of the pro-Israel lobby in Canada, and the extent to which that influence has impacted the policies of the Tory Party should be a matter of grave concern to those Canadians who believe that the role of Canada on the international stage should be a broader and less partisan one than that currently being pursued by Stephen Harper.

Tags: Stephen Harper, Israel, Alan Baker, Rabbi Teitelbaum, Yakov M. Rabkin, Zionism

Don't tell Harper

Tags: Stephen Harper, orthodox Jews, Israel, Zionism

Saturday Night Live: New York Times article: worth repeating

Saturday Night Live said what a lot of people have been thinking - that Hillary Clinton is dividing America along racial lines with her ill advised comments. Behind the satire of the Amy Poehler skit there is more than a grain of truth.

In an interview with USA Today, Clinton said:

" ... Sen. Obama's support among hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again ... whites in both states (Indiana and N.Carolina) who had not completed college were supporting me."

Clinton supporter Rep Charles Rangel described it as "the dumbest thing she could have said."

On SNL Amy Poehler did a good Clinton impersonation. In giving reasons why she would make the better president, Poehler's Clinton said "I am a sore loser ... I would probably refuse to campaign for him." Another reason ... "my supporters are racist."

Check out the video clip at this link.

----------

In the New York Times a Bob Herbert article - "Seeds of Destruction" - is a must read.

Herbert quotes Clinton's 'white American' comments and her follow-up remark ... "there's a pattern emerging here."

He goes on to add:

"There is, indeed. There was a name for it when the Republicans were using that kind of lousy rhetoric to good effect: it was called the Southern strategy, although it was hardly limited to the South. Now the Clintons, in their desperation to find some way — any way — back to the White House, have leapt aboard that sorry train."

Tags: Bob Herbert, Hillary Clinton, New York Times, Saturday Night Live

John Hagee: an endorsement America doesn't need

When it comes to media bias there is no better example than the laser beam of attention that has been focused on Barack Obama's relationship with the Rev Jeremiah Wright. Despite Obama's public rejection of statements made by Wright, some media outlets continue to try and smear him by association.

How can you make a church member an "accessory" to a pastor's rhetoric? It's a ridiculous concept. In fact, many church goers sit in pews on a Sunday and find themselves in disagreement with the statements made from the pulpit. Pastors aren't elected officials, they are free to state their opinions, and congregants are free to agree or disagree as the case may be. Sitting in the pews or having children baptized in the church certainly doesn't make congregants partisans when it comes to every word that comes out of a pastor's mouth.

Outspoken though the Rev Wright may be, he isn't close to being as objectionable as the Rev John Hagee, the televangelist who endorsed John Mccain.

Hagee is CEO of Global Evangelism and senior pastor of the Cornerstone Church in Texas that lists more than 19,000 active members. He is behind Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a Christian lobbying organization that pushes pro-Zionist views and promotes a hard line approach to Iran.

Hagee is an un-apologetic war monger. He makes no secret of his drive to push for a US confrontation with Iran. He is also a bigot. After Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans he claimed it was an act of God directed at the city to punish it for its tolerance of homosexuality. He only retracted these comments after McCain denounced them.

Even though McCain has distanced himself from Hagee's more extreme statements, he hasn't backed away from the endorsement. Quite the contrary, he is on record saying he's "glad to have the endorsement." McCain has also praised Hagee in media interviews: "I admire and respect Dr. Hagee's leadership ... I admire and appreciate his advocacy for the state of Israel, the independence of the state of Israel."

McCain's praise for a conspiracy nut who believes that bodies such as the UN, the National Education Association and the Council on Foreign Relations are all part of the work of the Antichrist and his coming "one-world order", apparently isn't enough to prompt serious in-depth media attention. Moreover the senator 'admires' a man who views Israel and war with Iran in the context of a coming end-time apocalypse. Doesn't this merit serious scrutiny? Yet the media is talking about Jeremiah Wright!

The truth is evangelical preachers who hype their patriotism and pro-Israel credentials can get away with outspoken bigotry and the worst type of jingoism in America today. If they represent millions of members, viewers and subscribers politicians on the right will hold their nose and thank them for the endorsement. These religious hard liners are the very worst advertisement for America on the international stage, and yet none of these high rollers is ever subjected to the type of negative attention reserved for a Jeremiah Wright - unless they screw up in some major way and draw attention to themselves as was the case with Ted Haggard.

John McCain is being endorsed by an ill-informed extremist whose grasp of the political realities in the Middle East is predicated on his prejudices. Hagee has referred to Iranian Shia fundamentalists as "Wahabbists" which is complete nonsense. Wahabbism is a movement within Sunni Islam. Iran is predominantly a Shiite nation. Hagee has also been raving about the nuclear capability of Iran, deliberately exaggerating the threat in order to spread fear and alarm among his listeners.

Millions of Americans today seek change. They seek better relations on the international stage. They seek renewed hope in the common future of mankind. War mongers like John Hagee are committed to a politics of confrontation based upon delusional end-time prophesies. The man who McCain admires, represents a form of right wing extremism that America should categorically reject this coming November when voters go to the polls to choose the 44th president of the United States.

Tags: John Hagee, John McCain, Global Evangelism, CUFI, Barack Obama, Jeremiah Wright

Me bad

Tags: John Hagee, Jeremiah Wright, John McCain

Josef Fritzl: a need to confess

Josef Fritzl, the Austrian man accused of imprisoning and raping his daughter, has made a frank confession to Austrian prosecutors. He asked for the confession to be released to the media.

Fritzl is upset. He thinks the media portrayal of him as a monster is one-sided. He claims he was driven to incarcerate his daughter for 24 years in the basement of his house because of "an addiction". The same addiction presumably that took him to Thailand for sex vacations.

Not only did his daughter Elizabeth become his entombed sex slave, she became the mother of his kids, seven in all - a grand total of fourteen when you include the children he had with his wife, Rosemarie. Fritzl's patriarchal control over the women in his family had something perversely Biblical about it. He even referred to the basement as "my kingdom".

Rosemarie went along with Fritzl's story that Elisabeth had run off to join a cult. She bought every tall tale he dreamed up, as did the neighbors apparently and the authorities. When Fritzl told Rosemarie that three kids had been dropped off at the house by Elisabeth - on a day off from cult duties presumably - she went along with that also. Given her lack of radar, you suspect he could have told her that Elisabeth had been abducted by space aliens and that the kids had been beamed down from a UFO without stirring up much suspicion.

The way Austrians have been depicted in the course of this affair makes them appear naive or possibly disinterested. Actually a more accurate explanation would be to say that there is a strong conservative streak in Austrian society. People tend to mind their own business and expect the same from others.

In an article in the The Guardian titled "How many more of our missing are stuck in some underground prison?", Austrian author Thomas Glavinic captures the attitude very well:

"The countryside hates everything that is at a distance: the government, the EU, the Americans, the Jews. There are old-boy networks and there is peer pressure. Those who don't work for their local voluntary fire brigade or at least donate money to their village fete are branded oddballs or outsiders. The rest, on the other hand, could beat up their wives and kids in their spare time. We wouldn't care. "It's just none of our business." "

Politeness goes a long way in Austria according to Glavinic:

"Most Austrians think that someone who greets them politely on the street is a decent man, and they would see no reason to question that theory even if that same person had a blood-smeared body bag hanging over his shoulder."

He describes a recent incident involving a wandering four year old to illustrate the prevailing attitudes:

" ... this is a country where last week a four-year-old traveled 120 miles from Graz to Vienna Neustadt on his own ... not a single person noticed him. Austrians hardly ever notice anything that might cause them discomfort."

The readiness to take Fritzl's tales at face value and the myopia of associates when it came to his behavior suggests most went along with his version. If they didn't it wasn't enough to raise the alarm.

The justifications in Fitzl's "confession" are undercut with self-pity. He refers to 'rescuing' his daughter from her terrible habits - smoking and drinking. Apparently imprisoning Elisabeth and forcing her into an incestuous relationship struck him as a reasonable antidote.

He denies Elisabeth's claim that he had sex with her when she was 11 and says he waited until she was older before raping her. The fact that he appears to believe that this will cast him in a better light demonstrates his complete failure to grasp the moral implications of his behavior.

When asked about a rape he committed in 1967, his response was "I don't know what came into me". You get the feeling that he sees himself as a naughty boy who misbehaved but who is basically a fine fellow underneath it all. The influence of the tyrannical mother has clearly left its mark.

The manners the mother sought to instill in him, he identifies with the 'Nazi era of my youth' - "I have always valued decency and good behavior".

The Nazis adherence to regimented outer form masked an amoral will to power. In Fritzl's case, despite the dark secret in his basement, he never for a moment dropped his gentlemanly conduct when out and about. Many locals who encountered him spoke of him in approving terms.

Fritzl's efforts to normalize the basement horror, by referring to it as his "second family" only adds to the underlying sense of revulsion.

In the prison in St Polten where he is being held, fellow inmates have been banging on the walls of his cell shouting "Satan we are going to kill you."

Tags: Josef Fritzl, Austria, Elisabeth Fritzl, Thomas Glavinic, Rosemarie Fitzl, basement

Hillary Clinton: a genuine talent

Hillary Clinton missed her real vocation - acting. She's a natural.

In the early going before the Democratic campaign became seriously competitive we were treated to the patrician-in-waiting. She looked almost like American royalty putting in time before her coronation. She said everything short of "I am the Democratic nominee - period."

The condescending, even elitist side of Hillary came through as her campaign kicked into gear. We were told that Obama lacked experience, that his judgment and patriotism were suspect. There were even doubts cast about his personal integrity.

To Clinton's growing alarm, the upstart who had the temerity to go toe-to-toe with her began to steal the ground from under her feet. You could see on TV how badly she was stung. Her pride was wounded.

When Obama dropped the "bitter" comments about white working class voters who "cling to guns or religion", Hillary seized the opportunity. Annie Oakley kicked in. With her back to the wall, Hillary grabbed the nearest flag and became the pumped up patriot. The toney senator morphed into a gritty woman with a raspy voice, eager to rub shoulders with the folks and down a couple of shots. She informed us that her parents were regular church goin' folk and that she had been a gun user from way back.

Next up was Hillary Uberbush. On ABC she shocked even hard bitten Republican hawks by saying that if Iran targeted Israel - she would hit the button and "totally obliterate" Iran. Talk about taking it to the limit and beyond. That was a statement designed to shock America awake. It was meant to bring those Americans on-side who still had lingering doubts about her toughness and willingness to follow through. Thing is ... who was the woman who said that? She bore little resemblance to the Hillary Clinton who appeared on MSNBC last October with Brian Williams and stated a preference for a diplomatic approach to Iran.

Americans are shrewd when it comes to political gamesmanship. Sure they are patriotic, most of them, but they don't fall too easily for obvious lures. A percentage of Democrats were taken in by Hillary's patriotic show and her bravado, many of of them white women of a certain age. But a larger percentage of voters didn't buy it, as the results from North Carolina and Indiana demonstrated - not because Americans questioned her patriotism, but because they questioned her motivation. The bandwagon effect she hoped would turn the race around, was out of gas before it even got rolling.

She looks set to win West Virginia and Kentucky. The demographics work in her favor. White working men have been voting for Clinton in higher numbers. But even with both states the math still won't add up on her side of the ledger.

Gabor Steingart's recent article explores the saga of the "two Hillarys" in "The End of the Clinton Era":

"The longer the campaign went on, the more these two Hillarys diverged from one another. One was a great lady, the other nothing less than a great fighter. She pulled out all the stops, resorting to everything, including self denial."

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Democratic campaign, Barack Obama, Annie Oakley, Iran

Hillary Clinton Question

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Democratic race

Benoite Rencurel: Church says 17th century Virgin Mary sighting now approved

Given the current pope's medieval fetish, it's hardly surprising that Marian apparitions and other "supernatural" visions are back in vogue with a growing percentage of the faithful. With Benedict's reactionary streak, crowds of chanting penitents flagellating themselves in St Peter's Square doesn't seem beyond the realm of possibility.

In an effort to defeat his enemy secularism with its dread "moral relativism", Benedict appears to be prepared to let a type of spiritual relativism slip in the back door of the Church - a populist relativism derived from myths, superstitions and tall tales. The bones of the saints, bleeding Christs, weeping Virgin Marys and other phenomena draw millions of pilgrims and generate publicity and cash. It's a way of impressing the impressionable, and on a less obvious, yet no less pernicious level, extending the influence of the Vatican.

Recently we learned that the Church has decided to give its stamp of recognition to the visions of a 17 year old shepherd girl named Benoite Rencurel who lived in a region of the French Alps during the 17th century. It is now "official" that the Virgin beamed herself down centuries ago to commune with Benoite under snow capped Alpine peaks.

How can clerics huddled on a panel have the first clue about the inner state of a 17th century teen, let alone pass judgment on the nature of her "visions"? Officials at Notre-Dame-du-Laus church have even established a timeline for the sightings. According to their Virgin Mary replay-by-replay commentator, Benoite had daily visions for four months. When you consider that even mystics of Theresa of Avila stature had their off days, daily supernatural visions of the Virgin Mary for four months straight seems almost the visionary equivalent of the Boston Marathon.

Daily sightings over such a lengthy period make you wonder if the "visions" weren't either being made up or induced.

Let's face it, must have been rather boring being out with the sheep all day for a 17 year old. I bet even the fabulous vistas offered by the French Alps seemed ordinary to Benoite as she kept an eye on her woolly charges. She probably amused herself to cut the boredom. Perhaps she even experimented with some of the plants, nibbling them cautiously by way of a taste test.

The genepi, is a pale yellow flower that grows in parts of the French Alps. It is related to wormwood, the hallucinogenic plant that goes into the making of absinthe. According to a writer who sampled the genepi liqueur made in the French Alps - he got as high as a kite. Perhaps the young Benoite knew of ways to prepare a plant of this sort in order to achieve interesting effects. Moreover hundreds of years ago the flora and fauna in the region was probably quite different. There is no knowing what other pick-me-ups with hallucinogenic properties she had at her finger tips.

That her visions centered around the Virgin Mary is hardly surprising. In Catholic 17th century Europe, religion and its icons heavily conditioned the minds of the young. The imagery was lying dormant in the subconscious waiting for a little stimulus. One wonders how she managed to keep it together to do the job? Perhaps a couple of good dogs took over when she was too out-of-it to wield her stave.

Church sleuths can't prove Benoite's visions were "supernatural". Equally they have no way of finally determining whether or not they were induced or fabricated. It comes down to common sense. The idea of a 17 year old girl with a job to do, being visited daily for four months straight by the alleged "Mother of God", who apparently had nothing better to do with her share of eternity than hang out in an Alpine meadow, is quite simply a ludicrous concept.

In earlier centuries, eccentric individuals in the grip of extreme psychological states brought about by poverty, hunger, hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms, religious psychosis and even by insanity often attracted a cultlike following of the faithful and the curious. Some were regarded by the Church of the time as heretics, but a surprising number have been reinvented and brought back into the fold. The never ending procession of saints helps to generate yet more pilgrims, yet more donations and publicity to help float the ecclesiastical circus that is the Church of Rome.

The truly amazing part of all this, aren't the alleged visions - the amazing part are the throngs of the impressionable ready to buy into any old story of miracles and visions so long as it carries the Vatican seal of approval.

Tags: Benoite Rencurel, Virgin Mary, Catholic Church, visions, Vatican, supernatural

French Muslims: facing an uphill battle

The Muslim community in France faces an uphill battle for recognition. Much like early Irish immigrants to America who were regarded as a faceless aggregate - "the Irish" - immigrants of Islamic background in France have suffered similar generic branding, in their case religion being the handy catch-all label - "the Muslims".

Contrary to popular perception only 10% of French Muslims actively practice their religion in the form of regular attendance at mosque. Muslim youth labeled as junior jihadists by some right wing pundits during the urban rioting, were acting out for reasons that had nothing to do with religion. Kamel Kabtane, head of the Great Mosque in Lyon, is unambiguous on that point: "The unrest in the suburbs has absolutely nothing to do with faith." Kabtane puts it down to ethnic and religious discrimination, social exclusion and high unemployment.

The relegation of French Muslims to the fringes of French society makes the cry "liberte, egalite, fraternite" little more than a hollow cliche, a high minded ideal subject to unwritten discrimination clauses. The nation that gave the world the Declaration of Human Rights, is challenged when it comes to extending these rights to its own minorities.

In an article "French Muslims Fight for Recognition and Respect", Stefan Simons describes the form some of this discrimination takes:

"Muslims experience discrimination on a daily basis: when their tickets are checked on the metro, when they have to meet the bouncer’s approval to enter a disco, when they go in for a job interview and when they apply for a bank loan. "We live half an hour from Charles de Gaulle Airport where there are plenty of jobs available,” says a member of a local council in the Parisian suburb of Villiers-le-Bel, “but when a youth named Hakim, Mohammed or Bashir applies for a position, his application is thrown straight into the wastebasket." "

The French sociologist, Laurent Mucchielli, has some interesting views on the root causes that led to the rioting in the Paris suburbs:

"The violence erupting on the outskirts of French cities stems from the disintegration process of gradual "ghettoization." Residents of other neighborhoods also experience injustice and humiliation. They experience daily ordeals in four areas: the relationship with the police, the fact that their children are doing poorly in school, unemployment and their status as immigrants. "We are treated like dogs," say the residents of the suburbs."

Right wing pundits such as Steyn refer sarcastically to the use of terms such as "youths" in the Euro media. His point of course being that it's just a euphemism for young, scary, out-of-control Muslims ready and willing to take advantage of an aging population. Pundits keen to label young Musims along these lines, rarely look at the causes, or if they do, remain disinclined to budge from their paranoid conspiracy theories.

How is a kid supposed to react when he sees his father sitting home day after day and he begins to realize that his people might as well have the mark of Cain branded on their foreheads? Is he supposed to take that, even when he knows that despite all his best efforts and a college degree, he could still face rejection based upon his name and heritage. This isn't exactly a motivating factor that gives rise to optimism, or even honest effort. When young people share the common conviction that they are despised outsiders, spectators on the fringe of a society that masks an anti-Muslim agenda, they will of course create their own form of resistance.

In N. Ireland prior to and during the troubles, Irish nationalists of Catholic background faced systemic discrimination at the hands of a Protestant (British) majority. Civil rights protests did little to change a status quo that was riddled with injustice. It took the emergence of the provisional IRA and years of bloody carnage before people woke up and realized the old order and the old way of doing business could no longer be sustained. Without the bomb and the bullet, would N. Ireland have reached its current power-sharing arrangement, with the surreal vision of Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley sitting as co-partners? The answer sadly is most probably a negative.

When I read the posts of right wing pundits detailing crimes carried out by "the youths" or "persons of immigrant background", it occurs to me that from another point-of-view it is remarkable that France isn't facing organized insurrection in the bleak urban ghettos where tensions are sky high and violence lies close to the surface. Despite stories in the press of immigrant crime, the greater and seldom acknowledged truth, is that the vast majority of French Muslims are law abiding and have shown remarkable constraint.

Muslim immigrants contributed mightily to the building of the modern French nation. As Kaleb Kabtane points out, in the 1950's foreign workers came to France from Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. It was their labor that helped to build the success of the postwar years.

Change is gradually coming about in France, but too slowly. A minority of Muslims have made their mark in the higher echelons of corporate and civic life. Some of the better known names include Rachida Dati, the Minister of Justice and Fadela Amara, the Secretary of State for Urban Policies. However the success of a tiny minority is no barometer of the difficult circumstances many Muslims continue to face in France.

Laurent Mucchielli has some insights on the challenges facing France in the area of urban renewal:

"Thirty urban renewal plans have been presented since 1977. The renovation or demolition of the huge concrete boxes where many people live can be useful. But parks and attractive streets cannot eliminate unemployment, poor educational opportunities and the second-class status of immigrant children ... The diagnoses have been on the table for the past 20 years. As of October 2004, we even have a "National Supervisory Authority for Unstable Urban Zones," which keeps itself busy submitting thick reports. What we need is a comprehensive plan of action based on these analysis of the problems involved."

Tags: French Muslims, Kamel Kabtane, Stephan Simons, Laurent Mucchielli, Rachida Dati, Fadela Amara, urban ghetto

We never want to be accused of discrimination

Mayor Boris Johnson: a Tory liability?

Not every UK Conservative is equally chuffed that Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson has been elected Mayor of London. Tory leader, David Cameron, is known to have reservations, particularly given Johnson's long track record of clownish behavior. Cameron's views of Johnson includes the characterization - an "amusing liability."

The election of Johnson as Mayor was greeted rather ironically by a number of Tories. A friend referred to him as the "accidental Mayor". When the election result was announced Johnson himself gave the impression that an accident had occurred. Apparently he wasn't expecting to win, and when reality dawned he looked shell shocked, or as one onlooker put it - "more like the loser."

Eccentricity runs in the family apparently. When Johnson's father Stanley got news of the win he said that since Boris was good at Greek and Latin, he would certainly be able to run London. Daddy didn't elaborate on the esoteric connection between knowledge of classical languages and running cities, although it is possible there are more taxi drivers with Arts degrees than previously thought.

It's not surprising there are some nervous Tories out there. Johnson's "gaffes" aren't the sort of one-off bloopers the term "gaffe" usually implies. Johnson himself is a walking gaffe and his behavior is simply an extension of the gaffe-within. Some people are fans of his clownish ways, but it mightn't play so well in his new role.

There are a lot of very good reasons why Johnson shouldn't be allowed near the office of the Mayor of London.

In 1990 he gave out the home address of the journalist Stuart Collier to an Old Etonian named Darius Guppy. He released this information despite knowing that Guppy wanted to have the journalist beaten up for some perceived insult or other. This is the same man who has been campaigning for London Mayor by hyping crime concerns.

Johnson's history of screwing up dates back to the 1980's. In 1987 when he was trainee reporter with the Times, he was fired for falsifying a quote from his godfather, Oxford historian Colin Lucas. A gaffe he has referred to as "my biggest cock-up."

In 2004, he apologized for an unsigned editorial that appeared in the New Statesman (which he later took responsibility for) in which the city of Liverpool was accused of having "victim status" and 'wallowing'. The editorial criticized the city over expressions of grief for Ken Bigley, the British contractor was was captured in Iraq and beheaded. Johnson was ordered by Michael Howard to go to Liverpool and apologize.

In addition to offending a city, Johnson also succeeded in insulting an entire country. In a Daily Telegraph column he wrote the following:

"For 10 years we in the Tory Party have become used to Papua New Guinea-style orgies of cannibalism and chief-killing, and so it is with a happy amazement that we watch as the madness engulfs the Labour Party."

Papua New Guinea's high commissioner in London wasn't amused, and demanded an apology.

Johnson's racist remarks over the years rule him out as a man capable of dealing with the multicultural society London has become. In columns in the Telegraph in 2002 he described participants in the Congolese civil war as “crowds of flag-waving piccaninnies" and referred to people with "watermelon smiles."

When David Cameron praised the TV chef Jamie Oliver for doing more for school food than the government had, Johnson weighed in at a later point with remarks that contradicted the Tory chief. He said: "If I was in charge I would get rid of Jamie Oliver and tell people to eat what they like ... mothers have been driven to pushing pies through fences. The solution is not to provide healthy stuff."

The litany of past missteps and gaffes are just symptoms of a deeper disconnect. The main objection to Johnson as Mayor of a city that many people around the world regard as a cultural leader, is the fact that he is a throwback. His views on homosexuality are regressive. Of course when campaigning for Mayor he attempted to minimize or trivialize earlier remarks such as "pulpit poofs" and a characterization of gay marriage as "two men and a dog." He represents class-based privilege and his attitudes suggest that his worldview derives from that perspective. If he succeeds as Mayor, it will be an anomaly - not the type of progressive leadership London needs.

Possibly most worrisome to his colleagues, is Johnson's tendency to behave in a perverse, up-you fashion. In 2006 when the Tories went green as a result of David Cameron's efforts to reinvent the party along lines that would appeal to a broader section of the electorate, Johnson used his column in the Daily Telegraph to repeatedly attack environmentalists and their causes.

Mayor Boris could well turn out to be a thorn in the side of the Tories. Whether or not he might end up costing them votes is conjecture at this point. One thing for certain though, it should be a fairly engaging few years - especially if you have a fondness for the circus.

Tags: Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, gaffes, Tories, Petronella Wyatt, David Cameron, Michael Howard

Boris Johnson gets serious

Tags: Boris Johnson, London, Mayor

Gordon Brown: dead man walking?

If New Labour in the UK doesn't want to exit into the twilight zone when voters next go to the polls, they should give serious consideration to replacing Gordon Brown. Foreign affairs minister Miliband has been mentioned as a possible candidate for top office.

Gordon Brown I'm sure is a decent human being, but unfortunately his image in the media gives the impression of someone washed up on a desert island, or possibly a beached whale. Despite setback after setback, he rumbles on assuring Brits that he's on top of a situation that appears to require a flotation device. He is a human version of the Titanic, slowly going under, bubbles rising, while his colleagues pretend not to notice. Assurances that he will "listen and lead" are unlikely to turnaround negative perceptions of Brown as a blunderer and own-goal scorer.

Part of his problem is as basic as personality. He has difficulty connecting, let alone inspiring. Tony Blair despite the baggage of Iraq and Bush, managed to maintain his sheen even though he was widely despised. Not being liked isn't necessarily a handicap in politics provided you appear teflon-like, energized and on top of your game. Compared to Blair, Brown seems passive and introverted.

Labour's national share of the vote has plummeted to 24% - the lowest level since the 1960's - less than the Liberal Democrats at 25%. The Conservatives have soared to 44%, enough to give the Tories under David Cameron a resounding majority in a general election. In London, conservative Boris Johnson has been elected mayor.

The defeat of Ken Livingstone had much to do with his drift to the right which resulted in loss of support in his traditional base. His decision to abandon his independent status and get into bed with New Labour tied him to Brown's sinking ship.

Speaking from his echo chamber, Gordon Brown referred to it as a "bad night."

Gordon Brown goes to the doctor

Tags: Gordon Brown, New Labour

May Day mayhem in Hamburg, Germany

On May Day street battles broke between neo-Nazis and anti-fascist leftists in Hamburg. It was estimated that 1,100 right wing extremists faced off against some 7,000 leftist demonstrators, ready and willing to challenge the "ownership" of the streets of Hamburg by neo-Nazis. According to UK Indymedia it was the most intense May Day fighting seen for some 30 years.

The event that led to the rioting, was a march by neo-Nazis through Hamburg to protest the newly elected city parliament - referred to by some on the right as a "gay government" - a reference to the election of an openly homosexual mayor. The demonstration featured a speech by Jurgen Rieger, a neo-Nazi attorney and the head of the extremist National Democratic Party (NDP).

Prior to the demonstration, neo-Nazi thugs seized control of two cars on a commuter train, and used the loudspeaker to broadcast xenophobic messages. One of the messages issued the "order" that "Starting today, the German National Railway will transport foreigners and Germans in separate cars." The speaker also made the comment that for foreigners "freight cars are available."

Criticism has been leveled at a local upper administrative court by the police union. The union claims the chaos that erupted in Hamburg was due to a decision by the court to invalidate a police order that prohibited right-wing and left-wing protests from coming into contact with each other.

However the truth is, the large leftist presence disrupted and prevented the neo-Nazis from having it their way in Hamburg, with the benefit of police protection. The perception on the part of many on the German left that the police cover for neo-Nazis, was borne out by claims that police did nothing when the neo-Nazis seized the two commuter cars.

It is no surprise the left mounted a strenuous challenge in Hamburg. Much of the street fighting according to reports on the ground was initiated by groups of protesters using anarchist black block tactics.

The distrust many German activists have for the police is based on past experience of over-the-top police brutality. Participants in peaceful demonstrations have been subjected to water cannons, pepper spray, kicks, punches, and swoops by snatch squads. These police tactics were on display at the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

In Berlin police chief Dieter Glietsch was targeted with stones and bottles. He was forced to seek protection inside a protected police vehicle. The clash took place in the Kreuzberg district that has been the scene of violent May Day clashes in the past.

Tags: May Day, Hamburg, rioting, neo-Nazis, Jurgen Rieger, NDP, xenophobia

Haifa Wehbe: performs in Bahrain despite a ban

The Bahrain parliament is conservative, even by Gulf standards. The MP's have a track record of targeting entertainment they consider too liberal. Female Lebanese singers in particular have come in for close attention.

Much to the annoyance of Bahrainis who like to have fun, the parliament decided to ban an upcoming Haifa Wehbe show. They claim that Wehbe's performance would be too sexually provocative and would violate Islamic conventions.

It seems a little hypocritical to discriminate against Haifa Wehbe in this way. Tourists in Bahrain can go to night clubs and hotels to watch belly dancers. The belly dance, known as Raks al Sharki, has plenty of sex appeal - so much so it is even banned in countries with strict Islamic laws.

The concert ban went ahead despite assurances by Tariq Al Bahhar, a media spokesperson for Ms Wehbe. He made it clear that the show wouldn't breach any of Bahrain's laws. He also said that the performer would "cover up" with the assistance of jeans and a sweater. This apparently wasn't enough for the austere lawmakers.

In 2003 Bahraini MP's also made a fuss about a concert by another Lebanese singer, Nancy Ajram. The legislators negative views of female performers who are slightly risque isn't appreciated by those Bahrainis who believe that their representatives should be focusing on more important concerns such as education and the economy. But perhaps a few of the MP's get a secret thrill from obsessing about sexually provocative singers - who knows some of them might even have Haifa Wehbe videos at home in some out-of-the-way place - just for reviewing purposes of course.

Bahrain Business Women's Society president, Mona Almoayyed, opposes the ban. She believes a hostile act by a competitor might also be behind it:

"She (Wehbe) is a singer and she isn't going to do anything wrong. She'll come, sing and entertain the people, including Bahraini families as well as families from Saudi who will be coming to see the show ... If MPs feel the concert is offensive, they shouldn't go to it and should stay at home. I am completely against their attitude and I think it's against Bahrain's reputation and tourism."

Haifa Wehbe is a courageous woman. She isn't easily intimidated by prudes who feel threatened by female sexuality. Compared to many Western acts, her performances are quite restrained. She comes from a mixed Sunni/Shia background and is respectful of Islamic law. Her detractors should note that she has dedicated her time and talents to charity shows worldwide.

I updated this post when news came in today, May 1st, that Haifa Wehbe decided to go ahead with the Bahrain show despite the opposition by Islamists. She was dressed modestly in a long green dress. The audience consisted mainly of families, with Gulf Arabs also in attendance from neighboring countries. According to those fortunate enough to get a ticket it was a great success. Kudos to Haifa!

Tags: Haifa Wehbe, Bahrain, Nancy Ajram, Mona Almoayyed, belly dancing, Islamists

Bill Clinton: making a killing in Canada

Bill Clinton has paid numerous visits to Canada over the past few years.

Not so long ago when there were complaints that his intrusive presence and off-the-cuff remarks were hindering rather than helping his wife's re-election chances, where does the former pres show up? Canada. I opened the Toronto Star and there was the gray mane - the distinctive jaw working overtime - as Bill C put in yet more Canadian quality time.

Does he have a deep and abiding affection for Canada that he's never fully confessed? Is there a woman up here who he sees on the side? Does he find the air more bracing? Whatever it is, it keeps him coming back for more ... and more.

Turns out it's more about cash than love - although love also plays into it. Love and narcissism are co-dependent in the Clinton universe, and a lot of Canadians dig Bill in the way Bill digs being dug.

Clinton doesn't talk cheap. During an 18 month period, he made $2.8 million from speaking appearances in Canada. He collected close to $350,000 for one speech alone, at the Power Within Event in Vancouver.

His speaking gigs in Europe have been even more lucrative. He made $1 million for three speeches in London and Dublin in September 2006. The next year during a four day trip through Scandinavian countries, he picked up $1.48 million for five speeches.

The Clintons tax returns and financial disclosure filings, indicate that Bill C has made about $52 million all told in speaking engagements. Roughly $5.2 million of that was made in Canada. When you think about it though, $52 million on speeches is pretty darn ... well incredible. A shoo-in for the Guinness Book of Records.

The post-White House enterprises of "Clinton Inc" have proved to be very lucrative indeed. In addition to his speeches, Bill Clinton has earned $29.6 million from his writings ... Hillary some $10.46 million.

It's true, the Clintons give about 10% of proceeds to charity, which is higher than the average of 3% for people in that financial bracket. Given their public profile though, they are pretty much obligated to go the extra mile.

The William J. Clinton Foundation, the non-profit charity in New York, has a $60 million annual budget. Some of Clinton's speeches have gone toward supporting the Foundation. For some unknown reason the Clintons have declined to reveal the size and sources of the payments for speeches delivered on behalf of charity. Making money is great, supporting charity is admirable - however for people whose extraordinary success derives from public service, transparency is equally important.

Over and above charity considerations, a person could be excused for thinking that the former pres has been exploiting his legend with an eye to a quick buck. When you take a look at his speaking schedule you get the sense there is an opportunist in there who is more than ready to turn on the trademark Clinton charm for the benefit of a partisan audience. When you consider that he sells out about as fast as the Rolling Stones, it's a guaranteed investment of time and oratory. According to one promoter, tinePublic of Calgary, when Clinton is slated to appear at a venue in a Canadian city the seats get snapped up lightning fast.

The popular appeal might be losing some of its sheen stateside. In the course of the Democratic campaign the Clintons have been accused of acting-as-though-they-own-the-White-House, dirty tricks, divisive tactics ... amongst other things. Incendiary attacks on Hillary Clinton along the lines of "monster" (Samantha Power) and "big fucking whore" (Randy Rhodes) reflect how some Democrats really feel about her but are reluctant to say publicly. These hard feelings for the most part have been generated by the tactics she has employed against Barack Obama.

The way the Clintons have been raking in the cash since leaving the big house, gives added credence to the cynical take on their agenda. From the standpoint of a US voter earning around $40,000 a year, it must be kind of hard to relate to the Billarys, even when they are doing their "aw shucks" meet-the-folks routine.

Bill C will be making future Canadian appearances. According to tinePublic, Clinton remains good value for the price.

Given the choice - I'd go for Stones tickets any day.

Tags: Bill Clinton, Canada, speeches, Power Within Event, Hillary Clinton, tinePublic, Democratic campaign