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Monday, July 25, 2005

Ricky Martin is a Misguided Tool 

Ricky Martin is, at best, well-meaning in his offer to help fight stereotypes:

Puerto Rican rock icon Ricky Martin, on his first ever visit to the Middle East, pledged Monday that he would try to change negative perceptions of Arab youth in the West.

"I promise I will become a spokesperson, if you allow me to, a spokesperson on your behalf. I will defend you and try to get rid of any stereotypes," he told youngsters from 16 mainly Arab countries attending a youth conference. The children, aged 14 to 16, expressed concern about being labeled as "terrorists" by the West.
That's so sweet. Hey, I don't want to stereotype Arabs as terrorists -- or insurgents, activists, freedom fighters, or bombers -- either. Of course, it would help if Arab leaders stopped sending their young people out strapped with explosives.

In the meantime, I hope Ricky will also help fight the stereotyping of Israelis/Jews as a bunch of landgrabbing, Palestinian-kid-murdering Nazis who have been voted most likely to destroy world peace.

Martin posed for photos with fans at the youth conference, at one point draping over his shoulders a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarf with the slogan 'Jerusalem is ours' written in Arabic on it.
I guess we shouldn't count on Ricky's support. If Ricky's new pals shake their bomb-bombs until they've rendered Israel's capital judenrein, it looks like that's good enough for Ricky. Just don't call them terrorists.

(Were rumors of Ricky's involvement in this unfounded?)

UPDATE, Aug 6: I take it back.

If you really, really liked this -- or even really, really hated it -- there's lots more:
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