"From Tora Bora With Love"

[Maxie Zeus]

Very funny editorial (http://www.nypress.com/static/billboard.cfm?now=11/30/01#715) comparing bin-Laden to a James Bond villain. Sample quote:


The parallels to Goldfinger, Drax, Blofeld, et al., are numerous: he's homicidally nuts, independently wealthy, has a harem of obedient females, has selfless henchmen willing to lay down their lives, thinks big when plotting evil, leads an organization of global reach with a sinister name and harkens from an exotic, picturesque locale.

Be sure to check out the link to the London Times diagram.

[The Mad Hatter]

Great article! Actually, I've thought that the Taliban seems like an antagonist from a children's book, what with their inexplicable fetish against anything fun. Music, dancing, games... heck, they even banned KITES. I can vaguely understand religious groups that object to stamping out anything they see as a sin, but only the Taliban has gone so far as to stamp out every single amusement whatsoever. I just can't help but think of all those exaggerated characatures that try to steal parents/Christmas/summer vacation/whatever in kiddie lore.

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by The Mad Hatter
Actually, I've thought that the Taliban seems like an antagonist from a children's book, what with their inexplicable fetish against anything fun.

Have you read Salman Rushdie's "Haroun and the Sea of Stories"? (I think that's the title.) It's a children's story right along these lines. Very good, too.