June 20, 2007

• I don't think a knighthood was merited on literary grounds, even if you take him at the usual, over-stated valuation. Did HMG think otherwise? Or was there an element of recognition for supposedly championing free speech or something? The whole business seems rather clumsy and confused - a bit like 'The Satanic Verses', actually.
• As usual, I agree with Plegmund entirely. Especially the "clumsy" and "confused" parts. that book was a trial to read
• Everyone needs to just get over themselves. Ferfuck's sake!
• I don't think a knighthood was merited on literary grounds If Pink FLloyd Webster, Conman Black and Jeffrey the Archers are worthy of the ermine robe, then Rushdie is worth a knighthood. Those who whine that authors from Amis to Zephaniah deserve the honour MORE may well be right, but why should Britain not have A Thousand and One Knights? I therefore call for the creation of a new "Order of Scheherazade," for storytellers, poets, filmakers, etc - they'll sing routines from chorus scenes with footwork impeccable.
• You might dislike (say) academy awards but does that give another nation the right to say they have been insulted because of the award? Focus upon the issue, which is really about the reaction from Islamic nations. If Rushdie were Christian this would not be a headliner.
• I dunno. Personally, I found Satanic Verses, Midnight's Children and Haroun and the Sea of Stories to be brilliant. I felt that he was very deserving of recognition. Maybe not this high, but I still think he's going to be one of the lasting authors.
• I dunno niether. I've only read Fury, but I found it the most well-crafted novel I've ever come across. Funny, too. As for Pakistan saying that the award is an insult to Islam, well, their government is an insult to Democracy. Tehran, they know all about 'provocative acts'. Meh.
• If Sir Anthony "Blustery Hooplah" Hopkins can squeeze one by the peers then so can anyone else worthy of the title. I mean, he's an actor who specializes in boring the fuck out of you, for crying out loud. In other news, there's no accounting for taste. Furthermore, Islamic law is an insult to attached limbs and rocks. Next!
• I honestly don't think that many people in Britain care about the current honours system. What does it mean apart from a nice day out at the palace for a random selection of civil servants, sportsmen and the usual suspects? They throw in the odd quirky choice every now and then just to try and keep us interested. I love the "Order of Scheherazade" idea. Does anyone know how the Japanese and Australian "Living National Treasure" schemes work? I quite fancy being a Living National Treasure.
• Does that mean you can't leave the country?
• What does it mean apart from a nice day out at the palace for a random selection of civil servants, sportsmen and the usual suspects? You are ignoring the subtle levels of distinction between honours. If Rushdie completes "Level 2: Knight" then he gets ennobled, and if he beats the guy at the end of "level 4: Viscount" he gets an Earlobing. Basically the idea is to work up to "Level 6: Duke," and then you have to fight the whole Royal Family.
• Is the queen the boss monster?
• I'm sort of hoping that Living National Treasure involves cake, velvet cushions, and an army of flunkies. I might be more interested if the current honours system did involve some element of duelling.
• Oh ... and jousting. Can we bring back jousting too? I'd pay to see Martin Amis and Will Self joust for the next literary knighthood.
• And ninja stars.
• And naked wrestling in Jell-O.
• Your use of the ninja stars is a provocative act, and Jello wrestling shows a profound lack of sensitivity. I demand satisfaction in the form of a public potsnorking!
• Salman Rushdie should just go and publish a pop-up book with cartoons of Mohammed eating bacon cheeseburgers. It's not like he's ever going to make amends with the hardliners, so he might as well go whole hog... pardon the pun. Or not.
• This is really all that needs to be said on this particular subject.
• rushmc: You are so right - that is a suitable and fitting answer to the notion that muslim countries should have the audacity to interfere with any honours bestowed on Salman Rushdie, quite irrespective of whether he merits the honours or not. I have not read any of Rushdies books, but as a staunch non-believer in any religion, I take strong exeption to religious meddling in mundane affairs.
• A senior minister in the Pakistani government said that the decision was a justification for suicide bombing, after the parliament in Islamabad condemned the honour as "blasphemous and insulting" to the world's Muslims. Shiva H. Mohammed Vishnu Christ Ron Hubbard. Pretend like you've been to school, for fuck's sake.
• Is it outrage that Muslim-country politicos are displaying now, or fear of upsetting truly outraged fringe Muslims? Sincere question.
• (You know, like Republicans who're "outraged" at the way family values are being undermined by gays, rappers, and the French.)
• I don't know any French gay rappers at all. I miss city life :-(
• Knickers to your gong, lingerie tycoon tells 'morally corrupt' prime minister. Ho hum. But - "This in no way reflects on my opinion of the Queen whom I respect and would be honoured to have as a customer."
• Sily English kah-niggits!
• It's pretty bad when the dirty underwear people reject you on moral grounds... (of course, it's pretty bad when the dirty underwear people are getting knighted, too...)
• Is it outrage that Muslim-country politicos are displaying now, or fear of upsetting truly outraged fringe Muslims? I call political stunt. Grandstanding at its finest. I wonder how many truly religious people world-wide are tired of seeing this pulled in the name of religion, yet don't want to speak out for fear of being accused of heresy. Things are changing at such a rapid pace--technologically, culturally, socially--that I think many people are uncomfortable or afraid, and are falling back on traditions and religion for their comfort. Politicians are making hay of this fear, and instead of using their positions to help people adapt, they're feeding mass hysteria for their own power and monetary gain. I can understand the fear in 2nd and 3rd world countries, but the fear is here in the States, too. AFAIC, anybody in any political position is out to feather their nest. Like Diogenes, I'm skeptical; find me one who isn't.
• Well said, GramMa. Diogenes 1 (maybe) - Sisyphus 0 (as usual).
• Bin Laden 'knighted' by hardline cleric in retaliation. The cleric then took his ball home, and sat in the corner with his arms crossed and kept turning his head away when people tried to talk to him.
• *sigh*
• As the duly exalted Megatroid of the Inestimable Knights of the Maltese Monkey, Lord High Flibbertygibbet of the Gnomic Wonderments of Zurich and Suburbs of Zurich, Appointed Senior Representative of the Lightly Touched Order of the Purple Nurple, and Grand Poobah of the Mysterious Group of Three Pliant Lechers, I hereby dub thee Sir Ta-hool of Mittelclasse! Kneel and be ceremonially flensed, morphodite!
• *sits back, waits for protest to emerge*
• *dons Hogwart's school scarf, wields lawn dart triumphantly*
• I protest!
• It's too bad Corre refused the hono[u]r. Since Tom Jones became a Sir, ladies could have thrown knickers made by one knight, at another.
• Al-Qaeda's No. 2 issued a new tape on Tuesday threatening to retaliate against Britain for having honored novelist Salman Rushdie
• Hehe... SMT said "No. 2".
• Didn't they already retaliate by 'knighting' one of their guys? I thought we were all cool by now...
• On preview, scrolling up is for chumps.
• Well, apparently the knighting did not go down well at the Rushdie household.
• hummina hummina howwwa
• They porobably got tired of all the salmon/Salman jokes.
• She probably was looking for more than just a one knight stand.
• Every picture I ever saw of them together, Rushdie had a look on his face that seemed to say "Hey, everyone? I get to go home with this. Thank you, and suck it."
• Chelsea-Bound Padma Means Doom For All Fugly Writers
• I just don't get what he sees in her.