As I was driving to the swimming pool at 6.30 this morning - have I mentioned that I go five mornings a week? - Oh! Right! Boring, am I? Shan't say another word! - where was I? Ah yes, I picked up a tiny item on the radio concerning two young (15 and 11) Pakistani girls from a poor background, neither of whom speak any English. Through the miracles of modern communications they have become ardent fans of Justin Bieber, a young man who looks like a total tit but given that he is a multi-zillionaire and I'm not then it is hardly my place to be rude about him.
Anyway, these two very young Muslim girls, apparently like most young girls everywhere outside of North Korea, absolutely love him and his songs - even though they do not speak a word of English. By hard work they have learned the sounds by heart and, with a little help from Mum providing some sort of background noise, they recorded one of his songs and pasted it on a social media network. It has, in the jargon of the day, 'gone viral'! Zillions of hits around the world. Suddenly they are nearly as 'starry' as their hero.
And there, in a nutshell, you have the motivation that drives 'Jihadi John' and his cohorts into murderous fury. They know, deep down inside themselves, that a vacuous little twerp like Justin Bieber spells eventual doom for them, their regime, their masculine dominance over their women and, finally, their religion. Yes, it's only a tiny example and of course the media would rather frighten you all with stories of equally daft female teenagers going off to be 'Jihadi John's' virgins of choice. But hidden away in the privacy of millions of Muslim homes, young girls - and some boys, too - are tapping their feet to the likes of Justin Bieber and finding him much more interesting than the moaning, groaning, old Mullah down at the local mosque.
And that's what will eventually defeat fanatical Islam.
Yep, either young girls with raging hormones or young girls reading books. That is what Islamists fear. American cultural dregs, even though young Bieber is I believe Canadian, will be their undoing.
Posted by: Whitewall | Monday, 09 March 2015 at 20:51
Quite so, 'Whiters', look what it did to you and me!
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 09 March 2015 at 20:57
dribble slobber fart spit....refinement such as ourselves will be gone soon.
Posted by: Whitewall | Monday, 09 March 2015 at 21:11
And that's what will eventually defeat fanatical Islam
Along with a few well placed rounds for the more obstinate.
Posted by: AussieD | Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 01:25
I couldn't agree more David. You may be interested to note that a certain Peter Tatchell would seem to share your opinion. The link is to an article of his in which I agree with every word he says.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/11459315/Why-every-child-in-Britain-should-see-the-Nationals-latest-play.html
Shared opinion can occasionally make for some rather unlikely (erm) bedfellows!
Posted by: Richard | Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 06:58
Indeed.
What Jerry Pournelle calls our "cultural weapons of mass destruction".
Posted by: Andrew Duffin | Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 12:18
I guess there's a non-zero possibility they'll be shot or gang raped first...
I sincerely hope not.
Posted by: Cuffleyburgers | Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 12:46
Yes, but I can't like Justin Bieber on principle. I wrote a blog post on him once, predicting at 25 he'll be washed up alcoholic, and it looks like I'm on track.
Nonetheless, I really hope that you're right.
Couldn't they like....um....Hugh Jackman instead? I mean someone a bit worthwhile.....
Posted by: Mayfly | Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 13:29
Mayfly, Jackman might be a bit too manly. According to those people that are in the know, Bieber has recently grown his first couple of chest hairs.
Posted by: Whitewall | Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 13:46
But, Richard, did you read the comment thread? I admire Tatchell in some ways but in others he is insufferable.
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 14:15
Andrew, I just read Mr. Pournelle's Wiki entry, he being hitherto unknown to me, and he sounds like an interesting man.
'Cuffers', alas, all too true and we must keep our fingers crossed.
Don't worry, Miss Mayfly, there are plenty more men around to appeal to young gals, er, modesty forbids and all that . . .
And as it happens, 'Whiters', I have just started re-growing hairs on my chest recently. Is this a sign?
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 14:25
Indeed I did David, but even someone as insufferable as Tatchell is can be right on occasion... and whether right or wrong it is both intellectually lazy and wrong to make personal attacks on the person instead of attacking his argument.
Posted by: Richard | Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 15:27
David, grow a chest full and you can rejoin the ranks of those very men you mentioned to Miss Mayfly. Some of us have been in that elite circle since our teen years. There are benefits.
Posted by: Whitewall | Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 17:02
It is my experience that not many women like hairy men.
Posted by: Andra | Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 19:14
Having once been a very young girl with raging hormones, I can say that the likes of the beeb were never my taste. Baby face males never interested me.
I don't mind a bit of hair, but prefer it on the head, not the face....
Posted by: missred | Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 23:15
He is gay, no matter what he says!!
Posted by: Andra | Wednesday, 11 March 2015 at 01:30
Andra my mrs says she likes snuggling into my gray haired chest however women do say fine things on occasion when it suits them.
Posted by: jimmy glesga | Wednesday, 11 March 2015 at 02:04
Jimmy, she's a sweet lass.
I have been known to pluck stray chest hairs, especially when I am in my thigh boots and brandishing a whip!!
Posted by: Andra | Wednesday, 11 March 2015 at 09:01
Dammit, Andra, I've only just finished my breakfast and I nearly sprayed porridge across my keyboard! You're not excite an elderly gentlemen this early in the morning!
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 11 March 2015 at 09:07
I like clean shaven men, chest wise as well as face. I can't stand people who won't go bald gracefully, and grow beards, presumably so that they can do a comb over when they get long enough.
Mind you, I can't complain. When I'm old and doddery, I'll be able to do a lip comb over....
Posted by: Mayfly | Wednesday, 11 March 2015 at 12:00
You will never grow old, Miss Mayfly, not in my eyes anyway! By the way, you and the other ladies might like to know that I have just been to the barber and had my usual haircut - a "No. 2 all over". It takes under a minute and half to do and when I come out I look like an early Aussie, that is, a convict!
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 11 March 2015 at 12:06
Well, from the opinions of the ladies here, I'm glad I did my single days here and married "she who would have me" here. David, your barber visits are about like mine--brief and repetitive. I only get so good.
Posted by: Whitewall | Wednesday, 11 March 2015 at 12:30