Thursday, 11 April 2013

Life copies satire

The Onion, 12 November 1996:
 
UNITED NATIONS—Legendary Delta bluesman Willie "Skipbone" Johnson is calling for U.N. sanctions against the Middle Eastern nation of Yemen following what he described as "a low-down dirty deed" against him.
 
Among the alleged actions Johnson is protesting are Yemen's alleged tearing out and stomping of Johnson's heart; disappearing when Johnson most needed the Arab republic; and making Johnson feel like a worn-out old dog—actions which, according to the U.N.'s Charter Of Fundamental Human Rights, "just ain't right."
 
Said Johnson: "Prime Minister Faraj Said bin Ghanem gonna be the death of me."
 
Rather bizzarely, an African country has actually hit back at a musician in a similar vein, from the BBC 11 April 2013:
 
Malawi has accused US singer Madonna of "bullying state officials" after she reportedly complained about her treatment on a visit to the country.  Madonna - who has adopted two Malawian-born children - recently visited 10 primary schools funded by her charity. The government accused the star of exaggerating her contribution to the country and demanding VIP treatment...
 
A harshly-worded statement issued by the office of President Joyce Banda on Wednesday accused Madonna of wanting Malawi "to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude".
 
"Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician. But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government under whose territory Madonna finds herself, including Malawi, to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary not obligatory,'' said the statement.

2 comments:

Tim Almond said...

I think Madonna's behaviour was Borderline diva. She's certainly a Material Girl who was spending money like she was on Holiday.

That said, this all seems to be Causing a Commotion. Those kids were saying "Rescue Me" and she just used her Human Nature to shed a Ray of Light and give them an American Life. I'm sure she's Sorry for any offence caused, and these politicians shouldn't get so Hung Up over it.

Anonymous said...

TS, Don't Tell Me that Malawi will ask a Beautiful Stranger like her to "Express Yourself" and offer an Act of Contrition. I think it's more likely that she'll demonstrate the Power of Goodbye.