American Apparel - Bin Laden Dead

Returning from the pool this morning I listen to Presca Ahn, a Yale graduate and Fulbright Scholar at the LSE, who, with 16 others, signed a petition now with the US Dept of Education stating sexual harassment at Yale has created an environment non-conducive for learning. She sites October 2010 when several members of a Yale fraternity marched across its 300 year old quadrangle, lined up outside a women's hall of residence, and chanted "no means yes". Her petition takes courage.

Sexual harassment at Yale, Ahn says, handled lightly, sending the message that such behavior tolerable. She further suggests that 20% of college women raped by graduation. But where does the blame end? Without doubt the individual/s involved and perhaps the frats or the university - but look around us : American Apparel, pictured, a publicly traded company which did $530 million sales last year. This ties into popular (and favorite) show "Mad Men" and, without apparent irony, the same Radio 4 Women's Hour program where I hear Ahn concludes with "Losing Your Virginity". Our culture entertained by sexual exploitation until it is not. Eitan and Madeleine absorb the message.

"Those who want to solve our problems at the UN are hypocrites... Those who claim to be Arab leaders and whose countries are UN members are infidels."

--Osama Bin Laden, November 2001, from a videotape obtained by Al-Jazeera.

“For over two decades, Bin Laden has been Al Qaeda’s leader and symbol. The death of Bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat Al Qaeda."
--President Barack Obama, 1 May, 2011

“This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.”

--President George W Bush, 1 May, 2011