It is, perhaps, not surprising that French president Nicholas Sarkozy has slammed the head-to-toe burqa in his country: there seem to be more naked photographs of his wife on the internet than their are clothed ones. But given France is home to the biggest Muslim minority in Europe, one would think the nation's leader would be supportive of the various cultures and traditions held by those within its borders.
Sinking to a new low, a swimming pool in downtown Paris has banned the "burqini": a Muslim-approved women's swimsuit. Pictured here in Australia where they were designed, the outfits are hardly going to "disturb small children, not to mention the problems of hygiene," as was commented by Gianluca Buonanno, the mayor of Varallo Sesia; an Italian town who have followed suit with the burqini bannings.
It gets worse though, he goes on to justify himself by saying
How is wearing a glorified wetsuit worrying anyone? And the funny thing is, the outift looks strangely familiar...
To the Muslim women of the world, please feel free to wear your burqinis on beaches and pool decks across Australia: stuff those intolerant European politicians.
After two crazy weeks of too much work, too much booze and too much sickness (strangely the last too were found to be unrelated) my time spent whining about the ways of the world has been limited. Thus, here is a round-up of the best of the rest:
Utes vs. Prostitutes - While Australian politicians from both sides of the table have been embrolied in the called "Utegate" affair, Italy's old seedy Silvio has been at it at again. And I totally agree with Leo Shanahan's article Our scandals suck, just ask Silvio Berlusconi. Somehow seedy Silvio's ability to run the country is not questioned, even though his moral standards are decidedly lapse.
Stars and Strife - I don't have a tattoo (I think I'd get bored of it too quickly) but from what the cool kids tell me, they sting a tiny bit too much to ever fall asleep during their application. Was anyone really surprised when she admitted she was lying?
Make and Model - British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman sent a letter to some of the world's biggest fashion designers, blasting their creation of teeny tiny doll clothes that are somehow supposed to be purchased and worn by fully-grown adults. She argues that the women required to model the clothes are now so incredibly skinny, Vogue regularly retouch images to make their models seem less creepy-thin. Good on her I say. There's skinny models and then there's just gross and unwell. Baby in da House - Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young decided to take her toddler to work for the day. To Parliment House. During a vote, two-year-old Kora had to be removed from the house, obviously distressing both mother and child. Of course it sounds a bit mean by the powers that be to do such a thing but, when you think about it, could you take your kids to work? Check-out chick? No. Lawyer? Probably not. As Tory Maguire wrote, the senator had a multitude of other options available to her, apparently including a child care centre complete with marble sand pit.
I don't understand the kerfuffle surrounding Mrs K-Rudd.
In case you missed it, Kev's wife Therese Rein, a squillionaire in her own right, was snapped by a women's mag doing squats with her trainer in the local gym.
Obviously we're getting into the ins and outs of privacy laws here but, when the once-plump first lady of a country largely populated by over-fed and under-exercised individuals loses 25kgs, it's a secret that I don't think should be kept behind closed doors.
It's a bit of a tough one for everyone concerned - as soon as a mag puts diet and exercise tips on the cover, it's bound to be a successful issue, and really, as the wife of the man with the top job, Therese should not be immune to the tabloids.
I've met Therese. We were both buying not-so-authentic handbags in a massive market in China last year. She's all business and had clammy hands but she was happy to chat to a few exciteable Aussie kids for a few minutes.
And although Kev said she's been in training to climb Mt Kilimanjaro with their son, Nicholas, I'd be in training too if I had to hang out with Mrs O and Ms Bruni!
Let's be frank: if you marry a powerful Italian man, be prepared for him to get his flirt on with the odd passing hottie.
Veronica Lario, the (smokin' hot) 52 year old soon-to-be-ex wife of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, is demanding a divorce on the grounds that the old codger likes nothing more than a seedy chat with a nice young lady.
I went to Italy when I was barely old enough to drive and had to bat away dudes older than my father.
Reportedly the last straw for Lario was when 72 year old Berlusconi attended a hottie's 18th birthday party when he didn't even attend that of his own children.
My first blog of the weekend was going to be about the super shindig I went to last night but, after checking the morning news, I was blown away by this:
"The committee drawing up the nation's first childcare curriculum has been told that toddlers in daycare should be given early career counselling. Kate Castine, who runs the Principals Australia career education project on behalf of the federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, is calling for "career development concepts" to be included in the new curriculum to be introduced nationally by July 1. Her concern is that little children rarely think beyond what their parents and relatives do for a living."
I'm sorry, what was that? You think toddlers should be aware of their future career development? Should they be stressed about the current economic crisis as well?
What. The. Hell.
Having previously worked as a swimming teacher to toddlers, sure, they may form some ideas of what they want to be when they grow up but, if we were to support career development from that age, there'd be a hell of a lot more astronauts, tap-dancers and policemen in the world.
Fun dress-ups with pretend stethoscopes and lab coats is as far as kiddie career development should go.
Now that the High Court have decided they're cool with it, the K-Rudd cash can begin to flow into shoe stores nationwide, stimulating the soles of many a lady (or man that may prefer to dress like a lady).
Of course the cash should go on the credit card bill but don't you think these precious Peeptoe gems would be super dandy with an all-black, winter knit-fest?
And if they make a mistake with your $900 cheque and plonk an extra digit on the end, it might be a good opportunity to track down these Givenchy stunners, perfect with a pair of harem pants I think.
Prepared to flash her navel, if that's what it takes, Pauline is persistently denying posing for the porno pics.
And according to reports today, old Jack Johnson isn't actually 100% certain that it was the prospective local member with whom he was getting up close and personal.
Now of course, News Limited is in trouble with Pauline's legal team. And no doubt, JJ will be in trouble with News Limited's legal team.
Holes are being poked left, right and centre in the original story.
Apparently the "studio" for the 1975 photo shoot was the Pelican Bay Resort which unfortunately for JJ, didn't actually open until 1986.
And in 1975, Pauline was rocking a fluffy bob rather than the raunchy pixie crop modelled in the now infamous photos.
Whether it's a Pauline-induced marketing scam or a true sob story scandal lead by a spiteful ex, the world has now seen so much more of the feisty red head than anyone ever bargained for.
I realise she has a couple of kids but seriously, it's like seeing your parents at it. And that voice... not exactly a smooth purr.
The photographer, Sydney-sider Jack Johnson (and no, it's not this one) said he fell for Pauline over the checkout when she was scanning through his canned goods. According to him, she liked him for his hot motorbike. After he did the unforgiveable, (left town and didn't call) Pauline took Beyonce's advice to all tha Single Ladies and hit the town for a new man. And when he came back, a-beggin' for her booty, he was quite rightfully denied.
30 years later, Pauline's apparently unfazed by the photo release, thereby stimulating rumours of her involvement in the exposure.
Either that or she's secretly rather chuffed that the first glimpse Australia (well, other than David Oldfield and a handful of other lovers) has had of her naked body was when it was at its 19 year old peak.
It gets worse though, he goes on to justify himself by saying
To the Muslim women of the world, please feel free to wear your burqinis on beaches and pool decks across Australia: stuff those intolerant European politicians.
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