Published: September 03, 2008 07:21 pm            

Previously Unreleased

Fear and bravery

Random House has decided it wouldn't be prudent to go forward with its plans to publish a historical novel about Muhammad.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the publishers are concerned the book, "The Jewel of Medina" by Sherry Jones, will anger Muslims.

But do not fret. If you're really interested in reading a historical novel about Muhammed and his "child bride," according to news reports, a different, unidentified German publishing company is suppose to come to the rescue and put the book out in English next month.

Random House is owned by Bertelsmann AG, a German media company. Do you think they might just be throwing some misinformation out there so that Muslim terrorists who read the book and become offended would be embarrassed if they blew up the wrong publishing house? Hmmmm.

The book has been published once, by a company in Serbia, but it was immediately pulled after some Islamic leaders complained about it being insulting to the prophet.

Or, maybe Random House is just losing its backbone. Earlier this year it published "Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left," from Mussolini to the Politics of Meaning." No worries that some stupid, liberal, pacifist might drive his electric car bomb into the lobby of the publishing house.

They also brought us these meaningful books this year: "Making the Cut: The 30-day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You"; "Martha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share"; "I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts On Being a Woman"; and "Barbara Walters: Audition, A Memoir."

Salman Rushdie, the author of "The Satanic Verses," who has been on an Islamic hit list since 1989 because of his book, said he is "very disappointed" in his publishers at Random House over their decision. Of course that adds credibility to the story that it's not really still a Random House project ... if there is a conspiracy.

What Rushdie said in 2005 sums it up best: "The moment you declare a set of ideas to be immune from criticism, satire, derision or contempt, freedom of thought becomes impossible."



Nazi nyuk ... nyuk ...



... Which brings us to The Three Stooges. I think they're hilarious. Some find no humor in their humor at all, but, no one can deny they were brave.

In 1940, when our nation was officially "neutral" concerning Adolf Hitler's Germany, Moe, Larry, and Curly were cranking out satirical short films for Columbia Pictures: "You Nazty Spy!" and "I'll Never Heil Again" poke great fun at the dictator and his partners in crime.

Those are just two of 21 shorts from The Three Stooges DVD now available "The Three Stooges Collection, 1940-1942, Volume Three" from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.



Darius Goes West



And speaking of bravery ... Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at Mississippi State University and the Campus Activities Board will host the viewing of "Darius Goes West" at Lee Auditorium on Tuesday Sept. 30.

Admission is free and the viewing begins at 7 p.m. with an actual Q&A with Darius, himself afterwards.

The documentary follows the story of 12 close friends who take their best friend, Darius (who has muscular distrophy), on a cross-country tour with the hopes of getting his wheel chair customized on MTV's "Pimp My Ride."

You can find clips about the documentary at www.youtube.com. We'll fill you in on more later.

        

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