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August 19, 2006

Methinks the mullahs are up to some hijinx

Recent exposures of sock-puppet commentary have left me suspicious of this "internet" gizmo. It is with a somewhat jaundiced eye, therefore, that I consider the list of entrants to the Holocaust International Cartoon Contest. Take David Varen, for example. Varen is listed as one of four UK entrants and, given his name is more distinctive than Robert Edwards or Bill Smith I decided to "Google Search" him first. The results were suggestive. Aside from republished versions of the contest list I can find only one reference to the man's existence. This reference being to "Muslims", a document detailing various ways in which the world has been unfair to Muslims*; not much of an advertisement for God's blessing, but I digress. The following is from Part 7, "Christian Missionaries in Islamic Countries":

The promotion of Christianity in various regions is one policy on the agenda of Western leaders. Since the Middle Ages, there has been a historical cooperation between the Church and governments, and now Western governments and multi-national companies are investing big money in centers that are active in promoting Christianity. On the promotional budget of missionaries in the World, David Varen, an official with the Encyclopedia of Christianity, says” In 1970, 70 billion dollars was spent on boosting Christianity and less than two decades later at figure was doubled and is still increasing”.

Furthing googling might have been more productive had the article mentioned which Encyclopedia of Christianity was in play though the non-presence of Varen in any other context raises a red flag (or green flag, as is your culture). Here is the fun part... the sole non-contest reference to David Varen's existence is from a document hosted by the English Radio section of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting website. It is possible David Varen's missionary activities are largely Persian; we all have our hobbies, after all. Though it strikes me to be rather more likely Iran's propaganda ministry has had so few takers for its Jew-hatred that they have had to resort to sock-puppets. Of course, Varen can clear this right up by sending me an email. Be sure to include your cartoon, David!

*Here is the cached page.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at August 19, 2006 09:14 AM

Comments

So sockpuppets are bad? Damn...I've been working up an entire puppet show comprised of puppets with boobies.

Posted by: agent bedhead [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 19, 2006 06:20 PM

By all means continue in your efforts. Boobies make all the difference.

Posted by: Ghost of a flea [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 19, 2006 07:08 PM

It is a damn good thing for you that Nimrod was in fact a heroic Biblical figure as well as a spiffy between the warsy fighter plane.

Posted by: Alan McLeod [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 19, 2006 08:39 PM

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