There’s No Accounting for Taste

I’ve heard wise men say that one person’s art is another person’s garbage. I've heard some dumb-asses say it, too, but that's not important right now.

I don’t care much for the religious art of the Middle Ages, for example, but some folks go gaga over it. And those same people deny the inherent magnificence within the dogs-playing-poker painting.

But some things seem to be in bad taste no matter how you look at them.

For example, take Jihad: The Musical, playing this month at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This off-the-wall musical includes songs like “I Wanna Be Like Osama” (which, if I recall correctly, was originally recorded by Debbie Gibson).

As you can imagine, protestors are doing what protestors do: protesting. They don’t appreciate the lighthearted approach to attacking Western targets and slaying of innocent civilians.

I fail to understand the attention critics throw at this play while the following travesties continue unobstructed:

The proliferation of reality TV.

An ‘08 presidential contest without a Stewart/Colbert ticket.

O.J. Simpson speaking publicly about his murdered wife.

Hilary Clinton showing cleavage on the campaign trail.

Bill Richardson showing cleavage on the campaign trail.