that pithy comment: Watch Hamas rebrand
Reader comment on item: [The Hamas electoral victory:] Democracy's bitter fruit

Submitted by Jane (United States), Jan 29, 2006 at 08:13

The use of the term "rebrand" really catches the flavour of politics, not just in the Middle East, but everywhere.

Of course, to many it is far more germaine and far reaching, as this Hamas victory will , as if by magic of the morally inept, rebrand itself something like this:

You thought you knew the old Hamas...Well, allow us to introduce you to the brand new, improved and satisfying healthy version of the New Hamas. New to the marketplace, and unfamiliar to most, the new Hamas will embark on a road to recovery like no other arab medicine. All we need is opportunity, and money, money and more money. Have no worries about legitimization. We REALLY MEAN IT when we say we are new, improved, and ready to help our fellow arabs live a better life in a better place, that is, the land that was unwanted, empty, fallow will become a land of milk and honey; here you will be able to have as many wives you want, kill at will.

Here, in our newly found democracy, you need not be a rich oil merchant nor a reasonable human being. We will not burden you with red tape, as the money will flow to your coffers; we will not bind you in a democratic neighbourhood with the rule of law; we will ask little of you insofar as personal responsibility, civilized behavior, or other constraints common to the foolish enemy. No. All you need, my friends, to start your new improved life, is to make every effort and succeed in maiming, murdering and driving every Jew out, out, out. The reward will be great, we promise you, both here and when we go to our final joint REAL LIFE with the almighty, though johnny come lately copycat Islamist utopia. And as an added attraction, afer a certain amount of kills, you will receive a special bonus: no mere stingy amount of virgins will await you. We promise you blonde and blue eyed beautiful virgins, in such bountiful amount, you'll only wonder why you waited so long.

So relax, folks, lean back and drink you tea with the happy knowledge that a new nirvana awaits, and you now have it in your power to live life as a full fledged pasha, after fulfilling your easy commitment to the cause. And as an added bonus, if you complete your task within the next three months, we will send your family a brand new flat screen tv, your very own membership to our new and upgraded CD club, completely free of charge and with a lifetime and even an afterlife guarantee. Quick, the first 50,000 murderers will also receive a surprise bonus in the mail. We cannot reveal it here, but guarantee you will love your new and improved blow up doll of a child to play with in those quiet moments. ... and last but not least, Hamas guarantees support of all your children, up to a maximum of 36.

Watch for the flyer in your mail.

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