Denim Jeans and Playboy Magazines

Many years ago, I heard a comedian say that his plan for solving alot of the problems in the Middle East, or at least in those countries led by hard line Islamic religious leaders, was to supply the women with demin jeans and the men with Playboy magazines. (Personally, I think Maxim magazine would be a better option.)

Now today, I read in Yahoo news, this article, which give some credence to this comedians theory. Could he be on to something?

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Police have arrested 49 people this week in a northern Iranian city during a crackdown on "satanic" clothes, IRNA news agency reported Thursday.

The measures are the latest in a country-wide campaign against Western cultural influence in the Islamic Republic, where strict dress codes are enforced.

"Police confronted rascals and thugs who appeared in public wearing satanic fashions and unsuitable clothing," Qaemshahr city police commander Mahmoud Rahmani told IRNA.

Rahmani also said that five barber shops were shut and 20 more warned for "promoting Western hairstyles."

In the past, such crackdowns have lasted a few weeks or months, but the current campaign was launched in 2007 and has not let up.

It includes measures against men sporting spiky "Western" hairstyles or women wearing tight trousers and high boots.

Women are supposed to wear clothing that covers their hair and disguises the shape of their bodies. But some, particularly in cities, wear headscarves pushed back well beyond their hairlines and sport tight-fitting outfits.

Some analysts say the authorities fear such open acts of defiance against the Islamic Republic's values could escalate if they go unchecked. This worries them when Iran is under pressure from the West over its disputed nuclear work, they say.

"Some individuals, not knowing what culture they are imitating, put on clothing that was designed by the enemies of this country," Rahmani said.

"The enemies of this country are trying to divert our youth and breed them the way they want and deprive them of a healthy life," he added.

Rahmani did not say how the offenders would be punished. Usual penalties are a warning or a fine.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has in the past suggested Iran's enemies may try to stage a "soft" or "velvet" revolution by infiltrating corrupt culture or ideas.

(Reporting by Hashem Kalantari, Writing by Edmund Blair; Editing by Catherine Bosley and Kevin Liffey)

Boobs and Wine....

Boobs and Wine?! What kind of blog post title do you call that? I call that, truth in writing. And truth be told, I like both items. A lot. A WHOLE lot! Okay, enough personal information. As you know I am currently trying to soak up as much as I can about wine. (both in the reading, creating and tasting of..) And one book I am at this point fascinated by is the Windows On The World Complete Wine Course by Kevin Zraly. I am currently reading about Champagne. Not the champagne that is made in America or else where, but about real champagne from Champagne, France. It has quite an interesting history, but one of the most interesting bits of history is the story of how the vessel we drink champagne from was developed. (so to speak)

Most people drink champagne from the traditional shallow, wide rimmed plastic glass that comes in two parts. Ever wonder why we drink it from those shaped glasses? Well, I shall tell you. (I am paraphrasing from the Zraly book here...)

This coupe design apparently dates back to Greek mythology (or history, depending on your opinion). The footed glass that has a shallow cup that widens out towards the rim was said to be molded from ( I love this...) the breast of Helen of Troy. Apparently Greeks believed (much like I do) that the drinking of wine was a sensual experience, so it only fits that the most beautiful woman of their time take part in the design of the drinking vessel. Now say what you will about Helen of Troy, but I gather from this information that Helen was a card carrying member of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee.

Jump ahead a number of centuries and onto the stage of champagne drinking comes none other than Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France. She had it in mind that the time had come to "re-design" the traditonal shape of the champagne glass. And, yes, you guessed it, she had one molded to her own breast, and viola! We have much deeper glass that we sip our wine from. Apparently she was slightly more developed than the legendary Helen of Troy.

That being said, I shall look upon the drinking of wine with a new fondness and respect (and eagerness!) and say a word of thanks to those so dedicated to the enjoyment of drinking it that they used their own beauty to enhance the experience!

It must be said though, that the best glasses to drink champagne from are the tall flute or the tulip shaped glass. These shapes keep the champagne from losing the bubbles too quickly and enhance the smell and aroma of the drink.

A toast! To wine! And boobs!

Later!