Cynics Unlimited

In his August 12 column, Toronto Sun writer Eric Margolis critiqued the New York based candidates for the 2008 presidential election, citing that neither appeal universally to the New York public. His criticism of Rudy Giuliani’s ill-temper and family issues was well reasoned and proceeding well … then he tossed in this literary jewel –

Besides, who can trust an Italian who finds it painful to smile? Italians were put on this earth to make life more enjoyable for all of us, not to wage jihad against Islam.

Cute. I wonder how many Italians will write in protest?

Mr. Margolis is easily in my top 5 for columnists, but occasionally some indefensible quips slide through his columns. Being the son of a journalist stationed in the Middle East, Margolis is fairly sensitive to Muslim issues and rather critical of the Neo-Cons who wage war in the Muslim world. That sensitivity doesn’t seem to apply to much to others – especially not Israelis or Africans. Nonetheless, his columns tend to offer a sober critique of modern conservative thought, while his tales of places visited and people met are highly entertaining. Agenda or none, he’s a good read.