Of Strokes and Jokes
Prime Minister Sharon is recovering in hospital after last night’s mild stroke, and may be discharged soon. His personal physician has stated that there was no permanent damage caused by the stroke.
“Unequivocally, there was no permanent damage caused to him,” Dr. Goldman said. He added that Sharon’s functioning was in no way damaged. “He is talking to everyone now and asking about what’s happening, what people are saying, and how they are taking the news.”
He’s even making jokes, replete with double entendres.
“I’m fine,” he said. “Apparently I should have taken a few days off for vacation. But we’re continuing to move forward” a play on the name of his new party, Kadima, which means “forward.”
Some other people seemingly with a sense of humor are the people at Reuters.
A Palestinian youth celebrates in Gaza after hearing that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was moved into hospital December 18, 2005. (Suhaib Salem/Reuters)
Youth? Seems to me like another attempt to mitigate the potential damage to the neo palestinian cause (which these pictures might bring), by portraying the celebrants as merely misguided youth. Either that, or the neo palestinians age really quickly.
Update: Here are some more pictures of the celebrations, with captions I imagine AP and Reuters would have preferred to have used.
Palestinians pray for the speedy recovery of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in a street of downtown Gaza City after hearing news of Sharon’s health condition. (AP Photo/Hatem Withallmyheart)
A Palestinian man does the dance of joy, despite the risk of impaling his groin on the edge of the car window, when hearing that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was making a recovery after having suffered a minor stroke (REUTERS/Sume Jewme) .
A Palestinian squeegieman hands out sweets to a customer after hearing that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was making a recovery after having suffered a minor stroke (AP Photo/Chocolate Moussa).
Filed Under: General
About the Author: An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.
It is a good thing the Palestinians have such low standards for celebrations. Hell, what else could they celebrate over? A broken toe? Maybe an arm? A failed state? Lots of things.
P.S. The guy in the first picture is actually flashing a peace sign.
No, that is a “V” for victory sign, much like Arafat was accustomed to flashing.
Well, let’s compare -
Sharon – A light stroke…
Arafat – Dead.
Who’s celebrating now? Oh yeah, you are… but still!
That’s one hell of a squeegie. I bet it knocks every bug carcass off the windscreen.
-ls
I was just being sarcastic that the “v” for victory sign was a peace sign. I was just playing—actually following your lead with the lower picture captions. Too bad it isn’t actually a peace sign, though.
NO REALLY IT IS A PEACE SIGN. SERIOUSALLY. NOT EVEN KIDDING;)
[...] Update: Here’s an example of Reuters doing the opposite (from a few years ago) [...]
[...] as “young,” given they are usually 18-20 years of age. Besides, the foreign press has a history of doing this even when it’s a real [...]