VBVW for November 24, 2006

• The Very Best

Reviled publisher and ex-Bernard Kerik mistress Judith Regan was forbidden by her boss Rupert Murdoch from publishing her beloved O.J. Simpson book. One can only hope this rare shaming of the shameless hails the demise of a publisher who has been working tirelessly to dumb-down America. The first black market copies of Simpson’s book reportedly sold for about $15,000, providing a clear example of the morally bankrupt culture Regan has championed.

Democrats in Congress distanced themselves from N.Y. Senator Charlie Rangel’s call to reinstate the military draft. Rangel, soon to be chairman of the House Ways And Means Committee, believes that a draft will make lawakers think twice about getting involved in war. Charlie apparently forgot that there was a draft during the Civil War. And the War of 1812. And World War I. And World War II. And the Korean War. And Vietnam. Yes, the draft will definitely keep us from going to war.

The Human Genome Project has developed a new method for mapping human DNA. Scientists around the world collaborated on the new system, which promises to reveal why some people are susceptible to diseases like coronary heart disease, AIDS, and psoriasis while others have the genetic fortitude of Keith Richards.

• The Very Worst

Britain put its crack anti-terrorism police unit on the case of a former Russian spy who died after being fed radioactive polonium-210. Alexander Litvinenko was an outspoken critic of President Putin’s government tactics, and Litvinenko’s friends alledge that his death was a Kremlin-sanctioned assassination. With this kind of Cold War cloak-and-dagger dealing back in the news, you have to wonder if it’s just a clever marketing tie-in for the new James Bond movie.

The government of the Netherlands introduced a bill banning any woman from wearing a burqa in public. The stated reason is that burqas disturb public order, citizens, and safety by concealing identities in these terrorist times. Trumping that rationale is the fact that the Dutch are still reeling from the murder of a prominent filmmaker by Islamic extremists. And look what happened in neighboring Denmark when cartoons of Mohammed were published in a local paper. Here’s hoping the Dutch citizens are all stocking up on Kevlar vests and avoiding public transportation.

In 2005, Americans were defrauded of $750 million by email scams originating in Nigeria. In these “advance fee” scams, an email or fax offers the recipient an opportunity to make millions. The mark is then told to send bank details or cash to pay off corrupt officials. Which, amazingly, many people do. Next thing they know, their bank account reads $0. Oh-so-bright Americans were played for more money than any other country. Come on, people—do you really believe there are corrupt officials in a West African nation?