24 and a toothless Arsenal

I've been watching the smash-hit TV series 24 over the past couple of months and boy is it addictive. I've watched 5 complete seasons and i'm part of the way through season 6 now (which is also currently on TV).

Its quite a good series, but at times the acting can be a bit wooden. The most recent series which focusses on Muslim terrorists has some problems with it. Half the Arab terrorists look Indian, and the guy who plays the head of the "Islamic-American Alliance", a black British actor, speaks in an accent which is mostly Indian though sometimes he pronounces his "t's" with a Londoner's characteristic glottal stop.

Does anyone know why Arab terrorists on TV always pronounce Ahmed as "Ackhhh-med"? Sheesh - I prefer the way the American's pronounce it, "Aamed".

I know that some Muslims were critical of the storyline to season 6 because of the characterisation of Muslims as terrorists, but to be fair to the producers of 24, in the previous 5 seasons they've had terrorists of all ethnic backgrounds trying to launch deadly strikes against the US, and usually the terrorists have had Western backers. The other thing is that using Muslims as terrorists simply reflects what most people in the world today believe: that terrorism in the main is carried out by Muslims. I can't imagine a gripping storyline in which the main enemy to the United States are Bolivians, or Ugandans, or Hindus or Sikhs. And finally, if they have Muslim terrorists in the story, they also tend to have some "good Muslims" who are against the terrorists somewhere in the story.

But this is not to excuse some of the appalling stereotypes used, e.g. the US commander who says "these people (the Muslim terrorists) want to live in the stone age, i say lets put them there." What do Muslim "terrorists" usually want to do? Establish an Islamic State. And so this conveys the message that living under Islamic law equates to living in the Stone Age.

On another note, as we approach the end of the English football season, i have to make a comment on our recent form. Its unfortunate that Henry and Van Persie have missed large chunks of the season, but what has made it worse is our crap attack. Julio Baptista needs 100 chances before he'll tuck the ball in the net. Hleb can dribble all the way to the opposition's penalty box and then seems uncertain of what to do next (how about shooting?) and Aliadiere is just not fit for purpose. Hleb and Rosicky have contributed less goals to the Premiership campaign than our defender William Gallas! Ya Rubb, if only Pires hadn't left last season. His sale was a definite mistake!