Sunday, February 15, 2009

Cover model - draft dodger

Who knew the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue could be this interesting?

Once again there’s controversy surrounding SI’s annual beachwear extravaganza, though this year it’s not an argument about the exploitation of women, or even some faux-outrage by PETA about the number of sand crabs squashed while shooting the pictorials. No the outrage this year, according to the blog of the site RealClearWorld, is over allegations of draft-dodging surrounding cover model Bar Refaeli.

Actually they’re not even allegations since Bar rather proudly talked about avoiding the compulsory military service required of her as an Israeli citizen.

“I really wanted to serve in the IDF, but I don’t regret not enlisting, because it paid off big time. That’s just the way it is, celebrities have other needs,” Bar said, giving an excuse even lamer than Dick Cheney’s for not answering his country’s call. She went on to say: “Israel or Uganda, what difference does it make? It makes no difference to me. Why is it good to die for our country? What, isn’t it better to live in New York? Why should 18-year-old kids have to die? It’s dumb that people have to die so that I can live in Israel.”

As you can imagine though, Bar’s attitude has ruffled a few feathers in Israel, especially among parents whose children died in the course of their military service, while she was lounging on the world’s beaches.

Bar, according to RCW, has apparently made amends, somewhat, with the IDF – promising to visit injured soldiers when she’s in Israel and serving as a “recruitment officer” for the military. I’d love to hear that sales pitch.
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