I have no problem with the "Bully Pulpit," as described by former President Teddy Roosevelt. I also have no problem with anyone speaking their mind. I mostly follow Voltaire's approach on that one. But people in this media-driven age who have become internationally known through their acting, singing, athletic prowess or, in the case of the Paris Hiltons of the world, merely being famous for its own sake, are often taken far too seriously merely because of their notoriety.

I can't read Bjork's intentions. It sounded like a spontaneous jibe at the Chinese for their known repression of human rights. If you make a public comment, you also assume the risk of responsibility for it. This goes for all the abysmally stupid public utterances of famous folk as well as for the enlightened ones.