Flat Earth: Madame Madeleine

Madeleine Albright has been called many things in her time, but it is a bit strong to accuse her of bringing shame on the entire female sex.

Perhaps we should look at who's talking: it's Gennady Zyuganov, head of Russia's Communist Party, who was asked about the Kosovo situation. "I am alarmed by this madame, whom I call Madame War. She is a woman, after all. Rattling rockets and bombs - it is simply against nature. I want to say to all the women's organisations of the planet and especially of Europe ... She is bringing shame on the entire female sex and the female tribe."

Calling this sexist would be as inadequate as saying that the Communists were sometimes a little robust with their opponents.