By Victor C Kirk
I am an enthusiast of the James Bond franchise. When the theaters announce a new movie, I quickly scroll the internet for a movie preview and the local theaters for a show date. I am amazed at the “stealth” ability of the character; James Bond, to not only maneuver from one harrowing crisis to another but dressed in a tux too. A critical component of the Bond image is THE car. He is afforded; at the expense of the British government, the latest dream car, usually a sports car selling at a price well beyond my means to both purchase and provide appropriate upkeep. Nevertheless, whatever car is crafted for his use triggers the child within me and an insatiable desire to own it. You know you can purchase that street monster or slick aerodynamically and exquisitely crafted “collectors” item, but next comes the insurance and determining where it can be serviced. Usually, you must reside far away from Monroe to be assured that the repair shop is “authorized” by the manufacturer. A foreign car repair shop owner friend of mine in Baton Rouge often speaks of the owner of a Lamborghini with a transmission problem. The cost of the diagnosis was $5000. It had to be shipped to an “authorized” repair shop in California. If you chose not to repair the transmission, it was mailed back to the repair shop in pieces in a box. The estimate to repair was $10,000. They were not going to reassemble the transmission.
To tell the truth, my love of the James Bond movies could not exclude the “Bond Girls”. They were awfully close to being the number one reason to watch the movie. The ‘Bond Girl” most etched in my memory is Halle Berry who played the character “Jinx” – also a secret agent in “Die Another Day”. I still can remember the opening scene of the movie – Halle Berry gliding from the waters of an exclusive oasis sandy hot spot dressed in an orange bikini…. Nuff said about that.
But the James Bond character was thought to be fictional. The truth beckons to be told. The novels were written by Ian Fleming and closely chronicled his life as a British intelligence officer. But today, there remain activities like those ascribed to “James Bond” in the movies. The Sunday April 18 News-Star featured an Associated Press article by Nasser Kerimi. The article chronicles damage to an Iranian nuclear facility by an assailant every knows but nobody can find. A classic who done it of international proportions. The assailant is reported to have damaged centrifuges on a nuclear reactor located in one of “the most secure facilities in the Islamic Republic”. No one knows how he gained access but reports are that he “fled the country hours before the sabotage happened”.
As you are aware, Iran continues to issue a threat to the international community. The basis of the threat is the economic sanctions imposed by the US and other countries designed to force Iran to cease its efforts to produce a nuclear bomb. It would appear Iran is demanding the removal of the sanctions and reinstatement of their position at the table to participate in world decisions as an equal partner. Until such time as its status is reinstated, it would increase the percentage of enriched uranium – presently up to 60% and soon have the capacity to produce nuclear grade material perfect for an instrument of mass destruction. Everyone at the table currently either has a big gun or are close partners with a nation with a bigger gun. North Korea continues to flex its muscles by launching long range missiles, so Iran wants a big gun to ward off those thinking of overthrowing its current regime.
Needless to say, the “James Bond” character, eluded police and is on the wanted list of Interpol. – yes, Interpol does exist outside of the movie theater. The 43-year-old Reza Karimi is said to have listed among his foreign travels’ history – Ethiopia, Kenya, the Netherlands, Qatar, Romania, Turkey, Uganda, and the United Arab Emirates. All places where a “person of color” would easily move about especially with the movie image crafted for British actors Idris Elba (Sierra Leonean and Ghanaian heritage) and Reg’e – Jean Page who is of Zimbabwean heritage. The British accent would allow either of them with ease to say, “my name is Bond, James Bond”. Based on their current popularity with women across the world, finding a “Bond Girl” to match their wits would become a bidding war somewhat like the recent bachelor of color that sent shockwaves thru the industry.
So, for now, I look forward to the next Bond adventure in “No Time to Die”. Perhaps in 2022 we will find solace in a Bond of color movie even if the star of color is referred to as “Son of Bond” a preferred reference of my wife.
