Shoot the messenger

George Michael has told reporters he is surprised about the American public’s reaction to his video for ‘Shoot the Dog, and that he now can’t return there. The video has led some in the US to call him an Al Qaida sympathiser. He says he wanted to video to start a debate, and to encourage people to question their politicians about foreign policy. But he admits most people, especially in the US, are questioning him not government. He told reporters: "'Shoot the Dog' is simply my attempt to contribute to the public debate that I feel should be taking place regarding Iraq and Saddam Hussein". How the controversy will affect sales when the record is released in the UK, Europe and Australia in the first week of August remains to be seen.