Iconic, these Chinese - Clinton condoms

Iconic, Ironic, Laconic... and clever. A bit of Chinese marketing innovation that merits note:

Clinton used to help protect against HIV -- literally

BEIJING (AP)

A rubber company in China has begun marketing condoms under the brand names Clinton and Lewinsky.

Spokesman Liu Wenhua, of the Guangzhou Rubber Group, said the company was handing out 100,000 free Clinton and Lewinsky condoms as part of a promotion to raise consumer awareness of its new products.

Liu said the company had chosen to use the Clinton name because consumers viewed the 42nd president as a responsible person, who would want to stress safe sex as an effective way to prevent the spread of the HIV virus.

"The names we chose are symbols of people who are responsible and dedicated to their jobs," he said. "I believe Bill Clinton cannot be unhappy about this because he's a very generous man."

I also have to believe Bill Clinton won't object. But that statement is pretty crafty isn't it? It alludes that the Guangzhou Rubber Group doesn't exactly have permission to use the Clinton (or Lewinsky) name for commercial purposes and publicly acknowledges its gamy hedge.

The re-emergence of William Jefferson Clinton is one of the few bright spots in American and world politics. When a statesman of such great personal power as Clinton steps outside of office, outside of his party and leads, I think that truly portends of more visionary times. He is that rare and most effective of world figures; an independent statesman with authentic Liberal values. And even rarer, he can take criticism, he can take a stand and he can take a joke.

What do you think "responsible and dedicated to her job" Lewinsky will do?