I want to move away from the obvious analysis of the soon-to-be psycho-semiotic phenomena of the Malay Christian convert named Lina Joy.

Where I live - 30 minutes' drive from New York City - a local newspaper has a story on the individual formerly known as Azalina Jailani. This paper normally would not carry stories of people wishing to delete designations/words they find meaningless in an identity card.

But because international news picks up 'anomalies of culture and/or religion' as creative elements and sensational items to help sell, Lina Joy is a newsworthy item.