Ummm, What's with all the satanic handsigns? You're not in Slayer, or are you?

Once upon a time, there lived a heavy metal bimbo. She dressed like an extra in an Alice Cooper filmclip and never slept on weekends, but despite her many and varied excesses, she never made satanic hand signs like the ones prominent world leaders and celebrities appear to have grown so remarkably fond of. Not because she was afraid of the gates of hell opening and carrying her off to the underworld, but simply because its not that comfortable, and kind of hard to do by accident.

So why are they all doing it? Really, I'm curious, and I cant come up with a good answer. Those who prefer milliners who work exclusively with tin foil will tell you it's because they're in league with Satan. Skeptics, the mortal enemy of crackpots and tin-foil-hatters everywhere, don't believe Satan exists, and therefore would probably tell you that Obama Barrack is simply having a bit of a laugh. And maybe he listens to the occasional Metallica CD , which is his right, but it's bound to lose him some votes. Which, if you follow closely, is about to nicely segue into my next point, which goes a little something like this.

I'm not the one who got myself voted into the leadership of a religion, political party or entire country, but I have to ask this. Is it politically a clever thing to do? You see, I was under the impression that politicians want people to vote for them. As many as possible. Even the ones that don't agree with their policies. That sign of the devil thing is going to lose you some votes. My parents wouldn't have voted for someone doing what could be interpreted as more than their bit for the apocalypse.

The current Pope and the last god knows how many U.S Presidents have all been contenders for the historically highly coveted role of antichrist, which most people would find offensive, but no, these dudes are so hip they just smile and flash the devil horns. Go figure. Way to reassure the masses, Prince William.

So- what's that about? A bit of research and you'll find some christians who find it offensive, for that reason alone, I dont think I want my world leaders doing this. It seems I keep finding myself defending people's right to spiritual beliefs, however nutty I may find them to be, and as some people, for whatever reason, belive that the power structures of the world are in league with the devil and the hand signal is PROOF!, I'd rather like to know why the hell you all keep doing it? It's not "cool" anymore, not even the eighties revival can account for every disturbing trend, you know....

Or maybe they're paving the way for their post-celebrity careers, and are busy drumming up future tin foil hat sales.