Rachael Ray’s kiffiyeh Dunkin’ Donuts ad has made her a target of right-wing pundits today, most notably Fox News commentator Michelle Malkin. A rare misstep for Ray who up until now has enjoyed a squeaky clean, successful career as a Food Network star, TV talk show host, and much sought after product spokesperson. I find it hard to believe that wearing a kiffiyeh could nullify the girl-next-door image that she has worked so carefully to cultivate since her days on the Food Network show, $40 a Day. It just seems like another feeble attempt by ultra-conservatives to further their own political agendas.

Malkin took offense to Ray wearing the kiffiyeh and and even threatened to start a boycott of the popular donut chain. She writes in her syndicated column that,”The kiffiyeh, for the clueless, is the traditional scarf of Arab men that has come to symbolize murderous Palestinian jihad.”

While that fact may be true, I doubt anyone reading this would mistake Rachael Ray for a terrorist sympathizer. In fact, it seems Ray is being singled out for wearing the kiffiyeh, an act perpetrated by many celebrities in the past. I’ve seen pictures of David Beckham, Ricky Martin, Kirsten Dunst and Colin Farrell all wearing the kiffiyeh and nothing was ever said. So why now and why Rachael Ray? Might it have to do with the fact that Rachael Ray is a household name, recognized country wide from coast to coast? And I suppose if you’re trying to reinvent the Red Scare for the 2000s, there is no better target then the wholesome, down home image of Rachael Ray, who is after all in the clandestine field of teaching people how to cook simple meals in less than 30 minutes. After all, if a Food Network star can be sympathetic to the rebel cause then might we all be susceptible and influenced by such a huge TV personality?

Michelle Malkin is stupid. If you want to vilify Rachael Ray then do it right. Single her out for all of her fast food chain commercials which promote unhealthy food. Tell the truth that you’re sick of seeing Rachael Ray brand food products, in your grocery aisle, with her face plastered all them . Say that you hate Rachael Ray’s cookbooks, not so much for the recipes inside but again because of the face adorning them. Yell really loudly how much you hate the term EVOO! Every Day With Rachael Ray Magazine? We’re already forced to spend every day of our lives with the woman, why should we have to read her magazine as well? Michelle Malkin, just say you hate Rachael Ray because she can cook better than you and don’t try to take her down a few pegs just because she wore a kiffiyeh one time.