Countering the Borat Offensive: In recent years, there have been films about the allegedly pernicious practices of pharmaceutical companies in Africa (The Constant Gardener) and about the evil influence of the oil companies on foreign policy (Syriana), and with Leonardo di Caprio’s new film about the diamond industry (The Blood Diamond) scheduled for later this year, there’s more fun to come.

The industries under fire can all learn a lesson from Kazakhstan, the former Soviet Republic that hads suffered mightily at the hands of Sacha Baron Cohen, the British comedian whose alter ego is Borat, self-appointed Kazhak ambassador whose portrayal of the country is hilarious but not too flattering.

After the Kazakhstan government attempted to counter the Borat offensive with an advertising campaign designed to highlight its pro-western policies, economic growth, and enormous oil reserves, Borat responded by denouncing the ads as misinformation planted by agents of neighboring Uzbekistan and threatened to “commence bombardment of their cities with our catapults,” if they do not stop.

At some point, the best response is probably a sense of humor.