Uhh.. I didn't get that it was supposed to portray patriotism or American Pride or whatever. No more than Living Dead Dolls are supposed to convey that dead children are cool or funny.
"This cuddly Saddam doll was created in the spirit of political satire and does not reflect any particular position on the war. We understand that this is a politically incorrect toy."
It's pretty lowbrow, but then again, I used to see old men walking around the mall wearing hats with fake bird doo on them that read "Damn seagulls!". I think those people are the market for this crotcheted doll.
I agree with you that some "dead" toys are considered to be in bad taste, but most people (and I do say most and not all, because there will always be someone) aren't offended by them in that knee-jerk way. And I can't imagine that there's anything offensive about bird crap - it's just a trashy joke.
But certain things, and when I say this I'm thinking of things like the "white trash" doll, or those exaggerated African-American figurines my father likes so much (ugh), are more than that for me, because they're targeting specific people or groups of people.
I guess it could be argued that Living Dead Dolls target dead zombie children, but I don't see any of those being oppressed in society.
See, that's why I don't get why you are so offended over the Saddam doll. He's not an oppressed people, and it looks to me like just another tasteless joke.
It's the people who are saying things like 'we need to go bomb France next' that are really making me ill. Would you like some Liberty Fries with your burger? Please.
It's the people who are saying things like 'we need to go bomb France next' that are really making me ill. Would you like some Liberty Fries with your burger? Please.
Don't worry, I don't like them either. ;)
No, Saddam Hussein isn't an oppressed people, but he /is/ a specific person, and while it may not be doing it directly, the idea of "playing" (because it's a toy, right?) at harming someone who really exists bothers me. Even if he's a scumbag.
dear god, how can that product or ad be possibly construed as patriotism or americanism??
that said, I thought you would be interested in this article (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,81798,00.html), especially the last sentence at the very very bottom. :-)
Thanks - that was pretty amusing. Actually, though, in all honesty, Philmont made me fall in love with New Mexico, too. I guess I have something in common with the man, gods help me. ;) It's gorgeous there.
I think that a little civil disobedience can be good for the soul, but I think a lot of things are getting out of hand. I mean, how effective can your protests be when you're making so many people pissed at you? How does that make people want to hear your side?
I agree, it is very problematic. As I wrote in somebody else's journal:
Regardless, rioting isn't the answer. It marginalizes the activist's point of view, and alienates the cause's advocates. Rioting results in a curtailment of basic civil liberties and inhibits future expressions of belief. Unhappiness with current events is not an excuse to engage in shameless self-promotion at the expense of other people's legitimate freedom of expression.
You know, at first I was like, "How weird, someone is knitting Saddam dolls." And then I saw the missile thing. And /then/ I read that when you stick the missile up his ass it played "God Bless America," and that's where I thought things were definitely very WRONG.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2003-03-21 02:58 pm (UTC)I hate most crocheted gewgaws (toilet paper dollies and the like), but THAT thing...ugh.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-21 06:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-21 06:06 pm (UTC)I'm thoroughly disgusted by that.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-21 06:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-21 06:08 pm (UTC)"This cuddly Saddam doll was created in the spirit of political satire and does not reflect any particular position on the war. We understand that this is a politically incorrect toy."
It's pretty lowbrow, but then again, I used to see old men walking around the mall wearing hats with fake bird doo on them that read "Damn seagulls!". I think those people are the market for this crotcheted doll.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-21 06:46 pm (UTC)But certain things, and when I say this I'm thinking of things like the "white trash" doll, or those exaggerated African-American figurines my father likes so much (ugh), are more than that for me, because they're targeting specific people or groups of people.
I guess it could be argued that Living Dead Dolls target dead zombie children, but I don't see any of those being oppressed in society.
Re:
Date: 2003-03-21 06:56 pm (UTC)It's the people who are saying things like 'we need to go bomb France next' that are really making me ill. Would you like some Liberty Fries with your burger? Please.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-22 05:09 am (UTC)Don't worry, I don't like them either. ;)
No, Saddam Hussein isn't an oppressed people, but he /is/ a specific person, and while it may not be doing it directly, the idea of "playing" (because it's a toy, right?) at harming someone who really exists bothers me. Even if he's a scumbag.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-23 07:22 am (UTC)Well, it /does/ play "God Bless America" when you shove the missile up his ass.
no subject
that said, I thought you would be interested in this article (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,81798,00.html), especially the last sentence at the very very bottom. :-)
no subject
Date: 2003-03-21 08:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-22 05:12 am (UTC)Hee!
Date: 2003-03-22 05:11 am (UTC)I think that a little civil disobedience can be good for the soul, but I think a lot of things are getting out of hand. I mean, how effective can your protests be when you're making so many people pissed at you? How does that make people want to hear your side?
Re: Hee!
Date: 2003-03-22 09:17 am (UTC)Regardless, rioting isn't the answer. It marginalizes the activist's point of view, and alienates the cause's advocates. Rioting results in a curtailment of basic civil liberties and inhibits future expressions of belief. Unhappiness with current events is not an excuse to engage in shameless self-promotion at the expense of other people's legitimate freedom of expression.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-22 06:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-21 09:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-22 05:13 am (UTC)I wonder what "God" thinks about it.
"God" speaks!
Date: 2003-03-22 05:44 am (UTC)Re: "God" speaks!
Date: 2003-03-22 06:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-22 05:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-22 07:51 pm (UTC)no subject
no subject
Date: 2003-03-23 07:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-24 08:25 am (UTC)