Posted on 01/23/2009 1:00:29 PM PST by cdchik123
(Crain’s) — First lady Michelle Obama is not pleased about the marketing of a pair of dolls that bear the same names as her daughters.
“We believe it is inappropriate to use young private citizens for marketing purposes,” Ms. Obama’s spokeswoman said.
Ty Inc. released its “Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia” dolls this month. Both dolls have bronze skin and dark hair.
The dolls are part of the Westmont-based toymaker’s TyGirlz line. The company is also the creator of Beanie Babies, which have reportedly generated more than $6 billion in sales since their debut in 1994.
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Chicagobusiness.com reported Wednesday that “Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia” hit store shelves this month just before Barack Obama was inaugurated.
A Ty spokeswoman originally acknowledged to Crain’s that the Sasha and Malia dolls were created with the first daughters in mind. She has since backed away from that statement.
“They were not designed to look like any living person,” the spokeswoman said of the dolls on Thursday. “Somehow there was a misunderstanding.”
Too bad.
For once I agree with the Obamas.
“We believe it is inappropriate to use young private citizens for marketing purposes,” Ms. Obama’s spokeswoman said. ‘
Then why did the Obama Campaign use them as such for the past 18 months?
Jut askin....
I agree with Mrs. Obama. Never thought I’d be saying those words, either!
“They were not designed to look like any living person,” the spokeswoman said of the dolls on Thursday. “Somehow there was a misunderstanding.”
In other words, “we forgot to discuss the terms of royalties”
Now, if only we could add the Obama "Yes We Can" Plate set, the Obama Commemorative Coin, the Official Obama Inauguration DVD (including 8 original musical numbers by well-known artists) and all those highly offensive American flags bearing The One's likeness?
That said, just because the media went after the Palin children with a vengeance, we should not reciprocate against the young Obama kids.
Like others have said, you won’t hear me saying this often.
But the First Lady is correct.
Was she upset by the George Bush Voo-Doo dolls? She probably owned one.
I agree. These girls have no say abou tbeing in the media spotlight. And more, the story that these names were chosen having nothing to do with the Obama daughters is such a bald-faced lie that it insults everyone.
For once I actually agree with Michelle. Those dolls of her girls are not right, in fact, kinda creepy. Sasha and Malia look like good kids, smart with a good head on their shoulders, they don’t need dolls made in their honor. I saw the hell that Sarah’s kids went through, of course the media would never do that to Sasha and Malia, still, the kids should be out of the media spotlight, no matter if they are Democrat or Republican
>>Then why did the Obama Campaign use them as such for the past 18 months?<<
Oh, c’mon. What candidate doesn’t trot out the kiddies on the campaign trail? That’s not the same as a toy manufacturer using their identities without permission.
Frankly, I agree with the Chelsea Rule: kids SHOULD be off limits as long as they do nothing that grossly calls attention to themselves.
Just to be fair, it didn't apply to 11 year old Chelsea Clinton when Clinton ran the first time. All the "ugly" jokes on late night talk shows were sickening.
I'll never forget Leno ravaging her every night and then Bill Clinton comes on his show and kisses Leno's ass, I would have gained a little respect for Clinton had he punched Leno.
Apples/oranges.
The kids should be off limits, but Blackie O and the Fresh Prince of Bill Ayers are big time fair game!!
‘Frankly, I agree with the Chelsea Rule: kids SHOULD be off limits ‘
So do I.
Nobody is ‘attacking’ these two cute kids.
If anyone goes after them, I’ll condemn whoever does so, just as I did when it occured with Chelsea Clinton (before she began working as a poltical operative) or the Bush twins.
But this? Ridiculous. Like it or not, they are ‘public figures’ thats part of being the First Family.
“Sasha and Malia look like good kids, smart with a good head on their shoulders, they don’t need dolls made in their honor.”
True. These little girls can’t help who their parents are. It think they should be off limits as should all children of politicians.
It is blasphemy to fashion such images of the black goddesses. Nothing can be compared to them!
She has a copyright on the names ??
>>young private citizens
Sorry, they are public figures now.
There is no physical likeness apart from the names.
Wasn’t there a ruckus a few years ago about there being no black dolls....
Plus they’re gonna fly off the shelves.
And I don't think that the kids should be exploited in any way.
My point is that these dolls are no-doubt the creation of Obama’s adoring fans and will be flattering and considerate.
No such decorum was extended to the Bush family.
why do they have boobs? :/
LMAO!!!! That is too funny!!!!!
But it is OK when the Left uses children, even small children, in commercials and YouTube videos for Left-Wing political purposes.
MO is just upset that somebody is making a buck, and it apparently isn't the Left.
Note to those who are trying to equate the Beanie Babies with the media's attacks on the Palin kids: Are you paying attention? (Hint - Answer; No) No one is “Attacking” the Obama daughters. Quite the contrary. These aren't bobble-head dolls. If some company had made John-John and Caroline dolls during the Kennedy Administration, I'm sure that even the Dems would have said, “Oh, how cute!”.
Capitalism, I'll have mine straight up, no chaser.
Get'cher O-Bama coin sets!
Got-cher O-Bama plate Right'chere!
Don'r forget the O-ficial! O-bama! Limitede Edition! Innauerration Postah!
What, Lady? No dolls of the kids?
You gottabe kiddin' me--
“Note to those who are trying to equate the Beanie Babies with the media’s attacks on the Palin kids: Are you paying attention? (Hint - Answer; No) No one is “Attacking” the Obama daughters. Quite the contrary. These aren’t bobble-head dolls. If some company had made John-John and Caroline dolls during the Kennedy Administration, I’m sure that even the Dems would have said, “Oh, how cute!”. “
I agree - Apparently my sarcasm is lost here. See post 26.
Sorry Obama’s but you do not own the names. Now unless you can prove that Sasha and Malia are the only two black girls in the world with those names and hold the copyright on the names it’s really just too bad for you.
I bet if the “profits” were going to Bill Ayers or one of the other cronies favored project then it would be acceptable.
by Steve
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
If Hillary Clinton should succeed in her bid to move back into the Whitehouse, Republicans can at least find some comfort while cleaning toilets with their "First Cleaning Lady" toilet brush.
I tried to come up some smart-ass comment tying together the effectiveness of the cleaning bristles and the whole "whitewater probe", but I can't think right now.
There's also one for George W. Brush Bush that looks more like his father. And then they're working on an Osama Bin Laden brush.
Visit the official website...
http://www.theoriginalbowlbuddy.com
where are their burkas?
She should look at it as a form of economic stimulus.
When are the girls old enough to go to war like they wanted the Bush twins to do?
Sorry, Aunt Esther but after what your side did to Palin’s kids they are fair game.
Mama Obama should have been as smart as the Democrats think she is and named her kids like Judy and Rose. Then there would be no problem. I don’t understand why A/A (african-american’s) pick such weird names for their kids. You can pick up any paper and determine their race when first names are printed without pictures in most cases
I agree. Look, those 2 dolls are just dolls. they do not resemble the O daughters.
this is part of the price of being President.. loss of privacy.
I would feel differently if these dolls were made to look disrespectful. but they are not..
Translation: We believe it's inappropriate for Ty to do this without giving us a cut...
You mean like the Bratz named Sasha?
Wait till she sees the Obama Chia Pet.
I saw those flags, too. When did it become appropriate to plaster Obama’s face on the American flag?
Then you should have copyrighted their names then. You know for a first lady you sure are as dumb as a brick.
And what defines grossly calling attention to yourself? Having been pregnant? Being caught drinking in Austin?
Do you really think Chelsea didnt have any discretions, or is it more likely no one wanted to blemish the Clintons.
I think the rule should be, if you can bring your kids up in the spotlight, then anyone else can comment. Im so tired of our side acting like a bunch of eunuchs and pussy footing around hard issues.
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