Posted on 07/06/2004 11:57:17 AM PDT by rhema
G.I. Joe didn't start a war. In fact, he hardly caused a peep.
Most of the 16,191 fans who showed up at the Metrodome on Monday seemed to favor the Twins' G.I. Joe action figure giveaway before a game against the Kansas City Royals, and the fictional battlefield commander "Duke" was met with little resistance from those who thought the promotion promoted war.
"A few people rejected them," said Shelby Rhodes, who was part of a volunteer group from St. Paul Central High School handing out some of the action figures that were distributed to the first 5,000 children age 14 or younger as the Twins honored local military personnel.
Asked the manner in which those fans declined the freebie, Rhodes said: "Respectful." Security guards working at gates said they did not notice any resistance.
The Twins last week came under fire when some anti-war groups criticized the baseball club's promotion as glorifying war, particularly at a time when the nation is engaged in military resistance in Iraq. Those voices that were heard loudly in the media in the days leading up to what the Twins called "Armed Services Appreciation Day" were silent in and around the Metrodome.
"Much ado about nothing," said Twins spokesman Brad Ruiter, adding that executives from the organization walked around the Dome before the game and did not notice any resistance toward the promotion. "Ever since this became an issue last week, we received thousands of e-mails. It was a ratio of about 125-to-1 in support of what we were doing."
Ruiter said that there was "never any thought of canceling the promotion." He added that after hearing the criticism, the Twins decided they would offer fans who declined to accept the G.I. Joe action figure a pack of Twins baseball cards.
Joe Repya Jr., a retired Army lieutenant colonel who lives in Eagan, heard about the resistance on Sunday, and the Vietnam and Desert Storm veteran organized a group of about 20 people to support the Twins. His group stood at the intersection of Fifth and Chicago, holding up signs that showed their support for troops and for the Twins' decision to distribute G.I. Joe action figures.
"We Support Our G.I. Joes and Janes!" one sign read. "Thank you Twins," another sign said.
Several people honked their car horns to show their support for the group. Others cheered as they walked toward the Dome gates. The only sign of resistance came from a middle-aged man donning a Dennis Kucinich cap. "Bring our troops home now!" he shouted to them as he crossed Fifth Avenue.
A young girl walking behind the man looked back at the supporters and twirled her hand next to her ear, as if to gesture that the man was cuckoo.
"Anger," Repya said.
That was hardly the reaction inside the Dome gates. Moms, dads and children alike were excited about receiving the action figure, which is about 4 inches tall. "Look at this!" one boy said to his brother. "We got one!"
Shakopee resident Joe Smith, an Army reservist who served in Afghanistan for six months last year, and his family purchased tickets months ago when they heard about the promotion. He said the criticism of the promotion was unwarranted.
"You know, it's a toy," said Smith, whose four children each received the action figure. "You give little kids a fork or a spoon — especially boys — and they turn it into a gun. (His children) are excited about it."
And to frost the cake, Brad Radke threw the first complete game by a Twins' pitcher this season.
The only sign of resistance came from a middle-aged man donning a Dennis Kucinich cap. "Bring our troops home now!" he shouted to them as he crossed Fifth Avenue.
Grandfather Twilight still carries his torch.
It's your typical ploy of the leftwing pacifists. They aren't concerned so much about the fact that they've been offered this GI Joe toy. What they are concerned about is that OTHER PEOPLE have been offered this toy. They want to block those other people from being subjected to free speech.
It was reported on Fox news yesterday that the Twins plan to do the same promotion next year. The team also said that they have received many requests from companies that want to sponsor the event next time.
Way to go Twins!
And they are back in first place! A good day all around.
heh
Yo Jo!
I always wanted to be Lady J or Scarlett O'Hara.
Hah, our new neighbors were relocated from Great Britain. First thing they did was pull down the American flag from the flag pole out front and then the woman commented on how shocking it was that our police offices carry guns...........AARRRRRRRGGGGGGGG
You mean the Naval Academy? I think the Navel Academy is a Brittany SpearsTM training camp.
;^)
and shutout.
You know, I'd bet that for the most part these clymers who whined about GI Joe don't even LIKE baseball. Sort of goes along with being anti-American.
Their police officers carry guns now.
LOL! I are a engineer!
LOL.
The next time you run into the Brits, just tell 'em that it's a leftover tradition from 1776... : )
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