www.esryle.comLOCAL NEWS ACROSS THE NATION
Posted on 12/01/2004 7:04:47 AM PST by esryle
A children's toy sold at a local mall is upsetting some people. It bears the picture of Osama bin Laden. Area veterans and one mother say the toy has no place under anyone's tree.
It all began with a shopping trip at Mall of the Mainland in Texas City. But what was found at one store inside has ignited a chain reaction of complaints.
The store sells merchandise advertised for just about a dollar, including small toys. It's attractive to a young mother on a budget. But she was startled by what she found with her son. "I was kind of looking around for him, trying to help him," recalled Farrah Khahalil. "The picture of Osama bin Laden caught my eye. He just popped right out at me."
His picture was on the package of military action figures. The package is titled, "The First War of the Century."
Inside are generic plastic soldiers and assorted military equipment. Some might say they're just toys. But to Khahalil, it's offensive that the merchandise is on a store shelf here.
"I haven't lost anyone to 9/11, but if I had, or if anyone who saw this had, I'd be deeply offended," Khahalil said. "I think it's a slap in the face to them, a slap in the face to America."
She complained to the store clerk, but the merchandise remains on the shelf as of Tuesday.
As upset as one mother may be, consider the reaction at the nearby VFW hall.
Pete Peterson, a World War II veteran, said, "I don't know why they'd have his name advertising some kind of toy. That's the thing I don't understand. Kids got enough to worry about, much less him."
Billie Watson, a veteran's wife, said, "They'll do anything to make a dollar. Now that's terrible. I think that's terrible."
"I can't see it promoting freedom in no way," said a Korean War veteran. "That's promoting hate."
The store manager was reportedly out of town and unavailable for comment. As for the toy Ms. Khahalil bought, she plans to throw it away.
The box with OBL's picture on it could be set up and used for target practice.
For $1, it makes a cost effective item for target practice. Set it out at about 300 yards, and teach the kid to be a sharpshooter. Maybe he will be the lucky guy who gets to kill Osama Bin Laden.
In this case, she means it literally, considering it's a "everything-is-a-dollar" type store! LOL
I wonder how big this figure is. I would like to get a few if they are the right size and use them as targets for my Daisy AVANTI XS40 competition air rifle. As a convicted felon I can't possess a firearm anymore, but a good air rifle keeps my skills sharp.
I was thinking of throwing it into the fireplace and watching it slowly melt while chanting allah is melting!
I wonder if Rove got OBL to pose for the doll when OBL was making the election tape? Maybe the profits are being diverted to the Republican party.
:)
Hate for Osama. Dang right!!!
Barbie is a blonde. She doesn't wear panties.
<.smiling as I run away in fear of retribution from all blondes!>
I bet those Osama dolls would be great to blow up on New Year's Eve!!!
Hang it by it's neck on the trailer hitch of your truck!
Hang it by it's neck on the trailer hitch of your truck!
Hmm... so I guess that Saddam Hussein bobblehead isn't a good idea, either.
Heck, two different 9-11 hijacker toys have also turned up at such stores.
The rest of this world has not fully awakened to just what a horrific attack that was. When is the Beslan activity playset coming out?
Houston PING
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