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.
I don't know what to think about this. If they are complaining just because the toy has a pic of him on it, what a gadfly...
It doesn't appear that the toy is pro-Osama, though the graphic is so small I can't hardly read anything.
We went and looked today and it is pro OBL! I got out of that place before I went to jail. Will be back tomorrow.
Trouble right here in Bayou City. FReepable?
Been to the store sold out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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