Posted on 10/14/2006 7:09:22 PM PDT by LibWhacker
Danish toymaker Lego Group today issued a pre-emptive apology to Muslims around the world for the appearance a second time since spring - via e-mail and on numerous Web sites - of an authentic-looking Lego box showing the prophet Mohammed in a sexually compromising position, company officials said.
"The picture of the box is computer manipulated and in the picture Lego elements are used to depict the Prophet Mohammed in a situation of a sexual nature - with a severely offensive text," Charlotte Simonsen, Lego's head of corporate communications, said in a company statement.
Lego operates its headquarters for North and South America in Enfield.
"The Lego Group wants to stress that there is no such Lego product, and that the company totally condemns the picture and the manner in which someone has made use of the Lego products and brand," Simonsen said.
"The Lego Group does not know the original source of the image which back in spring appeared on some European Web sites," she said. "Possibilities of stopping this use of Lego products and brands are being investigated, and the Lego Group is collaborating with the Danish police in the matter," Simonsen said.
Lego has posted a statement on its Web site, www.lego.com
A spokesman at Lego's Enfield offices could not be reached for immediate comment about possible tightening of security at the complex because of the offensive material. But in a brief phone interview from Denmark today, Simonsen said that Lego has not felt a need to increase security around its properties.
At this point reactions have been mostly disbelief that Lego would ever produce such a product, she said, adding people who have contacted Lego thus far have been understanding.
A cartoon published in a Danish newspaper last February sparked riots and other violence around the world as Muslims vented their anger over images that included one showing a turbaned figure suggesting an Islamic propensity for bombings.
In today's statement, Simonsen said Lego has watched a rising phenomenon in recent years of "artists" making "very creative models," usually promoting positive ideals.
"Other people, however, use our bricks for models that we never can and will support or endorse," she said. Such is the case with the Prophet Mohammed image being circulated around the Internet, Simonsen said.
"We would like to express our sympathy with anyone who is hurt by this. It is not at all in our interest that people are insulted by illustrations made with Lego bricks," she added.
Simonsen went on to say that Lego has no idea who might be behind the offensive image, adding the company has only "very limited legal possibilities" to stop such misuse of its products and images.
"We are, however, working with the Danish police in this recent specific matter," she said.
"We would like to stress that the Lego Group respects human rights and works actively against discrimination based on ethnical background, race, religion, gender, age, disabilities, or sexual orientation," Simonsen concluded.
I wonder who will be beheaded over this.
Yup. They're showing quite a bit of pluck, aren't they?
Or maybe just a special Lego set commemorating the Crusades or (perhaps) the Battle of Tours.
bwahahahaha
http://destinationdaniel.smugmug.com/gallery/1213678/1/56764726
Lego brokeback mountain
thank you. I tried to get it over here but it wouldn't take. Hopefully the above link i just posted will work. Someone did a good job of dubbing the music.
Damn these people! they have the same goal as the left - destroy everything that is good.
Pussys.
LOL!!!
What's the severely offensive text? I see nothing in the pic that's not historically accurate. (Did Mohammed have 23 wives or was it some other number?)
Anyway, at least The Brick Testament still stands.
So what's next abolishing the use of crayons to draw pictures?
I prefer "police be upon him," m'self.
So if Lego didn't make the set, and I have no doubt they did not, it is way to clever. Why the apology. My apology would be something along the lines of Lego makes no such playset,we have no control over it, deal with it you thin skinned goat #*@$#&.
LOL
Definitely offensive but funny.
Exactly, that's what I was thinking.
Now we have to apologize to the muzzies for things we didn't even DO!?
There's no way Lego should have apologized. In fact, their apology almost makes it more believable that such a set exists.
Unbelievable.
When do we apologize for not being muslim?
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