Happy Easter.
I think I’m just going to take a pass on this one.
Retailers went on the defensive. “There was no intention on our part to offer up a violent Easter basket. We’re very conscious of what will and what will not offend our customers. It was meant to be a lighthearted and fun gift,” says Kmart spokesperson Abigail Jacobs. “It’s in my opinion a harmless toy included in an Easter basket.”
The reaction to a Voice query at Walgreens contrasted sharply, with company representatives retreating instead of digging in. “Going forward next year, we don’t plan to have Easter baskets with toy soldiers or a military theme. The thinking on these Easter baskets was more toy-related and we didn’t really think about it otherwise,” says Walgreens spokesperson Carol Hively. “We apologize to anybody who is offended or felt that this was inappropriate.”
Anyone else want a crack at it?
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Perhaps they were simply concerned that "Prince of Peace" merchandise would get customers arrested before they left the mall.
Easter and war: two flavors that go gr-r-reat together!
(appy polly loggies to Irving Berlin)
In your Easter helmet
Iraquis will be well met.
You'll be a killer diller
with your Easter grenade!
Kill counts we're inflating
to help George Bush's rating.
He'll be a real commander
of the Easter Brigade!
On the Avenue, Penn Avenue,
the columnists will hail us
and we'll all be merry
and military
Oh, I could write a trifle
about your Easter rifle
and evil axis falling
on our Easter day raid!
I dunno, the hatred shown by nailing someone to a cross doesn't seem much different than the hatred shown by shooting an M16 at someone you don't know.
I suppose they could both say they were just doing their jobs.
Um.
That was kind of offensive. The soldiers didn't sign up hoping to slaughter Iraqi civilians. Shock and Furtive Hard-On was designed by civilian cannibals.
The rank and file signed up to protect this country under the leadership of their elected president. Unfortunately, there isn't one currently, and the guy they allowed to wear the suit just really likes killing people.
Unless you're comfortable with being undefended, it's kind of dirty pool to accuse the military rank and file of being bloodthirsty animals for defending you.
BWAHAHA.... great song, Kip W!
As to the retailers shrugging and saying "We didn't know", that's crap. The buying decisions were made before the antiwar numbers swelled, so they simply called it wrong. But they were pandering to jingoism when they made the decision, despite their denials.