Hi there, !
Today Thu 05/01/2008 Wed 04/30/2008 Tue 04/29/2008 Mon 04/28/2008 Sun 04/27/2008 Sat 04/26/2008 Fri 04/25/2008 Archives
Rantburg
533770 articles and 1862117 comments are archived on Rantburg.

Today: 67 articles and 409 comments as of 4:47.
Post a news link    Post your own article   
Area: WoT Operations    WoT Background    Non-WoT    Opinion       
U.S. Marines join Brits fighting Taliban in Helmand
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 5: Russia-Former Soviet Union
9 00:00 USN,Ret. [5] 
8 00:00 Mike Kozlowski [3] 
6 00:00 RD [2] 
4 00:00 xbalanke [3] 
11 00:00 Mike [6] 
28 00:00 USN,Ret. [7] 
3 00:00 gorb [3] 
Page 1: WoT Operations
1 00:00 JosephMendiola [4]
11 00:00 Clinter Darling of the Munchkins3507 [2]
0 [3]
8 00:00 Abu Uluque [2]
13 00:00 gorb [2]
9 00:00 hammerhead [8]
1 00:00 Old Patriot [2]
2 00:00 tu3031 [6]
0 [7]
1 00:00 gromky [6]
2 00:00 Mad Eye [6]
12 00:00 trailing wife [6]
0 [6]
0 [3]
3 00:00 trailing wife [6]
3 00:00 trailing wife [7]
2 00:00 mojo [6]
5 00:00 ed [4]
1 00:00 USN,Ret. [6]
1 00:00 liberalhawk [2]
2 00:00 Angavins Scourge of the Munchkins9583 [3]
Page 2: WoT Background
8 00:00 gorb [3]
3 00:00 JosephMendiola [2]
4 00:00 JosephMendiola [6]
12 00:00 JosephMendiola [3]
28 00:00 smn [2]
4 00:00 JosephMendiola [2]
1 00:00 liberalhawk [6]
0 [2]
0 [6]
1 00:00 gorb [3]
0 [3]
2 00:00 JosephMendiola [11]
Page 3: Non-WoT
15 00:00 Steve White [5]
5 00:00 RD [10]
7 00:00 Old Patriot [11]
17 00:00 Bavarian Illuminati [6]
11 00:00 Procopius2k [4]
2 00:00 Steve White [3]
7 00:00 RD [4]
3 00:00 tu3031 [2]
7 00:00 Thaimble Scourge of the Pixies4707 [3]
9 00:00 RD [12]
1 00:00 Mike Kozlowski [2]
6 00:00 tu3031 [2]
0 [2]
10 00:00 Old Patriot [13]
0 [3]
21 00:00 gorb [8]
5 00:00 Alaska Paul [9]
27 00:00 Old Patriot [7]
20 00:00 USN,Ret. [6]
3 00:00 mojo [2]
Page 4: Opinion
5 00:00 trailing wife [8]
6 00:00 Alaska Paul [6]
4 00:00 Pappy [5]
1 00:00 trailing wife [4]
1 00:00 Woozle Elmeter 2700 [3]
2 00:00 mhw [2]
5 00:00 USN,Ret. [2]
-Lurid Crime Tales-
State moves to ban fake testicles on vehicles
Senate lawmakers in Florida have voted to ban the fake bull testicles that dangle from the trailer hitches of many trucks and cars throughout the state.

Republican Sen. Cary Baker, a gun shop owner from Eustis, Florida, called the adornments offensive and proposed the ban. Motorists would be fined $60 for displaying the novelty items, which are known by brand names like "Truck Nutz" and resemble the south end of a bull moving north.

The Florida Senate voted last week to add the measure to a broader transportation bill, but it is not included in the House version.
Posted by: Fred || 04/28/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The comments, they are so obvious, they write themselves.

/insert snark about the testicular status of the elected officials, and or truck owners here/

Posted by: N guard || 04/28/2008 0:51 Comments || Top||

#2  Closer to home, Fred. Virginia hopes to do the same thing: HB1452 -- Bans the display of trailer-hitch ornaments that resemble bull testicles. Get out the pop corn as this becomes a First Amendment issue.
Posted by: GK || 04/28/2008 1:00 Comments || Top||

#3  They were alright until some idiot got the idea of selling them in brown and black! That caught the attention of inquiring 'southern belles'!
Posted by: smn || 04/28/2008 1:02 Comments || Top||

#4  If this bill passes, Floridians will have to dangle real testicles from their trailer hitches.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 04/28/2008 1:04 Comments || Top||

#5  HB 1452 – "Prohibits display on or equipping of any motor vehicle with any object that depicts, represents, or resembles human genitalia."

HB 1452 was left in the Transportation Committee, GK. Of course, the sponsor or someone else could try to revive it next year (if they're willing to face more public ridicule like they got this year).

BTW, Spruill (sponsor of the bill) is a Democrat. As N guard says....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 04/28/2008 1:13 Comments || Top||

#6  For years we've seen a Red Caddy here in Pacifica with two tennis balls in a plastic sack hanging down from up under the Caddy's back bumper.

Real authentic like with the left one hanging a bit lower. Gina gets a hoot and a giggle from watching 'em sway when the old Red Caddy takes a corner. The alky driving it is a local who only drives his Caddy from his house to 2 different local bars both not very far from his house.

By 7am he's already stiff leaving bar #1 and stoically heading to bar #2 looking straight ahead. The newcomers here are astonished because the police never pull him over, not knowing he's been grandfathered in.

FYI: Our alky with the Red Cadillac has a prominent Obama for Prez. bumper sticker just above the plastic sack and tennis balls. ~:)
Posted by: RD || 04/28/2008 1:40 Comments || Top||

#7  Offensive? In rural Wyoming they sell them as: Prairie Oysters.
Posted by: McZoid || 04/28/2008 4:13 Comments || Top||

#8  Next, will they ban the Calvin decals?
Posted by: Eric Jablow || 04/28/2008 4:46 Comments || Top||

#9  Legislating taste has been ever ineffective.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/28/2008 5:08 Comments || Top||

#10  " It's all right, officer. They're only Neuticles."
Posted by: Grunter || 04/28/2008 6:49 Comments || Top||

#11  They are tacky and kinda funny, in a kindergarten sense of humor way. However, I feel they are free speech and should not be legislated against.
Posted by: DarthVader || 04/28/2008 7:55 Comments || Top||

#12  They were alright until some idiot got the idea of selling them in brown and black! That caught the attention of inquiring 'southern belles'!
Posted by smn 2008-04-28 01:02



WTF? Projection? I see you're as open-minded as the empty suit on race. I find these unattractive, juvenile, and sending a message of inadequacy, but I never thought about race. Again, WTF?
Posted by: Frank G || 04/28/2008 8:29 Comments || Top||

#13  I'm glad the Repubs are working so hard to shake off the "Old Stick in the Mud" image they have.
WTF?
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 04/28/2008 8:48 Comments || Top||

#14  I understand Heather Mills has Sir Paul's dangling from the rear view mirror of her ride.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 04/28/2008 9:09 Comments || Top||

#15  What about real testicles?...
Posted by: mojo || 04/28/2008 12:14 Comments || Top||

#16  They should look to their election laws and worry about chads HANGING......
Posted by: USN,Ret. || 04/28/2008 14:18 Comments || Top||

#17  smn is too stupid to live.
Posted by: OldSpook || 04/28/2008 16:15 Comments || Top||

#18  No, officer, they're not testicles. They're tennis balls and my tennis racquet. What on earth were you thinking? I'm offended by your implication.

Want a bite of my root-beer popsicle?
Posted by: gorb || 04/28/2008 16:31 Comments || Top||

#19  I saw a pair of those yesterday, they were Blue.

Did'nt connect until I saw the tag was Minnesota.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 04/28/2008 16:59 Comments || Top||

#20  another important piece of legislation certainly...
Posted by: Snash Oppressor of the Mohammatans aka Broadhead6 || 04/28/2008 20:01 Comments || Top||

#21  As before, do your research OldSpook; I have. This isn't the first time for such a controversy, it has happened with certain female sex toys which were innocuous when they were clear, pink, silver and gold! Shortly after they were ordered in brown and black in Alabama and Georgia back in the 80's, those state legislatures moved to prohibit those items when their 'Southern Belles' were caught with possession. This 'thing' goes back to the slavery days when blacks couldn't look whites in the eye, and it was ok for a white man to be an adulterer with a black woman or rape that same woman married or single, while a death offense for a black man to 'have' a white woman! Don't deny your past!
Posted by: smn || 04/28/2008 20:26 Comments || Top||

#22  Frank G, what does 'Truck Nutz' have to do with American slavery?? I was pained to lower my IQ just to answer OldSpook's disconnect!
Posted by: smn || 04/28/2008 20:30 Comments || Top||

#23  Frank you are soooo lucky..

I thinkum "IT" likes youse!!

>:)
Posted by: RD || 04/28/2008 20:39 Comments || Top||

#24  "Don't deny your past!"
Frank wasn't even born then, smn. It's not his past.
Posted by: Darrell || 04/28/2008 20:52 Comments || Top||

#25  Don't deny your past!

Whatever the case with the past, it is even more important to not deny the present.
Posted by: gorb || 04/28/2008 21:03 Comments || Top||

#26  Darrell, neither was I, but if Frank G is a born American with roots back into American history, then like I, it's his past. I have traced my family's history back to 1792 on my mother's line, and 1850 on my father's; and what's happening in Florida has moreso than not been influenced by that past!
Posted by: smn || 04/28/2008 21:32 Comments || Top||

#27  they're bull testicles, supposedly. Reading anything else into it is sick fantasy, and racist if that's what you're projecting. Sometimes the mask slips a bit, other times - like today, it slips a LOT
Posted by: Frank G || 04/28/2008 21:36 Comments || Top||

#28  Brad Paisley(sic?) has a C & W song on the charts that speaks to this issue. I think our boy snm is the object of the last stanza.
Posted by: USN,Ret. || 04/28/2008 22:43 Comments || Top||


-Obits-
Thousands Attend Ballpark Funeral for Long-Missing Ohio Soldier
American does love her military folks!
CINCINNATI — Military workers and supporters from across the country joined in memorials Sunday for a slain Army reservist who had become a poignant picture of the war in Iraq after he was captured by insurgents.

Officials estimated that about 10,000 people walked past Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin's casket during a weekend visitation at a civic center in Clermont County, east of Cincinnati, where he grew up. Another 4,000 headed to Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds, for an afternoon memorial service, which was billed as a celebration.

"It's a celebration because his death was just a transition into a new life," Army Chaplain Dale Ellens said at the service. "Today marks a day of both sadness and joy."

The crowd occupied the lower portion of the 42,000-seat stadium, behind home plate, stretching from first base to third.

Maupin's flag-draped casket was on a platform in the area of the pitcher's mound. The only people on the field were members of the 338th Army band and about 100 family members, military representatives and dignitaries.

"Matt Maupin was the all-American kid," said retired Lt. Gen. James Campbell, representing the Army at the service. "We are so proud of you. You have served your country with honor and distinction."

Maupin's remains were found in Iraq last month, nearly four years after he was captured when his fuel convoy was attacked near Baghdad on April 9, 2004. He became the face of the war for many Americans after the Arab television network Al-Jazeera aired a videotape in April 2004 showing him wearing camouflage and a floppy desert hat, sitting on a floor surrounded by five masked men holding automatic rifles.

Members of his unit, the Illinois-based 724th Transportation Co., were among those on the field Sunday.

"In his service, he became a son to all of Batavia and a son to all of Ohio," said Gov. Ted Strickland. "The Maupins heard the prayers of people from across the state and across the world."

Maupin, a 20-year-old private first class when he disappeared, was listed as missing-captured until a tip from local Iraqis led to the discovery of his remains on the outskirts of Baghdad, about 12 miles from where the convoy was ambushed.

The Army had promoted Maupin three times since his capture, to keep his military career on a par with his contemporaries in case he survived. At a private ceremony with his family on Saturday, the Army awarded Maupin the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, the POW Medal and other commendations.

Since his capture, the Yellow Ribbon Support Center founded by his parents, Keith and Carolyn Maupin, has sent nearly 10,000 packages of toiletries, magazines, snacks and games to soldiers. They have said that work will continue.

Strickland praised the work of the Maupins, who have raised money for scholarships in the name of their son and others from the Cincinnati area who died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and helped provide computers that would allow soldiers to keep in touch with their families.

"In your pain and in your grief, may Matt's courage give you courage now," Strickland told the Maupins. "May Matt's strength give you strength now."
Posted by: Sherry || 04/28/2008 10:53 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  RIP Thank you
Posted by: Xenophon || 04/28/2008 11:02 Comments || Top||

#2  Funny, I didn't see this on the news this morning, but I did notice they spent almost a half an hour asking if the photos of Hannah Montana went too far. Another channel spent at least a half an hour giving the Rev Wright a platform to share his deep and meaningful views. In a big line up of the most popular TV stations at the gym I noticed that NO ONE except one 60+ year old lady was watching any of the national news shows and she didn't have headphones on. If you have any stock in the networks, now would be a good time to get out.
Posted by: Sninert Black9312 || 04/28/2008 11:33 Comments || Top||

#3  The local community has been supportive of Sgt. Maupin's family the entire four years he was missing. This isn't a situation where the uncaring parade pretend grief for the cameras.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/28/2008 12:17 Comments || Top||

#4  Funny, I didn't see this on the news this morning,...

I did see this on Fox this morning, including footage from the ceremony - in between the aforementioned Hannah Montana and Rev. Wright coverage.
Posted by: xbalanke || 04/28/2008 14:35 Comments || Top||


-Short Attention Span Theater-
Loser of the Day
Like most stories that end up with a man mowing his friend's lawn in a dress, it started out innocently enough.

That's the teaser. Rest at link. :-)
Posted by: gorb || 04/28/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  And just why doesn't he have steel-toed sandals on??????? mowing lawn can be dangerous.
Posted by: USN,Ret. || 04/28/2008 14:17 Comments || Top||

#2  ...and safety glasses and hearing protectors and knee pads and a cup.

Damn, where's OSHA when you need them?
Posted by: AlanC || 04/28/2008 15:51 Comments || Top||

#3  Doesn't need a cup. He has things safely taped out of the way. :-|
Posted by: gorb || 04/28/2008 16:33 Comments || Top||


-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
An Obama victory is written in the stars
"mjjt" @ DailyKos

People have always regarded comets as "messengers of the gods". The meaning ascribed to a comet's appearance is comprised of many factors, including the mythological story of the constellation that the comet's path highlights. This past autumn (2007), a remarkable comet, Holmes, appeared in the nightime sky, as a huge blue sphere (larger than the diameter of our sun). It's path of maximal brightness carried it through the constellation of Perseus, crossing in front of two of that constellation's stars in particular- Mirfak, and Algol. . . .

The constellation Perseus pictures the story of the Hero Perseus, holding the head of Medussa, which he had just severed with his sword. Perseus was greatly aided by the gods in his quest to destroy the Medussa, whose very glance could turn a person into stone. He was given a magic sword, Athena's shield, winged sandals with which he could fly, a magic cap which rendered him invisible, and the guidance for him to not directly look into Medussas face as he battled her, but to look at her in the reflection of his shield.

There were two stars that were highlighted by the comet's passage, Mirfak, and Algol. Mirfak is the elbow of Perseus's sword hand. Algol, Medussa'a eye, has long been seen as one of the most malifec and evil stars in the heavens.

Obama was born with his sun in Leo, and his story exemplifies the quest of the Solar Hero. His father, who joins with his mother on an island, conceives a child, and soon thereafter leaves the child and mother to continue his own journeying. Obama, a 'special 'child, left to create his own internal image of 'father', and related meanings of strength, protection, leadership, etc.

The Holmes comet appears just as the presidential race is kicking into high gear, illuminating the concept of the hero vanquishing the monster, a monster that turns people into stone if they gaze upon her.
I tink that means that Hillary Clinton is the Medussa.
Does it not seem as if our country today is all locked up, constricted, restricted, with ever shrinking mobility and freedom of movement?

Perseus had help from the gods. Does it not feel as if some special hand is guiding Obama on his journey,
(like a willing, compliant, worshipful media establishment?)
I mean, as he has said, the utter improbability of it all?

The instructions to not directly look at her, but to look at her reflection in his shield. What is Obama's shield, in essence? I propose it is his belief in hope, redemption, and his ability to channel the essential goodness of the American people. The Perseus myth clearly indicates he should not confront his opponent by face-to-face, tit-for-tat combat.
That means no more debates, I guess.

Of especial significance for me is the star Mirfak, the elbow of Perseus's sword arm. At some point, he does need to utilize his elbows, and when the moment comes, cut strongly and swiftly.

And lastly, let us not forget that the comet is BLUE.

So let us have hope, the gods are on our side, and the Hero will prevail.
Posted by: Mike || 04/28/2008 13:34 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Thank you, mjjt, for a good laugh.
Posted by: Korora || 04/28/2008 13:46 Comments || Top||

#2  I do not, repeat do NOT, want what mjjt has been drinking. Perhaps I'll just settle for a beer at the O-Club.
Posted by: Steve White || 04/28/2008 14:48 Comments || Top||

#3  I don't get over to DailyKos a lot. I think I know why....
Posted by: tu3031 || 04/28/2008 14:57 Comments || Top||

#4  One question I always like to ask "Astrologers":

What's the mechanism of influnce? Light? Gravity? "Vibes"?
Posted by: mojo || 04/28/2008 16:19 Comments || Top||

#5  channel the essential goodness of the American people

As defined by FDR?

Or Pastor Wright and his accoloyte, Senator Obama? Are we to believe BO believes in the essential goodness of America, while listening to Wright's spew for 20 years? He drenched his children in hate every Sunday, but explained it away later in the week?
Posted by: Bobby || 04/28/2008 16:20 Comments || Top||

#6  I think there's a typo in "mjjt" - it should be an 'i' rather than an 'm'.
Posted by: Pappy || 04/28/2008 17:56 Comments || Top||

#7  Now now, Pappy, don't insult "mjjt." Poor little waif suffers from a congenital vowel deficiency.
Posted by: Mike || 04/28/2008 18:04 Comments || Top||

#8  "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
Posted by: Eric Jablow || 04/28/2008 21:35 Comments || Top||

#9  #7 Now now, Pappy, don't insult "mjjt." Poor little waif suffers from a congenital vowel deficiency.
Posted by: Mike

Excellent observation Mike. Maybe we should have Vanna sell him one, or two.
Posted by: USN,Ret. || 04/28/2008 22:45 Comments || Top||


Europe
Top Swedish military officer fired
Major General Tony Stigsson, former head of the Swedish Armed Forces' Joint Forces Command, was formally dismissed today. He had earlier been sentenced to three months in prison for abusing his wife. He is also accused of having inappropriately handled classified documents.

The abuse of his wife obviously conflicts with the basic values of the Armed Forces and demonstrates that he is obviously unfit to hold the position of a career officer. It would have been offensive if a career officer were to retain his position after having committed such a crime, according to the Armed Forces.

The National Disciplinary Offences Board (Statens Ansvarsnämnd) found that Stigsson seriously eroded confidence in himself as a career officer, as well as the public’s confidence in Sweden’s Armed Forces. In so doing he showed gross disregard for his obligations to the Armed Forces and should be dismissed, wrote the Board.

Stigsson opposed the ruling. He has denied the abuse for which he was sentenced, citing Armed Forces’ practice of not dismissing officers who are sentenced for abuse while off-duty.

Stigsson also stands indicted for negligence in his handling of classified documents which he kept in a desk at his home and in a storage area of an apartment he had at his disposal. When he was arrested by police in 2005, he also has two classified documents in the pants pocket of his uniform. He had also stored classified documents in an attic.

He defended his handling of the documents by saying that, in some cases he kept a close eye on the documents, and in other cases the documents were stored in a secure manner or had a low level of classification.

Stigsson feels the Board ought to wait for a conviction before dismissing him. His representatives Lars P. Merkel did not wish to comment on the Board’s decision, nor could he say whether or not the ruling would be appealed to the Labour Court.
Posted by: mrp || 04/28/2008 10:55 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Sweden has Armed Forces?
Posted by: Menhadden Snogum6713 || 04/28/2008 13:31 Comments || Top||

#2  "Tony"?
Posted by: gromky || 04/28/2008 15:42 Comments || Top||

#3  And what was the abuse? Did he refuse to wear the ball gag and dog collar?
Posted by: M. Murcek || 04/28/2008 16:09 Comments || Top||

#4  Sweden has Armed Forces?

Sure 9-5, M-F.
Posted by: Pappy || 04/28/2008 16:38 Comments || Top||

#5  "What are they going to do? They're Swedes!"
"Well they could tie you in a chair and play ABBA's greatest hits over and over!"
"They wouldn't."
"Volumes 1 AND 2!"
"THE BASTARDS!"
Posted by: bruce || 04/28/2008 18:05 Comments || Top||

#6 

1-5... One thru Five

a bunch of comedians!
~:)
Posted by: RD || 04/28/2008 20:47 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
Supreme Court upholds photo ID law for voters in Indiana
The Supreme Court has ruled that states can require voters to produce photo identification without violating their constitutional rights. The decision validates Republican-inspired voter ID laws.

The court vote 6-3 to uphold Indiana's strict photo ID requirement. Democrats and civil rights groups say the law would deter poor, older and minority voters from casting ballots.
Posted by: Sherry || 04/28/2008 11:14 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  this is the best news I have read in a long time. I think if we, the people have one hope for saving our republic, it would be in assuring a fair and honest voting system.
Posted by: Sninert Black9312 || 04/28/2008 11:26 Comments || Top||

#2  No veils in identification photographs, either. A good sign, indeed.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/28/2008 12:14 Comments || Top||

#3  About time.

This will cut into fraud for in-person voting. Now if we can just kill off the "mail in" fraud.
Posted by: OldSpook || 04/28/2008 12:56 Comments || Top||

#4  From today's Daily Kos, stating something about a 'Solution in search of a problem,' is this little gem: "Bottom line, friends? The Great Disenfranchisement of 2008 has begun. These laws are not neutral, are not innocent, but are an attempt by Republican legislators to prevent traditionally Democratic voters from casting their ballots. We need to do whatever it takes to help all qualified voters obtain whatever records they need so that they can vote this November; we cannot let them win."

Guess what genius: we did. You cannot get any higher court; that's why its called the SUPREME Court. What a road muffin. hang his neuticles on a subaru trailer hitch..unless his wife / man friend has then in fermaldehyde on the mantle.

Posted by: USN,Ret. || 04/28/2008 14:25 Comments || Top||

#5  These laws are not neutral, are not innocent, but are an attempt by Republican legislators to prevent traditionally Democratic voters illegal aliens and other assorted felons from casting their ballots.

Fixed it for ya, USN.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 04/28/2008 15:04 Comments || Top||

#6  Hey, Dems! Don't want to rain on your parade or anything but you're going to have a problem with turnout this year. You see, despite your long-established past practice, DEAD PEOPLE CAN'T LEGALLY VOTE! Since I know you won't believe me on that one, however, good luck with getting their real photo IDs...bring gloves and a strong stomach.
Posted by: Thaimble Scourge of the Pixies4707 || 04/28/2008 17:43 Comments || Top||

#7  Hey Abu, i didn't write, just cut-n-pasted from the Donk Side, but that is pretty much what they are saying. whining douchebags.
Posted by: USN,Ret. || 04/28/2008 17:50 Comments || Top||

#8  ..The Donks just felt the cold touch of terror in what remains of their souls.

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski || 04/28/2008 19:17 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Iran urged to fight Barbie doll invasion
Iran’s toy market is being inundated by models of Barbie, Batman, Spiderman and Harry Potter and the young must be protected from their harmful cultural effects, the prosecutor general was quoted as saying on Sunday.

“Promoting figures like Barbie, Batman, Spiderman and Harry Potter and the uncontrolled import of CDs of video games and films should alarm all the country’s officials,” Ghorban Ali Dori Najafabadi was quoted as saying by the student ISNA news agency. “We need to find substitutes to ward off this onslaught, which aims at children and young people whose personality is in the process of being formed,” he added.

Dori Najafabadi’s comments came in a letter to an Iranian vice president, urging measures to protect “Islamic culture and revolutionary values”. While officials regularly lambast Western culture for polluting the minds of the public, Western toys have become a regular and popular feature on the shelves of toy shops in Iran in recent years. Affluent Iranian parents are known for indulging their children and the purchase of such toys has become for many an obligatory treat.

But Dori Najafabadi said: “These toys, which do not respect the required norms, present dangers for the health of children and affect the survival of toy factories in this country.”
Posted by: Fred || 04/28/2008 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  The Iranian Mullah's find Barbie's boobs too forward, too pointy; and legs much to slender and supple! How can they ever give them to their daughters to play with!
Posted by: smn || 04/28/2008 2:30 Comments || Top||

#2  “We need to find substitutes to ward off this onslaught, which aims at children and young people whose personality is in the process of being formed,”

Like honor killings, terrorism, executing homosexuals, child marriage, destroying Israel, etc.. You know, wholesome stuff.
Posted by: gorb || 04/28/2008 4:44 Comments || Top||

#3  Harry Potter and the Barking Turbans
(working title)
Posted by: Mad Eye || 04/28/2008 7:41 Comments || Top||

#4  Aieeee! It's Malibu Barbie! Flee for your wretched lives!
Posted by: Mike || 04/28/2008 7:53 Comments || Top||

#5  Just put a headscarf on her and call her Islamic Revolution Barbie. She's obviously already received the customary female circumcision, so add a few bruises across her back and she's ready to go.
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 04/28/2008 8:45 Comments || Top||

#6  Ken replaced by Honor Killing Abdul?
Posted by: Procopius2k || 04/28/2008 9:10 Comments || Top||

#7  Barbie replaced by 'convicted rape victim', complete with crane for hanging.

"Collect all three sets!!!"
Posted by: Pappy || 04/28/2008 9:17 Comments || Top||

#8  It sounds like the smugglers are doing just fine under the current regime over there, and those unhappy under a religious dictatorship are teaching their children to rebel.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/28/2008 12:24 Comments || Top||

#9  probably most of their Barbies, etc. are illegal knockoffs anyway
Posted by: mhw || 04/28/2008 12:54 Comments || Top||

#10  What, no "300" action figures?
Posted by: ed || 04/28/2008 15:20 Comments || Top||

#11  What, no "300" action figures?

New from Mattel -- the "Thermopalye Ken" playset! (Persian action figures sold separately.)
Posted by: Mike || 04/28/2008 17:24 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
45[untagged]
6Taliban
4Hamas
2Govt of Syria
2Global Jihad
1Govt of Pakistan
1Govt of Iran
1al-Qaeda in Europe
1Hezbollah
1Mahdi Army
1Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
1al-Qaeda
1Thai Insurgency

Bookmark
E-Mail Me

The Classics
The O Club
Rantburg Store
The Bloids
The Never-ending Story
Thugburg
Gulf War I
The Way We Were
Bio

Merry-Go-Blog











On Sale now!


A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.

Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.

Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has dominated Mexico for six years.
Click here for more information

Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
GolfBravoUSMC
Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
Fred
Besoeker
Glenmore
Frank G
3dc
Skidmark

Two weeks of WOT
Mon 2008-04-28
  U.S. Marines join Brits fighting Taliban in Helmand
Sun 2008-04-27
  Karzai survives another assassination attempt
Sat 2008-04-26
  Tater loses nerve, tells fighters to observe truce
Fri 2008-04-25
  Basra in govt hands
Thu 2008-04-24
  Baitullah orders Talibs not to attack Pak forces
Wed 2008-04-23
  Petraeus to Head Central Command
Tue 2008-04-22
  Paks free Sufi Muhammad
Mon 2008-04-21
  Pak government halts operation in Tribal Areas
Sun 2008-04-20
  Tater threatens 'open war' on Iraq government
Sat 2008-04-19
  UK police arrest terror suspect, conduct controlled boom
Fri 2008-04-18
  Nimroz mosque kaboom kills two dozen
Thu 2008-04-17
  Boomer kills 50 at Iraq funeral
Wed 2008-04-16
  60 die in AQI car booms
Tue 2008-04-15
  Indonesia Jugs Two JI Big Turbans
Mon 2008-04-14
  Tunisia jugs 19 for al Qaeda links


Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
3.141.31.209
Help keep the Burg running! Paypal:
WoT Operations (21)    WoT Background (12)    Non-WoT (20)    Opinion (7)    (0)