It Makes a Difference to the Sheep

HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR THE KIDS. The terrorist in the family will be sure to be delighted by receiving this lovely set. But before we get too caught up in righteous indignation, consider just who this figure is supposed to be fighting and killing? Who do these guys shoot at? My point is not to make a case for absolute equivalence between terrorism and American military action. Such equivalence is morally bankrupt and illogical to boot. My point is more along the lines of how the presence of such toys are perceived by different societies. We look at the Osama and WTC figures and ask "how can the Palestinians be so callous and indifferent to our suffering?" True enough. But how do Palestinians (or other denizens of the Middle East) view American action figures or games that glorify the American killing of Middle Easterners (no matter how justified and necessary such killing might be from our perspective)?

Of course, if we want, we can stay safely domestic. Is Grand Theft Auto any less repugnant than the glorification of the destruction on 9/11? Discuss among yourselves.