Friday 13 July 2007

The Osama Train!






The chaps are selling these at the entrance to the Medina. I am not sure exactly of the Moroccan view of the play being enacted. Is bin Laden the victim? Does he have a bomb hidden under the skateboard? The press here [that I have read, and that Q has read] while not condemning bin Laden does not, and most certainly the people do not condone terrorists acts against ANYONE in Morocco. Perhaps it is only tourists and expats buying the toy? All possible choices, you decide.

39 comments:

xoussef said...

Moroccan press not condemning bin Laden? Sorry, but that statement is completely untrue.

bekbek said...

Wow, that is awesome in its bizarreness. And yet... as I currently live in a country with a bobble-head as president, I suppose it is not in fact as bizarre as I wish it to be.

What a world.

Annie said...

Is it bad that that made me chuckle out loud?

Kim said...

Well, that's just creepy.

lady macleod said...

xoussef

let me be more precise - I have not read any condemnations, and Q has read in two of the political magazines some months back, "Where is bin Laden when we need him?"

I don't read that as a condemnation. If you know of publications where he has been condemned, please let me know. I will put it on the front page and be much encouraged.

thank you for your comments and for coming by.

lady macleod said...

bekbek

what a world indeed! thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

annie

If it is I'm in there with you, because it make me whoop.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

kaycle

I know. I know. thank you for coming by.

scarlettscion said...

Xoussef:
The Moroccan press I read is mostly the francophone weeklies (TelQuel, Journal Hebdo). Most of what is published is not about *their* opinion of Bin Laden but rather Moroccan youth's support of he and Hezbollah (they portray it as something like 40 percent). I have certainly never seen a condemnation of Hezbollah; Bin Laden is just mostly not really there...
I did not see the press after 9/11 or the May 2003 attacks so this I cannot speak to.

On another issue I was quoted on earlier and called as incorrect--MajJane actually IS partially French owned by the company Auchan; however, they are selling their shares to the Moroccan shareholders in the coming months.

scarlettscion said...

MaR-Jane, sorry

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

I think the train is funny. Just read your interview. Very Good. Wouldn't have pegged you as a cricket though.

I Beatrice said...

My Bin Laden anecdote of yesterday was rather timely then, wouldn't you say? (Hope you saw it.)

I think I'd rather like to have a go at that game anyway!

xoussef said...

if you pick a publication at random, of course you'll probably find nothing about Benladen. you'll have to go back the the archives or wait for him to come back in front scene, hopefully with no killings this time.
Hezbollah and Alqaida are completely different things. Hezbollah is highly popular among Moroccans, though the recent anti-Shia campaign in Arab media might have a tad eroded it. But 40% of youth supporting Benladen is shockingly high! if you still have that TelQuel poll i would like to read it :)

Ellee Seymour said...

Not the kind of toys I would like in my house, but I can imagine that they will one day become collectors' items.

James Higham said...

...most certainly the people do not condone terrorists acts against ANYONE in Morocco...

Of course but do they condone it in the U.S.?

The Good Woman said...

Oh dear. What a debate. On another subject - I love the new titale banner you've made. It reminds me of Namibia. Except for the camel.

dulwichmum said...

I have only just stopped laughing, and now I think I want to cry... London is a very scarey place right now.

Mutterings and Meanderings said...

Oh my god! I shouldn't laugh ...

Brillig said...

Oh ma goodness. That's hilarious, and creepy, and crazy, and disturbing, and hilarious. All at once. Wow. I love that you got it and took pictures of it for us. You're so good to us...

Colin Campbell said...

Can I have one? Great collectors item.

jmb said...

Gosh Lady M, were you reduced to buying one to get the photo? That is too funny. Do you think the CIA was watching and you are not on their watched list or perhaps you were already?
regards
jmb

jmb said...

That is "now on their watch list". These flying fingers were just too quick.
jmb

lady macleod said...

scarlettscion

thank you dearest.

lady macleod said...

WUASTC

Thank you. Crickett - not my idea, a nickname. I have a proper name, but no one uses it..

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

i beatrice

It was and I did.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

xoussef

I forwarded your request to scarlettscion.

I appreciate your view, thank you for your comments, and thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

ellee seymour

I know what you mean, but my 'child' is 23 years now so...

I would so rather collect art or fans or teacups wouldn't you?

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

lord straf-baghdad

That is up to question albeit I don't think so in the main, but if they get the not so hidden code in your moniker they may have some questions for you! he he

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

good woman

Thank you, it is the Sahara. That's how I like camels - in a photograph.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

dulwichmum

I am glad to give you a laugh. That was very similar to my reactions.

London is a scary place right now. Here's the hope it will be better soon.

thank you for coming by

lady macleod said...

M&M

I did! then I thought.. uh oh?

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

brillig

Indeed I did, and indeed I am - but then you are good to me as well.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

colin campbell

If they have any left I shall get you one.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

jmb

Yes I was, no other way to get the photograph.

I imagine I am on a few list don't you?

thank you for coming by - flying fingers and all.

Rebecca said...

wow - what a strange thing to make toys out of such serious situations. I wonder if they are meant to be humorous??? I'd love to hear what Moroccan's think of them...I wonder if they're popular?

what games people play....

Rebecca said...

and I guess the circular track is actually quite witty....Osama and the us going round and round in circles...who is doing the chasing and who is fleeing???

Jillian said...

@ Xoussef - There was a L'Economiste poll in the fall of 2005 in which Moroccan youth 18-25 were quoted as saying some pretty abominable things (don't recall what was said about ben Laden) but after reading the details, I found that the results were not sound, as only a few hundred youth were interviewed.

KarenO said...

I think Ripley's Believe It or Not should get hold of that toy! It's funny and creepy all at once.

debio said...

OMG, lady m, what a find!

Bin Laden seemingly neither condoned nor condemned here in the Press but certainly reported.

Unfortunately Londoners have always had something to worry about - I worked there during the height of the IRA activities....It's a comment on where we're at now that the security forces are looking back at those times with some fondness insofar as at least the IRA often sent coded messages before attacks.

But what about a knighthood for Salman Rushdie? What has he done to deserve this (other than The Satanic Verses)? I ask in genuine ignorance.