December 03, 2002

My Scene | Barbie
Don't knock Barbie!
After all, the incomparable cyber pundit Steven Den Beste says (and not for the first time, mind you, either!) we're going to win those Islamic countries' citizens over to our side with Barbie:

What all of this will do [here, he means our taking Iraq and doing some democratic nation-building--J.T.] is to begin a process which substantially weakens both Islamism and pan-Arabism over a long course of time (on the order of 20 years), while at the same time giving us every opportunity for the most seductive aspects of our culture to infiltrate theirs and capture the hearts and minds of their young people. The primary weapons involved in this infiltration are blue jeans, western music, Barbie dolls, and ideas like "dating who you want is fun", "dancing is fun", "marrying someone you choose yourself and know before you marry is fun", and "making up your own mind about things is fun". Their people must have nearly unfettered access to this, and once we control Iraq it will no longer be possible for any of the neighboring nations to prevent a flood of ideas crossing their borders.

You may not think Steve and I are onto something but there's already been a Barbie to-do this past spring in Iran!
Iran enforces Barbie ban

Tehran, Iran: The suspect fits the following description: slim, curvaceous, perpetual smile, no head scarf. Goes by the name of Barbie.
Iranian police are combing the shelves for the perky ambassador of American culture.
The doll's uneasy sojourn in the Islamic Republic could be drawing to a close.
Agents have been confiscating Barbie from toy stores since a vague proclamation earlier this month denouncing the un-Islamic sensibilities of the idol of girls worldwide, shopkeepers said today.
"They took them all," said a toy seller whose shop window is plastered with the flower-shaped Barbie logo.

Shown here is that "cheap infidel ho" Baby Doctor Barbie.
I wish I could afford to send all the little girls in Iran a Barbie!
When I was 4 in 1960 and got one from Santa for Christmas, I thought it was the best present in the world (it's the girl's answer to Red Ryder BB-guns! I loved my Barbie!)
From the sound of things, however, it may not be long before Iran really frees itself from the Khameini tyranny and little girls there can once again have those Barbies with "non-Islamic sensibilities." Hoo-ray.

Hat tip to ConantheLibertarian, a new blogfriend and blogroll member!