Worldwide Rush For Obama-Osama Souvenirs

Well, hi ya.  How’s it going? Soon’s you fill your mug and wander over here with coffee and a treat, I’ll bend your ear a little. I know you won’t be surprised to learn that a quick-witted Italian artist has created figurines showing President Obama's 'victory' over international terrorist Osama bin Laden.  Had to happen, didn’t it! Any way to make a buck, right?

The figures show the US president holding the head of the al Qaeda leader under his arm and giving a peace sign with his other hand.

Genny Di Virgilio, who is based in the famous artisan street of San Gregorio Armeno in Naples, designed the figures as soon as news of bin Laden's death broke across the world.

He has previously created famous models of footballer Diego Maradona as well as the presidential candidates in the 2008 US elections.

Mr. Di Virgilio is not the only person to cash in on the terror chief's demise.

Souvenir shops in China are also displaying figures and masks of the US president alongside the al Qaeda leader.

A shop in Shanghai shows models of the grinning protagonists alongside each other with bin Laden waving to the public.

And in nearby Nanjing, one shopkeeper has been photographed wearing a bin Laden mask with a customer posing in a mask depicting the US president.

The caricatures are the first of many souvenirs predicted to sweep the world following bin Laden's death, almost 10 years after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

It is also thought a Hollywood film about the hunt for the terrorist leader could well be rushed into production. No surprise there, eh!

I won’t even comment on the possibilities for new Catalonia ‘poop’ statuettes… (See January 20, 2011 blogpost)

Have a salubrious day!

Bob

Comment from Pat in Cornwall:

Hey Bob

I'm a Liberal as you know. But check out Tom Flanagan's article on the op ed page in today's Globe.  He is pretty persuasive on the point that the Canadian population will keep parties of left and right from straying too far from the moderate middle.  Personally I'm happy to be in the political middle.  Flanagan's point is that there is no need for a party of the middle.  I don't agree with that but I like his argument that all parties are ultimately under the sway of, and moderated by, the people of Canada.  Not a bad thing.

Cheers

Pat

Bob’s reply:

I’m with you, Pat. Middle of the road’s the place to be… unless you’re driving, of course!

…and thanks to Wayne for the picture of Stephen Harper and Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe.

Comment from Robin in Farnborough, England:

Hi Bob

       Apparently Elton John is bringing out a new record next week called  Sandals in the Bin