They were supposed to be realistic toy versions of our brave soldiers, complete with authentic replica uniforms and scale model weapons and equipment.Really..?
But it turns out they are, apparently, a little less representative than had been hoped.
How so? Because all their accessories are available (and work)? You can buy their vehicles immediately, without waiting 6 months for them?
Nope:
A range of action figures launched by the Ministry of Defence has come under fire for being too white and too male.*sigh*
The complainers seem to be an unholy alliance of mothers with 'moral authority' and a Conservative MP, no doubt the usual suspects are involved too:
Des Feely, whose 26-year-old daughter Sarah Bryant was killed in Afghanistan last year, said the absence of female action figures appeared 'overtly macho', and claimed women's contribution to the forces was being overlooked.They're toy soldiers, for the love of God! If you really object, why not strip your daughter's Barbie. I'm sure the Action Man uniform fits. There - job done!
Conservative MP and former infantry commander Patrick Mercer added: 'It is extraordinary they have chosen to exclude women, whose contributions are vital to the modern British army.'
I'm surprised at Mercer supporting this. Is he trying to "rehabilitate" himself after the "black bastard" business? If he is, he's offering hostages to fortune.
ReplyDelete"Is he trying to "rehabilitate" himself after the "black bastard" business?"
ReplyDeleteThat would be my guess. But maybe he's just the first MP they went to for a quote on this, knowing how much they love publicity and so are congenitally incapable of saying 'What..? It's a toy, for heaven's sake! Are you high..?'
Which, I'd totally vote for anyone who treated bizarre calls from pressure groups and the media in that fashion...
Julia
ReplyDelete"why not strip your daughter's Barbie. I'm sure the Action Man uniform fits."
Do you realize what a Quote Of The Year that this sentence would make?
It so vividly exposes the weird mentalities which swarm and multiply in Britain's body politic and that have made it necessary and appropriate for a grown woman to actually use that particular combination of words to people other than children!
We are so screwed.
We wouldn't want the zarmy appearing too macho now would we...
ReplyDeleteAnyway it's not the MOD's fault they have a whole batch of Nepalese toy soldiers impounded by customs...
I wonder when this kid will be arrested http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8032715.stm
ReplyDelete"Leighton said: "No matter how scared you might be, you've got to be brave enough to go in and get them. They could have died and I could not have lived my life knowing I could have done something."
ReplyDeleteLooks like the State brainwashing didn't take with this one...