Terror Mouse
A video clip from the Mideast caused some controversy recently. The clip showed a children’s television show produced by the Hamas terrorist organization that was advocating violence against the biggest enemy in the Arab world, Israel. The most bizarre feature of the show was that it employed a large mouse that looks very familiar to children all over the world. In the clip, the mouse did most of the talking about killing the enemy.
The good news is that the Palestinian leadership ordered that the show be pulled off the air. As a human being, I applaud his courage to stand up against Hamas. As a liberal, I’m appalled that his country does not guarantee free speech like we enjoy here in America. If the show had been produced here, it would most likely show up on Fox News, or perhaps as a segment on The O’Reilly Factor.
I know in a perfect world we wouldn’t have any need to protect anyone’s right to free speech. I realize that this applies to the equally disgusting neo-Nazis and Klu Klux Klan, but this is what living in a free society is all about. In case you haven’t noticed, you are watching a liberal wrestling with his conscience. This is a rare event, almost as rare as a conservative wrestling with his or her conscience, and I would advise anyone reading this to enjoy this sight. It may not happen again in our lifetime!
Anyway, the mouse featured in the show facially resembled (dare I say the name without fear of a lawsuit) Mickey Mouse. I am horrified at this development. I know things weren’t going well for His Mouseness in France, and that he was thwarted in his attempts to bring his brand of happiness to the suburbs of northern Virginia some years ago, but this! I can’t believe he has sunk this low.
Okay, seriously I doubt that his people sanctioned this use of their trademark. Still, it begs the question, where are the Disney lawyers in all this? I haven’t heard one word from them regarding this television show. What’s the matter, guys? You used to eat violators like this for breakfast. I’m sure one of your typical mornings was considered unproductive if you didn’t issue dozens of cease and desist orders before noon.
I realize that taking legal action against a known terrorist organization does present a unique set of challenges for a lawyer. After all, you show up at their place of residence with a summons or a subpoena, and they answer your knock by blowing themselves and you up. Or, let’s say you’re successful in serving the legal papers and when it comes time for their court appearance, they come in and blow themselves up taking you and the courthouse with them. I know there is no way to negotiate with some people, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying.
Come on counselors for Disney, get with it! To borrow an old cliché, “Are you mice or are you men?” The answer of course is, no you’re not mice, but you are men representing a huge mouse. This mouse demands and deserves the satisfaction that his image will not be used for immoral or inhumane purposes. Of course, no action should be taken if this terror mouse shows up on The O’Reilly Factor. In this case, the mouse and the show deserve each other.
The good news is that the Palestinian leadership ordered that the show be pulled off the air. As a human being, I applaud his courage to stand up against Hamas. As a liberal, I’m appalled that his country does not guarantee free speech like we enjoy here in America. If the show had been produced here, it would most likely show up on Fox News, or perhaps as a segment on The O’Reilly Factor.
I know in a perfect world we wouldn’t have any need to protect anyone’s right to free speech. I realize that this applies to the equally disgusting neo-Nazis and Klu Klux Klan, but this is what living in a free society is all about. In case you haven’t noticed, you are watching a liberal wrestling with his conscience. This is a rare event, almost as rare as a conservative wrestling with his or her conscience, and I would advise anyone reading this to enjoy this sight. It may not happen again in our lifetime!
Anyway, the mouse featured in the show facially resembled (dare I say the name without fear of a lawsuit) Mickey Mouse. I am horrified at this development. I know things weren’t going well for His Mouseness in France, and that he was thwarted in his attempts to bring his brand of happiness to the suburbs of northern Virginia some years ago, but this! I can’t believe he has sunk this low.
Okay, seriously I doubt that his people sanctioned this use of their trademark. Still, it begs the question, where are the Disney lawyers in all this? I haven’t heard one word from them regarding this television show. What’s the matter, guys? You used to eat violators like this for breakfast. I’m sure one of your typical mornings was considered unproductive if you didn’t issue dozens of cease and desist orders before noon.
I realize that taking legal action against a known terrorist organization does present a unique set of challenges for a lawyer. After all, you show up at their place of residence with a summons or a subpoena, and they answer your knock by blowing themselves and you up. Or, let’s say you’re successful in serving the legal papers and when it comes time for their court appearance, they come in and blow themselves up taking you and the courthouse with them. I know there is no way to negotiate with some people, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying.
Come on counselors for Disney, get with it! To borrow an old cliché, “Are you mice or are you men?” The answer of course is, no you’re not mice, but you are men representing a huge mouse. This mouse demands and deserves the satisfaction that his image will not be used for immoral or inhumane purposes. Of course, no action should be taken if this terror mouse shows up on The O’Reilly Factor. In this case, the mouse and the show deserve each other.
posted by todd gunther | 2:21 AM
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