Playing With Fire

Now isn’t this charming?

Until Thursday afternoon, the little toys were on sale to kids around Central Florida -- two towers with a jetliner in between that appears to be crashing into one of the buildings. They come in packages along with candy. [SNIP]

…there is no mistake what the toy represents, especially when you look at the product number on every single toy: 9011. [SNIP]

A company called Lisy Corporation distributes the candy bags. They said they are also offended by the toy and have pulled 17,000 of the toys. [SNIP]

Lisy says they bought the toys, sight unseen, from L and M Import/Export of Miami.

According to the WFTV reporter, L and M’s representative doesn’t see what the fuss is about.

We talked to L and M and they say they have no problem at all with the toy and don't consider it offensive at all.[SNIP]

For the second day in a row, the importer of the toy, L&M Import and Export refused to comment. But, they told Channel 9 they didn't think it was a big deal, saying they consider it just a toy for children and don't think it's inappropriate.

You know, I usually have some scalding commentary for things like this. However, L and M’s attitude toward this matter speaks for itself.

(Thanks to Feste)

Comments

[Louis Spielman]

L & M must stand for Lunatics and Murderers. They are probably Al Qaeda wannabes or sympathizers. In any case, they should be punished in a cruel and unusual manner.

[Born Free]

I suggest a referral to whatever new Homeland Security agency covers the functions of the old Customs and Immigration services, and perhaps that's already happened. Surely there must be shipping and accounting paperwork that requires periodic inspection. Visas, perhaps? Importers, eh? If the Trade Center toy doesn't bother them, who knows what else they'd be willing to import...use your imagination?

[teal marie]

Oh, I bet that candy is full of lead, rat fur and bug legs.

[torchy]

L&M stands for Leering&Mercenary at the very least. Wonder if they're a subsidiary of Subway.
teal marie- clearly the inert ingredients reside in their skulls ;)

[StinKerr]

I saw a brief news clip video of someone going through boxes of these toys apparently looking for the offending toy to remove it.

I saw one of the toys with a gorilla looking creature between the same buildings where they had mounted the airplane in the offending toy.

It looks like it's a basic form that they used and some thoughtless someone screwed up.

I will now beat a hasty retreat to avoid the rotten fruits, vegetables and rat fur sure to follow me out the door.

[Indigo]

ewwwwwww, Teal Marie! I've been so incensed about the toy, I hadn't even thought about its contents!!!

[Ginny]

I'm speechless.

[Beth Donovan]

I would be very interested in the ownership of L and M Import/Export of Miami - I am surprised that none of the big newspapers or CNN has found that out yet!

[teal marie]

Beth,
The toy: president Hung Lam
The candy: president Alberico Echemendio

[dittybopper]

Does anyone want to launch a new startup toy company? The first project will be a cruise missle heading for Mecca.