The Horror! They got Elmo!

[MadisonProgressive]

The terrorists are demanding all American puppets be released or they will behead Elmo.

[Turbineguy]

1. Damn,

I wish they'd taken the Cookie Monster instead. I'm tired of finding those empty Oreo packs in the pantry!

[meganmonkey]

2. Maybe we can do a trade for puppetmaster Rove?

:evilgrin:

[Oreo]

3. Little known insurgent group now claiming responsibilty

http://www.bertisevil.tv/

[mattclearing]

4. More on the story...

Sesame Street mainstay Grover told the AP, "I told Elmo that the contracting work was too dangerous, and it wasn't worth the pay increase he would get over what PBS was paying him, but he wouldn't listen."

[Goblinmonger]

5. How about a trade

We give them Scrappy Doo and get Elmo back. They can do whatever the fuck they want to Scrappy.

[swimmernsecretsea]

6. I thought you were going to "out" Elmo

Guess I've been reading too much "SpongeBob Squarepants" postings.

[MadisonProgressive]

7. Here's something a little fishy

[catnhatnh]

8. Go, you fuzzy insurgents!...

...Death to the puppet regime!

[Old and In the Way]

9. Elmo's a CIA asset.

Well known fact....he's tight with Osama. I wouldn't put too much credence in this Fox story.

[sepia_steel]

10. Hahahahahaaha!!

I needed that.

[brainshrub]

11. Was he serving as an independent contractor in Iraq?

Or was a soldier?

[Oreo]

12. Oh the humanity!!! WARNING - GRAPHIC IMAGE

A known terrorist website has just published a very disturbing image.
US officials are not commenting on the validity of the photo

[MikeG]

13. Kill him.

[dmac]

14. Sorry - don't want to offend anyone

and I don't want to be a Pollyanna and I understand people wanting to have fun and lighten things up on this overall bleak landscape - HOWEVER, remember that people other than DU members do visit this site and think how "jokes" like this might be viewed out of context or by one who doesn't know how serious we really are. It is important to remember that the be-headings were VERY real and people lost loved ones through this gruesome act of murder.

So, have fun everyone but try to be mindful and respectful of those who have died since the war began. Thanks - and I really hope I didn't offend anyone with this.

[Oreo]

15. I see where you're coming from but...

After yesterday's GI Joe doll hostage that every news organization ran with, I think poking a little fun at them (on edit: the media) is very much warranted.

The same people that you say visit us would probably take more offense at an actual Marine General saying it's fun to kill people. But then again... we live in bizarro world and his comments are probably applauded by most.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1205121

[dmac]

16. Sorry I hesitated to say anything

and I also understand where you are coming from. I missed both stories you mentioned and I am sickened by both. The thing is, I realize there is something out here for everyone and if you don't like a particular post, you just don't go back to it - but it bothers me to see something that I feel reflects poorly on the group as a whole. And that statement reflects a judgment that I do not really feel, yet occasionally I recommend the site to others because I am proud of the things that get accomplished here - and when I see something like that, I tend to look at it through the eyes of potential members who really might be offended. I hope you understand.

Edited to say this is in response to the 18th post, not the 15th. Sorry Oreo if I did this wrong.

[MadisonProgressive]

17. Its just a joke based on the gi joe story - lighten up

[mattclearing]

18. Count me offended.

If Drudge can suspect a prisoner is an army doll (imagine if they're wrong!!!), we can joke about Elmo.

[dmac]

19. Absolutely, you can joke about anything you want!

And I tried to say what I said as respectfully as possible.

Frankly, my wish would never be for DU to be compared to or equated with Drudge - I think we are well above that. But that said, I am very sorry for the offense - as I said, I hesitated to post, and probably should not have.

Enough said. . . . .respectfully submitted, DMAC

[mattclearing]

20. Hey, you should always post here...you will get flamed if it sucks. n/t

[MadisonProgressive]

21. Elmo is FREE!!! Escapes and captures a plane..

[Oreo]

22. Phew! My son will be happy

I TIVO'd that dog of a movie and even my 2 year old wouldn't watch more than 10 minutes of it.

[Old Mouse]

23. Don't ever be sorry for reminding us of our moral responsibilities

Your point is very well taken.

Who can say at what point gallows humor is acceptable?

[MadisonProgressive]

25. I guess I'm missing the point

If we were laughing about a real American (not a GI Joe) captured by insurgents, instead of 'Tickle Me' Elmo, I'd say you have a good point, but let's get real! We're just having fun and at the expense of who??

[Old Mouse]

26. Its only humorous

because of those who have been beheaded. The joke is only funny because of the previous loss of human life. We find humor in the entire action figure situation because THIS TIME it was not a human being.

I'm all for humor, and I'm even for gallows humor, but I also appreciate those who dare to voice moral objection.

[MadisonProgressive]

27. That's total bull

I could have not put in the beheading part and it would have been just as funny. You know, when you take humor and start analyzing it, and breaking it down, it soon becomes very unfunny.

[Old Mouse]

28. I never said it wasn't funny

I said I defend someones right to challenge it as insensitive. And it IS insensitive. That's why it's funny.

[MadisonProgressive]

30. The insensitive ones are those that are sending our people

to die in Iraq. We are just trying to cope with their lies. Humor is a coping mechanism. If you don't like it, there are plenty of other threads for you to peruse.

[Old Mouse]

31. I am so tired of people who respond without reading

Are you so overprotective of your joke that you lost your capacity for reading comprehension?

If you're so convinced it's free of insensitivity, mail a copy to Mariane Pearl.

[MadisonProgressive]

34. It's in the mail!

[Old Mouse]

35. here:

http://www.simonsays.com/content/content.cfm?sid=33&pid=364994&app=post_a_comment

[MadisonProgressive]

36. There: and Everywhere: !!!!!!!!!!

[DETERMINEDPROGRESIVE]

29. Hey, Are they still doing the DUDQ here?

Pretty good material in this thread...

[NationalEnquirer]

24. NOOOO!

LOL, but hey, at least he is more loved than B*.

[texpatriot2004]

32. Say it isn't so! What kind of monsters would behead Elmo? n/t

[Joe for Clark]

33. First GI Joe and now Elmo

NO TOY IS SAFE from these ruffians.

Joe for Clark