BEIRUT: Need a match? Then how about a matchbox with a picture of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on its front?
"I can't believe it!" said Ali Haj, 30, as he was handed one of the matchboxes being distributed by the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon, the latest tactic by the U.S. government at "combating terrorism."
It is a green matchbox with a superimposed picture of bin Laden, along with a picture of stack of golden coins and the words "saleymooh" (hand him over).
"I have never seen anything like this, I feel like it's a joke or a trick of some sort. I wouldn't take it seriously," said Haj, as he flipped the matchbox and saw the pictures of Ayman al-Zawahira, and Sayf al-Adel on the back, two figures who have been also connected with the Al-Qaeda terrorist group.
However, for some, Washington's fight against terrorism in the Middle East "needs to be more carefully thought out."
"For instance, how they used the green color. It is a color of Islam, so it is derogatory if you ask me to choose this color as a fight against Osama and terrorism," said Melissa Fathallah a 25-year-old American and Lebanese citizen. ** Me the only thing burning I would like to see is that pig fucker Osama burning on a fire.
2 people have spoken:
Those matchbooks have been around for a long time. I'm not sure what's "new" about it, except someone saw one and reported to the local press.
And I wonder about the moron that thought green was a bad idea. America's message has always been that we're not fighting the Islamic faith, but the evil elements within it -- the terrorists who distort it and use it to incite violence. Using peaceful Islamic messages and imagery reinforces this. It's really not different than the joint US/Iraqi patrols in Iraq. The message is "You want peace, we want peace; work with us together and we'll get these sons-a-bitches and make this a better place."
Guess I missed the Osama bin scumbag matches bit the first time. Bet they make a cool talking point at parties though...
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