Friday, June 04, 2004

Shiite Schlock According to a story today broadcast on NPR's All Things Considered, one impetus for the latest truce between US forces and the militia of Moqtada Al Sadr was complaints by merchants of religious souvenirs at Shiite holy sites that all the shooting was killing not only militia members, but also their business. No doubt the items being purveyed are similar to the sort of kitschy tchotchkes sold at religious shrines the world over -- including plastic replicas and black velvet paintings of martyrs, and articles of clothing bearing inscriptions like "My Imam made a pilgrimage to Karbala, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt." Check the label and it's bound to say Made in China. 6:48:31 PM