. . . why was a local pharmacy displaying a life-size (indeed, bigger-than-life) Halloween decoration of Pope Benedict dressed as a Mad Scientist?
I mean, I came in, and there it was!
The decoration (as you can see from the boxes in the foreground) stands six feet tall, which is actually taller than Pope Benedict is, if I am not mistaken, so the decoration is actually larger than the pope, presumably to create a more intimidating impression of him.
Oh, I know, they don’t acknowledge that it’s the pope. They call him "Doctor Shivers," but they’re not foolin’ me!
Just look at this face!
You see!
It’s gotta be some twisted version of the pope.
Just gotta be.
He’s even dressed in white.
Worse, according to the web site of the company that makes the decoration,
this realistic, 6 foot sound and motion-activated mad scientist talks, moves his head, and holds a glowing, bubbling potion. His eyes light up and his mouth moves as he talks. AC adapter included.
And is the mad scientist gear some kind of statement about the pope’s fictitious "Nazi past"?
I’m writing all this tongue-in-cheek, of course (though I wouldn’t put it past a secular company of people who make Halloween decorations to pattern a mad scientist after the pope).
I am strongly tempted at this point to insert a joke about having a "Day of Rage" against the toy company and . . . and . . . burning its effigies in effigy! I’d load in as many references to recent to the recent tantrum that the Arab street threw, but it might not be entirely clear to the company (or its lawyers) that the references were all a joke and not meant as real incitements to violence . . . so I’ll refrain.
It doesn’t look like Benedict, but it DOES resemble some of the caricatures of him that appear in the critical press.
… By which I mean, unflattering cartoons I’ve seen.
I look at that picture and I see Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown from the Back to the Future movies.
Maybe this is made by the same company that makes those effigies of him in the middle east.
has anybodu ever seen Christopher Lloyd and B16 in the room at the same time??? Hmmmm????
Jimmie…relax…it’s too many pills for that back prob no doubt.But tell me: Does this this figure have a whip?
You gonna send those pictures to Chick Publications? They could probably use the fresh material.
Christ’s elected representative on earth likened to a mad scientist, with Nazi past references added? (albiet toungue in cheek)
Really poor taste Jimmy whether goofing on B16 or not!
Litmus test: Would you make your joke in the presence of B16? your bishop? your priest? I’m sure you’ll get many of your ardent defenders to do just that for you Jimmy, and tell me I’m out of line, but tongue in cheek, faciously, or whatever, poor taste!
The world is full of hateful jokes and jokes in bad taste that you could inveigh against, and yet, you pick on Jimmy’s innocent poke in the ribs of political correctness and oversensitivity (and those of us who have raccoon eyes!)
And yes, I can see our good little Pope laughing along with Jimmy very easily. He has a good sense of humor, and a bone to pick with the overly sensitive.
Not the point Maureen. B16 might very well laugh at the joke, although perhaps not, and I suspect not at the Nazi reference under any circumstance. The point is, would Jimmy direct such a joke at the Pope in the presence of those I used in my example, including the Pope. I can’t imagine he’d have the poor taste to do so. And if not, then why do it here. We have Muslims burning our Pontiff in effigy, and making death threats against him and our President; how then is an albiet, tongue-in-cheek comment about the Pope’s appearance appropriate at a time like this? Ask yourself another question, if one of these kooks actually did end the life of our beloved Pontiff, would Jimmy have offered the joke post-B16? I also believe he would have exercised better taste. If the Pope is the representative of Christ on earth, then Jimmy’s analysis in a way is similar to mocking the Eucharist.
Your comment:
“The world is full of hateful jokes and jokes in bad taste that you could inveigh against, and yet, you pick on Jimmy’s innocent poke in the ribs of political correctness and oversensitivity (and those of us who have raccoon eyes!)”
In answer to your question, I do pick Jimmy’s poke, because I usually place great value on his discretion, intelligence, and yes, his sense of humor, and am sadly disappointed when something like this comes out of the mind of a great budding apologist. Jimmy in particular should know better. I place particular importance on certain folks in my life, my mother, my father, my grandparents, my family, my priest, my Pontiff. There are certain places you shouldn’t go, and opening a can of worms that indirectly invites others to critique B16’s appearance looks to me to be no more worthy of discussion than sites like rate my _ _ _ _ _ .com. What’s next, Jesus in a cowboy hat?
I’m not overly sensitive, just every once in a while I read one of Jimmy’s posts and grimace at the result. My opinion is leave the personal appearances of folks alone, and they’ll leave you alone, especially that of the Pope; he has enough trouble from without, not to have to manage those shots from within.
“I do pick Jimmy’s Poke” – quote from previous poster.
I poke Jimmy’s pick! Take that!
I saw this in the store about a week ago and also immediately thought the same thing. I guess I’m not the only one.
If the Pope is the representative of Christ on earth, then Jimmy’s analysis in a way is similar to mocking the Eucharist.
Sigh. I think you’re taking life a little too seriously, .
I’d make a joke like this in the presence of the Holy Father if I knew him well enough. And you can take that to the bank. Introduce me to him sometime and find out.
(One of the interesting things about the Catholic Church in this country is the weird juxtaposition of old-world/new-world values that we’re witnessing right here.)
I’m not so sure the likeness is just a strange coincidence. When I saw the top picture I made the connection immediately.
I think the guy looks more like a cross between the evil “Star Wars” emperor and Christopher Lloyd than Pope Benedict…although Pope Benedict does seem to have dark rings under his eyes…weight of the world on his shoulders I suspect. God bless him on his upcoming trip to Turkey! With nutcases willing to hijack planes in protest of his visit, no telling what the real whackos might have planned. It’s certainly good to have the Holy Spirit on your side when staring down that brand of fanaticism.
John