Saddam Memorabilia - Would you buy?

Scott Manning
April 11, 2003 | Comments (9)

WWII Nazi propaganda goes for a pretty penny nowadays. Plenty of people cashed in on the Berlin wall. Others tried to cash in on the remains of the World Trade Center through eBay, but were stopped. How much would you pay for a chunk of an old Saddam Statue?

It's been two days since the world witnessed Iraqis and U.S. troops tearing down posters and statues of the belated dictator Saddam Hussein. But one has to ask, "What will become of the remains of the regime?" While the Iraqis may enjoy tearing down any sign of their previous government, others would love to own some of that memorabilia.

Think of it. Saddam's head full of bullet holes, beaten with sticks, and dragged behind a car. I'll bet someone would pay more than $500,000 for it. It would make a helluva centerpiece. Visitors would come over and say, "Is that giant thing on your coffee table the head of Saddam Hussein?" The owner would say with pride, "Why yes it is..."

Next collectible: Saddam Regime trading cards
warcards (28k image) Now the U.S. Military has issued the next hot commodity to its troops: A deck of cards of 55 former leaders in Saddam Hussein's regime to be pursued, captured or killed. I say "deck", because they are literally a deck of playing cards. I don't know if the U.S. even considered that making such cards would automatically lead to people seeking future collections. They'd have to be blind not to consider that.

How much would a complete deck of these run on eBay? Hell, I'd pay 50 bucks.

Now the question of ethics and morality comes into play. While many people may find a plate with a Nazi insignia on it to be a collectible, others may find it offensive. The several sides of the topic include:

1) Yes, people such as Saddam and the Nazis were a bad bunch, but they are defeated now. By keeping this stuff around, we are remembering never to let people like them rule again and we're preserving history.

And the counter argument:

2) Keeping propaganda like this could be very offensive to people like Jews and Iraqis. Sure, preserving history is important, but stuff like that belongs in a museum, not in a home. I mean, if you're ancestors were killed/oppressed by Nazis, would you not be offended by people keeping Nazi propaganda around in their living room?

So what's your take on it? I'd be very interested to hear what readers have to say on this topic. Is it offensive to keep memorabilia like this in one's home or are people just overreacting?

Editor's Note:
Right before this was posted, we found several stories of Iraqi memorabilia on eBay.

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Comments (9):

1) Posted by: Clif Griffin
April 14, 2003 11:17 PM

Offensive or not...

You couldn't get a better conversation piece.

I want a huge Saddam Hussein mural on my bathroom wall.

Clif

2) Posted by: DS
April 17, 2003 9:33 AM

http://www.iraqileaflets.com -- Obviously, I'm all for it!

3) Posted by: Kento Fujimori
April 18, 2003 12:02 AM

i reaaly really really want a deck of regime cards. they look cool, and the names of the regime leaders are cool to pronounce. I really want one, i do not find it offensive in any way, after all dont the iraquis hate him? so who would we be hueting. countries like pakistan sold Bin Laden dolls, and americans didn't make a big deal out of it so i dont think anyone will make a big deal out of the deck

4) Posted by: Terrie Covington
April 24, 2003 9:48 AM

I would like the correct "great us flag" website to order a deck of these cards, can you assist?

5) Posted by: Mohammad Al Sahhaf
April 29, 2003 8:45 AM

This is all lies ! Nothing has been stolen ! Baghdad is intact !
I can categorically say that all this so-called memorabilia is fake ! Our great leader Saddam stands strong and proudly defiant, repelling wave after wave of invading Western infidels, aided only by his infinite righteous might !

6) Posted by: seymore wouldya
May 2, 2003 8:10 AM

Mr. Mohammad Al Sahhaf are you related to the Iraq minister of public information?!

7) Posted by: Bad Mouth
October 20, 2003 9:57 AM

One thing about Americans they have the right to think and do as they please
as long as its within the law.
And so since I�m a pure American I will say this:
Anyone no matter what type of culture or religion or society they belong to
are scums.
These comments above is where most scums have their minds � UP THEIR ASS �.
These people who tend to think because of a tragedy that all could have been
prevented only think in money wise.
People like you say its history with $$
People like you crave for a history moment even if it means 1000�s of lives die.
People like you are selfish and only think about yourselves and money the �HELL�
with the dead.
People like you are worthless insensitive and will even take your grandmothers plot
just to say: But its history!

Anyone who tends to think such as buying memorials such as cards, statues, or any like
material that represents our enemy is totally un-American �period�.
Instead do your self a favor follow the American way, by donating, and or buying our
veterans memorials which will help these needed soldiers that not only risked their lives
so you fools can type up nonsense crap such as above, But also so you idiots can laugh
have sex, have fun, live peacefully, and enjoy a full life that for millions of these
unfortunate soldiers could not.

So take your history and shove it up your ASS!
B.M

8) Posted by: mr. x
August 22, 2004 2:36 AM

If anyone is interested in purchasing former regime memorabilia such as china dinnerwear and sterling silverwear with the republican guard/saddam stamp, etc., email me.

9) Posted by: Kevin
September 14, 2004 8:47 PM

Hey i got some questions that really need answering...

would haveing a nazi battle flag in my room make it look like im a rascits or hater?? because what hitler did was wrong in many ways and not wrong because he did help out in the begging b4 the slaughtering but would that make me look bad cause i really liek ww2 history and what happend? please reply

Sincerly Kevin