'Most Wanted' Novelties
Boost Iraqi Economy
Baghdad, IQ | As Iraq rejoins the international community, diversification is the only formula for avoiding a future totally dependent on its oil exports.
Several quick thinking Iraqi businessmen are taking advantage of the current "Iraq's Most Wanted" deck of cards fad with an expanded line of novelty items featuring images of Saddam Hussein's family and top officials.
"The infidel occupation army really blew it, not putting Baghdad Bob (Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf) in that card deck," gloats one entrepreneur. His Comical Ali thong is a top seller, followed closely by the Saddam classic striptease pen, and Baath Party condoms.
In addition to matchbooks, dominoes, golf balls, gimmie caps and frosted beer mugs, a Whack-a-Mole style game will soon be available to the country's growing arcade market.
Dead Son Twister has helped make life without electricity more tolerable for many Baghdad residents. It's not unusual to hear calls of "right foot, Uday... left hand, Qusay" echoing through bombed-out neighborhoods.
Though difficult to predict how long their popularity will last, the ouster of Saddam's regime has helped jump-start Iraq's economic recovery. And, as one manufacturer notes, "The best part of the deal is you don't have to worry about paying royalties to dead people or international fugitives."
