Pen-Elayne on the Web

What a Card

Before Bookworm came along, my favorite computer game time-waster was probably Solitaire, and I still love me them nickel poker machines in Vegas and AC. Playing cards have always fascinated me.

And as NewsMax reminds us, the US military was following a fairly long tradition when the Defense Intelligence Agency created the "Deck of Death" (aka "Iraqi Most Wanted") cards issued by CENTCOM to our boys and girls in the Gulf. The article mentions a few examples, such as the WWII Spotter Cards and even a 2-set deck made during the Civil War which featured Union and Confederate military leaders. Of course, the article also serves as a lead-in ad for NewsMax's own odious "Deck of Weasels" card set, "depicting the 54 worst leaders and celebrities who opposed America and were key members of 'The United Nations of Weasels.'" (Doubtless this is related to Fox News' Traitors of America cards.) Creepy how opposing an unjust war translates once again in some perverse minds into "opposing America." (Even creepier how a news channel abandons all pretense of objectivity to purvey something like this.) And recently Texas Republicans printed up playing cards with the faces of the Democratic legislative "fugitives."

But of course, "our side" gets in its licks as well. One of my favorites is the Republican Chickenhawk cards. The GOP "Most Wanted" deck seems to have been around awhile, but IWR keeps adding to it. PA Senate candidate Jim Capozzola (link at sidebar) mentions a Freedom French company that's released a deck of cards it calls "Les 52 plus dangereux dignitaires américains." And lest we forget, the 2000 Politicards deck seemed to rib both sides of the fence somewhat equally.

Have I missed any? Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, place your bets in the comments section!