I just came across this and thought it was funny enough to share. Its a French made deck of cards mocking the U.S. military's Most Wanted Deck. It has all the big players in the Bush administration. For example, Donald Rumsfeld is the Ace of Spades, Dubya is the King of Diamonds, etc. I thought it was pretty amusing...

Funny.

Strikes me as a dig on Bush that he is a King rather than an Ace.

Half the people don't even work in the Bush Administration...

AND I didn't make the list...

Humerous though.

Yeah, but the guy behind it is a complete crackpot. Thierry Meyssan claims that the US was behind the September 11 terrorist attacks. He's the type of person who makes those of us who dislike Bush look bad.

well this certainly goes a long way in promoting positive feelings towards the French.

That doesn't surprise me, half the ##### in france probably think that. This deck is more like a shot at Americans, rather than the Bush Administration. Half the people in the deck have nothing to do with the Bush Administration. Poor, Poor french people, the ones that don't hate America get a bad rap from things like this.


Ethnic slur removed - J

That is so funny, life being relative for the most part i would say this is one of those situations where the truth hurts. Could you assemble a larger group of scum, i don’tthink its possible

You may be being a bit disengenious here, JL. The French people who don't "hate America" are only getting a bad rap from people like you who are posting slurs against them all.

People are either responsible for their own destiny, or they aren't. If they are, as most people seem to believe, then the only person he is "making look bad" is himself. Not the French, not the Bush haters.

The guy may be wacky, but he's got some entreprenourial skills - I hope he makes money off of his business venture, I won't be buying any, though.

Well how political, throw a stone and run away. I don't know anyone who's bought a deck and I wouldn't say that copying Americans was entreprenuerial just because he got his name in the news. He has yet to sell a deck as far as I can see. Anyhow....Just because I hate the french doesn't mean I don't hate them all for seperate reasons.....hence I'm no worse off than they, or you are.


edited because the computer messed up my whole post.

The deck of cards containing pictures of Iraqi leaders was actually designed for a purpose: To help our troops in the field spot and apprehend said Iraqi's.
What pray tell is the purpose of this deck?????

To remove all doubt...

As in

Oh please, the iraqi deck was pure propaganda- and disturbing in that it shows how lightly our leaders treat warfare.
As I said, I'm certainly no fan of the US deck, but to pretend the original deck had any purpose other than propaganda is laughable.

If it were propaganda it would have been made available to the general public by the administration...

Well laugh all you want, you're not an American soldier in Iraq hunting for Ba'athists. You don't have to worry about what they look like.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion that it was propaganda. After all it certainly doesn't rise to the high ideals and motives of this french crackpot.
I don't care that he produced these cards, heck he may even get rich off of it, but it's a slam at the administration, nothing more.
Whatever gets French conspiracy theorists through the day, I guess.

Because it sure is difficult for the general public to get their hands on those cards, isn't it?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Dontreadonme
And by the way, who was it that pointed out what a crackpot Thierry Meyssan is in the first place?

In the "post-ebay" world, of course they're going to be available (mostly through re-makes) but to claim propaganda use without evidence is... presumptuous.

Yes, there are dealers that sell then (though as it relates to their "authorization" I'd like to see more, I've learned to be distrustful of advertisements.) But if it were propaganda they would be authorized under a number of companies or better yet given out free. The facts don't fit...

Make some money out of something immature? It's just as immature as the Democrat 9 standing on stage and bashing Bush instead of discussing the issues which was the point of the debate.

I find this not humorous and immature. Just because someone disagrees with a view, doesn't mean you act stupid and put your opposition on a deck of cards and make a laugh out of it.

My dwindilling respect for that country is going right down the drain. Trying to belittle the efforts of a country that is trying to free and secure a formerly opressed people is just pathetic.

CP

I found the idea amusing and very funny. Personally, I'm not anti-American myself, but I think it's good to have someone throw this kind of joke once in a while.

I mean, we (French) got many stupid jokes and comments from some posters on this board over the past months. I think it's a good thing that they get a taste of their own medicine : Mockery!

As a matter of fact, mockery has always been a part of life. Let's look at the facts : French make fun of Belgians, Americans make fun of Canadians and people in these two countries think it's become casual joke... Now, because some French make fun of Americans, they should automatically become enemies of the state? That's unrealistic!

Some of you guys have to learn to be made fun of once in a while. After all, you'll only lose some primitive pride.

So, do I need to move this to a serious debate forum?

Although I agree some some jokes are all in good fun... (I actually enjoy a good joke about Americans, were there's smoke.... )

However, I have a sneaking suspicion that this is not simply a joke. I believe that there is a substantial part of the world that thinks the Bush administration is a dangerous regime of the same "type" as Saddam's former ruling body. There are many who are sure America is moving for global empire, or preparing to attack they're nation, etc. I think this plays to that rather disheartening sentiment. I think this next quote fits quite well in the conversation and might explain why Americans don't understand this sort of, largely irrational, fear.


It seems to me some of the world has lost that last bit...

Capitalism in action, nothing wrong with that.

Um, satire?

And, for the record, I would disagree with Grendel that the Iraqi deck is purely "propaganda". I can see where it could be a valuable tool for helping to recognize some of those who have been identified as enemies. Has it worked yet, though - apart from in the media? Of course, I'd feel a bit better about the whole thing if it were being used in the context of an actual legitimate war.

johnlocke: I'll be buying a deck as soon as they release the English-language version - Merry Christmas! (I'll paste a picture of Amlord over the face of one of the lesser dignitaries first, though - so he doesn't feel left out.)

Funny you said that Wertz, because I just wanted to paste JohnLocke's avatar and name on one of them (I know he likes us so much anyway, haha! )

Now, I don't agree with the political ideas behind the joke. I think they are dangerous and carry a potential for radicalization. Turnea is right, it's more than just a joke. Apparently the administrator of the site is the representative of the Radical Left Party (never heard of it before though I'm French), so I would guess that his views and expressions are related to a specific culture and political background.

I call Rummy!
Quote from his card:

I want one of those

...and how come his "hee" gets two "e's? Must be connections with the dictionary industry. Typical neo-con tricks...

Oh, the actual information is surely necessary. It's the form it is presented in that strikes me as being propagandistic- treating war as a game.

I will grant you that to the average civilian, playing cards may seem to trivialize war. The Army has used this format for years much like flashcards to identify enemy aircraft, rank, vehicles, etc...
I may have flown off the handle earlier with these french cards, I'm all better now. I guess they just seem a bit offensive and plain silly, but hey all the luck to Mr. Meyssan.

Okay, I found it : the Radical Left Party is apparently a division of the French socialist party. It wants to bring renewal and change to the old system. Traditionally in France, the Left has a tendency of opposition to the attitude and decisions of the US. Bear in mind that the French Left and the American Left are two very different political currents.

I'm surprised that people get so bent about a deck of cards that are merely designed to take some jabs at the Bush administration. So what? Who cares? I mean after all we had our own lawmakers vote to rename french fries if I recall correctly didn't we and in our case it wasn't a *crackpot* it was a group of our own elected officials...a bit scarier in my opinion.

I would add that I'm in agreement that the deck designed by the U.S. was nothing more than a propaganda tool and big media played right into Washington's hands. Put a face on a card and the person automatically becomes an evil man.

A very simple approach I suppose and considering due process wasn't a factor a quite efficient one as well

AMLord,



If you go by the Tarot line, the Ace starts a new cycle on up to the 10. King is the highest level of the court cards (page, knight, queen, king).

Also, the suit fits (pun!). If hearts = Tarot cups, clubs = Tarot wands, spades = Tarot swords, then diamonds = Tarot pentacles (or coins).

So in the Tarot sense of the king of diamonds, that's actually a complimentary position:

King of Pentacles (diamonds)

I think that fits at least the public persona that President Bush tries to portray.

From moments after their release to the press, to the present day, I have to deal with pop-up ads and spam offering me the chance to buy a deck of the "55 most wanted Iraqis." They are also available on the counter of the local gas station, wrapped in "camouflage" paper so that they will blend in with the shrubbery, trees, hunters, and Michigan Militia in the gas station. Now, I'm told they are "Gasp! Available on eBay!"

I think that for about 15 seconds after their first release, there was a statement floating around that they would only be issued to American military offices in Iraq. Then they were flashed across the television screen to be certain that we were all aware of the effort our government was taking to ensure that our soldiers had something to play Poker and Solitaire. The deck may have had more purposes, but propaganda was certainly one of the purposes.

Hey wait a minute... My standard deck of cards has 4 suits of 13 cards, plus 2 jokers for a total of 54 cards...

Does President Bush really want us to put 87 billion more dollars in the kitty while he's dealing from a deck of 55 cards? If so, deal me out for this hand!

Did anyone else stop to read the captions of these cards? If what the author says is true by and large and not a spin job, there is cause for concern. I don't know enough about the individuals to say that these are lies. Wonder if Thierry's book is out in paperback for readers of English yet....

I think the idea of these cards is hysterical. I hope I can find some....

You can order them online, kim, for about eight euros - though they're only available in French so far (no problem for you, of course, you old polyglot). You can download a PDF version from the site, as well - and print your own deck!

Actually, as satire, I think they make a pretty fair point. There are those throughouth the world - and in this country - who do believe that the corporatist powers in the US (and specifically those with intimate ties to the Bush administration and its "war on terror") are a serious threat, not only to the world order, but to American democracy.

It's still immature no matter how you look at it.

Man, when you read those cards, its just a bunch of corrupt oil tycoons and evil henchmen. I am glad this was made, maybe more people will see what is running America, man it just makes me sick. I really hope we can get a non corrupt election by and purge America of these people, if that is what you want to call them, i call them destruction of the world incarnate i will vote republican if i can have a shot at getting rid of these guys, all of them, its funny the group like that, this bothers me so much i think i will start loseing sleep, these guys have to go!

I've read these card yes, definite spin in the extreme... did you catch the one about Bin Laden? I for one am not taking the content of these cards seriously The spirit of the cards, however, is a concern along the lines that Wertz alluded to. That precisely what I meant by loss of perspective...

OH, I love it, definately more accurate than the cards I have of the Iraqi issue deck LOL

Printed the PDF version, will order a pack now, and will order another when it is in English as well.

The Bush regime is far more evil and nasty and digusting than Saddam IMO- perhaps he hasn't led a purge of non-neocons yet...well, yet.

Indeed........

This French deck of cards is a way of saying "people who throw
stones shouldn't live in glass houses".............

I question people who do not question our own government
because they are blinded by patriotism....or whatever other
blissful ignorance.

I couldn't help but find it ironic that two men that I happen
to trust the least are right next to each other in the deck:
Kissinger and Cheney..... I wonder what skeletons are hiding
in their closets.......

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I make fun of myself more than most people. However, making fun of a wartime president in his attempts to free a group of people is not right.

I do find them amusing, but it is somewhat inappropriate, as were SOME anti-French protestors.

CP

Prosecution rests....

I think people who are taking this too seriously are......um....taking it soo seriously. Cmon, this aint a world government taking a dig at America, its just one guy. The reason there is so much bad vibes here is because he is French, IMO. I bet if he was Czech or Ghanan or anything other than French, people wouldnt be saying silly things like blaming an entire nation for one mans joke.

You can find it immature if you wish, and it probably is. But sinking so low as to continue a feud with an entire nation because of it is far more immature. One French man made a deck of cards - thats no excuse to continually bring up the fact that hes French and ridicule a nation because of it. Sure it doesnt do anything for American-French relations, but neither does a few americans deciding to boycott the term 'French Fries' dubbing them 'Freedom Fries' instead. There are childish people in both camps, and from my point of view those who are normally considered mature individuals are just as childish when they use the immarutity of people from the other nation as an excuse to resort to discrimination and even national hatred.

Just my point of view of course. Continue to squabble amongst yourselves France and America if you please. The rest of the world will sit back and giggle. Whoever wins we will buy you a ballon and a wollypop

Oh I agree that the "freedom fries" bit was ridiculous (particulary as it was taken up by congressman). But I see something behind the idea of this deck, Read the post above your most recent one. I don't think this is as rare a sentiment as it should be, and I believe this deck of cards plays to that.

I for one am not anti-French (I think their Foreign policy is ridiculous, but that's another story...)

I believe this deck is just another drop in the bucket of proof that much of the world has lost it's sense of perspective, for whatever reason...

Ah I see, lol! Yes this is funny too. Dont get me wrong Im not targetting specifically Americans or French or whatever, just silly people. There seems to be an abundance of silly people these days. Like those who try to make Saddam look good because they were anti war. I hate that. I was againt the war and still think it was a bad idea, but I dont go around looking and sounding like a Saddam loyalist. Of course his regime was wicked and he deserves everything he gets, comparing with the Bush 2 administration is just extreme.

Thats the problem with democracy tho right. Silly people are allowed to play. And sadly, silly people seem to be more interested in running governments than the sane

There are much better causes that are much more deserving of the 8 dollars than these folks.

I know I can think of one...

Sorry, this might be off topic, but ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Let's ask the Iraqi's who's relatives were killed in acid baths about that one okay

CP

Cruising Ram just needed a reminder


I just found the Russian version of these cards.

Russians copy Iraq cards

Is this gonna start becoming a huge fad??

$8? Hell, I might print up some decks of evil Democrats and sell them at gun shows. Let's see,we got the 10 nominees, Al and Hillary, Bill, Jimmy,Walter, Daschle, Jesse...just 35 more to go.

Ah yes- the continued belief that somehow GW is the good guy and Saddam the bad guy and that GW has this sterling character - lord it wants to make me puke- right up there Ronny Rayguns idiocracy. Just because the death toll is smaller doesn't make them any more rightoues IMO- Pol Pot is as bad as GW is as bad as Hitler is as Bad as Stalin is as bad as Dahmer is as bad as Saddam- just retail vs wholesale. It is only moral relativism towards another countries dead that somehow makes some feel that GW is not as bad as the rest.

The French and Russian decks are just a counter balance to the GW war machine propaganda, and very appropriate.

boxer, waters, dean, the kennedys, frank, chirac, oops he's not a dem...

funny how derisive politics is.

CR,
Bush as evil, nasty and disgusting regime? Now why on earth would you say that, really. I am stunned. garsh.

It was not propaganda at all, but a clever idea that would make sure troops recognized the people they are supposed to apprehend. In the field when you have downtime, there's not much else to do besides play cards and write letters. I played Spades more times than I can count while I was overseas. I'd bet those decks are the reason why most of the people featured on them have already been captured.