Doing its part to keep our toys safe
January 8, 2009 6:50 PM   Subscribe

This post was deleted for the following reason: *beeeeeep* -- cortex



 
Previously.

But thanks for bringing it to our attention that screening for bombs on airplanes is now tantamount to fascism.
posted by dhammond at 6:55 PM on January 8, 2009 [4 favorites]


I prefer this quote from the first review, though it wouldn't have worked so well for your post:

"I was a little disappointed when I first bought this item, because the functionality is limited. My 5 year old son pointed out that the passenger's shoes cannot be removed. Then, we placed a deadly fingernail file underneath the passenger's scarf, and neither the detector doorway nor the security wand picked it up."
posted by nthdegx at 6:55 PM on January 8, 2009


*beep*
"Now take your clothes off"
"WHAT?"
"Take your fucking clothes off, now."
"I told you, it's a fucking femur replacement"
"I don't care, off with the clothes"
"Here, in front of everybody?"
*Tases*
"Yes, NOW"
*breaks down crying*

Yup. Fun for all family.
posted by qvantamon at 6:58 PM on January 8, 2009


The best part is that the gun (from the security guard) fits inside the carry-on bag.
posted by range at 6:59 PM on January 8, 2009 [2 favorites]


No, the best part is that, just like in real life, the security guard isn't looking at the monitor.
posted by mightygodking at 7:03 PM on January 8, 2009 [1 favorite]


I like to combine this set with my Playmobil outlaw biker.
posted by box at 7:05 PM on January 8, 2009


Playmobil Police Checkpoint, featuring an enlightening Amazon review:

"This playset is one of the best purchases I have made for my three-year-old. In the past, when we have been stopped at roadblocks, or when during one of Daddy's arrests, he would start crying uncontrollably. Now, after playing with this for the past several months, he is perfectly docile.

"As an adjunct to this product, I would also recommend that you purchase the Playmobil Armed Standoff Playset, Fisher-Price Little People Battering Ram, and the Nerf Tear-Gas Canister Deployment Gun.

"Bill of Rights sold separately."
posted by terranova at 7:07 PM on January 8, 2009 [2 favorites]


metafilter: fuck your middle ground, you (select one) [commie/ fascist]!
posted by boo_radley at 7:12 PM on January 8, 2009


dhammond wrote --

But thanks for bringing it to our attention that screening for bombs on airplanes is now tantamount to fascism.


These people are no more protecting us than the guy who sells you a hot pretzel at a concession stand. They are there to make you feel a certain way. Apparently, they comfort you. They do not comfort me because I have encountered the blunt end of their ignorance on multiple occasions.

If this Playmobil set wanted to show how airplanes were checked for bombs they would have the freight being screened by professionals who would carefully check each package. This though, is as much fiction as the TSA screener ensuring your safety.
posted by zerobyproxy at 7:16 PM on January 8, 2009 [8 favorites]


They do not comfort me because I have encountered the blunt end of their ignorance on multiple occasions.

Uhhh, Playmobil is a German company and if you've ever been through security in Europe, it's a whole 'nother animal and, for the most part, they do a pretty damned good job over there. That being said, I'm not really interested in splitting hairs about the TSA vs. international security, but if you think that security is wholly without use then I don't really know what to say about that. Feel free to regale us with stories about how silly it is that we walk through metal detectors and why it is wholly without merit.
posted by dhammond at 7:26 PM on January 8, 2009


These people are no more protecting us than the guy who sells you a hot pretzel at a concession stand.
Well, to their credit I WAS planning to use that tin of shaving soap to blow up the Pentagon last year. But damn! They caught me.

Let me take the STRAIGHT RAZOR, but took the soap. Good job, guys. Good job.
posted by verb at 7:30 PM on January 8, 2009


I most like the Playmobil Hazmat Team and desperately want one. They create toys to prepare you for the real world.
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 7:33 PM on January 8, 2009


This FPP makes me feel sad. Sad but secure.
posted by Ron Thanagar at 7:36 PM on January 8, 2009 [3 favorites]


It's really strange to think that before 1967 or 1968 metal detectors were not used at airports at all. I've seen some pictures of the old Greater Southwest Airport lobby in Dallas (demolished decades ago) and it was pretty much an open hallway all the way from curbside to the boarding gate. There were plenty of thugs carrying guns back in the 1950s and 1960s so I'm surprised it wasn't until the Cuba hijackings when they cracked down... on the other hand air travel was a little too expensive back then for your average thug.
posted by crapmatic at 7:38 PM on January 8, 2009


It's an *airport* security checkpoint. It's a little unusual as a toy, but hardly fascist.

On the other hand, I find the new Playmobil Roman lineup deeply unsettling and weird, particularly the gladiator (slave) figures.

posted by KokuRyu at 7:45 PM on January 8, 2009


Glad to know that they are from Germany but that is not pertinent. No splitting hairs. The security in Europe may be perfect but t is not here. You want security, fly El Al. This is not the American standard.

What good is it when the screener is more concerned that you are wearing a turban than whether you have a weapon? What good is the screening if they discover 12 inch knitting needles in your carry on and give them back to you? What good does it do when they find your small tub of baby food and hand it back to you without testing it for explosive residue? I guess that they know that this stuff is safe with some people and not with others.


If the show makes you feel better, fine. It does not make you safer. Of course security has a value, but what is the price?
posted by zerobyproxy at 7:46 PM on January 8, 2009


This isn't the first time those wily socialist Europeans have tried to corrupt our youth with their perfidious toys. Wikipedia says:
The first construction worker set included a wheelbarrow, a road roller, ten traffic cones, as well as three crates holding 18 bottles of beer. The German Ministry of Youth intervened in response to this set's packaging, which showed two Playmobil figures discussing their beer consumption (-"That's my fifth bottle today." -"Don't worry, we've got enough beer.")
Thank god the Ministry of Youth was on the job — I shudder when I think how narrowly our children avoided growing up in the innocent, unsuspecting belief that a lousy 18 bottles is "enough beer."
posted by enn at 7:49 PM on January 8, 2009 [1 favorite]


Of course security has a value, but what is the price?

Railing against this toy because the TSA is incompetent is like criticizing the cop from the Village People because you're upset about police brutality.
posted by dhammond at 7:52 PM on January 8, 2009 [3 favorites]


Yea but I'm still upset about disco music and criticize the TSA every chance I get
posted by mss at 7:55 PM on January 8, 2009


Totally Stupid Agency
posted by exogenous at 8:12 PM on January 8, 2009


I'm joining the Navy because I want to sail the seven seas, and put my life at ease.
posted by Snyder at 8:20 PM on January 8, 2009


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