Dear LEGO : 5516


Dear LEGO / 5516	5515 \| 5517

Subject:	Re: Arkham Asylum - A cool set, but a bit disturbing.
Newsgroups:	lugnet.licensed.batman, lugnet.dear-lego
Date:	Fri, 8 Jun 2007 00:18:01 GMT
Viewed:	403 times

In lugnet.licensed.batman, Mark Larson wrote:

In lugnet.licensed.batman, Richie Dulin wrote:

But then I saw this picture:

I know Arkham Asylum isn’t a standard mental health care facility by any reasonable measure, but the attic torture room seems to be a bit much. In fact, the guards getting the whip and the chainsaw ready, while the Riddler lies helplessly on the electroshock table, reminds me of some of the Abu Graib pictures.

Concernedly,

Richie Dulin

This is an alarmist over-reaction, in my opinion. No offense, I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion, but you broached the subject and here’s my opinion.

I’m sorry if you thought that my post was alarmist over-reaction. I could claim your response to my post was much the same, I guess.

You seem to be implying that LEGO either is insensitive to the Abu Ghraib controversy or is purposely making fun of it. Do you really think that’s true? Abu Ghraib is a mess of complex political and military controversies, the Arkham Asylum is a place where they hold Super Villians.

No, no. I’m saying that the scene “reminds me of some of the Abu Graib pictures”, and that I find the scene disturbing. Not as disturbing as the Abu Graib pictures, but disturbing nonetheless.

If LEGO had released a US military base and there were a torture chamber in it, I’d think there was a big problem. This set is from a comic book where very dark things happen. What did you expect them to have in the Arkham Asylum, a community room with checkers and snacks?

I also think it is terribly irresponsible to throw about accusations so casually.

I’m not sure what accusations you’re claiming I’m throwing about. I find the scene disturbing, and I don’t think its a helpful scene, or that it adds anything to the set. It’s not something I would feel comfortable allowing children to see. I’m not calling for a ban, or a recall, I’m just presenting my view.

Last year Denmark took some harsh reactions to a cartoonist and were viewed as insensitive to Muslims, people burning LEGO in the streets. I think you should think more carefully about what you say before you say it because the implications you are making can be taken very seriously.

Right. I’m not seeing the point here. Please see the “reminds me of” bit above again.

Like everyone who responded I am trying to continue a respectable discussion. My opinion however is strong on this one. I am simply tired of people finding offense in everything and am upset to see it happen to my favorite toy...I mean: artistic medium.

Best regards

Richie Dulin

Message has 1 Reply:

		Re: Arkham Asylum - A cool set, but a bit disturbing.
(...) No need to apologize. I see your point about my post seeming the same... (...) Your view is that children shouldn't see the box a children's toy comes in. It does imply a change. In general, when I present my view to someone that they are (...) (17 years ago, 8-Jun-07, to lugnet.licensed.batman, lugnet.dear-lego, FTX)

Message is in Reply To:

		Re: Arkham Asylum - A cool set, but a bit disturbing.
(...) This is an alarmist over-reaction, in my opinion. No offense, I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion, but you broached the subject and here's my opinion. You seem to be implying that LEGO either is insensitive to the Abu Ghraib (...) (17 years ago, 7-Jun-07, to lugnet.licensed.batman, lugnet.dear-lego, FTX) !

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