OBAMANIA HITS THE SHOPS
The recent global financial crisis and election of the First African-American President of the United States brought about a phenomenon of epic proportions: OBAMANIA, which is defined as “the national obsession with Barack Obama.”
There must be something in the air because this obsession seems to be spreading like a super strain of the flu and SARS viruses combined. I don’t think we have seen anything like this since The Beatles. If the Beatles claimed to be “Bigger Than Jesus”, then Obama is obviously “Bigger Than The Beatles” because news groups are reporting that a record number of approximately two million people are going to attend his inauguration. Around 240,000 tickets were printed for the ceremony. If you were fortunate enough to get one, it would grant you access to the enclosed area closest to the Capitol. But since many people had to queue up for hours to pick-up their tickets and the supply evidently didn’t meet the demand, it just means that many people just have to do without. You don’t necessarily need them, anyway. Yes, you’re not cool enough to make it to the VIP area but hey, no one’s stopping you from being a part of history. Nothing’s wrong with watching Obama’s speech from the outskirts. Unless you’re prepared to purchase a ticket for $20,095. (See http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/10/inaugration.tickets/ )
Now, it’s apparent that the credit crunch pushed a lot of businesses to the brink of shutting down, if they haven’t already done so. Therefore, it comes to no surprise that a lot of them jumped on the bandwagon and capitalized on the latest frenzy over the President-Elect of the US. In a few hours, the “Elect” will be dropped and Obama will be officially sworn in as “The President.” So before the craze fades, all sorts of Barack Obama products are flooding the market for the avid consumers. Everyone seems to be Obama-hungry right now so why not make the most out of it? It’s also boosting the ailing economy so it’s all good.
Commemorative pins, stickers, CD's, key chains, fancy dollar bills, posters, paintings, ties, buttons, shirts, necklaces, magazines, books, stamps and even decorative plates are common but a bunch of other novelty or "just unusually-political" products are also out there to tickle the more imaginative and creative minds. Actually, you just need a sense of humour.
Here are some of them:
Need an acceptable excuse to bludge and drink cold beer on a hot summer day? Throw a barbie in the backyard! Wear this very fashionable apron to show your support for the Dynamic Duo: OBAMA-BIDEN aka OBIDEN.
Throwing a Children's Party? Concerned that your children might grow up to be useless and apathetic brats? Why not hone your kids at an early age to be interested in news and current affairs? Forget about buying brightly-coloured balloons! They will grow up to become penniless artists if you give them those! Nip them in the bud! Buy these monochromatic balloons instead. It will increase their chances in securing a place in politics one day.
If reading about Boy George's 15-year jail sentence for "gratuitous violence" in the morning tabloid didn't kick you hard enough in the head, then perhaps, this coffee can help you. Just in case you're wondering why the former Culture Club singer got the sentence; that's for handcuffing a male escort. (See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/ london/7832565.stm)
Hot for Obama? Keep it sizzling hot with Barack Obama hot sauce. Do I need to say more?
Does politics make you feel hot and sexy? Whatever rocks your boat, mate.
Wanna feel a bit closer to Mr. President? Hihihihi. Get soapy and slippery with this Obama soap !
Special Product Feature: THE ROPE
So you can reach hard to reach places without the worry of losing the intimacy unexpectedly.
So you're a balding 52 year old guy who collects comic books and lives in your mum's attic. You want to pretend that you got a bit of maturity and a slight interest in current affairs? You can't go wrong with this special edition of the Spiderman Comics!
Hit two birds with one stone! Make a political-fashion statement with this fabulous purse!
Surprise! America elected an African-American President! Finally!
Join the celebration by buying this BARACK-IN-THE-BOX!
Are you one of those people who went crazy over the I PHONE?
Did you also go crazy over Obama?
If you're a double-whacko, then this product is for you!
Want to feel close to Obama without getting pinned down by his bodyguards? You're probably not rich and influential enough to buy his love or friendship but you can buy his LIFESIZE CUTOUT!!!
Feel even closer to Barack! Snuggle under the sheets with your very own OBAMA DOLL.
Don't be a dog! Allow your pup to be a part of history!
Wanna to know how it feels to step into Obama shoes? Not Obama's shoes. Just Obama shoes. Hahaha.
Hey little girls! Do you think all boys have cooties except for OBAMA? Hihihihi. Do you think he's cute? Hihihihi.
(Insert your name) and OBAMA sitting on a tree.. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!
Watch out! It's an OBAMA Watch! Get it? Watch out for a watch? Hahahaha.
Do you sometimes fancy Obama in a Firefighter outfit? Well, whatever it is that you fancy, you can now dress up your own Obama! It comes complete with a range of outfits in his magnetic wardrobe!
Who's cuter? Obama or your baby? Oh, that's just wrong....
Joking aside, I congratulate all the Americans for giving this guy a chance. It's about time we start looking beyond the colour of peole's skin. This is, indeed, history in the making.