I had always shot down my 6- (soon-to-be 7-) year old daughter whenever she asked me for one of those ridiculously overpriced American Girl dolls (which have umpteen jillion accessories, books, etc., all, of course, sold separately).
Now that the Religous Right is toying with boycotting them, though, I'm tempted to buy them in bulk:
Popular doll-maker American Girl becomes target
October 14, 2005
By DAVID CRARY / AP National Writer
NEW YORK -- American Girl, manufacturer of a highly popular line of dolls and children's books, has become the target of conservative activists threatening a boycott unless the toy maker cuts off contributions to a youth organization that supports abortion rights and acceptance of lesbians.
The protest is directed at an ongoing American Girl campaign in which proceeds from sales of a special "I Can" wristband help support educational and empowerment programs of Girls Inc., a national nonprofit organization which describes its mission as "inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold."
American Girl, whose often patriotic products have long had a loyal following among conservatives, issued a statement Friday defending its support of Girls Inc. and assailing the protest campaign.
"We are profoundly disappointed that certain groups have chosen to misconstrue American Girl's purely altruistic efforts and turn them into a broader political statement on issues that we, as a corporation, have no position," the statement said.
The Mississippi-based American Family Association, in a campaign launched Wednesday, is urging its members to demand that American Girl halt support for Girls Inc., which it called "a pro-abortion, pro-lesbian advocacy group."
Yes, next thing you know, there's going to be Clarice, the lesbian abortionist doll.
Please, go buy your overpriced American Girl doll (or accessory or book or whatever) or, at the very least, e-mail the company with your support of THEIR support of Girls Inc.