Halloween Party Tricks or Treats (But Mostly Treats, Sort of) (Third Edition)

Posted by historymaniacmegan on October 9, 2016

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It’s that time of year again. Longtime readers may remember my Halloween treat posts from 2014 and 2015. New readers on my blog, allow me to explain it to you. In these treat posts, I usually put up pictures of some Halloween treats along with a snarky little caption. Unlike other holiday treat posts, a lot of these Halloween treats are rather disgusting and gross. In fact, a lot of times disgusting is the thing. I mean if you want a scary Halloween party, disgusting food is highly recommended. But let’s not go overboard. Because there are disgusting foodstuff that you don’t want like maggots, mold, worms, or anything the FDA warns against. Or whatever your equivalent to the FDA is in your country. I understand that a lot of people viewing this blog aren’t from the US. Now that’s fine. Yet, food in the form of skulls, worms, bones, guts, fingers, spiders, and all the creepy, crawly disgusting things is fair game. Anyway, here’s yet another treasure trove of the spooky and delightful Halloween treats for your party.

A goblin cheese ball always makes a scary dip.

Even better how it’s made mostly with veggie features. Like the nacho goblin ears.

2. Chocolate mummy cupcakes are all wrapped up for dessert.

Don’t forget to add M&Ms as the eyes. That along with white drizzle on the chocolate cupcake.

3. These coffin sandwiches will make you roll in your grave.

But in a good way since we’re talking about Halloween food. Contains ham and cheese.

4. Take a bit out of these monster cookie sandwiches.

Didn’t know you can get as much cuteness from gobs, marshmallows, and M&Ms. Monstrously adorable.

5. These Oreo spider cookies are great for your spooky dessert platter.

Helps that they used Oreos with red filling. Also with the M&M eyes and twizzler legs.

6. Nothing makes a great centerpiece for your Halloween party like a bloody jello brain cake.

I’m sure zombies or Walking Dead fans will delight in this. And yes, they do have brain molds available this time of year.

7. How about some green fingers with tomato sauce?

Well, green finger bread sticks with almond nails. By the way, the sauce is supposed to be blood.

8. Take a bite out of these twinkie mummies.

Just put them in icing, add drizzle, and add eyes. And yes, you’ll want to eat these up.

9. Speaking of fingers, you might want to try these snickerdoodles.

The cinnamon gives a rather realistic touch. Kind of makes these look even creepier.

10. These appetizers are a real eye opener.

These consist of Ritz crackers, cheese, and olives. But you wouldn’t tell from the view.

11. This artichoke dip mummy is great for green veggies.

Yes, I know it’s another mummy dip since I have one in a post from 2 years. But this one has its legs close together.

12. This snake pizza sandwich will be a hit at your slithering Halloween party.

Helps that it has some sauce, peppers, and cheese on top. Got to appreciate the brilliance here.

13. These mummy Oreos come specially wrapped.

Yes, another Oreo treat. And these are on a stick. Still, they seem more cute than scary.

14. These Halloween pretzels are a ghoulish delight.

These consist of jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, and mummies. The last one is all in wraps with icing.

15. Top your Halloween party with this chocolate pumpkin cake.

Last year, I put up a picture of pumpkin cupcakes. Of course, you have to have orange icing on the top.

16. Any child will surely enjoy these haunted haystacks.

These would be great for trick or treaters. As far as eyes go, use 2 or 3.

17. A loaf of bread makes an ideal coffin and a great tray for dip.

Make sure it’s not sliced before you buy it, if you have to. The skeleton is just for decoration and seems like wading in it.

18. These spider brownies are black widow approved.

This one uses Twizzlers for legs. Of course, you might want to take out any attached candy corn.

19. Wake up on Halloween morning with these jack-o-lantern pancakes.

Each will bring a smile on your face. Because nobody’s really scared of jack-o-lanterns, anyway.

20. Grace your appetizer platter with this scarecrow tray.

Comes with Oreo crows for your autumn delight. Still, though they call it a dip tray, the scarecrow face is a tortilla.

21. This cake gives a whole new meaning to the word, “finger food.”

As you see, the fingers are around the cake with almond nails. Quite disgusting but rather stunning.

22. This haunted gingerbread house comes with its own pumpkin patch.

Sure most of it consists of inedible candy corn and waffle cookies. But it’s a haunted delight.

23. No Halloween lunch could be complete with candy corn pizza.

Mark my words, it’s probably more delicious and nutritious than actual candy corn. Because candy corn is unfit for human consumption.

24. These coffin cookies will surely wake the dead for dessert.

These are a more 3 dimensional dessert. Just use gingerbread and icing. That’s all you need.

25. These ghost pancakes will help you rise from your grave.

Just try not to eat the whole stack. But the ghost is topped with some ghoulish whipped cream.

26. Never thought you could eat a whole trick or treat bag. Did you?

Guess Twizzlers and gingerbread were involved. But at least it has a mix of gummy worms and popcorn.

27. Nobody could resist to bite into these monstrous brownies.

Love how they used M&Ms as spot. Also like the cute little eyes. So adorable.

28. Nothing makes a great dessert like melted witch cookies.

And no, you can’t just add water to them like in the Wizard of Oz. These are sugar cookies. They take time to decorate.

29. These black cat cookies are a lucky addition to a witchy dessert tray.

Not sure if I care for the jelly bean eyes. But these are the pussies worth grabbing for. Okay, that came out wrong.

Not sure if I care for the jelly bean eyes. But these are the pussies worth grabbing for, contrary to what Donald Trump would say. Okay, that came out wrong.

30. Now this is a cheese ball worth seeing.

Yes, it’s a big eye ball you can dip crackers in. I know it’s disgusting. But on Halloween, disgusting is in fashion.

31. If you’re kooky on the go, try these mad scientist wraps.

Can be great standing up or lying down. But each has a rather interesting veggie face.

32. These spooky snacks are a must for any Halloween appetizer platter.

Each of these has a ghoulish Halloween surprise in cheese. And each has its own lunch meat backdrop.

33. Never thought a skull could be so cheesy.

Guess these skulls come breaded. At any length, at least there’s no blood or brains instead. Just cheese and broccoli.

34. If you have an eye for pies, look no further.

For some reason, I have a lot of eyeball treats on here. Guess tis the season, I suppose.

35. Beef stew and mashed potatoes make a great ghostly lunch.

Of course, you might find a ghost in your potatoes. But that’s okay, because it’s supposed to be there.

36. These mummy calzones come under wraps.

If they were pizzas, the bandages would be cheese. But you have to love the eyes.

37. This Halloween cake is a real eye opener.

Yes, it’s a cake full of eyeballs. I know it’s disgusting. But at least the eyeballs come in all different sizes and colors.

38. Now this is how you carve a jack-o-lantern in a pumpkin pie.

You just make a jack-o-lantern face in the crust. Simple as that. Clever.

39. This Halloween salsa dip will be a graveyard smash.

At least I think that’s salsa dip. The graves stones and tree are made from crackers. Anyway, it’ll be a hit.

40. These deviled eggs come especially bloodshot for your fancy.

Because on Halloween, deviled eggs should be bloodshot eyeballs. It’s only fitting.

41. These cauldron brownie bites will be a brewing sensation.

The brew in these bites are green chocolate chips. And I guess it uses a licorice handle.

42. Get your webby hands on these spider pizza bites.

Each one has a spider made from olives. Not for the faint hearted arachnaphobe.

43. Nobody could resist these jack-o-lantern sandwich cookie faces.

As far as eating goes, just remove the candy corn eyes and you’re good to go. Still, these are delightful.

44. Speaking of jack-o-lanterns, help yourself to this sandwich.

Notice how they used cheese and olives for the features. Will bring a smile on your face.

45. This witch hat cheese ball makes a bewitching addition to any appetizer platter.

This is decorated with black sprinkles and carrot slices. But it’s less disgusting than a skull or eyeball.

46. You never know what you’ll find in your bowl of chili.

Seems like you can go for a cheesy bat or spider. This could depend on the size.

47. This Halloween pasta will surely cause a great monster mash.

Helps the pasta is purple to resemble worms and it’s sprinkled with eyeballs. Makes you think you’re eating something disgusting.

48. Serve your meat entrees this Halloween in this zombie buffet.

Like how the zombie has tongs in both hands. By the way, ribs and sausage are in the torso. Chicken is in the legs.

49. Finger sandwiches, anyone?

Each one has a pepperoni nail. And you can dip each of one in tomato sauce if you like.

50. Anyone will go mad for these Frankenstein Monster cupcakes.

Each of these is served in a green ice cream cone for good measure. They even have icing stitches.

51. These webbed donuts are worth spinning for.

You can even use a donut hole to create a spider if you want. But you might want to be precise with the icing.

52. This black cat cake will put a smile on your face.

Or give you nightmares. Then again, it kind of depends on how superstitious you are.

53. You’ll find a lot of skeletons in these cupcakes.

You probably can’t eat them since they’re plastic decoration. But these are quite amusing.

54. Bloody cheesecake, anyone?

Each one has a cleaver so you could tell. Yes, it’s quite gut wrenching but these are great.

55. These monster cookies are a real eyeful.

Each one is black and covered with eyes. I know it’s weird, But for Halloween, it’s appropriate.

56. Even zombies would find these brainy cupcakes delicious.

Each one comes with a face container. In some ways, this is both sick and adorable at the same time.

57. These chocolate cockroaches will crawl into your mouth.

I bet they use candy bars and icing. Because using real ones would be rather gross. Still, much better than the candy corn.

58. Candy corn is excellent trim for a gingerbread haunted house.

Since it’s really not that great for anything else. After all, gingerbread houses are mostly for decoration.

59. These pasta mummies make great appetizers when wrapped tight.

Also comes with a cheesy center, as far as I know. Still, so cute and creative.

60. How about a jack-o-lantern on toast?

Each one has a pumpkin face from filling as well as a chocolate chip face. I’m sure kids will love these.

61. On Halloween, candy apples should be good and bloody.

And bloody these surely are. Don’t worry, it’s mostly cherry syrup. Nothing to be grossed out about.

62. There are no bones about these skull brownie bites.

They even have their own chocolate hats. Got to love these. So cute.

63. These worm cookies come infested to your hearts content.

Don’t worry, those are sprinkles and gummy worms. You’d have to be nuts to use real dirt and worms, which is very unappetizing.

64. No Halloween meal is complete without some jack-o-lantern bread.

Then again, they may be buns. But at least you have to like their golden brown faces.

65. These witch hats come covered in cobwebs.

I’ve shown witch hats before but not with cobwebs on them. Wonder if they’re candy, icing, chocolate, or inedible decoration.

66. These cauldron pudding cups come well stirred.

I showed cauldron cups before. But these have a chocolate chip min mix with a pretzel. Not as sick but just as clever.

67. If you like the Nightmare Before Christmas, this is the Halloween cake for you.

You can also use it for Christmas if you want to. But this is of Halloween Town so it goes on this post.

68. These monster Reese’s bites will make you howl with delight.

Each has its set of googly eyes and fuzzy coconut fur to melt your heart. But I’ll just take the Reese’s cup, thanks.

69. Grace your appetizer platter with this spider cheese ball.

It even has 8 pretzel legs and a smile on its face. May still freak people out though.

70. These coffin brownies are good for a Halloween party on the graveyard shift.

Each of these is wonderfully decorated, too. Morbid yes, but surely delicious.

71. This haunted house cake is a haven for spiders.

Not necessarily a cake for the arachnaphobic in the least. But I do like how it’s purple.

72. These hotdog mummies come intricately wrapped for your desires.

Each of these on a tray even has mustard eyes for character. Still, these are cute.

73. If you want a bloody brain at your dessert platter, look no further.

I think this is another brain cake and a very gory one at that. Not sure if I’d want to try that for size.

74. Perhaps you might want to try some finger fries.

They’re probably what the Addams family eats with their burgers or hotdogs. But you have to admire this for sheer creativity.

75. These peanut butter witch brooms are surely a sweep.

Each consist of peanut butter, icing, pretzel sticks, and shredded wheat. Seems easy as pie.

76. For a creepy crawly lunch, you can’t do better than this sandwich of worms.

Relax, the “worms” are made from ham in barbecue sauce. But hope it creeps to your delight.

77. Grace your Halloween dessert platter with a cake that takes an eye full.

I guess the eyeball here is for decorative purposes. But the socket is drizzled with icing.

78. These popcorn balls are just crawling with worms.

Well, gummy worms if you get my drift. But yes, these are very disgusting but people will like them.

79. You’ll have to be a ghost not to like this pizza.

It even has tomato eyes and mouth as well as is covered in cheese. Yes, this is pure Halloween gold.

80. It must be a grave mistake if your Halloween party lacks a coffin cake.

You may not be able to eat the hands and skull. But a coffin shape cake isn’t a hard shape to achieve.

The Fantastic Footwear World of Shoes

Posted by historymaniacmegan on October 7, 2016

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Unless you’re a hobbit on Middle Earth, there’s a very good chance you’ll need a pair of shoes to protect your feet. You may also need different kinds of shoes depending on occasion. Some people wear special shoes related to their job. Some wear them as a fashion statement. But why or when we wear them, shoes always have a major place in our lives. If you’re a famous dictator’s wife in the Philippines, they’re a major collector’s item. If you’re an American Muslim from the Middle East, they’re something you throw at Donald Trump at one of his rallies as a way of saying, “Thanks for stereotyping us as terrorists and making our lives miserable, you xenophobic asshole.” And if you’re a woman at Gabe’s, it’s likely they probably won’t have the shoes you want available. Of course, I always try to keep a hold of my shoes as much as I can. I have high heels for special occasions depending on seasons. I have a pair of tennis shoes for everyday life. I have pair of old tennis shoes for yard work. I have sandals to slip on when I need to go outside. I have old marching band shoes I wear for job interviews. I have a pair of flip flops for a public showers. I have slippers for around the house. And I have a pair of boots for winter weather. So that makes my shoe wardrobe. Now I can show you all the great shoes out there but you’ll probably be bored to tears. So instead, I’ll show you shoes that might make you scratch your heads. And most of these won’t make a comfortable fit or have any practical use whatsoever. For your reading pleasure, I give you a treasure trove of unique shoes.

A high heel must have a nice colorful plume in the front.

Not sure if I like the colors on this one. But this is an interesting shoe to look at.

2. You’ve never seen a golden sandal like this.

Guess a shoe like this doesn’t come cheap. And I think having to pay more than $50 for a pair of sneakers was something to bitch about.

3. This high heel shoe is meant for the woman who uses antlers in all of her decorating.

Of course, these aren’t real antlers. But they’ll look sensational in any hunting trophy room.

4. Heard of an alligator purse? How about an alligator shoe?

I hope that gator isn’t real. Or is it a crocodile. If the latter, than this must be the best croc I’ve seen. Literally.

5. These hooves are golden.

Yes, these are golden hoof shoes. And I don’t think they look too comfortable. Seriously, they don’t seem to have much support.

6. This pair of sandals come from the fringes.

However, I hope these don't come with a Native American costume. Because I don't think Indian women would wear them.

However, I hope these don’t come with a Native American costume. Because I don’t think Indian women would’ve worn them.

7. These boots must be nicely laced up.

Well, they seem to have a lot of lace on them. Or are those yarn cobwebs or fishnets?

8. How arched platform slippers like these?

Not sure if they’d be more comfortable than high heels. But they sure as hell aren’t shoes I can walk in.

9. This pair comes with a real bite.

And they’re not kidding here. Not sure if they’re shoes I’d want to sink my teeth into. Because they don’t seem like I can walk in them.

10. If wicked witches had high heeled boots, they’d look like these.

Okay, maybe if they wore stiletto boots. Still, I think ruby slippers are much more comfortable.

11. With this pair of sandals, the eyes have it.

And they seem to be staring right back at you. Seems kind of creepy to me.

12. This sneaker comes with its very own CD player.

A CD player sneaker. wonder how that works. Wonder if I even want this.

13. This pair gives the term “footie slippers” a whole new meaning.

Okay, this is pretty strange. You put your foot into slippers shaped like feet. Insane.

14. Now this boot is pretty surreal.

I think someone might’ve made this. Was probably on acid at the time. Yes, I don’t have much of an explanation for it either.

15. Not sure if these high heels are for walking or ice skating.

And if they’re for both, can I remove the blades? Then again, I don’t think skating in high heels is a good idea.

16. Did this person step in some gum?

No, that’s just how the shoe is designed. The gum is at the heel. I know what you’re thinking but it’s not what it looks like.

17. These high heels are surely ap-peeling.

If only Carmen Miranda could wear these to match her hat. Then her whole outfit would’ve been perfect.

18. These high heel shoes come extra spiked.

If there were orc women on Middle Earth, you can bet they’d wear shoes like these. And they’d use them as weapons.

19. I’ve heard that hoof heeled shoes are all the rage these days.

Yes, these are made from horse legs. I know it’s kind of creepy. But at least these have some support unlike the other hoof shoes.

20. This shoe has a chocolate cupcake sweetness to it.

However, I don’t think it offers great foot support at the heel. But it has a nice strawberry on top.

21. For Jaws fans, this high heeled shoe is hard to resist.

Perfect for the fashion runway during Shark Week. Of course, It has teeth in the back and a dorsal fin on the front.

22. These heels must be at the wrong place.

Because those heels have to be on the back for support. Not near the sole which doesn’t accomplish much.

23. Try walking in shoes with bulky cushions on them.

At least I think they’re cushions. But they’re quite bulky that I wouldn’t be caught dead in them.

24. A shoe like this is for anyone who takes life from the horns.

I have to put this on my post since my sister went to VCU. Their mascot is a ram. This shoe has a ram’s horn.

25. Wonder what it’s like to walk in shoes like these.

They just seem to be made from plastic with ribbons on it. Also, seem easily breakable.

26. These sundae shoes will bring sweet smiles.

They even have platform and heels on the cones. Not to mention, the cherry on top.

27. These leaf shoes are the height of fall fashion.

Kind of remind me what you’d see Robin Hood wear. If he tried living off the land a little more. Then again, leaf shoes wouldn’t look like these.

28. This tentacle shoe is great for undersea couture.

It’s also the shoe you’d see Maleficent wear with Ursula’s parts. Okay, maybe I went too far with that one.

29. No one could resist this squirrelicorn heel.

Brought to you by the latest in fashion and rogue taxidermy. Yeah, this is pretty freaky.

30. Ever thought you’d like to walk in a suspended basket? Now you can.

Yes, this is one crazy shoe. Seems likely to break once you stand up in it.

31. Wonder if this shoe has stepped in something.

No, that’s just how the shoe’s designed. Not sure if it provides any ample support.

32. There’s something fishy about this high heeled shoe.

That it has two goldfish in it. Hope they were taken out after the photo shoot. Or just photoshopped on here.

33. This high heel shoe brings in the flowery spring.

Know the flowers are fake in this one. Because if they were real, you couldn’t wear it.

34. Not sure if abstract shoes provide some support.

Because this shoe doesn’t seem sturdy or provide any support. Not sure what would a podiatrist think.

35. This octopus shoe is the latest in ocean fashion.

Wonder if it’s available in purple for those who want to dress up as Ursula. Then again, normal shoes will do.

36. Bet you never saw wooden shoes like these.

Probably not, because clogs were peasant wear, folks. Still, they don’t look comfortable.

37. These shoes carry an infinity of gold rings.

Yes, these gold boots go up to one’s knee in gold rings. Not sure if they’re flattering though.

38. Ladies, if you like high heels and scuba diving, these flipper shoes are for you.

These are flipper high heels which can go with any scuba diving dress at your desire. Great for swimming and long walks at the beach, especially during a hurricane or flood.

39. Never saw sandal platforms like these before.

Well, they seem sturdy. But I don’t think they’re necessarily comfortable at any stretch of the imagination.

40. This gnome heeled shoe will support you.

May be more wearable than a lot of the others in this post. But its biggest drawback is tackiness.

41. Take a look at this flowery platform sandal.

Well, at least it has a lovely design on it. But as a piece of practical footwear, it wouldn’t pass the test.

42. These flaming high heels are smoking hot.

Yes, they certainly have flames, all right. And I’m sure Katniss would wear ones that look real on the Hunger Games.

43. This pair of shoes come specially bladed.

Now how do you walk in these exactly? Because they don’t seem to have a kind of shoe sole that you’d find on every shoe.

44. These pink heels are fit for a princess.

These seem to be made from plastic or rubber. In any case, they seem rather tacky in princess wear.

45. This green sandal comes with a vine.

Well, it's great for anything leavy. Like if you're dressed as the Jolly Green Giant's wife for Halloween.

Well, it’s great for anything leafy. Like if you’re dressed as the Jolly Green Giant’s wife for Halloween.

46. These caged heels are best left to the birds.

Doesn’t hurt that they have a macaw in them. Still, these look quite nifty.

47. Didn’t know you can make a high heeled shoe from an erector set.

Then again, if Tim Gunn had an erector set as a kid, he’d certainly make this. Still, doesn’t look comfortable.

48. Not I don’t think anything’s spilled here.

It’s just how the shoe is designed, folks. Though the heel seems quite thin. Like the cup handle front.

49. These black and gold shoes go great with the fancy scenery.

They have gold soles and black leather. However, wouldn’t want to walk in these.

50. These wooden heeled boots seem to have no soles to them.

They’re just wooden stands with straps on them. Not great for walking around in at all.

51. These playground heels are worth a slide.

But I’m sure they’re not meant for the playground. Because these don’t seem to have much support with the ladder.

52. These high heeled shoes come better in swirls.

These are perfect for any gorgon in your life. Though you might not want to look her in the eye for it’ll make you petrified.

53. These wire heels almost feel like nothing.

Because they’re useless to protecting your bare feet. You’re better off in socks.

54. These shoes seem like they’re on wheels.

Seems like you’d find someone wearing in TRON. And even then, I’m not sure how anyone could walk in these.

55. These red high boots don’t have much on the heel.

Now these can’t be comfortable. Seriously, how can anyone walk in these? It’s insane.

56. You can literally mop the floor with this shoe.

But please dip it in water first before you proceed. Because it won’t be effective.

57. How about shoes with crystal bottoms?

And these are held in a gray mesh. Sure they’re impractical but they’re quite cool.

58. Speaking of crystals, this heel comes spiked.

And in shiny colors, too. Not something I’d want to walk in. Worried I might stab someone.

59. You’d almost think these shoes were made from the skin of one’s feet.

In a way, that might be so. But the shoes seem quite squared if you ask me.

60. With these shoes, who knows how you’ll be walking.

Now these really can’t be good for your feet. They don’t seem to have a great structure. Why?

61. These leather shoes now come with horseshoes.

Great for making horse tracks in mud or snow. But not on a race track because you probably can’t run with them.

62. This sandal is available in Queen Anne’s Lace.

But is it wearable? Seems too delicate to try. Not sure why this exists.

63. Now this is the kind of heel to rock in.

Well, if you really like rock music. But I wouldn’t advise you to wear high heels at a concert.

64. This shoe has a rather feathery disposition.

As far as I could tell, anyway. Because I’d swear that Bjork would actually wear this at a concert.

65. This pie heel comes in cherry.

Yes, this is a cherry pie shoe. But the heel is quite forked.

66. How about strutting in these sundae boots?

Well, strawberry sundae boots anyway. Got to love how they’re topped with fudge, cherries, and whipped cream.

67. These shoes come fully fanged.

Great for a Halloween costume. Only if you can walk in them. Not sure if I could.

68. Finally, a shoe for the open road.

Seems like this shoe road is busy. But at least you can wear it better than a lot of the other ones on this post.

69. This pair of heels comes in roped together.

Doesn’t hurt that the soles are of corks as far as I know. Not sure what to make of these.

70. Guess this is what you’d call a “pasta heel.”

Even comes covered in spaghetti and meatballs. Hope it doesn’t make a mess.

71. Sometimes it helps if you walk on a spine.

This pair goes with a heel of vertebrae. Though they may not be great for your feet.

72. Try to walk a foot in this sandwich.

Not exactly what you get at Subway is it? Not sure if it’s great for walking either.

73. This stiletto is great for a sinister gal.

Except when it comes to your feet. Then it’s just plain monstrous.

74. These shoes are all soled up to the teeth.

And I mean literally in this case. Might be fine to walk in them. But they’re quite creepy.

75. Never thought you can find a heel so monstrous.

Yes, I know this shoe design makes no sense. But it’ll sure look great for a Halloween costume. Got to love the teeth.

76. Seems like someone’s walking in spilled paint.

Actually that’s just a shoe design complete with a splatter. Don’t try to look into it too deeply.

77. This sandal is all corked.

Well, nothing but corked, anyway. Hope this was made from those from a craft store. Or there might be a problem.

78. These googly eyed shoes seem to see everything.

Doesn’t help that the eyes come in all different sizes. Looks pretty freaky to me.

79. This lipstick heel is all made up.

Well, it’s an elegant shoe, lipstick or not. Hope it doesn’t leave red marks.

80. This high heeled boot is all squared.

Well, in all different colors, anyway. Not sure why it looks this way. But I like it.

81. A shoe like this can help you spring into action.

Well, at least at the heel. Not sure if the spring can actually compress if pressed.

82. These heels are pure steampunk gold.

Had to put a steampunk shoe somewhere in this post. Notice how the heel looks mechanized.

83. How about a braided heel?

This one is golden if you get my drift. Other than that, it resembles a normal shoe.

84. Nothing is more stylish than an orchid heel.

This one comes in pink. But orchids can be of any color. Looks quite delicate.

85. Not sure if these shoes can wheel you in.

Though you might try. Yet, I don’t think these were made for practicality.

86. These denim boots are heavy duty.

They even come with pockets. Probably made from an old pair of jeans, no doubt.

87. Ever tried on a monstrosity heel like this.

I’ve seen many heels like this in different colors. But yeah, it’s pretty freak if you asked me.

88. There’s nothing in like snake skin.

Well, the snake skin is one thing. But the shape of these shoes is another. At any rate, they’re weird looking.

89. Ever seen a caged sandal before?

Yes, it’s another cage shoe. But I do like the lovely flower decorations on this.

90. These prehistoric heels are the latest from Jurassic Park.

Got to love how they feature a T-Rex for support. Now that’s a real dinosaur.

91. This cyberpunk boot comes in full gear.

Well, not exactly with gears for it also has spikes at the foot. But yeah, it seems straight from Bladerunner.

92. Take a look at these golden scorpion heels.

Never thought such fearsome creatures could be so stylish on a shoe. And yes, these are scorpions which are worse than crabs. Because they’re poisonous.

93. These fish sandals are great for the beach.

Though people might think you’re a bit fishy. Might want to stay away from sharks in these for obvious reasons.

94. Try on this footlong flip flop.

Well, it’s on a dark bread slice instead of a bun. But it has a lot of toppings.

95. They always said that moleskin slippers are comfy.

Though these moleskin shoes are pretty damn creepy. But that’s what you get with taxidermy.

96. These shoes come with multiple supports.

You got that right. But that doesn’t mean they’re comfortable or even walkable.

97. You’d almost think these shoes were melting.

No, that’s just how the shoes were made. Though I wouldn’t want to walk in these.

98. With this heel, it’s have gun will travel.

Guaranteed to make you a belle at the NRA convention. Though I hope the gun and bullets aren’t operational.

99. Looks like Atlas has quite a foot to hold in this heel.

I think this shoe design is called, “Golddigger.” Seems oddly fitting to me.

100. A shoe like this can really be a deadly weapon when knuckles are involved.

Guess this is called “a purse snatcher’s worst nightmare. Though the heel could do quite a bit of damage.

Policing for Profit: The High Price of Low Taxation

Posted by historymaniacmegan on October 6, 2016

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Nobody likes taxes. In fact, that’s why politicians always campaign on lowering them to lessen burdens on families. But we have to admit, if we didn’t pay them our governments couldn’t govern and provide services we need as a society. Believe me, our Founding Fathers found this out the hard way with the Articles of Confederation. The truth is, governments to raise money somehow and taxation is a fair way to do so. And I think a progressive tax system in which the rich are taxed more than the poor is sufficient since the rich earn more money. Yet, no matter what your tax bracket is, you still benefit from government services in some way. Still, if taxes are either too low or don’t provide enough revenue, then governments could be in trouble and sometimes cutting programs and staff may could lead to catastrophic results. Some local governments may find ways to enrich their coffers during times of financial pressure when other forms of revenue decline.

Guys, if you want to know why pot isn’t legal in California. Remember that its state police have funded efforts opposing marijuana legalization. And here we have two cops gloating over their booty.

In recent years, thousands of American cities and towns have relied on judicial fines and forfeiture to fund their governments, which is unhealthy for our democracy. Serious revenue declines, anti-tax popularity, local budget pressures have led municipalities to expand their use of revenue-generating law enforcement practices such as red light and speed cameras. However, public awareness hasn’t hit the national spotlight until the Department of Justice’s 2014 investigation into Ferguson, Missouri. We all know that the DOJ was looking into Ferguson due the police shooting of Michael Brown. But the racism and injustice in Ferguson was far worse. Between 2011 and 2013, the city collected 80% more fines and forfeitures by which point it raised 20% of its budget through this. Before the killing of Michael Brown, Ferguson anticipated that they’d collect an extra million through 2014 through police activity, raising a total of 25% through fines. This despite being home to a Fortune 500 company Edison Electric, a successfully revitalized commercial district, and an office park filled with corporate tenants that Ferguson could’ve taxed for all their worth. Well, if it weren’t for an amendment from the 1980s requiring citywide referendum approval on local tax increases, licenses, or fees. Even then, it wouldn’t be difficult since I think Ferguson’s 67% black population would’ve approved since they pay most city taxes anyway while the wealthy are barely taxed at all. Seriously, Ferguson’s tax system is incredibly unfair. Cities and their police departments may see increasing their dependence on fines as a viable strategy for funding their governments but it corrupts the justice system and brings great harm to the people it serves.

So far, John Oliver has been among the only people in the mainstream media to show the problem with profit policing. This one pertains to municipal violations which can screw the poor and minorities.

Profit Policing Is Not Normal nor Financially Healthy – For economically healthy municipalities, even when the absolute dollar total of fines and forfeitures may be large, they still represent a small proportion local revenue. Places like New York City, Washington D.C. and San Francisco only raise about 1-2% of their budget through civil penalties, which is about the norm. And that’s how it should be. Because most cities run on progressive tax revenue like income and property taxes. Ferguson doesn’t. In their budget, regressive taxes like sales and utilities account for almost 60% of the city’s revenue followed by municipal fines at 20%. By contrast, progressive taxes account for just under 12%. This means that Ferguson extracted more revenue from African American renters than from those owning the homes themselves. This is not how a local government should generate revenue and it’s no wonder that Ferguson has had trouble paying its bills since it incurred a debt of $3.7 trillion. And it had its credit rating downgraded to junk status by Moody’s in 2015. Even worse towns around Ferguson relied on fines for over 30% of their revenue. 3 towns in Louisiana reported collecting more from fines than from taxes with Henderson collecting $3.73 in fines for every tax dollar. Relying on fines to keep municipalities afloat isn’t normal because relying on bad behavior to balance local budgets isn’t financially viable. Making even less sense is jailing people who owe less money than it cost to incarcerate them, leading to bigger deficits as well as a cycle of dependency. As the Brennan Center’s Justice Center put it, “Having taxpayers foot a bill of $4,000 to incarcerate a man who owes the state $745 or a woman who owes a predatory lender $425 and removing them from the job force makes sense in no reasonable world.”

When law enforcement is most concerned with creating revenue from citations, protecting and serving the community is no longer a priority. Instead, the community is exploited with very harmful results. This is why for profit policing is bad.

2. Profit Policing Undermines Justice– Fines and civil forfeitures were set as disciplinary measures, not as a municipal fundraiser. They were never meant to contribute significant revenue to local governments. But this is exactly what happened in Ferguson that the city manager and police chief discussed using tickets to meet revenue benchmarks. Not to mention, police were encouraged to issue traffic tickets who were evaluated and promoted on how much cash they could gin up. In Saint Louis County, half the judges had incentives to find people guilty and coerce payment through threat of jail. Not to mention, civil asset forfeiture becomes big which results in prosecutors and police departments to adjust budgets and tactics in order to prioritize fundraising over public safety and justice. Often this could lead to police being better trained to pursue seizures and take advantage of lax standards for the department’s benefit. It’s very clear that whenever law enforcement is a fundraising tool, the justice system is severely compromised. Because when you use law enforcement to raise funds, then it’s not about promoting safety or justice. It’s about making money through people breaking the law which can hurt the nation’s most vulnerable people.

When it comes to policing for profit, racial minorities are often the victims and are disproportionately targeted. Here is Valerie Whitner from Pagedale, Missouri who along with her husband, accumulated $2,800 in fines for issues on their modest home. These include having chipping paint on a downspout, not having a screen door on the rear entrance of their home, and having weeds growing in their vegetable garden. Sometimes they were even issued fines for not having their home “up to code” without explanation. They were even threatened with demolition and were forced to take out pay day loans to keep their head above water and make mandated repairs.

3. Profit Policing Discriminates Against Minorities– While Ferguson had a cash-starved municipal government, they were hardly a poor city. Its government could’ve easily solved their money problems by taxing local businesses, one of which is a Fortune 500 company that makes $24 billion a year. The fact Ferguson relied on cops and courts to extract fines and fees to generate revenue was the result of more than a century of public policy choices designed to protect largely white business and property owners while passing the bills along to disproportionately black renters and local residents. Given Ferguson’s extraordinary climate of police harassment, you can guess who got slapped with the fines. Despite that Ferguson is only 67% black and sees plenty of white commuters, 85% of all traffic stops involved black motorists and were twice as likely to be searched and arrested than their white counterparts. This despite when searched, whites were 2/3 more likely to be caught with some sort of contraband. Municipal violations for not mowing the lawn or putting out trash in the wrong place at the wrong time were overwhelmingly issued to blacks. 95% of citations for jaywalking and 93% if arrests were issued to blacks. We should also account that Ferguson’s mayor, city manager, and police chief were white. Minorities are more likely to live below the poverty line. And it’s not just in Ferguson, but in a lot of communities with white leaders and a large minority population. You might know the case of Philando Castile who was shot by a cop in St. Anthony, Minnesota. But you may not know was that this guy had been pulled over by police 52 times within the last 14 years of his life and accrued over $6,000 in fines. Now he must’ve been an epically bad driver or racially profiled on an average of once every 3 months. It’s very clear that St. Anthony relied on Castile’s and his black neighbors’ money to balance their budget. Brennan Center estimates that 10 million people owe more than $50 billion in debt due to their involvement in the criminal justice system. 60% of this total is owed by blacks and Latinos with average totals around $7,000. That said, when police need money, it’s usually minorities who suffer.

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This woman is Harriet Cleveland who couldn’t afford to pay her $152 fine in traffic violations that she ended up spending jail time. This despite that she tried all she can to pay for it, even going without food and utilities. Her story illustrates what happens when poor people can’t afford to pay their fines right away. It’s sad and very exploitative.

4. Profit Policing Screws the Poor– Whenever cities use municipal fines and fees to generate local revenue, the poorest residents usually suffer the most. Not only are often targeted by police like in Ferguson (since many are minorities), but they’re among the least likely to afford the fines. In 2014, 75% of all Ferguson residents had active outstanding arrest warrants. Most of these involved people who couldn’t afford to pay. According to Arch City Defenders, citizens failing to appear or pay fines that were “frequently triple their monthly income” were liable to be jailed, sometimes for as long as 3 weeks. Those with outstanding warrants were rendered ineligible for most forms of public assistance and government-provided social services. This combined with public housing exclusion, often send residents out on the streets. Municipalities can also compound financial hazards for those fined by contracting with private probation collectors who can add additional, legally enforceable fees and interest to the amount the court has required. It doesn’t help those who can’t pay fines, can lose their licenses along with their jobs.

While running into a stop sign in California results in a $35 fine, the violator could end up paying up to $238 in Riverside County. This graph breaks it down.

5. Profit Policing Results in Higher Payments– This means that municipalities relying on fines to sustain their budgets might result in violators paying more money than originally owed. Even for a seemingly minor offense. This could happen in a number of ways:

Initially starting with a reasonable fine but tacking on surcharges and fees-For instance, a $35 fine for running a California stop sign can balloon into $238.00. San Diego is notorious for this since they could tack on as many as 10 surcharges with a $35 speeding ticket like a $40 state penalty assessment, $36 court penalty assessment, a $20 court construction fee, a $8 state surcharge, a $16 DNA identification, a $35 criminal conviction fee, a $40 court operations fee, a $4 emergency medical air transportation penalty, and $1 night court fee. All adding to $235.
Charging outrageous fines from the get go– Examples include charging $255.000 for driving over less than 25 miles over the speed limit, $500 for party noise, and $1000 on parents for juvenile graffiti. Some can consist of outrageous fines like $450 for stealing $5 of food.
Payment Plans– Those who can’t afford traffic tickets the first time may take this route in some states. But they can make paying off tickets more difficult and more expensive. In Illinois, people falling behind in payments can get hit with a 30% fee. And New Orleans charges $100 to start one.
Probation Fees– 44 states charge people various fees for being on probation. Many of these are handled by companies like Judicial Correction Services which charge a $10 set up fee and $140 per month. Those who couldn’t bring the entire amount had to report to JCS offices more frequently, sometimes multiple times a week. When people fell behind, JCS continued to collect its own fees which effectively extended their probations and guarantee the company more money. When people couldn’t pay, employees threatened to revoke their probation which resulted in jail time. It’s an unconscionable practice that should be outlawed.
Private Collectors– Not only they can collect on tickets but can add additional legally-enforceable fees and surcharges. They can also threaten people who don’t pay with jail. Sure they may charge the courts nothing. But they can charge people on probation a fortune.

The town of Pagedale, Missouri is a notorious example on how profit policing can lead to ordinances allowing fines be issued for very ridiculous reasons. Its police force has aggressively targeted its citizens for harmless conditions like screen door holes, chipped paint, weeds in garden, mismatched drapes, high grass, and you name it. Let’s just say we know Pagedale issued ticketing on these ridiculous rules in order to fill its coffers. Basically its motto would be, “If you can’t ticket violations, invent them.”

6. Profit Policing Results in More Oppression and Hostility– Those who live in municipalities that depend on fines to balance budgets are more likely to be stopped by police and fined. Sometimes this could be for the usual traffic violation. But sometimes it could be for things people really shouldn’t be fined for. For instance, in Pagedale, Missouri, residents can be ticketed and fined for having mismatched curtains, walking on the left-hand side of a crosswalk, wearing pants below one’s waist, having holes in window screens, having a barbecue in front of the house, and more ridiculous ordinances that you can find in a wacky law listing. In Ferguson, 75% of its residents have outstanding arrest records. Municipalities with profit policing are more likely to have a more militarized force as well as higher police brutality against minorities.

Policing for profit often creates distrust between law enforcement and communities. Because citizens being sponged are more likely to think that the system no longer works for them. And in a way, they’re right.

7. Profit Policing Leads to More Community Distrust- While trust between law enforcement and the public may be difficult without profit-driven policing practices, using fines to fund municipal governments erodes it even further. Police are sworn to protect the public and work with local communities to solve problems pertaining to crime and disorder. It’s one thing for cops to use excessive force on unarmed black people and get away with it due to systematic racism. But it’s even more unconscionable for cops to harass residents with absurd systems of fines and penalties on mostly extremely minor offenses. Making police revenue generators for cities and towns diverts them from their traditional role of community guardians and protectors. Not to mention, people have been taught to believe that local governments and police are supposed to work for them, not the other way around. Ferguson isn’t a feudal domain where police vassals can harass the peasantry as they please. Such actions lead to a growing distrust between the police and the community, especially among poor and minority citizens. And that’s not good.

Here’s a diagram from Arch City Defenders on Ferguson’s terrible court system to its African American residents. Notice how it’s a vicious cycle and how the people in charge seem to be white. I think imprisonment for debt isn’t even legal.

8. Profit Policing May Not Be Legal– For many people below the poverty line, facing for being unable to pay a speeding ticket can be a very real possibility. Municipalities significantly funded through fines rely on judges to find people guilty and force them to pay or serve jail time. However, the federal government has already established that judges can’t send people to jail for being too poor to pay fine through a 1983 Supreme Court case. Furthermore, debtors’ prisons were outlawed nearly 200 years ago.

Civil asset forfeiture is when police take your stuff on suspicion that it was used in a crime, which they can do whatever the hell they want with it. Though seen as a crime fighting tool, there have been so many cases where innocent people have had their stuff taken away from them. And many had a hell of a time getting it back through the court system. Here’s how hard it is to fight civil forfeiture.

9. Profit Policing Leads to Civil Forfeiture Abuse– Civil forfeiture is when police take people’s money and property without making an arrest. Under this, police don’t have to formally charge owners with a crime, just suspect their assets are tied in some way to illicit activity. And forfeiture is mostly approved without definitive proof of alleged criminal ties. Such property can include cars, homes, and even businesses. Yet, once government takes control of the person’s property, it’s typically sold off sending proceeds back to police departments and legal offices working the case. It’s regularly touted as a crime fighting tool like targeting wealthy criminal finances who may not carry all their cash in the same car. But since there’s a lot of booty potential for cops through civil forfeiture seizures, there’s a strong incentive to pursue this process aggressively and abuse these laws and exploit innocent owners’ lack of safeguards. This is especially true when a police department’s aim is the bottom line. Sometimes they could use it as a slush fund. In 2014, the Departments of Justice and Treasury deposited more than $5 billion into forfeiture funds, up from less than a $1 billion within the last decade. There are countless horror stories of law-abiding citizens who’ve gotten hopelessly entangled in the process. In a couple Texas border towns, it wasn’t unusual for police to pull over minority drivers before seizing whatever money and valuables in their possession. After that, they’d coerce them to sign their possessions over under forfeiture laws by threatening jail on trumped up charges or taking their children. And many must go through a complex legal maze to get it back. But due to lack of transparency and public reporting there’s not a lot of data to tell exactly how lucrative or common civil asset forfeiture is in each state. This has to be fairly common in places like Ferguson. Guess who ends up being victimized by this. Still, civil forfeiture is basically state sponsored theft and should be banned.

Civil asset forfeiture has been frequently abused by police in recent years. The DOJ in 2014 lists money taken from civil asset forfeiture at $5 billion up from nearly $1 billion in 2004.

10. Profit Policing May Not Be Constitutional– The 8^th Amendment bans cruel and unusual punishment as well as excessive bail and fines. Since profit policing can lead to higher fines and fees that people are unable to pay, it’s most likely unconstitutional. Since profit policing happens in minority communities, you can say it violates the Equal Protection Clause that bans discriminatory punishment as well as the Due Process Clause that requires neutral administration of criminal law. Then there’s civil forfeiture which I think is also unconstitutional under the 4^th Amendment that protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures. So expect it in the Supreme Court.

When police departments are more directed to raising municipal revenue, law enforcement accountability goes out the window. Not only that, but leaves bad cops on the streets free to extort money from poor minority citizens as they please. Or confiscate people’s stuff if they think it’s involved in a crime. Like this guy.

11. Profit Policing Hurts Police Accountability– I am aware that police accountability hasn’t been very good lately due to how cops who use excessive force against unarmed black people get away scot free. And I know every police force has its bad apples who make the good cops look bad. However, when budgetary whims replace peacekeeping as law enforcement’s central motivation, then you can forget about police accountability altogether. Because when a police department’s main aim is profit, bad cops are more likely to get away with bad behavior. Not just “bad” as in morally corrupt and racist, but also in a job performance sense. For instance, Ferguson’s Darren Wilson who shot Michael Brown was fired from a previous job. Actually the whole police force Jennings, Missouri was disbanded for being awful. Not to mention, in Ferguson police were even encouraged to ticket and collect fines as well as were rewarded for it in career advancement. The demands were so intense that the police department had little concern with how officers did this, just that they do it a lot. Didn’t matter if their stops had little relation to public safety or questionable legal basis. Didn’t matter if the cops in question were menaces to public safety. Only cops who failed to issue an average of 28 tickets a month were disciplined. I’m sure Darren Wilson wasn’t one of them. At the same time, white police officers frequently fixed parking tickets for friends. Let’s just say it leaves so much room for corruption. After the Brown shooting, the DOJ found the Ferguson Police Department to be an abysmal failure. They reported, ““Ferguson’s law enforcement practices are shaped by the City’s focus on revenue rather than by public safety needs. This emphasis on revenue has compromised the institutional character of Ferguson’s police department, contributing to a pattern of unconstitutional policing, and has also shaped its municipal court, leading to procedures that raise due process concerns and inflict unnecessary harm on members of the Ferguson community.”

These are charts of St. Louis County municipalities with the biggest increases in non-traffic cases since 2010. Those who can’t afford to pay fines often have the system stacked against them. Meanwhile, the judges may often let their friends off easy.

12. Profit Policing Hurts Judicial Accountability– As we all know in scandals involving privatized prisons, whenever the courts’ aims is to increase revenue, the justice system is severely compromised. It is the same when it comes to municipal fines as well as “Cash for Kids.” Prior to the Michael Brown shooting, the city of Ferguson’s court system was ranged in the top 8 in Saint Louis County by generating more than $1 million in revenue during 2010. Their courts exceeded over $2 million in 2012. At the same time Ferguson Judge Ronald J. Brockmeyer owed $172,646 in back taxes and let his white friends off easy while extracting fees from Ferguson’s poor and black population. And many had the system rigged against them since they couldn’t afford a lawyer or pay a fine. Some even faced jail time. He’s had since been removed.

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What happened in Ferguson after Darren Wilson got off on shooting Michael Brown is a good example what could happen if a town has been under profit policing for far too long. This protest wasn’t just about police brutality they’ve put up for years but also on how often African Americans were exploited through other means. It was a disaster waiting to happen.

13. Profit Policing Hurts Public Safety– When revenue is the bottom line in profit policing, police departments focus more on issuing fines on petty offenses for municipal revenue than keeping people safe. It should surprise no one that some well-known police brutality victims were initially stopped for something preposterously minor. This illustrates how profit policing and law enforcement use of excessive force are clearly linked. North Charleston’s Walter Scott was stopped for a busted taillight before Michael Slager gunned him down. Having a busted taillight isn’t even in a crime in South Carolina. And this guy had a record for gratuitously using a taser. Sandra Bland and Samuel DuBose were stopped for minor traffic violations in Texas and Cincinnati like failing to use a turn signal or missing a front license plate. Philando Castile was also stopped for traffic violations for a whopping 53^rd time. Wilson stopped Michael Brown for shoplifting and jaywalking. The thing is, when profit policing is in place, abuse is rampant while public safety is compromised. Communities distrust the police who they don’t think work for them. Some may even show a lack of respect for the law and may refuse to cooperate with police. Bad police are allowed to patrol on the streets with guns and may even get away with police brutality. Minorities and poor people are continuously screwed and preyed upon. It is no wonder that Ferguson, Missouri was one police shooting away from civil unrest. We have to accept that public safety depends on the community’s relationship with law enforcement. Municipalities can’t protect their populace if they’re using police to fleece from them since it creates a toxic environment.

Here’s a letter from Ferguson’s mayor to one of the city’s policemen for his service. This pertains to him issuing tickets. Notice how they emphasized how he contributed to the city’s budget.

14. Profit Policing Corrupts Governments– Look, I know that many municipal governments use their police departments to enhance their coffers because they’re financially struggling and don’t want to raise taxes, especially when taxes would make more financial sense. However, when a government backs profit policing, they’re clearly not acting in the people’s best interests. This was certainly the case with Ferguson but other communities in Saint Louis County were demonstrably worse. Then there’s the fact many of these towns enacted ordinances just for the sake of generating more revenue through fines, especially if they’re unrelated to traffic and not technically illegal elsewhere. Ferguson’s were also skewed since their city manager congratulated the police chief for record citation revenue. While Ferguson’s cops held anti-black views so did their municipal employees as the DOJ found out through various e-mails mocking blacks through speech and familiar stereotypes. Most of Ferguson’s decisionmakers believed African Americans lacked personal responsibility despite that black residents made incredible efforts to pay their fines disproportionately handed out to them. White city officials meanwhile, condoned a striking lack of personal responsibility as the cause.

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Swedish Chef Worthy Muppet Treats

Posted by historymaniacmegan on October 1, 2016

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There’s a lot to talk about food in the Muppets world. Sometimes the food can even talk, sing, and move like sentient beings. Even if they’re baked goods and vegetables. Really. Same goes when it comes to Sesame Street, especially when they’re trying to get kids to eat healthy. Don’t ask. Also, Hooper’s Store and Charlie’s are among Sesame Street’s premiere eating places. One serves as a resident hangout. The other is where Grover works as a waiter since he has ultimate job security despite massively sucking at customer service skills. I mean there was a sketch he basically ordered 6 cakes for a birthday party because he didn’t realize that the guests were referring to one person. Seriously. And that bald blue-headed customer is always complaining about him. On the Muppet Show we have the one and only Swedish Chef whose culinary endeavors always lead to some kind of cooking catastrophe. These include a turtle aiming at him with tank guns, being held up at gunpoint by lobsters, being attacked by spaghetti, being chased by a chicken wielding a cleaver, and more. He also uses a lot of unconventional kitchen implements like battle axes, blunderbusses, chainsaws, bazookas, and more. Off-screen, you’ll find plenty of Muppet treats out there mostly made for parties. So for your reading pleasure I give you a treasure trove of delectable Muppet treats. Enjoy.

For a Rainbow Connection cake, this one of Kermit is perfect.

Of course, the rainbow in this cake is in the inside. Because that’s the side that really counts.

2. These Sesame Street chocolates make it fun to learn your ABCs.

By the way, these are professionally made. But you wouldn’t mind putting this cuteness in your mouth.

3. If you love the Muppets, then take a look at this cake.

It’s a cake of the Muppets onstage at the Muppet theater. You know where they do the show.

4. This buttercream Beaker cake is a wondrous breakthrough in pastry creation.

Compared to some of the cakes you’ll see here, this seems relatively easy. Mostly because Beaker has identifiable features and his shape.

5. These Muppet bento lunches are a healthy treat.

These lunches consist of Kermit fruit snacks, Animal salad, and a Miss Piggy sandwich. So cute.

6. A Beaker twinkie makes a great tasty snack.

This one even has him screaming with icing. Also, like Beaker, the twinkie probably has a lot of artificial preservatives by now.

7. Nothing makes a party a hit like these Muppet Show cookies.

Sure they may be professionally made. But they include all your favorites. Well, they should.

8. This Miss Piggy bento lunch is sow fabulous.

It consists of a sandwich with pasta hair. Also bread ears and snout. But it surely resembles her.

9. Might want to take a bite out of this Electric Mayhem bus cake.

You might’ve seen the bus in the Muppet Movie. Also, I think the Electric Mayhem may be on the other side.

10. Seems like the Swedish Chef is on top of the pots with this cake.

Well, pots and pans. And they're all on top of an active burner. Love it.

Well, pots and pans. And they’re all on top of an active burner. Hope he doesn’t get, burnt, burnt, burnt.

11. This Muppet theater cake is simply a spectacle.

Yes, I know it’s another Muppet Theater cake. But this one even has boxes for Statler and Waldorf. Also the Muppets are in action.

12. Now that has to be a stellar Muppet cake display.

I think this might be for a wedding. Yet, the serving display has tiers featuring cupcakes of your favorite Muppet characters.

13. This Cookie Monster cake shows the lovable blue monster in cookie heaven.

Yes, Cookie Monster is in the cookie jar with his chocolate chip cookies. Hope he doesn’t overdo it.

14. This Elmo pizza is pure lunch time fun.

Unlike in most pizzas, the sauce goes over the cheese. Yet at least the got his smile right.

15. If you’re hungry on the go, make it a Beaker wrap.

At least you don’t have to put this in the oven. It even has carrot hair and a guacamole shirt and olive tie.

16. This cake is about as trashy as Oscar the Grouch likes it.

Strangely it has a recycling symbol on it. But it has a lot of crap that Oscar will think as a fitting tribute to him.

17. If you like peanut butter, these Fozzie Bear cookies will make you say, “Wocka, Wocka.”

They’re just peanut butter cookies shaped like Fozzie and decorated in his likeness. What more can you ask for?

18. As you may know, it’s not easy being the Green Lantern.

This cake has Kermit the Frog as the Green Lantern. Because being green kind of suits him. After all, he’s a frog.

19. If you’re not into superheroes, this Kermit cake will do.

It just has Kermit being his laid back self. Not minding anyone’s business but his own.

20. For more healthy options, try this Kermit fruit snack.

This Kermit has an apple head, a celery neck, and a beet mouth. But it’s a real good likeness.

21. Looks like Cookie Monster couldn’t resist what was in the cookie jar.

No wonder they have Sesame Street skits in which he has to learn self-control. Only to forget it shortly after. Because he’s Cookie Monster.

22. For lunch, this Swedish Chef sandwich will make you say, “Bork, Bork, Bork!”

Has a bread face with bread crust beard and eyebrows. But his hat is made from tortilla. Enjoy.

23. How would you like Animal to burst from the drum cake?

After all, Animal plays the drums. Guess this is for a kid’s 10th birthday. Fair enough.

24. Speaking of Animal, this Electric Mayhem cake rocks.

And they all seem to be tired after a show on the road. Then again, this group was modeled after 1960s and 1970s rock bands.

25. These Cookie Monster cupcakes look good enough to eat.

I especially like hoe they have cookies coming out of his mouth. That’s very ingenious and touching to everyone’s favorite junk food hound.

26. How about a cake of Gonzo the Great?

You know the daredevil with a chicken fetish. Don’t worry, his relationship with Camilla is of mutual love and respect.

27. For the curmudgeon who has nothing nice to say, you might want to celebrate their birthday with a cake of Statler and Waldorf.

Sure Statler and Waldorf are mean old men. But at least their insults are always PG rated. Gotta love these guys.

28. For Muppet Show lovers, this is a great cake for you.

After all, this shows how the Muppets are introduced. Even Statler and Waldorf who are usually in the audience.

29. Nothing makes a great Sesame Street party like these fruit platters.

This has a kiwi Oscar, a pineapple Bert, a watermelon Elmo, and an orange Ernie. Well, at least those are the prominent fruits on their trays.

30. These Kermit rainbow fruit kabobs will help kids establish a healthy rainbow connection.

This one has Kermit as an apple centerpiece. But it’s still a delightful Muppet platter.

31. For growing brains, this Sesame Street lunch makes learning fun.

This one includes rice balls of Bert, Ernie, Big Bird, Oscar, Elmo, and Cookie Monster. And they’re surrounded by salad.

32. Cookie Monster fudge makes a delectable dessert to violently gorge for.

These are in light blue and have cookies in them. Cookie Monster would be touched.

33. No one could resist this Muppet toy box cake.

This one only consists of the main Muppets along with Elmo and Cookie Monster. But it’s nonetheless adorable.

34. A singing Kermit under a rainbow always makes a great cake.

Like how it says, “Life is fun when you’re having flies!” Well, to a frog. To a human not so much.

35. Hope this bento lunch doesn’t make you grouchy.

Nice Oscar consists of a salad of leafy greens. Slimey even has his own trash can.

36. If you like Fozzie Bear, then these Rice Krispie treats will suit your fancy.

These seem to resemble him more than the peanut butter cookies. Like the icing face though.

37. Speaking of Rice Krispie treats, you can’t resist these ones from Sesame Street.

Includes Cookie Monster, Oscar, and Elmo. Each has a cookie mouth. Though Elmo and Oscar have Oreo for black.

38. This Kermit might remind an old frog of home.

After all, Kermit is a swamp frog from the American South. So playing a banjo makes sense though he doesn’t have an accent.

39. Help yourself to some Animal pasta salad.

Well, it’s the only kind of pasta with pink noodles. Just to match Animal’s fur.

40. For lunch time delights, this Swedish Chef bento has all the trimmings.

This one includes a Swedish Chef sandwich and chicken eggs. Seems he wants to cook them both.

41. This Piggy pasta salad will make you go hog wild.

Doesn’t hurt it includes ham. Or does it? Like how they used noodles for her hair though.

42. If you liked the Dark Crystal, take a look at this cake.

It’s one of those cult movies that feature Muppets in high fantasy. But I include this since it’s part of Jim Henson’s repertoire.

43. Swedish Chef fans would appreciate a cake of the cook in his kitchen.

Of course, the Swedish Chef’s kitchen environment makes Gordon Ramsay’s look tame. Then again, I’m sure if constant insults is better than a turtle shell tank or armed lobsters.

44. These Muppet bon bons are a small delight.

They’re all just sitting up around a candy. Not sure if they’re cakes. But these are cute.

45. A Sesame Street lunch like this is great for sunny days.

Seems of the bento box variety. Yet, though Ernie is made from rice, Bert is made from corn. Like the flowers, too.

46. No dessert platter is complete without these Muppet cake pops.

Includes Beaker, Fozzie, Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Rowlf. And I hope each one has a chocolate center.

47. No one can resist the sight of Gonzo eyeing spaghetti.

Yes, you have to look at Gonzo’s big eyes as he holds up a knife and fork. Adorable.

48. Learn letters and numbers with these Sesame Street cake pops.

Includes Oscar, Cookie Monster, Elmo, and Big Bird. And each looks good enough to eat.

49. Fans of Fraggle Rock will fall in love with this cake.

For a show that came in the 1980s, it has a strange pop culture presence to this day. Yet, I’m not familiar with it.

50. For appetizers, these Sesame Street snack platters shall serve you well.

There’s broccoli Oscar, strawberry Elmo, blueberry Cookie Monster, and cheddar cheese Big Bird. Like how Big Bird’s nose is made from Ritz crackers.

51. No Muppet party is complete without a Scooter cheese ball.

Like how his hair is made from baby carrots. And how his glasses are made from cucumber slices.

52. This Muppet totem pole cake will make your party tops.

Not sure about the concept behind this. But I think it’s quite original to say the least.

53. These Sesame Street cupcakes are a tasty treat.

I’m sure these are professionally made with the detail. But these do consist on some of the best characters save for the Count.

54. There’s nothing healthier for a midday meal than a Beaker sandwich.

Helps it has a lot of fruit and veggies in it. Not sure about the shaved orange nose though.

55. No child can ever resist the Elmo bento lunch.

Well, if they’re pre-schoolers, anyway. Still, like how it has 2 small buns. Adorable.

56. If you liked Rowlf the Dog, then this is the cake for you.

Here he is at a white piano and in a white suit. But he’s still typical Rowlf.

57. Fraggle Rock fans will find these cupcakes delightful.

Once again, I’m just including this to pander. Because I’m not familiar with Fraggle Rock which aired in the 1980s.

58. For Sesame Street fans, a cake like this is simply whimsical.

Of course, this isn’t a cake you’d see at most kids’ birthdays. Unless their parents are in the 1%.

59. These Kermit and Fozzie lunches are great midday delights.

Nice that Kermit’s has a rainbow for “Rainbow Connection.” Fozzie’s is barely recognizable.

60. Grace your dessert platter with this Ernie and Bert bed cake.

Boy, would some people on the Christian Right go nuts on this one. Though Bert and Ernie usually sleep in separate beds.

Boy, would some people on the Christian Right go nuts on this one. Though Bert and Ernie usually sleep in separate twin beds with their names on them.

61. Wake up in the morning to some Kermit pancakes.

Doesn’t necessarily resemble Kermit. But, hey, it’s not easy being green.

62. For a more Latin flair, try a Kermit quesadilla.

However, if you live in the US, proceed to try one with caution south of the border. Since it might make you turn green. No offense, Mexico.

63. These Muppet cupcakes are surely just desserts.

Of course, you can’t help but love these. But each cupcake is unique in its own way.

64. For baby showers, a cake with Bunsen and Beaker is none too shabby.

Though babies are much easier than any of their inventions. At least they don’t have mechanical glitches that lead to Beaker getting hurt all the time.

65. Raise healthy kids with these Sesame Street fruit snacks.

Includes, Ernie, Bert, and Elmo. Not sure about Elmo having kiwi eyes. Makes him look like a loon.

66. This Elmo spaghetti is always a hit with the little ones.

Doesn’t hurt that Elmo’s face can be done on top of tomato sauce. Like the olive mouth.

67. This Kermit bento lunch is fit for any amphibian.

Includes Kermit’s face on an apple as well as some pasta for the background. Not to mention, cheese.

68. These Muppet cookies each have a different color.

Sure they may be professionally made. But each has some degree of character. Like the Swedish Chef’s having a food border.

69. These Ernie and Bert cake pops simply belong together.

Yet, both seem to have noses the same color as their skin. On the show Bert has an orange nose while Ernie has a red one.

70. No one can resist these delectable Sesame Street cupcakes.

Almost each of these has an Oreo mouth. Included are Oscar, the Count, Bert, Ernie, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird.

71. This Bunsen and Beaker cake is a work of genius.

After all, it includes elements from the Periodic Table as well as atomic structures. Perfect for science geeks.

72. This Muppet cake is a strip of many colors.

Well, it’s not exactly a rainbow. But it’s quite cool to behold.

73. This burning Beaker cake is explosively fun.

Unless you’re Beaker. Because you know what usually happens to him at Muppet Labs.

74. With a cake like this, you’d almost think Kermit is carried away.

Well, it features Kermit with a bunch of other Muppet balloons. By the way, there’s a 3D version of this one.

75. Seemed like something spilled on this cake.

This one might be a wedding cake from how I can tell Kermit and Miss Piggy are dressed. Also, what’s with the strawberries?

76. These Cookie Monster cake pops should make a fine addition to any dessert platter.

Like how these have a cookie stuck in his mouth. That’s just so perfect.

77. For Muppet cakes, you might consider a customized option.

After all, this Muppet girl is just a Muppet girl. Don’t remember seeing her from any Jim Henson franchise.

78. This Muppet Rushmore cake seems almost set in stone.

Well, it’s a Muppet Mount Rushmore one. Never seen anything like that before.

79. A cake like this is bound to take anyone to the air.

You see I was right about the 3D version. But I’m not sure how making a cake like this is plausible.

80. For Sesame Street parties, you can’t go wrong with Oscar’s trash cans.

It’s basically chocolate pudding with Oreos on top. Still, these are very creative if you ask me.

81. This Big Bird lunch is anything to chirp about.

Best served with a birdseed milkshake as Big Bird would’ve preferred. Cute.

82. Grace your dessert platter with these unique Sesame Street cupcakes.

Another set of expensive pastries done by professionals. But their icing sculptures are worth noting.

83. Seems like Kermit’s notes have character.

Took me awhile to figure this cake out. But once I realized these were music notes, it seemed to make more sense.

84. These food faces of Bert and Ernie bring all smiles.

Not sure if these are for eating. But I like how Bert has the top of a pineapple as hair. The licorice lips are also clever.

85. This Cookie Monster Macaroon will make you go nom, nom, nom, nom, nom.

Has sugar sprinkles on for super fuzziness. Like how he has the cookie in his mouth. Brilliant.

86. With these Kermit cupcakes, the eyes have it.

If you want Constantine cupcakes, all you have to do is put a chocolate chip on it. Still, like the marshmallow frog eyes.

87. Even Cookie Monster would adore these Sesame Street cookies.

Yes, they may be made from a bakery. But they have letters and numbers as well as characters. These are adorable.

88. If you’re more into chocolate, these Sesame Street brownie bites should do nicely.

Includes Cookie Monster, Elmo, and Bert. And each brownie has its own cup.

89. A Beaker cookie pop is a treat for the future.

Well, he has nice pretzel hair in orange icing. Not sure what the cookie is underneath.

90. If you like Cookie Monster, then you’ll like these Oreos.

These consist of a cookie covered in icing eating another cookie. What more can you ask for. Love it.

91. Don’t look now, but Cookie Monster is eating the cookie cake!

Don’t worry, this is part of the cake. However, if it was real, Cookie Monster would probably reduce it to crumbs.

92. This Kermit fruit tray gives you a healthy rainbow connection.

Since he’s the one who sings about rainbows in the Muppet Movie. But his head always has to be in the center.

93. If you like fuzzy red monsters, then you’ll adore this Elmo cake.

Even has Elmo near the presents. Certainly a birthday cake for a little kid. So cute.

94. This Sesame Street cake comes stacked.

Has Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Elmo tiers. But Oscar the Grouch is on top.

95. This Big Bird cake will surely have you tickled yellow.

Well, Big Bird is the face of Sesame Street. Yet, here he is with his legs spread out to wish someone a happy birthday.

96. Speaking of Big Bird, here he is receiving a cake from Prairie Dawn.

I think this was featured in a show on the Food Network. Still, Big Bird looks so lifelike here.

97. Make a super birthday super great with this Super Grover cake.

Sure Super Grover doesn’t beat up any bad guys or save the day. But he’s super cute so that should count.

98. A Miss Piggy cake should always bring out one’s inner glamorpuss.

This might be derived from a photo of her in a black dress. But yes, she’s sow fabulous.

99. Animal fans would love seeing a cake of him at his drum set.

After all, Animal is the drummer for the Electric Mayhem. Though off-stage he’s a real animal.

100. For a Muppet wedding cake, the whole gang has got to be there.

Well, all the main Muppets are in the audience. Save for the Swedish Chef and the chicken. Amazing.

Rainbow Connection Muppet Craft Projects

Posted by historymaniacmegan on September 30, 2016

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While many Muppet fans prefer to buy their own merchandise, there are plenty of others who’d rather make their own. After all, the Muppets does have a lot of cute characters as well as cater to all ages. I mean many of these crafts are made for kids like knitted stuff toys and such. Some of them can even be decorations for parties. Of course, this crafty cover of Miss Piggy with pruning shears is a parody of Martha Stewart Living magazine. And you see how she has a shrub into a dollar sign. Yeah, you don’t see a lot of crafting on Muppets unless it pertains to creating lab concoction disasters, anything the blows up, or just to create a moment of slapstick. Because they usually aim toward comedy. Yet, I have found a lot of craft projects on Pinterest and Etsy as well as Google Images. Like I have for a lot of craft projects from several different franchises. So here I give you a treasure trove of Muppet crafts you might want make for yourself and treasure forever.

Any child would have hours of fun with these Sesame Street blocks.

Includes Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Oscar, Ernie, and the Count. And they’re in all different colors. So cute.

2. No child could resist this Sesame Street chest of drawers.

Each drawer has a different Sesame Street character. And it seems that Oscar the Grouch is on the top.

3. How about a pumpkin carving of our favorite Muppet scientists Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker?

Like how they used a squash for Beaker. That’s just so perfect.

4. Let the light in with this Beaker suncatcher.

Now Beaker is immortalized in stain glass with that trademark expression on his face. Then again, he has a reason to be befuddled like that.

5. Those who love the Great Gonzo will love these earrings.

Well, I’m not sure what exactly Gonzo is supposed to be. But I think these are rather fitting for him. And they’re made from clay.

6. Fans of Cookie Monster would want to keep more with this crocheted hat.

It even has cookies at the tassels, which is very fitting. And it has eyes on the top. Adorable.

7. Cuddle up on the couch draped in a Muppet quilt like this.

This shows many of your favorite Muppet characters in a square pattern. And the squares are all different colors. Like the rainbow tile background.

8. This Muppet Babies wreath will melt your heart.

It’s made from different deco mesh colors. And it features plush Kermit and Miss Piggy. So cute.

9. When visiting Muppet Labs, don’t forget your parking pass.

Yes, Muppet Labs where the future is being made today. And where the healthcare benefits are truly exceptional. Seriously, why do you think Beaker works there?

10. There’s no better Muppet craft than an amigurumi of the late Jim Henson himself.

And here he is with a crocheted Kermit at his side. Because Kermit is his first Muppet and signature character. Love this.

11. Reenact your favorite Sesame Street scenes with these crocheted miniature Bert and Ernie.

To be fair they have miniature crocheted figures of almost all the Muppets. Sesame Street characters included. It’s just that I wanted one with more than one featured.

12. These Muppet rocks are perfect for any garden.

Guess this features characters from Muppets Most Wanted. Because one of them looks like Kermit with a mole. So I guess that’s Constantine.

13. Nothing looks more delightful than a Cookie Monster feather wreath.

Even features the rolling eyes and chocolate chip cookies. And the feathers add to the fuzziness. So adorable.

14. If you liked the “Manah, Manah,” you’ll like these amigurumi.

Now I have that song stuck in my head. Then again, it might be the version about Troy Polamalu I heard when I was in high school.

15. Make a child smile with this Elmo camera lens buddy.

Well, it might make very tiny kids smile since Elmo is very popular in that demographic. As for older kids and adults, it depends.

16. This Swedish Chef amigurumi is a great crocheted kitchen companion.

Unless it’s a Swedish kitchen, then he’ll be a doll of contention. But come on, his kitchen scenes are so entertaining.

17. No little one could ever resist a Sesame Street quilt like this.

Yes, I may be 26 years old with no kids. But even I thinks it’s so adorable. Love the characters on it.

18. Look chic this fall with this Scooter hat.

Skeeter is the resident Muppet nerd. And while he's significant in Muppet Babies, he's not so much in the other Muppet stuff save the first movie.

Scooter is the resident Muppet nerd and backstage manager. And while he’s significant in Muppet Babies, he’s not so much in the other Muppet stuff save the first movie.

19. This Kermit bottle cap portrait is a true work of Muppet art.

Yes, this is Kermit bottle cap portrait. I know it seems a bit strange. But it’s really a good representation of the most famous Muppet.

20. Spend hours of fun with these Muppet peg dolls.

As you can see, these are also from Muppets Most Wanted. Since it includes Walter and Constantine. Still, I like these.

21. For your little one’s Sesame Street birthday party, you can’t go without a personalized street sign.

This one just consists of a lamp post and a street sign. Might be made from wood. But it’s charming.

22. With a metal bucket, newspapers, and a pumpkin, this Oscar the Grouch decoration is a trashy charm.

After all Oscar lives in a trash can. So this is quite clever. Like how they used a trash can lid.

23. These crocheted Fraggles are hard to resist.

May not be familiar with Fraggle Rock from the 1980s. But I know those who grew up with it will love these.

24. Grace your front door with this tulle Cookie Monster wreath.

Like how the eyes are in different directions like Cookie Monster’s. Also like the cookies at the bottom. So cute.

25. Now your kids can color with these Sesame Street crayons.

Is Zoe supposed to be black or purple? Because she’s orange on the show. Also, why is Bert green? Shouldn’t that be Oscar?

26. For a child’s party, this balloon Sesame Street wreath is great for the front door.

And you can use balloons in all different colors. Of course, you won’t use them for their intended purpose.

27. Keep your belongings with you in this Beaker tote.

I have to admit this is a very clever design. Hope that it doesn’t make you prone to accidents though.

28. These earrings are meant for a real Animal fan.

However, the design seems quite delicate. And the earrings are quite heavy. Like the chains though.

29. Have endless fun learning with these Sesame Street felt finger puppets.

Includes, Ernie, Bert, Snuffy, Zoe, Oscar, Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover, and Harry. Yet, each is adorable in its own way. Also, they forgot the Count.

30. These wooden spoon Bunsen and Beaker are always a fine addition to the kitchen.

Though if they were real, your kitchen wouldn’t be much after they were done with it. Knowing what Beaker goes through putting up with Dr. Honeydew.

31. Seems someone wants some cookies.

Yes, it’s Cookie Monster in a jar salivating over the cookies that aren’t. Just consist putting a plush Cookie in it. Easy.

32. Style your hair with these Sesame Street hair clips.

Includes Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo, and Oscar the Grouch. And each one is made from fuzzy feathers.

33. This wreath is always warm and fuzzy like Elmo.

And like Elmo, it’s red, fuzzy, and has big eyes and a nose. A perfect Elmo representation who’s such a cute little red monster.

34. Now you can have your picture taken behind this 123 Sesame Street backdrop.

However, I’d only suggest it as a DIY to any repressed art majors. Because this seems to be painted by one.

35. This Beaker clip holds papers together.

Speaking of paper clips, there’s actually a Muppet Show sketch where Beaker had to east some. Mostly because Bunsen said they were edible and his creation. Talk about irony.

36. This Fozzie Bear amigurumi will make you go “Wocka, Wocka.”

Yes, he may be a bear comedian whose jokes fall flat or are relentlessly corny. But he has a good heart.

37. Why not put Elmo on your rainbow wreath?

I’d rather have one of Kermit since he sings, “The Rainbow Connection.” But this is good enough.

38. Didn’t know you can make a Fozzie with just 2 flower pots.

Well, small ones actually. But at least it has the hat and polka dot tie.

39. This fuzzy crocheted Cookie Monster is impossible to resist.

Like how he’s made with fuzzy yarn which is quite fitting. Then again, Grover may be fuzzier.

40. For baby gifts, you can’t do wrong with Sesame Street crocheted rattles.

Consists of Big Bird, Oscar, Bert, Ernie, Grover, Elmo, and Cookie Monster. Yet, each is adorable in its own way.

41. There’s nothing better to hang on your front door than this fuzzy Grover wreath.

However, if you see a bald mustached man with a blue head, you might want to reconsider. Seriously, he doesn’t have much praise for Grover, especially when it comes to his serving abilities at Charlie’s.

42. There’s no glamorous amigurumi like this Miss Piggy doll.

Like how they gave this one doll hair instead of yarn. The dress isn’t too shabby either.

43. This Halloween, you can’t go wrong with Bert and Ernie pumpkin carvings.

I’ve actually had this picture with me for years. Nice to use it for a post like this. Like the squash noses.

44. This Sesame Street backdrop seems like a friendly neighborhood block.

They even have plush characters as decoration like Prairie Dawn, Baby Natasha, and one of the Honkers. Also like Oscar in his trash can.

45. These painted Muppet pumpkins are surely a delight.

Well, these aren’t really carved but painted. Which is just as fine. And once again, Beaker is a squash.

46. Speaking of painted pumpkins, there’s some for Sesame Street, too.

Includes Bert, Ernie, Elmo, and Cookie Monster. And they’re done in the same way as the Muppet ones.

47. This Miss Piggy mailbox is simply fabulous.

Just consists of a pig mailbox dressed as Miss Piggy. Wonder how they pulled that off.

48. These fuzzy trees are Sesame Street party delight.

If you take off the character faces, they could be used for a Dr. Seuss themed occasion. Includes Elmo, Cookie Monster, Oscar, and Big Bird.

49. This fuzzy Oscar comes with his own knitted trash can.

I also like the expression on his face, too. That’s just so Oscar the Grouch. And he’s proud of that. Now scram!

50. Who can resist this fuzzy crocheted Animal?

He’s all ready to drum at his set for the Electric Mayhem. Still, he can be quite unhinged offstage.

51. Keep warm in the cold with one of these crocheted Muppet beanie hats.

Each of these depicts a Muppet character you may know and love. And with close character precision.

52. Grace your living room with this Muppets wood carving.

Well, it’s from a tree trunk slice. But the carving is a rather cool work of art. Love it.

53. If you love the Muppets, then you should love this portrait set.

Each one shows a Muppet with a color background of their complexion. Consists of 20 in all.

54. Jewish Muppet fans will take well to this Kermit Hanukah wreath.

To be fair, I don’t do Hanukah posts on this blog. But I think this is a wreath I couldn’t pass up.

55. This Abby Cadabby amigurumi makes a magical crocheted fan.

Of course, she’s one of quite a few major female characters on Sesame Street who’s introduced to balance the show’s lack of female muppet characters. Seriously, for a long time, the only major female muppet on the show was Betty Lou.

56. This rainbow Muppet picture will surely delight any fan who looks at it.

And there are 2 for each rainbow color. Most of these are from Sesame Street. But some aren’t.

57. Fans of Kermit will adore this Rainbow Connection tapestry.

Has a plush banjo playing Kermit on a log with swamp plants. Not to mention the rainbow embroidered lyrics.

58. A Sesame Street gift bow wreath is great for a party.

Doesn’t hurt that it’s in rainbow colors, too. Well, sort of. But that’s beside the point.

59. If you like Grover, then you’ll adore this lovely mosaic portrait.

Hope it captures the furry blue monster who’s a total screw up. Still, this is quite cute.

60. This Rowlf sampler will help you think of a happy tune.

You know, Rowlf the Dog. Likeable enough but doesn't play as large a role in the Muppets as he used to.

You know, Rowlf the Dog. Likable enough but doesn’t play as large a role in the Muppets as he used to.

61. These Kermit booties are fit for any little tadpole.

Doesn’t hurt that they have webbed feet. But they’re sue to keep any pair of little feet snug regardless.

62. Any child is sure to love this fuzzy little Elmo hat.

After all, Elmo’s so adorable. Even has an opening to keep their chin warm. So cute.

63. This flower pot Cookie Monster jar is great for Chips Ahoy.

And I’m sure Cookie Monster will appreciate this. Then he’ll take the cookies and violently eat them. As always.

64. Of course, there’s nothing more welcoming than a Big Bird wreath on your front door.

Well, this is certainly fitting. After all a Big Bird wreath must have yellow feathers. Since Big Bird is a large, yellow bird. But mind the beak.

65. These Sesame Street flower decorations will be sure hit.

Of course, I don’t think the flowers are real on these. Because if they were, it would have to be disposed after a while.

66. This amigurumi Elmo will surely give you smiles.

This one has cute big eyes like the fuzzy Muppet we love. Like the little arms and legs, too.

67. This Muppet Show quilt is a real show stunner.

Features your favorite Muppet characters in each square. Of course, Statler and Waldorf don’t get one since they’re usually in the audience.

68. Keep your wine contained with this Swedish Chef bottle stopper.

Because you’ll never know when you’ll end up losing the cork, cork, cork. Still, this is ingenious.

69. These minimalist Muppet portraits are great for any nursery.

Consists of 20 in all, as far as I can see. Hope you can guess which Muppet is which.

70. This Muppet quilt is a real colorful patchwork.

Includes characters from both the Muppets and Sesame Street. And even features numbers and letters.

71. This Cookie Monster pumpkin is great for holding his favorite food.

I don’t think the pumpkin is real. But I do like how it has cookies in it. So perfect.

72. No child could resist this fuzzy Cookie Monster rug.

Not sure what to make of this because it seems like someone killed Cookie Monster and made a rug from his skin. But I do like the cookie pillows.

73. This Cookie Monster sampler goes great on any wall.

Here he is eating his cookie and spreading crumbs everywhere. Yeah, Cookie Monster isn’t known for his table manners.

74. A Kermit cameo always carries an air of elegance.

Yes, they actually have these at Etsy. They also have a cameo Miss Piggy hairpin, too. But I like this.

75. Looks like a paintbrush Beaker has just popped up.

He’s probably hiding from Dr. Bunsen Honeydew who wants to use him for another experiment. But I think this is kind of clever.

76. Cuddle up with amigurumi of Bert and Ernie.

One is a fussy and eccentric neat freak while the other is a gregarious slacker. But they’ve lived together for decades and wouldn’t have it any other way.

77. This Sesame Street yarn wreath has color corresponding with characters.

Well, this is for a little kid’s party. Includes Elmo, the Count, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Oscar, Big Bird, and Zoe. So cute.

78. Any kid would want to plant a flower in this Cookie Monster pot.

However, Cookie Monster would rather have them keep cookies instead. Because cookies don’t grow on trees.

79. This Muppets quilt will help any child learn their ABCs.

This one has the alphabet all around the border. And it has your favorite Muppets in the squares.

80. This Animal wreath comes with bright sunflowers.

Well, the Animal in the center of this deco mesh wreath is plush. But he certainly seems happy.

81. Have fun learning with these Sesame Street peg dolls.

This one even includes Snuffy and has Big Bird actually tall. Still, I think these are adorable. Love them.

82. Keep your head warm this fall and winter with these Sesame Street beanie hats.

These are all made from fleece with the faces of all your favorite Sesame Street characters. So cute.

83. This wreath will show you that Miss Piggy is a bonafide star.

And yes, it has to be all shiny and sparkly. Not to mention, it’s gotta have pink as Piggy likes it.

84. Hope these Kermit earrings make it easy being green.

I suppose Piggy has a pair of these. If only to match with any green dress. Or to impress Kermit.

85. Snuggle on your couch with these knitted Muppets.

Includes Cookie Monster, Elmo, and Kermit. Cookie Monster even has his own cookie he’s eating.

86. If you love Kermit and Piggy, you’ll love this sampler.

Has the Kermit the Frog collar and a pearl necklace. Includes words from a song of one of the latest Muppet movies.

87. Cuddle up with something green like this Kermit pillow.

Has the trademark Kermit face with his eyes and big smile. Not to mention, the collar.

88. This rag Big Bird wreath will give kids big smiles.

This one has a plush Big Bird in the center surrounded by rags of green, yellow, orange, an blue. Yet, he seems rather welcoming as always.

89. For Christmas, how about hang this Beaker stocking at your fireplace.

This one shows him freaking out over a lab accident. Of course, it’s probably going to blow up in his face, eventually.

90. Show your love for the Muppets with this bracelet.

Each bead here is made from polymer clay. But at least it has some of your favorite characters.

91. For your wedding, these Muppet bouquets are simply sensational.

These bouquets seem to represent members of the Electric Mayhem. But the flowers are all in vibrant colors. Yes, there are Muppet themed weddings. Don’t ask.

92. For the curmudgeon in your life, you can’t go wrong with Statler and Waldorf earrings.

Because there’s nothing more fashionable by wearing earrings featuring 2 heckling old guys. By the way, they were based on 2 of Jim Henson’s professors who told him he wouldn’t make it in puppetry.

93. If you like Fraggle Rock, then you’ll enjoy these finger puppets.

Well, not familiar with Fraggle Rock. But I love how these Fraggles take up the bleachers.

94. It may not be easy being green, but this crocheted Kermit will melt your heart.

Now I just had to add an amigurumi of him on this post. After all, he’s the best known Muppet. This one really captures his eyes, too.

95. These Electric Mayhem amigurumi come crocheted.

This only has 4 of their members sans their trumpet player who you mostly don’t see and Animal. But these are great.

96. Of course, you can’t have a Muppet craft post without including an amigurumi of Big Bird.

Here he is shown with a birdseed ice cream cone. And he even has feathers. So adorable.

97. This crocheted Cookie Monster blanket is pure delight.

Here he is eating a cookie with his crazed eyes. Sure Cookie may be a glutton but you can’t help but love him.

98. Hope your little girl can keep warm with these Abby Cadabby beanie and mittens.

Like they all have pink and purple pigtails. Still, it’s about time Sesame Street had more female characters. Abby Cadabby was long overdue.

99. When it gets cold, these crocheted Sesame Street beanies sure come in handy.

Includes Grover, Cookie Monster, Oscar, Elmo, and Big Bird. And yes, each one is a gem.

100. This Grover amigurumi is made of super cuteness.

Wish I could find a Super Grover one. But sometimes you have to take what you can get.

Moi Specialty Muppet Merchandise

Posted by historymaniacmegan on September 29, 2016

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Like any great franchise, the Muppets have caused such a sensation that they ‘ve earned themselves their own merchandise line. As you see above, you might find the Miss Piggy had her own line of perfume called Moi which is kind of appropriate for her. She even had her own commercial, too. Besides, she’d find it quite complimentary to have her own line of beauty products being the consummate diva she is. But we all love her, anyway. Even though she can be a handful to Kermit and well, anybody. Nevertheless, you might find that a lot of Muppet merchandise consists of toys aimed for children, particularly from Sesame Street such as Tickle Me Elmo. Yet, you’ll find plenty of products for adults, too. Mostly because the Muppets appeal to a periphery demographic, especially since they have an audience who grew up with these memorable characters and loved them enough to introduce to their kids. The fact the Muppets tend to parody a lot of adult stuff helps. Just look at Sesame Street which has parodies of Les Miserables, Dances with Wolves, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The King and I, The Hunger Games, and yes, even Boardwalk Empire. Now I can devote to this post to the great Muppet products but you’d probably wouldn’t want something so boring. So I decided to go with some of the crazier Muppet merch which includes demented looking toys, inappropriate products, and crap that might make you scratch your head.

Sing along to your favorites with this singing Beaker.

Beaker Bot just says one thing and that’s just “Meep.” Though there was an online video of him singing Rick Astley.

2. Sign off on these Muppet checks.

Yes, there are checkbooks from other franchises, too. And it’s kind of ridiculous. But the Muppets have a ton of varieties to choose from.

3. Women who adore Beaker might want to wear this bra.

This is actually from Etsy. But still, I have no idea what it inspired someone to make this. Seriously, it’s kind of disturbing to say the least.

4. Relive the magic with this Labyrinth board game.

You know the movie where a teenage girl must travel a maze in order to rescue her baby brother after being kidnapped by David Bowie in tight pants. Yes, that’s the one. Not sure what I think about this one.

5. Keep in touch with old friends with this Kermit the Frog candlestick phone.

Because there’s nothing so charming like a remnant of obsolete technology. Seriously, you’ll probably never use this. I mean we live in the cell phone age.

6. Use the potty with Elmo with this potty seat.

Okay, I know this is for children. But yeah, toilet products like this are kind awkward in my mind. Now Elmo can watch you go potty.

7. To commemorate the release of Muppets Most Wanted, get your own Hotwheels Fozzie Bear Dairy Delivery Van.

Didn't Fozzie once say that a bear's natural habitat is a studebaker? So why does he have a truck?

Didn’t Fozzie once say that a bear’s natural habitat is a studebaker? So why does he have a van?

8. Now you can grow Kermit a fro with his own Chia Pet.

Sorry, seeing Kermit with a plant fro doesn’t really look right. Seriously, that’s kind of messed up. Why?

9. Take a nip with this cowboy Kermit hip flask.

Man, what a way to show a great example Kermit. Being on something people drink whiskey from and smoking a cigar. Brilliant!

10. Commemorate your favorite muppet with these collectible busts.

Yes, these are Muppet busts. I know it’s crazy but these exists. You’ll probably have to pay through the nose to collect them all.

11. Help fix Beaker with this Operation game.

Now what’s with Beaker missing a large chunk of his torso? Surely how can anyone survive that? His liver must be totally missing!

12. Capture the disco spirit of the 1970s with this Retro Kermit doll.

From Tough Pigs: “We know what Kermit looked like in the 70s, and it certainly wasn’t the love child of Don King and Barry Gibb.” Another comment: “Who’d have thought you could admire Kermit’s outtasite ‘fro AND use him to wash dishes?”

13. These Albino Elmos are a great sight to behold.

Is it just me or does an all white Elmo look very creepy? Guaranteed to haunt your dreams.

14. Have lots of fun with this Sesame Street Barkley bean bag.

Barkley is supposed to be a large shaggy dog. This bean bag toy is what Barkley looks like after getting electrocuted.

15. Make yourself look ravishing with this Muppet makeup set.

I don’t know about you. But there should really be only one Muppet with their own cosmetics line. And that’s Miss Piggy. So this is kind of over the top if you ask me.

16. Scramble your eggs in the morning with your very own Big Bird egg beater.

Because there’s no better toy to teach kids how to beat eggs than a traitor to his own kind. Seriously, this has Big Big committing what he’d see as infanticide. God, this is disturbing.

17. Always know the time with this commemorative Muppet Cuckoo Clock.

Now this decoration makes sense since the Muppet Show revolves around a theater. However, the fact it’s $200 does not.

18. There’s nothing more fun than playing Yahtzee with Kermit.

Nothing says fun like rolling dice in Kermit’s disembodied head. Christ, that’s just really messed up.

19. Carpenter Bert will always get the job done.

Sorry, but there’s no way in hell I can see Bert in the construction business. He’s a fussy, uptight neat freak with boring tastes and eccentric hobbies. I think Accountant Bert would make more sense.

20. Collect these Mexican muppets to form a mariachi band.

Except they all seem to have maracas. And nobody knows how to play guitar. Then again, these toys are from Japan.

21. Cuddle up with your very own Zoe plush.

Zoe is supposed to be a perky orange monster girl. This toy makes her seem like she’s clinically depressed.

22. This Miss Piggy doll is dressed to embody her taste in fashion.

Unfortunately, this doll seems to resemble Miss Piggy if she had a drug habit. I mean look at her snout and eyes for God’s sake. She seems totally high.

23. Nothing’s cuter on Easter than seeing Animal hatch from an egg.

From Tough Pigs: ” Disney, how many times do we have to tell you? Yosemite Sam is a Warner Brothers property.”

24. This Easter Fozzie Bear is only a mere lamb.

From Tough Pigs: “Yes, he still looks like Fozzie’s evil twin, but at least he’s an evil twin in a good mood. He might even be forgiven for the lamb costume. But that tie is not helpful. That is a very bad tie.”

25. How many times could even think of wanting a plush doll of the Count?

This doesn’t look like the Count at all. I mean he has slicked hair and a pointy nose. From Tough Pigs: “”He looks kinda like some creepy guy you keep trying to avoid at a bar… otherwise, not so bad.”

26. Cookie Monster is just here to clown around.

From Tough Pigs: “Finally! Donut-faced Cookie Monster has joined Cirque du Soleil! What the true fans are asking for!”

27. Make your nails shimmer with your favorite Muppet nail polish.

The Miss Piggy nail polish colors make sense. The other ones don’t. Seriously, why?

28. Always know the time with this Kermit clock.

Now that’s a really strange limb configuration. Doesn’t make me feel comfortable.

29. Keep your money secure with this Bert bank.

I have a lot of questions about this. First, why is Bert orange? Second why does he have that subtle look I’ve seen from villains in a slasher movie?

30. Light up with this Fraggle Rock Lighter Raver.

Not sure if this is appropriate for a family friendly franchise. Because we all know what lighters are used for. Right?

31. For a fine bathroom style, this Elmo toilet seat should suit you nicely.

Yes, this is an adult Elmo toilet seat. To be fair, they have these for multiple Muppets on Ebay. Elmo just had the biggest picture.

32. There’s nothing cuter than seeing Elmo in an animal costume.

From Tough Pigs: “Elmo had so much fun at the furry convention, he went back the next year. So, from left to right, Elmo is a bear, a cat, and… another cat?”

33. Wonder who’s going to win this epic banana boat race.

From Tough Pigs: “I would love to see an episode of Sesame Street where Elmo and Cookie Monster race around the Hawaiian islands on giant bananas. It would be very educational.”

34. Not sure if Cookie Monster and Elmo are cheerleading or getting ready for a fight.

From what their hand gestures suggest, it can go either way. I mean Elmo seems like he’s cheering. Cookie Monster seems like he’s training for a boxing match.

35. Though Cookie Monster is not always there, at least Elmo has a doll of his special friend.

Excuse me, but does anyone realize how creepy that seems? Available in blue and caramel color.

36. For Ernie, his rubber duckie is always his bath time friend.

From Tough Pigs: “Ernie’s mouth hangs open in shock as he beholds the sight of his Rubber Duckie grown to gigantic proportions! He stares out at us, as if to say, ‘How did this happen?!'” Guess I must’ve missed the episode about the nuclear meltdown.

37. Grace your Christmas tree with this ornament of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker.

Because nothing says Merry Christmas like making your lab assistant play Christmas tree. Wonder what can go wrong with that.

38. If you love the Muppets then you’ll like these key covers.

Why do we need key covers exactly? They’re not really necessary. Seriously, why?

39. Don’t worry, Fireman Grover will be to the rescue.

Unfortunately this Grover looks more likely to start fires than to stop them. Not that regular Grover is good at stopping them either.

40. If you liked The Dark Crystal, then you’ll want to wear this Skesis dress.

Seems more like a negligee that was inspired by Ron’s dress robe from Goblet of Fire. Said to cost $1500 today.

41. Keep your files stored on this Grover USB drive.

Just don’t mind that you have to pull his face apart before you plug it in. Maybe this isn’t suitable for children.

42. Pay your purchases with this Dark Crystal debit card.

From Master Card, by the way. Yes, they have these from every franchise. Not sure if it’s worth it.

43. If you like Godzilla and Sesame Street, these are the toys for you.

From Tough Pigs: “In case you’re not sure what you’re looking at, that’s supposed to be Cookie Monster, Elmo, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and the Count…..Most of them are obvious enough reflections of what the characters would look like if they were involved is some sort of freak accident involving radiation….”

44. Call your friends with this Kermit office phone.

Like I said before, this is an obsolete artifact from a bygone age. You will never use this. It’s just a toy these days.

45. Smell swamp fresh with Kermit’s Amphibia.

Now having a fragrance for Miss Piggy makes sense. For Kermit, not so much. Also, is he sporting abs in the picture?

46. Snuggle up with Magic Light Ernie and his rubber duckie.

From Tough Pigs: “This must be like one of those college-era Ernie photos he keeps buried really deep in his photo album, and God forbid Bert finds it and uploads it to Facebook.”

47. You can always rock on with this Animal plush doll.

I think this toy got made when there was an accident with the dye at the plant while they were making the Grover plush dolls. So they decided to pass them as Animal.

48. You can always keep your money in this Miss Piggy bank.

So this has you dropping coins through Miss Piggy’s breasts? Wonder why anyone thought this would be appropriate for children?

49. There’s nothing more adorable than a plush doll of Rosita.

Poor Rosita. I didn’t know she was left outside too long in a thunderstorm. Shouldn’t have hid under that tree.

50. As we all know a Big Bird plush is a cuddly toy.

Okay, how anyone manage to make Big Bird like he’s Sesame Street’s neighborhood psychokiller? This is a plushie that inspires nightmares not cuddles.

51. No toy is more fun than these Mayhem dolls of Animal and Fozzie Bear.

From Tough Pigs: “Me try Hare Krishna! Now world all make sense. Bah-bye!” Another: “These guys are at every college party I’ve been to, and they’re always leaving with like, 12 girls! Jackasses…”

52. A Sam the Eagle plushie is a must for any American patriot.

From Tough Pigs: “Poor Sam lost all that weight to play the part of Gandhi. Then they gave it to that hack Kingsley.”

53. Grace your Christmas tree with these Sesame Street angel ornaments.

From Tough Pigs: “Here we have our familiar threesome as angels up in heaven, watching over humanity from their post near the famous Heavenly Sprigs of Parsley. Part of me wonders if Chara Hiroba made these toys because they were running short on dye. (“Aw, heck, let’s just put wings on ’em and call them angels!”)” So does that mean Cookie Monster, Elmo, and Big Bird are?

54. All these Muppets are is just another brick in the wall.

From Tough Pigs: “And two questions come to mind: 1. What? and 2. Huuuh? Are these bricks? Could you build a house out of Cookie Monsters and Elmos and Big Birds?”

55. Looks like these Sesame Street Muppets are getting froggy.

From Tough Pigs: “This is from the time Cookie, Elmo, and Big Bird tried to crash Kermit’s family reunion, I guess. But where are Cookie’s froggy eyes? And more importantly, would they be googly too?”

56. Of course, everyone would want a plushie of Guy Smiley.

Think of him as a muppetized Adrien Brody who just got struck by lightning. Or as Tough Pigs says: “What a remarkable likeness of the time Guy Smiley stuck a fork in an electrical outlet, had his nose redone, and put on just a touch of lipstick!”

57. Who wouldn’t want to snuggle with this great Gonzo?

From Tough Pigs: “You have to wonder what kind of reference material they used over at Toy Factory, if any. Gonzo has never worn an outfit even remotely like that. Are those supposed to be snow boots? Are they platform snow boots? And if it’s snow-boots weather, then why is his collar open like that? If somebody brought that toy into your house then you’d have to move.”

58. This Gonzo sugar bowl should be a charming figurine on any mantle.

From Tough Pigs: “I’m amused at the idea that Gonzo is portraying both the Mad Hatter and the Dormouse. Oh, and the town drunk.”

59. Behold the power of the Force with these Muppet Star Wars figurines.

Wait until Kermit finds out that Miss Piggy is his sister. That’s bound to get awkward.

60. Hang this commemorative Swedish Chef ornament on your Christmas tree this year.

For nothing says Christmas like being confronted by shrimps packing heat while you’re trying to boil their loved ones to death. Of course, in the Muppets, it’s played for laughs.

61. Those who like Toccata from Fraggle Rock might enjoy this plushie.

If that was a dressed up roadkill possum, I really wouldn’t know the difference. I may not be familiar with Fraggle Rock. But I know ugly when I see it.

62. Sure Oscar might be trashy but this plushie is simply adorable.

I don’t think his eyes are on right. It just seems like they’re in different directions. Not good.

63. You can have oodles of fun with this Gonzo finger puppet.

From Tough Pigs: “If the Muppets ever do PSA’s about not sticking things in electrical outlets… this is your man.” Or getting shot from a cannon.

64. Have endless fun with heckling these Statler and Waldorf dolls.

Apparently, they have no taste in fashion. But since they’re amateur insult comics, they should enjoy these.

65. When it comes to fashion, even Miss Piggy has her moments.

Also called, “Biker Whore Miss Piggy.” From Tough Pigs: “Piggy’s sense of taste has been one of the most unfortunate casualties of the Muppets’ evolution.”

66. Enjoy hours of fun with this Mexican Miss Piggy doll.

I think this might be a knock off. Still, seems more like Miss Piggy if she woke up hungover in a tanning booth. Or her as Snookie from Jersey Shore.

67. These Big Bird and Elmo tops are worth spinning for hours.

Okay, Big Bird seems quite evil in this. Elmo seems like he’s been in a bad accident and has never been the same since.

68. It’s firefighter Big Bird to the rescue.

The kind of doll that gives you second thoughts about calling 911. From Tough Pigs: “The oddest thing about this doll is that Big Bird looks pissed. Has Big Bird EVER been pissed?”

69. Relieve stress with this Cookie Monster squeeze toy.

Seems like combination between Cookie Monster and Jabba the Hutt. That or Cookie might have a problem.

70. Decorate your Muppet mantle with these French porcelain figures.

From Tough Pigs: “The challenge — and thus the educational value — of this toy is to try and guess which Muppets they’re intended to represent.”

71. This NASCAR Bear comes Animal approved.

I don’t understand the concept behind this bear. Sure it has Animal on his shirt. But what else does it have going for?

72. Where else would you want to keep your pills than in this glamorous Miss Piggy pill box?

Sometimes the bejeweled pill box option doesn’t always work so well. Really tacky as hell.

73. Have hours of fun with the Kermit game.

From Tough Frogs: “There’s something about Kermit’s posture and expression that make me uncomfortable.” Another: “As if this weren’t disturbing enough: Does the picture show that thing VIBRATING?” Also looks like a stupid game.

74. Nobody could resist this plush Rizzo the Rat.

Kind of makes Rizzo seem like a skeevy character who’d want to cause biological warfare. But, hey, that’s just my opinion. Also, that doesn’t look like Rizzo.

75. Bendy Piggy seems quite flexible.

Unfortunately, those face lifts didn’t help her age gracefully. Nor did the tanning treatments.

76. Wouldn’t you want to cuddle with this Fozzie Teddy Bear?

From Tough Pigs: “He’s completely evil. Bendy Piggy I think I could slap to her senses, but Direct Connect Fozzie wants to dump strong acids on my tissues, process my brain into canned meat, and make me eat it on Wheatables.”

77. It’s always bubble bathtime fun with this Gonzo toy.

From Tough Pigs: “The Gonzo dolls are pretty much on an equal level of ugliness, but this one is intriguing in that it appears to represent the tragic results of Gonzo’s Chainsaw Juggling act.”

78. Those who like Harry from Sesame Street, this is the figurine for you.

From Tough Pigs: “Looks like Herry was in the Alaskan water when the Exxon Valdez went down.” Also, he seems to be quite pissed.

79. Here we have Fozzie trying his talent in ventriloquism.

Seems like Fozzie is using the dummy to amuse the audience before he sends it on a killing spree. At least according to my interpretation.

80. This plush Kermit and Piggy can always show what love means.

Don’t look now, but I think Piggy is like, “If you touch him, I’m gonna straight up murder your ass. This frog is mine. Understand?”

81. Light up your room with these Sesame Street glow in the dark figures.

From Tough Pigs: “First there were Sesame Babies, and now Sesame Ghosts:
Your favorite Sesame characters are available as angry, vengeance-seeking spirits!”

82. This jester Animal always amuses.

From Tough Pigs: “Scooter needs to stop dragging the Electric Mayhem to the Renaissance Festival.” Yeah, I think Animal doesn’t really take to the outfit that well. Also seems drunk.

83. Keep your pencils in place with this Big Bird case.

No, that doesn’t look like Big Bird. That more or less resembles Tweety Bird. And he makes me want to step on him.

84. Can someone please show this Sweetums some love?

Translation: “I’d love to eat you!” From Tough Pigs: “I’d love to eat you!”
“… But as a common barn owl, my diet consists primarily of moths and small rodents.”

85. To commemorate the Muppets’ 25th Anniversary, here’s a Jimmy Spencer bobblehead doll.

From Tough Pigs: “This isn’t ugly. It’s just from 2002, when Muppet fans were sucked into an alternate universe where we all had to pay attention to stockcar racing.” Seriously, are there Muppet fan who even watch NASCAR?

86. It’s Officer Elmo at your service.

From Tough Pigs: “Can you imagine being arrested by Elmo? Seriously. Just try to picture it.” No, that doesn’t seem right. Also, he might’ve failed his fitness test. Must cut the donuts.

87. Snuggle up with these Sesame Street baby dolls.

On second thought, it be better to avoid them whenever possible. Keep them as far away from you and your children as possible. Because at night they will kill.

88. Back up your files with this Elmo USB drive.

Why did they have to have Elmo crouch like that? And why does the drive have to be between his legs? This is wrong on so many levels.

89. This Fozzie mini-bear plush is too cute not to love.

From Tough Pigs: “I see the problem… Somebody set this thing to Evil.” Don’t be surprise if you see him wielding a large knife from the kitchen.

90. Once again, another plush of Guy Smiley.

Apparently, this guy hasn’t seemed like himself lately. Because that’s definitely not his nose. In fact, doesn’t even look like him.

91. Grace this little Elmo ornament on your Christmas tree.

From Muppet Mindset: “Elmo loves crack! Does baby want to have some crack? Baby wants to ask Dorothy what crack is? Baby can’t, Elmo sold Dorothy for more crack.”

92. If you liked Muppet Babies, check out these figurines.

These little muppet babies are guaranteed to haunt your dreams. Also, why the hell is Fozzie dark? He’s not.

93. So I guess that’s Bert and Ernie’s car.

And I’m sure it’s falling apart and Ernie’s a terrible driver. Yeah, I think it might be time it goes to the junk yard where it was made.

94. Have hours of fun with Muppet Monopoly.

Because we all know that the Muppets are about dominating the real estate market until your friends go broke and have to bow out. Oh, wait, that was Donald Trump’s business model. My mistake.

95. Didn’t know Fozzie played hockey in his spare time.

Then again, I think he might want to do with a goalie mask. On the other hand, he might not have it in him for fights or excessive profanity. Then again, he may be a great mascot for the Boston Bruins.

96. This Gonzo doll is one anyone would want to cuddle with.

It’s said that Gonzo had done 3 years after his time at the funny farm. But he hasn’t been the same since. Chicken farmers might want to beware.

97. Don’t worry, Betty Lou will put the fire out.

For some reason, this firefighter Betty Lou gives me the creeps. Not sure why.

98. With this Gonzo doll, you can pretend to be Gonzo the Great.

From Tough Pigs: “Why does every Gonzo doll look like he’s just been electrocuted? (Then again, it’s Gonzo. Maybe he has.)”

99. What’s a better tribute to friendship than seeing Elmo as Oscar the Grouch?

From Tough Pigs: “If we ever needed proof that Elmo was a horrific alien larva, devouring his victims from the inside before bursting, hideously swollen, out of their shriveled skins… er… why did we want that proof again?”

100. From Muppets Most Wanted, this Kermit cologne is a fragrance for him.

Not sure if I’d want to sniff this. Still, why does Kermit have to have his own cologne? It doesn’t make sense.

Sensational, Celebrational, Puppetational Muppet Costumes

Posted by historymaniacmegan on September 28, 2016

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I know my last couple posts were not very happy ones. So in order to light up the mood, I thought it would be great to do some posts on the Muppets. After all, anyone who was a kid in the last 4 decades grew up with these puppets on TV and in the movies. You can see why Disney wanted to get their hands on it. I mean who can forget Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, the Electric Mayhem, Animal, Gonzo, Sweetums, Sam the Eagle, the Swedish Chef, and others? Or the cast of Sesame Street? Or Fraggle Rock? Or Labryinth? Or the Dark Crystal? Well, you might not have heard of some of these. But that’s beside the point. Yet, let’s spend some time in the puppetry world of the late Jim Henson. Yes, I know his sudden death sent a nation in mourning. Because he was such a genius who created these lovable characters in our childhood.

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The term “muppet” was coined by Henson as a marionette puppet as all the muppets were constructed. The beginnings of the Muppets can be traced all the way to the 1950s. In 1955, Henson created his first muppet Kermit the Frog who would become his signature character as well as voiced him until his sudden death in 1990. Contrary to what many people would think, Henson originally conceived the Muppets as characters aimed at an adult audience. Of course, network executives thought differently. Anyway, the same year the first Muppets would be introduced on a Washington D.C. based TV show called Sam and Friends which Henson created with his eventual wife Jane. The series was notable for being the first form of puppet media that didn’t include a physical proscenium arch within the characters were presented. Instead, Henson would utilize a natural 4-sided TV frame as the program’s theater as the viewers would already be watching. During the 1960s, the characters, notably Kermit and Rowlf the Dog appeared on several late night show skits and commercials, including The Ed Sullivan Show. Soon Rowlf would become the first Muppet with a regular network TV spot as Jimmy Dean’s sidekick. Later, Joan Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett began developing an educational TV program for kids and contracted Henson to design several characters. Produced by the Children’s Television Workshop, this show would debut as Sesame Street which received critical acclaim as the muppet characters proved vital to the program’s enduring popularity. In the 1970s, Henson would do The Land on Gorch sketches on SNL and develop a series in 1976 called The Muppet Show which was a more comedic variety show aimed more toward adults. However, the show was actually filmed in London because no American network thought it could work at the time (which was why this show aired in syndication in the US). And Henson couldn’t just go to cable. While Kermit and Rowlf would appear as regulars, it also introduced characters like Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Animal. The rest is history.

Miss Piggy (dress: Zac Posen, shoes: Christian Louboutin, jewelry: Fred Leighton, hair: Kim Kimble) and Kermit the Frog (in Brooks Brothers) at the 84th Annual Academy Awards

Of course, since the Muppets have become a very popular global franchise, it’s only natural that people might want to dress like them for Halloween for a cosplay. Nevertheless, when it comes to fashion icon, there’s no Muppet who wears it like the glamorous diva Miss Piggy. You may see I have pictures of her and Kermit at the Oscars and on the cover of the Vogue magazine wedding edition. Sure she may be a pig but she always tries to dress elegantly for every occasion and takes great pains to appear glamorous. So if you’re Donald Trump, she’s probably the last woman you’d want to call a “fat ugly pig” to her face. Because she doesn’t take criticism like that very well. Not to mention, she’s very skilled in martial arts and won’t hesitate to use them. Then again, seeing her karate chop Trump actually seems very satisfying to me. Really, you don’t want to piss her off. Anyway, in this post, I give you a treasure trove of great muppet costumes for your reading pleasure. And I’m sure Piggy will be flattered. She better be for I don’t want to be on the receiving end of her karate chop.

As we know from the Muppets, every frog must have his pig.

Luckily for Piggy, she’ll see plenty of costumes of moi on this post. So will Kermie who’s in a skin tight green body suit.

2. These pooches come all the way from the street.

By that, I mean Sesame Street. One dog is dressed as Oscar the Grouch. The other as Cookie Monster.

3. While Miss Piggy traditionally wears pink, she can also look chic in black.

Well, if you have a nice dress in your closet, then a Miss Piggy costume won’t be hard to do. I mean costume snouts and ears don’t cost much.

4. Pepe the King Prawn never lets a crabby day get to him.

He’s one of the later Muppets who has a heavy Spanish accent. He tends to play on many Latino stereotypes. Has been around since the 1990s.

5. This Sesame Street family loves life in this part of the neighborhood.

Parents are dressed up as Ernie and Bert. Dog is Cookie Monster. Kids are Elmo and Big Bird. The look on the dad’s face is priceless.

6. Big Bird always knows how to make an entrance.

Big Bird is a male which can’t be disputed. Yet, a lot of the Big Bird costumes I’ve seen are for women. At least the adult ones. Must be the feathers.

7. Seems like we have a visitor from another world.

Oh, those are the aliens from Sesame Street. They’re the ones that go, “Yip, yip, yip, yip, yip.” Seem like they’re quite easy to make.

8. Just give Piggy a few moments for some last touch ups.

Unfortunately, the photographer couldn’t wait. Hope it turns out well. Or else…

9. For fairy muppets on Sesame Street, young girls take to Abby Cadabby.

For the record, I’m not familiar with Abby Cadabby. I guess she’s a magical fairy with purple hair. Still, this is cute.

10. Guess Kermie and Piggy are going a bit formal.

Well, Kermie is a least wearing pants and a jacket. Piggy dons a red dress with a feather boa and tiara.

11. Now that’s what I call a well-dressed Animal.

Okay, his pants are shredded and holed up. But for someone like Animal, this is as good as it’s going to get.

12. Hey, girl, I think you might want to scram from this grouch.

Yes, that’s Oscar the Grouch all right. Basically someone who likes to be moody just for the heck of it. Sometimes it’s best to scram.

13. Miss Piggy is always very protective of her little Kermie.

This is a mother-baby Kermie and Piggy costume. And yes, it’s adorable. Love it.

14. I’m sure you’ll learn your ABC’s from this family.

Like how the parents are Big Bird and Count von Count. And how the kid is Elmo. Wonder why the Count has a big head in this.

15. For the Muppets, their cook is a renowned chef who comes all the way from the fjords.

“Yur puurt thur lobster airn der pot firlled wit boirling watur.” Guess the lobster will get the better of him. Bork, bork, bork.

16. Before she goes out, Miss Piggy just has to take a selfie.

Knowing how self-absorbed she could be, I can totally imagine Piggy doing this. Even dressed to the nines.

17. That’s what I call a real party Animal.

Yes, that’s Animal in his traditional look. Always with the drumsticks and broken chains as drummer for Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.

18. Didn’t know the Yip-Yip aliens had families.

Then again, these costumes are probably among the easiest to make. So why not do one for the whole family?

19. And I thought these creatures came to Earth in peace.

Actually this is a zombie version of the Yip-Yip aliens. I know the arms sticking out is stick. But what can I say? It’s unique.

20. Who can remember your favorite fuzzy blue monster Grover? You know the one from Sesame Street that dresses like a superhero and doesn’t violently eat cookies.

Well, sure looks like a fuzzy Grover, all right. Of course, I’ve heard he’s a proven liability as a server in the restaurant business.

21. Seems like Bert and Ernie have returned from a Hawaiian vacation.

Yet, they wear their shirts over their regular sweaters. Doesn’t really look right. Like Elmo and Grover though.

22. This little diva knows where to put pearls before swine.

In Miss Piggy’s case, the pearls go on swine. And so do feather boas. So cute.

23. Don’t be surprised if he’s a little grouchy at the moment.

This baby Oscar is prone to get cranky once in awhile. But like he has a plastic can that says, “Scram.”

24. Don’t mind these old guys, they’re always bashing the show.

As you can see, this is a group costume of Statler and Waldorf in paper mache. They’re the Muppets’ resident hecklers.

25. Today’s special: Swedish chicken.

You may not know this, but the Swedish Chef doesn’t get a great impression in Sweden. Mostly because Swedes think he doesn’t sound Swedish and get sick of being asked about him.

26. Here we come to the costume of the guy who started it all.

I think this is based on a photo of Jim Henson with Kermit in the 1970s. Still, love the little boy’s beard.

27. Sometimes being a large bird has its moments.

I wonder how often how many times people clean up after Big Bird when he visits them. Because he probably sheds a lot of yellow feathers. Still, this one is brilliant.

28. If you want to get to Sesame Street, ask them.

Yes, this is another Sesame Street family. But the costumes look different. Like how the dad is Oscar the Grouch.

29. This baby diva always has to have the best pink dress.

Yes, Miss Piggy brings out the diva in even the smallest among us. This dress is great. So cute.

30. Doing the latest scientific research at Muppet Labs are Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his trusted assistant Beaker.

As you know, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew is well-meaning but often uses Beaker as a guinea pig in his experiments. It’s a wonder Beaker doesn’t end up in the emergency room.

31. You see, a pig can look fabulous in outer space.

This is Miss Piggy dressed in her Space Pigs sketch outfit. Must’ve been a regular feature for the show.

32. “Presenting the further adventures of everybody’s favorite hero. A man who is faster than lightning, stronger than steel, smarter than a speeding bullet. It’s… SUPERGROVER!”

“And I am cute, too!” Still, he’s more of a parody of Superman. And Super Grover doesn’t really do much of anything other than dig himself into a hole.

33. Even big birds had to start out small.

This girl in her Big Bird costume looks like a little chick of yellow fluff. Love her little orange shoes though. So cute.

34. Seems like somebody likes things to be a little trashy.

You have to like the dad’s costume. His baby may be Oscar the Grouch. But he’s the trashcan who holds him in.

35. There’s nobody who embodies the spirit of America like Sam the Eagle.

This more of a minimalist Sam the Eagle costume design. But at any level it works beautifully.

36. For the Cookie Monster, C is for cookies, chocolate chip. M is for milk.

Now this is ingenious. Like how the mom is in white and covered in cookies. Baby Cookie Monster can’t resist.

37. This little grouch always sits in his can.

This is a clever Oscar the Grouch costume. Yes, I know I have a few of these. But I really like this one. Makes him seem like a Christmas tree in a trash can.

38. This little Cookie Monster always thinks is C is for cookie and that’s good enough for him. Or her.

And unlike what Cookie Monster does in the show, he’s eating with restraint. Still, the costume is so fuzzy.

39. Seems this guy is proud of his little frog puppet.

Well, this is a father-child Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog costume. This Jim is wearing a sweater over a collar shirt. So adorable.

40. You haven’t heard great music until you listen to Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.

This group basically consists of a homage from 1960s and 1970s rock groups. Of course, everyone knows Animal. Yet, I’m not sure if Rowlf is because I don’t remember seeing him. But he’s a musician so who cares.

41. This baby Big Bird barely fits into the stroller.

Well, at least that looks more like Big Bird than a lot of costumes I’ve seen. Like the yellow feathers and orange leggings.

42. Zoe always tries to be as sweet as can be.

Zoe is a girly orange monster on Sesame Street from the 1990s. She’s known for her pink and purple bows. Sure she doesn’t wear shirt or necklace. But this is cute.

43. Looks like Beaker just took a selfie.

I know he doesn’t look happy in this picture. But he always looks befuddled. Then again, he’s constantly being burned up. Meep, meep.

44. What better place to pose for Bert than Ernie than in the bath tub.

Like those Bert and Ernie heads. Of course, that doesn’t stop people from thinking they’re more than friends like the New Yorker.

45. For this monster, this chocolate chip cookie is good enough to eat.

Hey, I’ve seen couple’s costumes where it’s the other way around. Still, I think this is quite creative and clever.

46. Odd to see that Camille and the Swedish Chef are on good terms.

Because they’re usually not. Mostly because the Swedish Chef wants to cook her, obviously. Like the costumes though.

47. Cookie Monster is about to try out his new cross country skis.

Well, at least a Cookie Monster costume could keep anyone warm. Still, I guess there will be free cookies at the finish line.

48. So I guess this is Nurse Janice?

From how I see it, the the one who’s wearing the costume must work in the medical field. Because Janice is the Electric Mayhem’s guitarist.

49. Zoot must be taking a break from the sax during this gig.

From what Wikipedia says, Zoot is based on a Latin jazz saxophonist Gato Barbieri. He’s not known for being particularly chatty and is kind of a burnout.

50. Beaker is all prepped up for the Muppets’ Anti-Zombie Task Force.

For some reason, I don’t normally see Beaker as a badass zombie hunter. But this is costume is clever and funny.

51. Today’s episode of Sesame Street is about the corporate tyranny of the 1%.

The letter of the day is “C” for “class warfare.” The number of the day is 99 for “We are the 99%.”

52. Guess these muppets are just lounging around for the moment.

Not sure if I’d want any of these muppets around. I mean Dr. Honeydew is always experimenting on Beaker with destructive results. The Swedish Chef chases animals to cook. Piggy is an eternal diva. And Animal well, he’s kind of out-of-control.

53. Not sure if I’d want these two around children.

Okay, I know this Bunsen and Beaker are the parents. Nevertheless, I do think the kids dressed as Piggy, Kermit, and Animal are adorable.

54. When you’re Kermit the Frog, it’s not easy being green.

I wanted to get a Kermit costume picture by himself. This is a kid one I think is simply irresistible.

55. Seems like Cookie Monster had to give into temptation.

Well, at least he’s not ripping the cookie into shreds and making a mess of himself. But Elmo and Big Bird aren’t impressed.

56. Creamy pink is always elegant for a romantic evening in the swamp.

Because Miss Piggy always has to look her finest. Because only the finest will do for moi.

57. Seems like Kermit and Piggy are ready for a night on the town.

Like how they stuck to the suits. Kermit’s even wearing a nice 3 piece. Classy.

58. Looks like some of the Sesame Street gang has come out for Halloween.

Well, I have seen the photographer on Sesame Street. But I wouldn’t be sure who he is. Still, like the costumes though. Clever.

59. Presenting Agent Beaker, Private Eye.

This has Beaker not wearing his lab coat. Not sure if I’d call him a natty dress though.

60. This Yip-Yip aliens are surely fleeced.

Well, they’re made of fleece, anyway. They’re also somewhat shredded at the bottom.

61. Remember the two Muppets that sang the chorus to “Manah Manah?” Well, here they are.

Yeah, those are the ones. They’re kind of weird looking to tell you the truth. But they’ll do.

62. Wonder what this Swedish Chef is cooking.

Well, it probably doesn’t involve animals because he’d be chasing them at this time. Still, seems to be a very popular character.

63. Here we have Dr. Teeth and his Electric Mayhem with the full lineup.

Let me say, these guys may be from the 1970s but they’re still better than bands like One Direction. Seriously.

64. For the Electric Mayhem, we have Janice on lead guitar.

She’s clearly based on Janis Joplin despite the wardrobe. But she loves to play her Les Paul.

65. Hope Zoe doesn’t mind being bright orange.

The pink doesn’t always seem to stand out in this costume. Nevertheless, so adorable.

66. This little Kermit is only a mere tadpole.

Yes, this little kid may be green. But he’s so adorable as Jim Henson’s most famous frog. So cute.

67. Sometimes a green Kermit hoodie is all you need.

On the Muppets, Kermit normally doesn’t really seem to wear anything but a collar around his neck. He doesn’t even wear pants.

68. Sometimes it takes a big dog to be a Big Bird.

Yes, this dog is covered in yellow feathers. Don’t ask. It’s just that it’s playing Big Bird.

69. A swamp frog always likes to see his piggy girlfriend well pampered and dressed.

Of course, you kind of have to wonder about Kermit and Piggy’s sex life like whether it’s even possible for them to have one. I mean he’s an frog. She’s a pig. Neither species engage in sex the same way.

70. Now those really look like strange Stormtroopers to me.

Well, there’s Kermit, Beaker, Animal, and Gonzo. Are probably bad shots, which is perfect for the Galactic Empire.

71. The Count is holding 2 fingers. 1, 2, two fingers. Mahahahaha.

This Count costume is brilliant. Like the purple paper mache face. I mean he counts all the time and he’s still a cooler vampire than Edward Cullen from Twilight.

72. Guess this grouch will have to carry his own trash can.

Well, at least this one can be carried. Like how it says, “Go Away.” So Oscar.

73. Okay, guys, I think it’s time we need to hide the cookie table.

Because Cookie Monster is the last guy you’d want around a cookie table at a party. Seriously, he’ll demolish it.

74. Not sure if you want to eat these sentient veggies.

Yes, these veggies and bag are muppets. And yes, they talk and sing. Kind of creepy if you think about it.

75. Better for Gonzo to come than never.

Finally, I have my Gonzo who’s in a suit. Known for doing crazy stuff and having relations with chicken. Consensually of course.

76. Here we have Gonzo with his one true love Camille.

You understand she’s a chicken. And it seems these two are drinking and smoking at this party.

77. On bass for the Electric Mayhem is Sgt. Floyd Pepper.

Yes, he’s certainly based on the Beatles Sgt. Pepper album cover. Yet, he’s kind of a laid back hipster.

78. The Swedish Chef is surely proud of his country.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that his country is proud of him. Because he’s kind of a controversial figure there.

79. You know him as one of the most monstrous muppets around. I give you, Sweetums.

Yes, that’s Sweetums all right. Bet you didn’t expect him to be a big hulking monster.

80. Here we come to just a nice normal muppet couple.

They’re just a generic muppet couple. They’re not based on any muppet characters. They are their own.

81. Today the Swedish Chef is making a chocolate moose.

Yes, you read that right. He’s making a chocolate moose with Hershey’s. And yes, it’s a big moose.

82. Now this is a real muppet ensemble.

Well, most of them are members of the Electric Mayhem. Yet, these are just great. Love them.

83. Seems like Statler and Waldorf are always grumpy.

Actually, they tend to get a lot of enjoyment insulting everybody. Yet, their remarks are always clever.

84. Who can resist this cuddly Fozzie Bear?

Haven’t had Fozzie Bear on this post. And I thought he was quite popular. Well, wokka, wokka.

85. To be a Big Bird, you have to have big hair.

For some reason, I think this is more of a mashup costume between Big Bird and Effie Trinket. Hell, this girl almost seems like she’s about to choose District 12 tributes for the Hunger Games. Like she’s saying, “Primrose Everdeen.”

86. This Big Bird is almost as tall as the real thing.

Wonder if this is the only guy Big Bird costume. Then again, you don’t know who’s in this thing.

87. Super Grover will protect Elmo from harm.

Then again, Super Grover is a superhero who’s bad at being one. Still, this mommy and baby costume is too much.

88. When Kermit wears a tux, he sweeps Piggy off her feet.

And it seems the tuxedo was the most expensive part of the Kermit costume. Love Piggy’s dress, too.

89. Statler and Waldorf will always have their theater box to take with them.

These two guys don’t have the distinctive Statler and Waldorf face. Also, did you know these two were named after hotels?

90. This little dog is turning into a real Animal.

Yes, it’s a little dog dressed as Animal from the Electric Mayhem. He even has drums to boot.

91. Not sure whether these two guys saw anything from the muppets they liked.

Then again, it kind of seems like Statler and Waldorf liked to troll the muppets. Still, like how these guys went with their real hair.

92. Even a small pig can be a big diva.

Well, this is a sibling pair Kermit and Miss Piggy costumes. And yes, Piggy wants the spotlight. So cute.

93. And here is Beaker stuck with a bag.

Let’s hope there’s not a bomb in it. Because God knows how many times he’s been blown up by Bunsen Honeydew’s experiments.

94. Seems this Sweetums is made from nothing but yarn.

Guess this takes up a lot of brown yarn. Not sure if making a Sweetums outfit is worth that much time.

95. This Cookie Monster costume comes with cookie hands.

Well, this is a homemade costume as you might see. Like how one of the cookies has a bite. So creative.

96. From Sesame Street, what little kid could resist the adorable Elmo?

Because I know people would complain if I didn’t include him. Since he’s such an iconic character from Sesame Street and a hit with little kids.

97. With Elmo and Big Bird, this little Abby Cadabby can’t ask for anything more.

Well, I may not know much about Abby Cadabby. But you have to like the parents’ costumes in this. So adorable.

98. Elmo is even just as fuzzy when he comes in an adult size.

Yes, this is a cute costume. However, while Elmo is one of the cutest Sesame Street muppets, his Times Square counterpart is a real bastard. Or so I hear from Stephen Colbert.

99. Seems like this grouchy father has gone to the trash.

Well, he’s Oscar the Grouch. Yet, he and Cookie Monster sure have fuzzy heads.

100. For even the smallest, Abby Cadabby can be surely magical.

Sure Abby may be a recent addition. But the dress and the little pom pom hair things are so cute. Love it.

The Unforgivable Sins of Fox News

Posted by historymaniacmegan on September 27, 2016

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I know what I have to say is controversial but I don’t care. I’m a political liberal and I know that many people won’t agree with me on my political views (well, many people I know anyways). So it goes without saying that I don’t get my information from Fox News or rely on any source that uses it, except if it’s a fake news show on Comedy Central. I don’t hide my disgust for a so-called 24-hour “news” network which I think functions more as a right-wing propaganda machine than a proper news organization. Yet, just because I may criticize Fox News doesn’t mean that I don’t think other media outlets have problems for the state of the American media is a very sorry one indeed. It’s just that Fox News is a very special case in which the very principles of journalistic integrity like objective reporting and commentary are thrown out the window in exchange for using appeals to emotion to get their message across.

This basically sums up what I think about Fox News. “Fox News. Fair and Balanced. Unless you have read a book or anything ever.” Yeah, that’s basically it.

Is the media biased? Well, that’s without question since all news outlets are run by humans but whether many of our TV news networks are liberally biased or not is anyone’s guess but apparently Fox News believes this. Of course, while Fox News’s motto is “Fair and Balanced,” everyone should know that it’s certainly biased toward the right and bases it’s whole existence on being the Republican Party’s mouthpiece (though claiming they’re an unbiased primary source of information) when most news outlets are just out to attract viewers and sponsors as well as make a profit. Sure MSNBC may have some liberally biased programming, but Joe Scarborough has his own show there and Pat Buchanan tends to drop by sometimes. Oh, and when Fox News is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., they’re also owned by a conglomerate called Comcast who doesn’t support net neutrality. In fact, most American media outlets are by corporate conglomerates and many have corporate sponsors who may want to use a news program to push their own agenda. And that the Republican Party has absolutely no problem attracting big corporate donors since they are the party of big business. So to be fair, while MSNBC may be a liberal version of Fox News it is only more or less left-of-center one since there is a limit to how liberal they can be yet they do have a tendency to copy some features from it. You can’t say the same with other networks who may be deemed “liberal” just because they tend to say things that Fox News disagrees with.

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Fox News has often been the butt of late night comedians especially under Jon Stewart’s tenure on The Daily Show. And with Stephen Colbert, Stewart has harshly criticized the network and reduced it to the kind of destructive joke it actually is.

Another thing which irks me about Fox News is not just their politics but how they tend to politicize everything to the point of absurdity. Look, criticizing the President, politicians you don’t agree with, or social policies are one thing. Though I may not be comfortable with Fox News putting down major demographics with hateful slander but I understand they do that to pander to a certain audience since politics and prejudices tend to go hand in hand (and history has a lot of examples of this). Sometimes it’s hard to disagree with a social issue without insulting a whole demographic (with or without intention). However, sometimes they tend to politicize things that really shouldn’t be like the Muppets. Really, the Muppets? Not only that, but they address anything they disagree with in the most juvenile way possible like yelling or screaming until the other person shuts up. While I do think people have a right to disagree with each other, I don’t think adults should attack people through utter childishness as well as inciting unreasonable anger and fear, which has created a hostile political environment where the rational thinking conservative is rarely ever seen and you can’t even disagree with one who doesn’t lash out at you. For instance, I may say rich people and corporate heads need to pay more in taxes and be held more accountable, but that doesn’t mean I hate rich people for simply being rich (I don’t). But someone who may take Fox News seriously may think otherwise.

This graphic from Talking Points Memo shows a rough sketch about Fox News. Most of its viewers are over 65. Yet, strangely 25% of them think that everything they report is true. They’ve also been said to be more misinformed than from other stations.

Look, I know many people might be calling this blog post liberally biased or as inspired by the “liberal media” or my liberal views. But since the 24 hour cable news network’s advent in 1996, Fox News has been among the most popular and one of the most trusted sources among Americans, according to some studies. However, it’s well known that Fox News one of the most prolific conservative news outlets with a staunch loyal following. Yet, if anyone thinks I’m bashing Fox News because of their political slant, you’re sorely mistaken. In fact, it’s not just Fox’s status as a conservative news station that roils me. It’s much more than that. For its duration, Fox News has been harshly criticized not just by liberals and programs like the Daily Show and other late night shows, but also by highly regarded experts. As for me, I see Fox News as way less trustworthy than sites like Wikipedia. Seriously. As far as I am concerned, Fox News is not a legitimate news source as well as been a major disgrace to our country. And here I have a list explaining why.

It’s no secret that Fox News is a conservative propaganda machine. But they’ve been known to mix in their conservative editorial content in their news reporting doesn’t adhere to journalistic principles. They’ve also been openly promoting Republican candidates.

Political Ideologized News Coverage– Despite their slogan being “Fair and Balanced,” everyone knows that Fox News has a strong conservative political bias that it doesn’t even try to hide. We know its reputation as a strongly conservative news outlet is a major reason why their viewers tune in. Network employees noted how executives exert a degree of control over its daily reporting content. As former producer Charles Reina explains, “The roots of Fox News Channel’s day-to-day on-air bias are actual and direct. They come in the form of an executive memo distributed electronically each morning, addressing what stories will be covered and, often, suggesting how they should be covered. To the newsroom personnel responsible for the channel’s daytime programming, The Memo is the Bible. If, on any given day, you notice that the Fox anchors seem to be trying to drive a particular point home, you can bet The Memo is behind it.” However, it’s one thing for a news outlet to have a political ideological slant. Putting conservative editorializing within news stories neither fair and balanced nor ethically responsible journalism. Neither is having network executives coach reporters on how report the news. Look, I may not like how the mainstream media does journalism, but I think striving for objectivity and being open to all viewpoints are worthy media endeavors. Fox News doesn’t even try to hold up to journalistic principles and resorts to ideological based reporting. Otherwise known as propaganda. Even when Fox tries to make seem like it’s “fair and balanced” with having people like Alan Colmes on the network, the so-called “liberals” aren’t really that liberal. This opens the doorway for all other misuses in journalism.

Fox News has relied and popularized a lot of conspiracy theories throughout its run. Here is Glenn Beck using his blackboard conspiracy theory illustrations which depict involving ACORN, Obama, and Woodrow Wilson. Yes, it’s crazy. Also, Jon Stewart would mercilessly parody this.

2. Promoting Unsubstantiated Conspiracy Theories– As a conservative political media network, Fox News has had major role in hosting, promoting, and repeating conspiracy theories. Fox News has endorsed numerous unsubstantiated claims about democratic politicians and other people they don’t like. Featured unsubstantiated claims have revolved around Obama being a Muslim, Obama not being born in the US, Hillary’s role in Benghazi, the “liberal” mainstream media, “liberal” Hollywood, 9/11 Trutherism, Hillary’s declining health, the murder of Antonin Scalia, global warming hoax, Obamacare “death panels,” the “gay agenda,” FEMA detention camps, Spongebob’s homosexuality, anchor babies, Google censoring Clinton body counts, war on Christmas, war on Christianity, anti-capitalist Muppets, gun confiscation, moon landing hoax, Planned Parenthood abortion factories, ACORN voter fraud operations, big government and unions destroying everything, and much more. They’ve even featured a lot of conspiracy theorists like Orly Taitz, Alex Jones, and many of their news hosts like Glenn Beck. Still, trying to pass off conspiracy theories as factual information is irresponsible and not becoming of any credible news organization. Because a lot of them are based on speculation, personal bias, gossip, and urban legend. And most of them have been thoroughly debunked, sometimes through a process known as simple logic as well as research supported by facts. Yet, since Fox News cares more about their conservative agenda, it all depends on whether these theories suit them.

Fox News has reported the news by perpetuating very harmful stereotypes that pertain to race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, income, and culture. Here Obama is calling Fox News on saying how it makes an effort to suggest that poor people are sponges, leeches, and lazy. Well, turns out that Obama is right. However, their racial crime coverage is appalling, especially with how they slander Black Lives Matter.

3. Perpetuating Offensive Stereotypes– Whether it pertains to all Muslims as backward and violent religious fanatics who are all suspected terrorists by default even if they’re American, blacks as promiscuous gangbanging deadbeat dads and drug addled welfare moms, illegal border crossers having anchor babies, Hispanics as undocumented criminals, LGBT people as depraved pervs, spoiled millennial brats, poor people being unemployed moochers on welfare, and feminazis, Fox News never misses an opportunity to disparage a person they don’t like, particularly if they’re not white, rich, Christian, or male. It doesn’t help that most of their reporting staff is white. Fox’s coverage of racial crime is particularly appalling which doesn’t hesitate to include racial overtones. Not that general racial crime coverage isn’t racist because it certainly is if you watch the local news. But racial crime coverage on Fox News stands out since the racism doesn’t seem accidental or just consist of daily showings of black mugshots. In fact, Fox seems to perpetuate racial crime stereotypes with stories they choose to cover and their frequent use of racial identifiers. They even actively exploit the race angle by speculating that otherwise non-racial events are examples of racist hate crime. Case in point focuses to the network framing the murder of an Australian teen in Oklahoma as a racist hate crime by three young black men. In reality, the guy was twenty-three, the murderers were teens, one of the killers was white, and the kids admitted to killing him just for kicks. Sure it was cold-blooded murder and these kids were sick but it’s far from a racist hate crime. More like the white victim just having to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Not to mention, the local District Attorney told Greta Van Susteren there was no evidence the crime had anything to do with race. On that same program, Fox featured the murder of a white WWII veteran by two black suspects in Spokane. Though a reporter said the murder looked more like a “random beating” or “possible robbery,” Van Susteren asked whether it was racially motivated. It wasn’t. Later, Pat Buchanan would use this story to say that “racial hate crimes [are] 40 times more prevalent in the black community than the white community, and nobody talks about it” with dubious statistics to boot. Sorry, Pat, but white racial hate crime against blacks is far more prevalent. You can find that out in your American History book. But it’s not the only case Fox has tried to question whether a crime with a black killer and white victim was racially motivated. By contrast, the network would swear that George Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin in self-defense when race certainly played a role. Even worse, Sean Hannity tried to connect Martin’s killing to the New Black Panther Party while Geraldo Rivera blamed Martin for his own death because he was wearing a hoodie. Another incidence of Fox News racism revolves Peter Doocy describing Department of Justice findings of racial bias where he emphasized that then Attorney General Eric Holder “floated the possibility” of dissolving Ferguson’s police department as a result. Steve Doocy linked the DOJ’s report and Holder’s response the shooting of two Ferguson police officers and added, “a new wave of violence comes one week after Attorney General Eric Holder vowed to dismantle that city’s police department,” questioning whether it was “what he wanted.” In a way he seems to blame Holder for the police shootings even though nobody at DOJ had any plans to dissolve Ferguson’s Police Department. No wonder Jon Stewart criticized Fox News of ignoring the realities of systematic racism those in Ferguson were protesting. Though we all know that Fox News refers Black Lives Matter as a bunch of lawless and violent thugs they’re clearly not. They even go as far as saying that BLM advocates cop-killing when the group promotes nothing of the sort. They also say that the unarmed black victims were violent thugs and that the cops’ actions were justified. Doesn’t help that the network has Bill O’Reilly commenting how life under the infamous dehumanizing institution of slavery wasn’t really that bad (newsflash: it was). It’s clear Fox News thinks that racism doesn’t exist anymore when it surely does. Let’s just say if you believe that, then you’re a racist. Look, I know that Fox might be playing to an audience that’s probably full of racists to begin with. But Fox News’ propping of offensive stereotypes has misinformed countless white viewers and made race issues much more controversial.

This is James O’Keefe. He made a video depicting a sting on ACORN dressed up as a pimp for interviews. He showed a video that was deceptively edited to show the negative to show negative responses in an effort to conduct character assassination against the community organizing nonprofit. He’s been sued by one of the employees for defamation.

4. Creating Scandals Through Unethical Practices– Fox News has been particularly insidious in trying to demonize liberals and Democrats as well as other people they don’t like, especially Barack Obama and his administration. During the 2008 election as well as Obama’s presidency, the network has tried to smear the president as a scary black man out to get white people. They have done so through taking quotes and videos out of context as well as ramming so-called scandals down viewers’ throats no matter how twisted the story may be. When the NAACP charged the Tea Party of racism, Fox and their friends aired a two minute clip of Shirley Sherrod talking about an incident with a white farmer from decades ago who’d later become a close family friend. What she told was a story about overcoming prejudices and reconciliation. But Fox only aired part of the clip and branded it as racism. She was fired. Another insidious case concerns how Fox News demonized ACORN, an agency that works for poor and minority interests. This involved a young man named James O’Keefe who dressed up as a pimp and went to several ACORN offices asking for advice and recorded the visits. The videos were edited only to show negative responses and make it seem like O’Keefe was actually dressed as a pimp for the interviews. He has since been arrested and convicted of breaking into a government office on false pretenses. As of 2010, he’s also being sued by ACORN employee, Juan Carlos Vera for being falsely portrayed in a heavily edited video to be conspiring with O’Keefe to transport undocumented immigrants as prostitutes. Then there’s Fox News taking small clips of Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s sermons and twisting them into making him an anti-American, anti-white madman. In an impassioned speech, Wright referenced comments from former U.S. Ambassador Edward Peck on Fox News who referred to 9/11 as chickens coming home to roost, which Fox News used to make him look like an Al-Qaida supporter. In other sermons, Wright would criticize the US on several fronts including nuking Japan during WWII, the Vietnam War, support of apartheid, the Tuskegee experiment, Iran-Contra, the Iraq War, and AIDS. Save for Wright’s claim about the government starting AIDS, most of them are thoroughly backed up. Furthermore, unlike most Fox News pundits and GOP politicians, Wright is a former Marine who’s also served as a cardiopulmonary technician in the US Navy. In fact, he worked for the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland and was part of the medical team charged with caring for President Lyndon B. Johnson. If you need proof, there’s a photo depicting him tending to LBJ right behind an I.V. pole and standing in front of then White House Press Secretary Bill Moyers. There’s also a thank you letter. So it’s fairly pointless and shameful to attack this man’s patriotism. But you wouldn’t know that from how Fox News depicts him. What Fox News did to Sherrod, Wright, and ACORN was not journalism but deliberate attempts at character assassination through dubious means. What Fox has considerably hurt their reputations and earned them notoriety they didn’t deserve.

With his heavily right-wing militia buddies, Cliven Bundy squared off in an aggressively anti-law enforcement standoff against federal agents. This was over that the Feds were ordered to confiscate his cattle due to his refusal to pay $1 million in grazing fees and fines for public land use. Fox News championed his cause as him standing up to big government. Never mind that Bundy was staging domestic terrorism against law enforcement. Disgraceful.

5. Defending and Glorifying Terrorists and Criminals– Now it’s one thing how Fox News denigrates minorities blacks and Latinos as criminals and Muslims as terrorists. However, if there’s a story that concerns a conservative who’s in trouble with the law, well, they might cover it quite differently. When the story about Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy’s showdown with the Feds broke, Fox News flaunted its disdain for law enforcement in order to champion him. Never mind that the Feds were there in the first place to legally confiscate his cattle because Bundy refused to pay over $1 million federal grazing fees and fines for using public land. Nor the fact the rancher was supported by heavily armed militia men and women and the stand-off was aggressively anti-law enforcement. Nor how the Southern Poverty Law Center described it as “Militia snipers lined the hilltops and overpasses with scopes trained on federal agents.” In other words, these guys basically threatened the Feds with violence. Or how the SPLC noted that these people taunted the Feds with insults denouncing various officers as a “terrorist,” “loser,” “chickenshit,” and a “fucking pussy.” Would it be rude to call Bundy an insurrectionist? How about domestic terrorist? But there you have Fox News acting as his publicist with Bill O’Reilly, Todd Starnes, and Sean Hannity calling him a hero sticking up to government overreach. For a network to treat a criminal with no respect for authority like Bundy is beyond disgusting. Luckily, Fox News got their comeuppance for their inexcusable stance when Bundy publicly remarked how blacks were better off as slaves. Another good example would be the case with George Zimmerman who fatally shot unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in a Florida gated community. Martin was clearly a victim of racial profiling since he was on his way to visit his father and minding his own business while Zimmerman followed him. The fact Zimmerman got away with it on Florida’s infamous “Stand Your Ground” law is an utter disgrace. However, when Sean Hannity had a panel on race that included a black minister Pastor Marcus Jarvis and lawyer Eric Guster, Hannity asserted that Zimmerman was absolutely in the right for fatally shooting the black teenager. The black men were rightly pissed off. Hannity would later interview Zimmerman who’s admitted that he doesn’t regret killing Martin and that he felt it was all God’s plan. He’d later give an account that Martin had beaten him and he shot the kid out of fear for his life. Fox had clearly framed the Trayvon Martin’s murder as an act of self-defense when the actual tapes illustrate that it was not the case. Moreover, Zimmerman has had other encounters with the law such as a 2005 arrest for shoving an undercover alcohol agent, an ex-fiancee filing a restraining order against him on domestic violence, a 911 call from his estranged wife citing that he threatened her and her dad with a gun as well as punched the latter in the face, a 2013 arrest for aggravated assault with a weapon, domestic violence, battery, and criminal mischief against his girlfriend, a 2015 arrest for aggravated assault with a weapon against his ex-girlfriend, and being punched during a Gators’ game for bragging about Trayvon Martin’s murder. The fact Fox News stood by this man is appalling.

When it comes to black activists who protest police brutality like Black Lives Matter, Fox News is always quick to portray them as violent, lawless thugs who support cop-killing. However, when it comes to right-wing and anti-government cop killers, Fox News tends to either ignore it or make them seem like isolated incidents that have nothing to do with politics. Because at Fox News, white supremacist and right-wing anti-government terrorism doesn’t exist.

6. Blatant Hypocrisy and Double Standards– Fox News has an astounding record on hypocrisy and double standards when covering the news. And the network would always take the side that best suits their conservative ideology. Over the years, the cable news channel has been quick to label protests against police brutality as lawless thugs promoting cop-killing such as the people of Black Lives Matter. Yet, when it comes to cop killings by right-wing and anti-government gunmen to deliver their warped political messages, they ignore it, say it has nothing to do with politics, or blame political and community leaders who’ve spoken out about the troubled relationship between the blacks and the police. While Fox News is quick to treat a mass shooting or bombing involving Muslims as a terrorist attack to promote radical Islam, when it comes to white supremacist and anti-government attacks, they treat them as isolated incidents having nothing to do with politics with perpetrators being portrayed as wacko lone wolves not representing any cultural or political movement. In one instance, they even treated an anti-government terrorist as a hero despite that he and his supporters staged an armed stand-off against the Feds. In reality, the rise of right-wing and anti-government domestic terrorism has become an increasing concern. And there are incidents in which such the attack had a lot to do with politics. For instance, the guy who killed worshipers at a Wisconsin Sikh Temple was a skinhead. For some reason, Fox News doesn’t believe that right-wing domestic terrorism even exists. Another example has to pertain to music and entertainment when Fox News blasted the rapper Common for setting a terrible example to young people by recording songs about killing cops (which really wasn’t the case). They also criticized Beyonce and other black recording artists for the same thing, using offensive black stereotypes no less. Meanwhile, there’s Ted Nugent who’s said very disparaging remarks about Obama and Hillary at a concert and his song “Cat Scratch Fever” contains very sexually explicit lyrics. On Fox News, he’s seen as an honored guest. Then there’s Fox News commentators criticizing on how certain women dress and liberal politicians doing morally dubious things in their personal lives. However, Fox & Friends once had Hooter Girls on their show and the network mandates their on-air talent to wear short dresses. As for conservative politicians in their private lives, well, note that they undergo damage control like labeling disgraced Republicans with a D to their names. They may even ignore the scandal entirely. Or they may even defend them. After all, you might see Newt Gingrich appear on the network from time to time. You know the former House Speaker who tried to crucify Bill Clinton over his sexual proclivities who also cheated on and later dumped two wives for getting sick. Rudy Giuliani is another familiar face. He was the former thrice-married New York City mayor who used local resources to conduct an affair with his mistress (and later Wife #3) while still married to Wife #2. Not to mention, Bill O’Reilly’s personal conduct toward women. As if these people pride themselves for not being politically correct….

Fox News has been a major contributor to the rise in climate change denial. This despite that there’s a 97% scientific consensus that human caused climate change is real and it’s a serious problem that can’t be ignored. This has very much hindered the US from passing any real climate change policy. Clearly, whenever it comes to global warming, Fox is clearly misrepresenting the facts.

7. Misrepresenting Facts– According to a 2015 report from the Independent Journalism Review, Fox News has an astonishing 61% of claims rated Mostly False or worse compared to MSNBC with 44% and CNN with 20%. Nothing illustrates Fox News so consistently misinforming the public whenever the topic is climate change where it has disproportionally represented climate contrarian views. This despite the fact that there’s a 97% expert consensus on human-based global warming. According to a 2012 report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, 93% of Fox News’ global warming coverage was misleading. Statements identified in the report included, “…dismissals of human-caused climate change, disparaging comments about individual scientists, rejections of climate science as a body of knowledge, and cherry picking of data.” Fox News’ influence in climate change denial is extensive and undeniable. And their influence has resulted in very negative consequences for the US as well as the world. It’s well established in the scientific community that climate change is real, is manmade, is happening, and is a very serious global problem. Yet, Fox News’ endorsement of climate change denial has greatly hindered efforts to prevent climate change and adapt to a warming climate as well as undermined the public’s trust in climate science and led to low levels of public concern. Furthermore, it’s also said their distortion is a big reason why Republicans continue denying climate change. Thus, climate change has become a highly partisan and controversial issue in American politics when it shouldn’t be. This is very troubling especially since the Pentagon has ruled climate change denial as a national security. Of course, climate change isn’t the only thing Fox News lies about, but their misleading climate change coverage shows how their misrepresentation of facts has drastically hurt this country. This is inexcusable.

In 2008, Fox News took revenge on two men from the New York Times for a so-called, “hit piece” on the network. Fox proceeded to alter their photos while superimposing their faces to a photo of a man with his poodle. This is just photoshop antics you’d see on the Daily Show. But on Fox News, this is just irresponsible.

8. Photo Manipulation– On July 2, 2008, Fox & Friends co-hosts Steve Doocy and Brian Killmeade aired photos of New York Times reporter Jacques Steinberg and TV editor Steven Reddiccliffe that appeared to have been crudely doctored in order to portray them unflatteringly. This during a discussion of a piece in a Times piece on June 28 that pointed out what Steinberg called “ominous trends” in Fox News ratings which Doocy called a “hit piece” Reddiccliffe ordered. On the show Steinberg was depicted with yellowed teeth, “his nose and chin widened, and his ears made to protrude further.” Reddiccliffe was portrayed with yellow teeth as well as “dark circles … under his eyes, and his hairline has been moved back.” The broadcast later showed an image of Steinberg’s face superimposed on a poodle while Reddiccliffe’s was over a man holding the poodle’s leash. Times editor Sam Sifton called the photo aired on Fox “disgusting” and the criticisms on its reporting a “specious and meritless claim.” The manipulation was probably no accident.

9. Video Manipulation– Fox News has a long record of selective editing, withholding content, and using video clips for their own deceptive purposes. On November 10, 2009, Sean Hannity misrepresented video footage purportedly showing crowds at a Rep. Michele Bachmann orchestrated protest. On the Daily Show, Jon Stewart showed inconsistencies in alternating shots according to sky color and tree leaves showing footage from Glenn Beck’s much larger 9/12 rally spliced in. Hannity estimated that 20,000 were in attendance. Luke Russert and the Washington Post guessed somewhere between 4,000-10,000. Stewart has also periodically accused Fox of playing video footage out of context. Another instances was when Sean Hannity played footage of Obama stating the DREAM ACT couldn’t be passed by executive order to make him seem like a hypocrite. Even though the full footage shows Obama going on to clarify the president can stop deportations. Of course, Fox News can make excuses such as when it was found the network used footage from a 2008 McCain/Palin rally for a Sarah Palin book signing at Grand Rapids, Michigan as Greg Jarrett told viewers that there was a massive turnout. Senior vice-president Michael Clemente issued a statement saying, “This was a production error in which the copy editor changed a script and didn’t alert the control room to update the video.” They also like to splice quotes such as when they aired a clip of Michelle Obama saying that she’s proud of her country now that her husband was running for president around the 2008 election. What she actually said that she’s very proud of her country.

Fox News has been extremely sexist both in its on-screen rhetoric which show a strong opposition to women’s rights and to its female employees. For instance, Fox’s female on-air talent have to wear short skirts and can’t wear pants. And this is Andrea Tantaros who likened Fox News’ workplace culture, “like a sex-fueled, Playboy Mansion-like cult, steeped in intimidation, indecency, and misogyny.” She was also among many women at the station harassed by then CEO Roger Ailes and claimed that former Senator Scott Brown and Bill O’Reilly harassed her as well.

10. Showing No Respect for Women– Sexist stereotyping, feminazis, and Hillary Clinton comments aside, Fox News has remained a cesspool of sexism both on and off screen. Fox News isn’t necessarily in line with notions of conservative womanhood but they’re nonetheless has a legendary disdain for women. Sure they’re antagonistic to women’s rights, bemoan the rise of female breadwinners, think female brains aren’t great for business executives, shame rape victims, and that feminism is a cause of women high school teachers sexually abusing students. Yet, when it comes to notions of female wholesomeness like modesty, you can bet Fox isn’t going for that. Mostly because it’s owned by an Australian man who’d use tits to sell a newspaper. Just look at Fox’s female on-air talent who mostly have to be highly attractive and mostly blond and white as well as comparatively young or be yanked off the moment they age. They’re also required to abide to a stringent dress code consisting of sleeveless short dresses, some with cleavage revealing peekaboo cutouts (with few exceptions) or tight cleavage revealing shirts with short skirts. These are outfits that could barely pass a high school dress code and it’s definitely not something a conservative Christian would want their daughter to wear. But it’s very much implied female broadcasters are expected to use sex to sell. Then there’s the case with former Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson who played a total ditz who gets the wrong context for terms like “ignoramus” and “czar” even when she googled both terms. This despite that she’s a high school valedictorian, a Stanford graduate with high honors, a former student abroad in Oxford, and able to play Zigeunerweisen on the violin. It’s clear she was deliberately playing dumb so her viewership could see her as more identifiable and less intimidating. She’s even had to put up with a barrage of sexist jokes from her male colleagues which culminated in a 2012 incident where she walked off the set. Her demeanor sets a very terrible example to girls and projects very sexist standards on feminine behavior that many people encourage. Off-screen, it’s just as bad as former newscaster Andrea Tantaros described the workplace culture as “like a sex-fueled, Playboy Mansion-like cult, steeped in intimidation, indecency, and misogyny.” According to Tantaros, Fox News had a yearly “trunk show” where female employees are forced to dress and undress in front of staff. Workplace sexual harassment at the network is rampant. Roger Ailes has a well-known record of sexually harassing women even before he became the network’s CEO. It’s a major reason why he wasn’t offered a job in the Nixon administration despite helping Tricky Dick win in 1968. Anyway, Carlson alleged that Ailes told her, “You and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago, and then you’d be good and better and I’d be good and better.” This during sexual harassment meeting! He also may have told a woman “you might have to give a blowjob every once in a while” for him to help with her career. Carlson claims her contract wasn’t renewed as direct retaliation about the pervasive harassment and sexism she faced. Megyn Kelly has said Ailes has sexually harassed her as well. So has Tantaros. Yet, a lot of women at Fox News have non-disparaging clauses in their contracts and may not be able to come forward for fear they’d lose their job. Not only that, but according to Tantaros, Fox has numerous “sock puppet” accounts on its talent which are fake identities to promote or trash someone through seemingly independent blogs or social networking sites. In other words, Fox spends a lot of time looking for dirt on talent employees which they use for leaking baseless and harmful information about them in order to discredit and cause reputational harm. Thankfully, Ailes resigned and is now working for the Trump campaign. However, this doesn’t mean that Fox News’ problems with sexual harassment have necessarily gone away. Bill O’Reilly has been subject to sexual harassment, extortion, and domestic abuse allegations. And this sexual creep still has a show on the network. Let that sink in.

The fact Fox News has a loyal following of fans yet lacks any form of class has contributed greatly to this nation’s increasingly polarized and hostile environment. Here Fox News has a headline calling Michelle Obama as Barack’s “baby mama.” Racist? Yes. Offensive? Of course. But a lot of viewers are racist and will buy it.

11. Contributing to a Hostile Political Environment– Since the advent of Fox News, the American public has become more politically polarized. Sure the rise of social media has something to do with it. But we should remember that a lot of Fox’s audience is over 65 and is less likely to have a computer or internet. Now being a conservative news station is one thing. Yet, Fox has taken it much further with supporting Republican stances and politicians without question. No matter how wrong those stances would be or how hypocritical it makes them seem. They also breaking news stories that embarrass the GOP as well as labeling prominent Republicans who’ve upset the public as Democrats. As for liberals and their causes, they’ve been unrelentingly hostile with heinous insults, slander, character smears, cheer when one of their initiatives fails, and just plain bullying. Even when it pertains to liberals standing up for basic decency and especially if they’re non-white. Case in point the Black Lives Matter movement. Since Fox has such a loyal following, these people accept their commentary as gospel. Many of them have become vociferously hostile like the Tea Party members and Trump supporters. Fox News has had a hand in perpetuating climate change denial, increasing racial tensions, increasing legislative gridlock, and others. Not to mention, recent Republican politicians have increasingly become more partisan and less willing to compromise, especially in Congress. It’s very clear that Fox News has played a role in our political dysfunction in our democratic society.

Here is Bill O’Reilly’s producer Jesse Watters ambushing Vermont US Senator Bernie Sanders. O’Reilly sends employees to do this a lot, mainly for revenge and to humiliate his targets. This is a terrible method of journalism and is clearly an intimidation tactic.

12. Using Intimidation Tactics– Now I may have discussed some intimidation tactics on how Fox News tries to silence female employees who’ve been sexually harassed by their male bosses and colleagues. However, sexual harassment situations aren’t the only times Fox has resorted to intimidation. For a time on The O’Reilly Factor, it wasn’t unusual for Bill O’Reilly to send employees to stalk, harass, and ambush people who didn’t want to appear on his show. Or people O’Reilly doesn’t like. One major case was in 2009 when O’Reilly’s producer and crew to ambush Think Progress blogger Amanda Terkel on vacation in order to asking why she was hurting rape victims and demanding that she apologize. This was in an attempt to humiliate her and depict her as fearful, agitated, and incoherent on national TV. Why did he do this? Because Terkel was one of many people who called out the hypocrisy of O’Reilly being a speaker for It Happened to Alexa Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping rape victims. And Terkel was totally justified to call him on it. Because O’Reilly is a flat out pig who once famously said, “Now Moore, Jennifer Moore, 18, on her way to college. She was 5-foot-2, 105 pounds, wearing a miniskirt and a halter top with a bare midriff. Now, again, there you go. So every predator in the world is gonna pick that up at two in the morning. She’s walking by herself on the West Side Highway, and she gets picked up by a thug. All right. Now she’s out of her mind, drunk.” Definitely not a guy you’d want to speak in front of rape survivors. Not to mention his reputation as an uniformed, creepy, loudmouth who’s been accused of sexual harassment and domestic abuse. But camera crews to follow people in order to ambush and humiliate them is just unethical and possibly illegal. Yet, somehow O’Reilly gets away with it. Another case from 2008 centers around the legendary Bill Moyers, a former press secretary and then PBS broadcaster who refused to appear on O’Reilly’s show. Moyers made him look like a fool. Vermont US Senator Bernie Sanders was another during his presidential candidacy. Sanders blew the producer off. Others include Arianna Huffington, former Bush press secretary Scott McClellan, Tim Robbins, Jane Fonda, Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, and even Barack Obama during his Senate days (where O’Reilly did it himself). O’Reilly has had a long record of ambushing and threatening journalists, politicians, religious officials, activists, celebrities, and even judges. O’Reilly has suggested that the “ambush journalism” conducted by his producers is limited to targeting “public servants” and stated prior to these “ambush interviews” subjects would either be asked to appear on his show or explain their actions. In reality, they’re just O’Reilly’s way of getting revenge.

During his time on Fox News, Glenn Beck’s ridiculous madman rants gave the network high ratings. Unfortunately, it inspired 3 violent criminals to commit acts of domestic terrorism. One of whom, killed 3 cops in Pittsburgh with an AK-47. He was later fired from the network after 296 sponsors dropped him.

13. Encouraging Extremism and Violence– As I said Fox News has a horrible record of handling cases pertaining to right-wing terrorism and white-on-black crime. But it’s even more disturbing whenever Fox defends men like George Zimmerman and frame Cliven Bundy as a hero. Fox’s Bundy glorification is particularly disgraceful because it makes it seem like staging an armed militia stand-off against the Feds is perfectly okay because these domestic terrorists are standing up to big government. Uh, excuse me, but when is domestic terrorism ever acceptable? Apparently whenever the perp is a right-wing nutjob, according to Fox. It doesn’t help that Fox has had plenty of conspiracy theorists on their network. But they’ve also engaged in some rather violent rhetoric about people they don’t like. There’s Glen Beck’s saying, “To the day I die, I am going to be a progressive hunter.” Bill O’Reilly’s comments on the late Dr. George Tiller are especially awful: “[I]f I could get my hands on Tiller — well, you know. Can’t be vigilantes. Can’t do that. It’s just a figure of speech.” He repeatedly called him, “Tiller, the baby killer” and even said that Tiller was an evil man with blood on his hands who had to be stopped and that anyone who doesn’t stop him has blood on their hands as well. He said all of this shortly before the Kansas abortionist was murdered in his church. Still, publicly calling for someone’s death, abortionist or not, is unconscionable regardless of whether you’re pro-life, pro-choice, or pro-anything. Then there’s Ralph Peters on then Taliban-held Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, “[W]e know this private is a liar; we’re not sure if he’s a deserter.” He later added that if he was a deserter, “the Taliban can save us a lot of legal hassles and legal bills.” An NBC correspondent later reported the Pentagon claimed Peters’ comments “could endanger” the captured soldier. To be fair, I know most Fox News viewers aren’t violent. And I know that Fox News never intends to inspire violence either. But knowing that a lot of Fox’s fanbase supports Donald Trump, such rhetoric could explain a lot since they probably hear it a lot and think it’s entertaining. However, that’s the problem for there may be extremist Fox News fans out there who might take those words out of context and might be inspired to carry out acts of violence. Like the right-wing terrorists that Fox News believes don’t exist. In 2010, Byron Williams traded gunfire with 10 California Highway Patrol Officers after they stopped him for erratic driving. After his arrest, Williams said he intended to start a revolution by traveling to San Francisco and killing important members of the Tides Foundation and the ACLU. He also claimed that he was inspired by Beck’s chalkboard conspiracy theories on liberal groups and described himself as a “progressive hunter.” Another avid Glenn Beck fanboy was Richard Poplawski who fired upon 5 Pittsburgh cops with an AK-47 and killed 3 of them. According to a friend, Poplawski loved Glenn Beck and was reportedly obsessed with Beck’s theories of an imminent food crisis, that paper money would soon be worthless, and that the government planned to intern dissidents in concentration camps. A third is Kenneth B. Kimberly who discussed bombing a bridge and made threatening statements about Obama. Little did he know, he was talking to an undercover federal agent who led investigators to seize 20,000 of ammunition rounds and several firearms from his property. He and other suspected militia members also gathered at his home to make grenades. Kimberly also claims to be a leader of the extreme right-wing militia called the Brotherhood of American Patriots whose mission is to “resist in the event the government started rounding up the patriots” and to stand up in the face of foreign invasions and societal breakdowns. Gives you an idea how Fox’s violent rhetoric could go.

Bill O’Reilly’s time at Fox News has consisted of allegations of sexual harassment, extortion, domestic abuse, calling for an abortionist’s murder, and pathological lying. On that last part, O’Reilly has lied about his past as well as written a series of books based on dubious historical research. Any other reporter with a rap sheet like that would’ve been fired. But Bill O’Reilly still has a show and the network has jumped to his defense. Shame.

14. Failing to Hold Newscasters Accountable– Yes, working at Fox News isn’t really nice since newscasters are coached on what to report and female on-air talent are subject to harassment and confined to a skimpy outfit dress code. But when it comes to some really awful stuff among its talent, Fox News doesn’t seem to do anything about it or at least until there’s a big public scandal or the newscaster has become an increased liability to the network. And a lot of Fox newscasters get away with shit that their mainstream media counterparts wouldn’t. Yes, I know the bit about Roger Ailes being booted out as Fox News CEO for sexual harassment. But if it wasn’t for Gretchen Carlson filing a high profile lawsuit, Ailes would be network head today. Besides, other Fox executives and newscasters have had sexual harassment allegations as well. One of them is Bill O’Reilly whose show is still on the air and has also been accused of extortion and domestic abuse. O’Reilly also repeatedly denounced Kansas abortionist Dr. George Tiller for 4 years before his murder and may have called for his death. But he responded to such allegations saying, “no backpedaling here … every single thing we said about Tiller was true.” Maybe, but that’s absolutely no excuse for inciting violence against him and such comments are very irresponsible, especially for a public figure. Then we have O’Reilly’s long list of lies. He’s lied about winning two Peabodys for hosting Inside Edition in the 1990s which is a tabloid show. He’s claimed to be an average guy who came from nothing when he spent his childhood growing up in an affluent New York suburb, attending private school and college, taking regular vacations in Florida, and lucking out of the draft during Vietnam. Furthermore his father was a currency accountant for an oil company and I’m sure he earned more than $35,000 a year unlike what O’Reilly claims. He’s lied about knocking at the front door at George de Mohrenschildt’s daughter’s home at the moment de Mohrenschildt committed suicide. Audio files made by Gaeton Fonzi indicate he wasn’t there. He even lied about surviving a combat situation covering the 1982 Falklands War, even though there were no American journalists in the islands during the conflict. And that O’Reilly had arrived to Buenos Aires shortly before the war ended. He later said the situation was a riot in Buenos Aires after Argentina surrendered. Former CBS colleague Eric Engberg said the riot they covered wasn’t a combat situation where he heard no shots fired and saw no ambulances or tanks on the street. Furthermore, the sound guy and cameraman with O’Reilly at the time have backed up Engberg’s claims. At any rate, archived video of the incident shows that O’Reilly might’ve been right about the Falklands War riots being combat situations. However, his other claims regarding his reporting in El Salvador and Northern Ireland were questioned. In 2013, he stated: “I’ve seen soldiers gun down unarmed civilians in Latin America, Irish terrorists kill and maim their fellow citizens in Belfast with bombs.” He’s even claimed that he saw nuns gunned down in El Salvador. Later it was clarified that O’Reilly had been shown images of murdered nuns and Irish bombings but wasn’t an eyewitness in either case. Then he’s said to lie about being attacked by protesters while reporting the LA Riots which has also been disputed by former colleagues at Inside Edition. In the mainstream network news, you have NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams who lied about witnessing a helicopter being shot down in Iraq and got canned for it. O’Reilly lied about witnessing events several times and is still working. Not to mention the Daily Dot has a list of 99 of his lies and his history books have been charred by historians for being off-based and weakly researched. His books have even been bashed by conservative news outlets. His Killing Lincoln book was banned at the Ford’s Theatre bookstore for historical inaccuracies by the National Park Service which included a claim that Lincoln’s War Secretary Edwin Stanton was involved in his assassination plot. A claim in which he and co-author Martin Dugard failed to provide evidence. They also claim that Lincoln worked in his Oval Office which was actually constructed in 1909. In fact, his office was actually what we now call the Lincoln bedroom. Meanwhile, when respected CBS News anchor and 60 Minutes correspondent Dan Rather couldn’t supply any tangible proof on George W. Bush skipping out on his military service in 2004, the network fired him. O’Reilly still has his job despite that he’s been widely seen as a pathological liar. Yet, the fact he hasn’t been fired for things most journalists got canned for is just very disturbing as far as the media landscape goes.

This is Wayne Simmons who was a Fox News resident “terror expert” claiming to be a former CIA agent. He was later sentenced to 33 months in jail for decades of fraudulent claims about being a CIA agent. He’s also had a rapsheet of swindling and firearms violations. You have to wonder what Fox News’ background check system is like.

15. Failing to Fact Check Sources and Background Check Experts– Like I said, Fox News cares more about their conservative agenda than it does about facts. And it doesn’t really care where they get their information from. So fact-checking sources isn’t really in vogue at the network. A lot of Fox’s sources usually come from the Heritage Foundation think tank but they also rely on conspiracy theorists and websites like Infowars which is owned by radio host Alex Jones who’s listed as an extremist by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Now Jones is notorious for his epic rants about “New World Order” plots for world government enforced eugenics, secret internment camps, militarized police, and behind the scenes control by a global corporate cabal. According to him, the only way to avert this dystopian future is if true patriots resist before it’s too late. His hundreds of thousands of acolytes are taking heed, building bunkers, hoarding food, and investing in precious metals. You might’ve seen Glenn Beck promoting these things whether on Fox News or on Comedy Central. In some cases like with Richard Poplawski and Jared Loughner, they’re resorting to violence like killing 3 cops with an AK-47 or killing 6 people and shooting a US Congresswoman in the head. He also believes that some of the nation’s worst mass shootings and terror attacks were government-led “false-flag” operations and even suggested that 9/11 was an inside job. Another SPLC extremist luminary Fox News has had on their network is self-proclaimed historian David Barton whose book The Jefferson Lies was recalled by the world’s largest Christian publishing company for too many serious errors. You know the kind of gross factual mistakes that would end a real historian’s career. Barton has promoted the false notion that our Founding Fathers never intended a separation between church and state but rather sought to build a Christian nation. His Wallbuilders group sells lots of books and DVDs pushing his fun-house vision of religious patriotism. However, despite being among “one of the 25 most influential Evangelicals” he’s an utter fraud whose version of American history is filled with flagrant omissions and distortions that bend reality to his own fact-free vision. Even among conservative Christian history scholars who’ve refuted his claims think he’s a crackpot. He was a regular guest on Glenn Beck’s “Founders’ Fridays.” Sometimes Fox would feature experts with sketchy credentials or sketchy ties. Many of the climate-denying “scientists” on the network don’t have a scientific background. One time, Bill O’Reilly had a “national security analyst” Ryan Mauro who claimed that Muslims were forming “no-go zones” in the US where they would train and launch domestic attacks. Not only they were never substantiated by credible sources in law enforcement, but he’s actually a national security analyst for the Clarion Project which has been classified as an anti-Muslim hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Fox News has invited him back numerous times to spread his false and inflammatory smears that give Fox News viewers the wrong impression of Islam along with an unwarranted fear of peaceful fellow citizens. There’s also Milwaukee sheriff named David Clarke who delivered a keynote address to a New York chapter Oath Keepers meeting, a right-wing militia terrorist group who believe in a wild set of conspiracy theories. These people were best known for their controversial presence during protests and unrests in Ferguson, Missouri during which members were armed with semi-automatics. The SPLC lists its founder as an extremist while the Anti-Defamation League describes them as “heavily armed extremists with a conspiratorial and anti-government mindset looking for potential showdowns with the government.” There was even a Fox News commentator Wayne Simmons who claimed to be a former CIA agent and had appeared numerous times on the network since 2002. He would later be sentenced to 33 months due to his fraudulent claims about being a CIA agent for decades and actually had neither military nor intelligence background. He also defrauded a woman out of $125,000 in a bogus real estate investment, defrauded the government several times, and illegally possessed two firearms around his arrest (due to being barred from having prior firearms violations at both the state and federal level). In other words, the man was a con artist. So I guess Fox News doesn’t do background checks on their experts either.

Here’s a picture depicting the people whom Fox News sees as the most dangerous people on earth. One is the first black president they’ve talked shit about for years. The other Pope Francis whom Fox News labeled a Marxist who just bashed their brand of journalism. Oh, wait, what Fox News does isn’t really journalism. They just try to pass it on like it is. No wonder The Daily Show and late night comedians make fun of them.

The National Security Threat of Domestic Terrorism (Depicted by the News Media)

Posted by historymaniacmegan on September 24, 2016

american-domestic-terrorism

When Americans think about terrorism, they usually imagine 9/11 and other attacks perpetuated by people who aren’t from this country and who aren’t like us. Groups like Al Qaida and ISIS usually come to mind. Yet, while foreign terrorist attacks like 9/11 are enough to make us frightened and willing to send troops to Afghanistan, there’s a national security threat more pressing that most people don’t pay much attention to. It’s called domestic terrorism which refer to terror acts carried out by US citizens or permanent residents on US soil. Domestic terrorists have committed 80% of attacks since 9/11 and killed more Americans on US soil than their foreign counterparts. Under current US law enforcement, the USA PATRIOT ACT defines acts as domestic terrorism those in which:

involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State;
appear to be intended –
1. to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
2. to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion;
3. to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping;
occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.

Accurately referred to as “America’s Favorite Domestic Terrorist,” legendary abolitionist John Brown has become a highly controversial figure both for his anti-slavery ideology as well as his violent tactics. But he perfectly illustrates why Americans may have a hard time recognizing domestic terror even in their American history books.

But when it comes to identifying domestic terrorism in contemporary culture, a lot of Americans struggled since the perpetrators may look like them and may share ideas that they kind of agree with. A good case in point is American abolitionist John Brown who’s known for participating in Bleeding Kansas and trying to overthrow the institution of slavery through staging an unsuccessful raid on Harper’s Ferry in 1859 that killed 7 and injured 10. Brown’s raid on a government arsenal in present day West Virginia clearly fit USA PATRIOT ACT’s definition of domestic terrorism. Brown’s raid involved acts dangerous to human life that violated US and state criminal laws, were clearly intended to intimidate civilians and influence government policy, and definitely occurred on US soil. The fact he believed himself an instrument of God’s wrath in punishing men for the sin of slavery certainly proves that his extremist beliefs had a religious dimension. But since Brown’s motivation behind his attack on Harper’s Ferry was to overthrow the institution of slavery, well, he’s rarely seen as such even by modern day academics. Mostly because Americans agree that slavery was a very terrible sin and the fact it divided the country as well as took 4 year civil war to outlaw it. So in hindsight, Brown’s idea of destroying the institution of slavery through violence isn’t really that crazy (though to a point). And it’s mainly because of Brown’s abolitionist views no matter how extreme they were that he’s often seen as a heroic martyr and visionary to many people. Nevertheless, Brown’s actions prior to the American Civil War and the tactics he chose still make him a very controversial figure today. But Brown’s life and our perception of him illustrate why a lot Americans have difficulty identifying acts of terror by our fellow countrymen in the nation. This is a problem as I explain in this post in FAQ and list format.

This is a photoshopped picture that advocates gun control. However, it also illustrates the problem the media has with identifying domestic terrorist attacks.

If law enforcement has a clear definition on what domestic terrorism is, why is the term used so subjectively as a media and political term?

It’s mainly because when it comes to domestic terrorism, law enforcement and the mainstream media live in two different realities and have very different motivations for identifying what constitutes one. And the latter usually has more influence on the American people. Since American law enforcement’s main priority is ensuring public safety, their criteria for identifying terrorists acts is based on criteria defined in the USA PATRIOT ACT. So when it comes to defining domestic terrorism, all law enforcement care about is whether the act was criminal and endangered human lives, whether it was intended to promote a political agenda through coercion or intimidation, and whether it was committed by someone who lived in the US on US soil. That’s it. By contrast, the media defines domestic terrorism quite differently through the following criteria:

One of the most significant factors in how the media determines whether a violent attack is domestic terrorism is the suspect’s identity. If they’re Muslim, chances are that they’ll be labeled as a terrorist is very high.

Perpetrator’s Race and Cultural Identity – If the perpetrator is a Muslim American, their chances of being seen as a domestic terrorist are extremely high regardless of motivation. If it’s a non-Muslim white American with a conventional name, their chances of being seen as a domestic terrorist are usually dependent on other factors. As for the likelihood of non-Muslim blacks and Hispanics perpetrators, it’s very hard to say since both groups are often associated with criminal stereotypes though neither are widely perceived as terrorists.
Perpetrator’s Motivation– Any American Muslim perpetrator who commits an act of terror in the name of Islam will be automatically be labeled a terrorist in the media as well as linked to foreign Islamic terrorist groups like Al-Qaida or the Islamic State. Black and Hispanic perpetrators will only be identified as such if they’re connected to known terrorist groups or embrace an extremist ideology. But when it comes to non-Muslim white terrorists, it can vary considerably depending on their motivation. White violence against women, racial and religious groups, LGBT people, disabled people, and immigrants will usually be seen as hate crimes at best but not always and not without controversy (if the incident is covered at all). Yet, many hate crimes usually qualify under the USA PATRIOT ACT’s definition of domestic terrorism anyway. Anti-abortion and ecological extremists are less likely to be seen as domestic terrorists since a lot of people hold anti-abortion and environmentalist views. So like John Brown, labeling them as such is controversial though they’ll certainly be seen as nuts regardless political ideology. Then you have the anti-government perpetrators whose acts of terror may cause controversy if ever labeled domestic terrorism. This is especially the case when you’re talking about right-wing extremists or the open carry crowd (though open carry may be legal in some states, carrying a gun in public is an act of intimidation and coercion so it qualifies).
Nature of the Attack– In the media, the nature of the attack matters considerably such as the method and body count. Perpetrators who stage bombings that kill lots of people will most likely be seen as domestic terrorists. So would any attacks that involve hijacking, bioweapons, mass poisoning, hostage taking, chemical weapons, kidnapping, and property destruction. Shootings may depend on whether the perpetrator is either Muslim or clearly committing a hate crime. At any rate, they have to involve violence and/or fatalities. Despite causing hundreds of millions in property damage and having a sheer volume of crimes, eco-terrorists aren’t really seen as such since a lot of their crimes don’t get people killed. Same goes for left-wing Communist and anarchist terrorists. Merely using guns to intimidate people based on political ideology may not be labeled as domestic terrorism when it clearly is. Cyberterrorism may get some attention even though it’s not considered such while paper terrorism doesn’t get much attention at all.
Location– Attacks that take place in major cities are more likely to be labeled as domestic terrorism than ones in less urban areas, especially if they take place near places of great significance. In some ways, this makes sense but also ignores a lot of other terror incidents that take place around the country.

Meanwhile, if the perpetrators in question are white, right-wing, and stage a heavily armed takeover of a national wildlife refuge in Oregon, you might expect headlines like this. Since AP is held to very high journalistic standards, this headline tweet is appalling. These guys aren’t peaceful protesters. They have guns with them and they took over a national wildlife refuge in order to intimidate people and influence government conduct. It’s domestic terrorism, plain and simple.

If you watch TV news, you might get the impression the media is more likely to label a violent incident as domestic terrorism based on a biased set of criteria which gives Americans the impression that terrorists tend to be Islamic extremists. When in reality, Muslim terrorist attacks aren’t a very big threat to national security, even after 9/11. Why the media decide does this:

Contrary to what you might be accustomed to on the news, anti-government, racist, and other nonjihadist extremist killed nearly twice as many people as those by Islamic jihadist since 9/11. Many Americans don’t realize this, especially if they’re on a steady diet of Fox News. Maybe that’s because most nonjihadist terrorists are white.

Desire to Avoid Controversy– Domestic terrorism is a loaded word. And while the mainstream media likes sensational news stories, they also take great aims to avoid offending people. This is particularly true when a terror incident involves right-wing extremists since a lot of mainstream media outlets are owned by large corporate conglomerates. Some like Fox News even have a right-wing ideology. That’s not to say leftist terrorists exist since they certainly do since Occupy Wall Street might qualify since they have a long list of property crimes, rampant drug use, rape, murder, and assaults. But when Janet Napolitano brought up the threat of right-wing domestic terrorism in 2009, Republicans were furious.
Public’s Unwillingness to Identify with Terrorists– Like I said about terrorists, people are more comfortable to label a terrorist act as such if the perpetrator is different from them. And since a lot of people don’t know anyone who’s Muslim, Muslim perpetrators are more likely to be seen as terrorists than their non-Muslim counterparts. But when a terror incident involves white supremacists and other right-wing extremists, a lot of conservative politicians hesitate to declare it as such. Many of them even downplay dangers posed by right-wing extremism altogether. This is especially when Fox News glorifies a Nevada rancher who engaged in an armed standoff against the feds over grazing rights and a bunch of armed men for occupying a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon and the fact the current GOP presidential nominee has been endorsed by white supremacists. When it comes to right-wing domestic terrorism, most conservatives are like Draco Malfoy. Sure they may be totally comfortable having racist, xenophobic, homophobic, sexist, and anti-government views. And yes, they may not be happy with the political and cultural landscape these days as well as nostalgize about a past that never was. But like Draco Malfoy on Muggle-borns, most of these conservatives are neither extreme in their viewpoints nor are willing to resort to violent terrorist acts for them. On the other end, I may believe that this country should do more to protect the environment and stop climate change but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to bomb an animal testing facility because that’s crazy. But when someone commits an act of violence on behalf of their political agenda, it makes a lot of people who may share that perpetrator’s view to some extent very uncomfortable and reluctant to address it as an act of terror. So they don’t.
Sensationalism– We should understand that sensationalism sells and the media does everything it could to exploit violent terror incidents. The more violent it is and the nuttier the perpetrators seem, the more attention it will get and more ratings the media outlet will have. This is especially be the case if the perpetrator is Muslim.

According to a local law enforcement survey the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security, anti-government terrorism was seen as the top terrorist threat in their jurisdictions. And that percentage is far more than those who listed anything relating to Islamic terrorist threats. The media doesn’t really pay attention to this because most anti-government terrorists are white.

Unfortunately, the way the news covers domestic terror attacks has very negative repercussions in the country. Now it’s one thing to call a mass shooting in San Bernardino and at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando as domestic terrorism. Same goes for the Boston Marathon bombings. But it’s another when both these attacks are seen as acts of domestic terrorism while the mass shootings at Pittsburgh, Tucson, and Charleston are not. Rather as far as the media was concerned, these were attacks made by violently mentally ill white men. Sure it was an accurate assessment, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. For one, the man who fired an AK-47 at 5 cops in Pittsburgh was a white supremacist who believed Jews secretly ran everything and that Obama wanted to take away his guns. But as far as the media is concerned, he was just a crazy nutjob who killed 3 cops after his mom called police over a domestic dispute concerning a dog peeing on the carpet. Second, the Tucson shooter who tried to assassinate Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was a conspiracy theorist who believed in a New World Order to brainwash people. Third, the shooter who killed 9 people at the Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston was a white supremacist who donned a pro-apartheid jacket on his Facebook page, had a Confederate flag license plate, told racist jokes, advocated segregation, and went on a racist rant on how blacks are raping white women and taking over the world. Furthermore, he specifically chose to fire upon blacks at the church due to its long association with civil rights activism. Yet, these terror incidents were reported. Most aren’t covered by major news outlets at all. Negative repercussions of inadequate and sloppy coverage of domestic terrorism include:

The heavy attention on Islamic terrorism in the US media outlets had perpetuated rise and acceptability of Islamophobia as well as led to American Muslims being targets of everything from harassment to outright deadly violence. Featured here are American Muslims Yousef Abu-Salha, his brother-in-law Deah Barakat, and his sisters Yusor and Razan. Save for the Yousef, three people would later become victims of an anti-Muslim hate crime in a Chapel Hill condominium by one of their former white neighbors who was banned from the building. The man basically broke into Deah and Yusor’s condo and killed them and Razan in cold blood. Yousef would later say, “It’s a shame that you turn on a major news channel and you see a news story about ISIS and then they’ll cover our story and they do an okay job, but immediately after it will be another story about these radical groups. I think it sends US citizens a bad message that these Muslims are all the same.”

Legitimizes Discrimination– The media’s coverage of Islamic terrorism since 9/11 in the US and abroad has contributed so much to Islamophobia that Muslims in American pop culture have been nastily stereotyped as fanatical Islamic terrorists who hate our country and our western values. Each terror attack since then have been filtered by the media and consumed by the public as wrongdoings of Muslims around the world. Muslims have been further vilified and dehumanized in Hollywood movies like American Sniper. Because of this, American Muslims, Middle Easterners, and South Asians have become acceptable targets for profiling, oppression, and even terrorist attacks. For many Americans, just looking like a Muslim makes them an automatic terror suspect by default as well as someone to be feared. This is a major reason why welcoming Syrian refugees in the US has been so controversial even though it shouldn’t. Around the country, mosques have been fired on, defaced, or burned. Muslims have been shot and killed execution style in their living rooms, fatally stabbed on their way home as well as been beaten in their stores, schools, and on the streets. They’ve also been kicked out of planes, egged outside Walmart, scorched with hot coffee in a park, shot in cabs, and punched while pushing their children in strollers. They’ve had clothes set on fired and their children bullied in school. They’ve been threatened by neighbors who’d burn down their house if they didn’t move away as well as had their cemeteries vandalized and Quran desecrated. They’ve been fired for wearing hijabs and for praying. A Muslim congressman has received death threats. In Irving, Texas, heavily armed right-wing gunmen blocked entrance of a mosque and held banners reading, “we are the solution to Islamic terrorism.” Other armed anti-Islam demonstrations and “Muslim-free” businesses raise deep concerns. Civil and human rights advocates are challenging the use of “domestic terrorism” believing that it’s doled out in a racially-discriminatory manner that merely exacerbates hate they and law enforcement are trying to prevent. Exacerbating hate on a group of people who just happen to have the same religion as terrorists is not a solution to Islamic terrorism and just makes it worse. The fact that 55% of Americans hold an unfavorable view of Islam makes Islamophobia not just the biggest threat to American religious freedom, but also a potential threat to national security since Muslim communities play a crucial role in alerting law enforcement to terrorist threats.
Does Not Represent Reality– While the American public rightfully sees Islamic terrorists as a threat to safety, the reality of terrorism exists in all forms and that terrorists come from all racial and cultural backgrounds as well as embraced a wide range of extremist political and religious ideologies. For law enforcement officials, the biggest terrorist threats aren’t jihadists. Rather it’s far right wing extremists that have carried out well over half of the deadliest US terrorist attacks since 9/11, committing 93% of all extremist murders in the last 10 years. Most of their extremism is homegrown as well as pose a very real danger to this nation’s character such as pluralism, tolerance, and equality, which form the basis of a liberal democracy. Though jihadist terrorism is often reported on the news, the US has seen very little violent extremism by Muslims. On the other hand, white supremacists are among the most lethal since they’ve committed 83% of all right-wing extremist murders and 77% of all extremist killings in the past decade as well as were involved in 52% of shootings with police. They also regularly engage in various terrorist plots, acts, and conspiracies as well as other traditional forms of crime. Anti-government extremists, right-wing militias, and sovereign citizens are among the most common. But no matter what their ideology, right-wing extremists are also more numerous, cover a larger geographic range, and are more likely to live in your neighborhood. Not representing these groups in the media as the terrorists they are that we should condemn is very irresponsible, even if the station is Fox News.
Promotes Cultural Profiling– How the media has reported domestic terrorism can also lead to real but ineffective policies that have resulted in cultural profiling, particularly of Muslims and people suspected of being one. Those charged with plotting terrorism for the Islamic State faced more severe charges than militia members, “sovereign citizens,” and other anti-government extremist who’ve been prosecuted for similar activity (even though many more terrorist attacks in the US are carried out by non-Muslims). After 9/11, many American Muslims, South Asians, and those of Middle Eastern descent found themselves being subject to harsher security checks as well as are more likely to be on a no fly list or subject to surveillance. As a result, trust between law enforcement and Muslims has been strained. In recent years, anti-Islam bills became laws in 10 states. Florida and Tennessee passed laws revising the way they approve textbooks for classroom use as a direct result of anti-Islam campaigns. Don’t get me wrong, Islamic terrorists do exist in this country and do pose a threat to national security. But profiling Muslims as suspected terrorists by default is never excusable since the vast majority of them are regular people like us who just want to live their lives in peace and mind their own business.
Fails to Hold Public Figures Accountable for Their Rhetoric– The media is a huge influence in the American public but we should be aware what many public figures may say could be taken out of context by some nutjob who’d use it in a terror attack. It’s been widely suggested that political rhetoric may play a role in fueling hate crimes, especially since Donald Trump started running for president as well as said very hateful things about almost every demographic imaginable. But since he started running and calling on Muslim bans, anti-Muslim hate crimes dramatically increased to its highest levels since the aftermath of 9/11. It doesn’t help that Trump has been endorsed by white supremacist organizations whom he’s consistently failed to denounce. A lot of what’s said on Fox News has probably led to a lot of terror attacks and it doesn’t help that they have glorified anti-government terrorists like Cliven Bundy as heroes as well as inspired many nutcases to do horrible things that have killed people. Not to mention, a lot of conservative special interest groups have said similar things as well as many Republican politicians. I know there are liberal groups and Democrats who might inspire some degree of terror violence. But I single out conservatives since right-wing terrorism has become much more of a problem in recent years, according to terror experts and government organizations.And yes a lot of these radical right-wing extremists consume conservative media outlets like Fox News.
Ignores Very Real Threats– While Muslim terrorism in the news stirs fear and hatred for even the most ordinary Muslim Americans, the far more serious threat of the radical right has received relatively little attention. But bring that fact up in front of Republican politicians, expect outrage and even offense as an attack to demonize the right. The media seems to be just as deft to these threats, especially if it’s Fox News. Such response leads to downplay to take such threats as seriously as they should be by the public. Radical Right-Wing terrorists present a more deadly threat given their affinity for hoarding weapons and explosives. Not paying attention to these terrorists has consequences such as emboldening these people to carry out mass casualty attacks. Americans are much more likely to live near a white supremacist or anti-government sovereign citizen than a jihadist (A nearby town in my area had its own Klu Klux Klan chapter). When we’re talking about racial and religious minorities, living near a radical right-wing terrorist can put them in very real danger.
Compromises Public Safety for Vulnerable Populations– Whenever domestic terror incidents aren’t reported and treated as the heinous acts they are, people are left very vulnerable to attacks. This was very apparent in the South during segregation when countless African Americans were subject to lynchings as a way to control black communities and retain white supremacy. During the Civil Rights Movement, African Americans and other activists were frequent targets of white supremacist violence. Though white supremacy is no longer as acceptable as it was, the hateful ideology and violence hasn’t gone away. Recent incidents including a white supremacist firing on Black Lives Matter activists in Minneapolis, a NAACP building bombing in Colorado, and a black church shooting in Charleston. In every terror attack involving Muslims since 9/11, hate crimes against Muslims in America have become alarmingly high. A study from Georgetown University has reported 174 incidents of anti-Muslim violence from 2015 consisting of 12 murders, 29 physical assaults, 50 threats against people and institutions, 54 acts of vandalism, 8 arsons, and 9 shootings or bombings. Contrary to what the media might say, Muslims are far more likely to become terror victims than terror perpetrators. However, Muslims and blacks aren’t the only group in the country vulnerable to domestic terrorism in the nation even by white supremacists. White supremacist groups also target immigrants, minorities, Jews, LGBT people, and sometimes Christians. Targets for anti-government and sovereign citizens are law enforcement and other authority figures. Still, not recognizing clearly politically motivated attacks by non-Muslim perpetrators leaves many Americans especially vulnerable.

It is no secret that now GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has been endorsed by the Klu Klux Klan over his racist remarks on Mexicans, blacks, immigrants, and Muslims. However, Trump hasn’t distanced himself from this white supremacist terrorist organization which has a long history of violence against blacks since its formation during Reconstruction. If a presidential candidate from a major party can’t denounce a terrorist endorsement, then that person isn’t fit to be president. Seriously, the KKK are beyond deplorable.

As you can see the state of how the news media depicts domestic terrorism is appalling. Excessive coverage of one group of terrorists has led to disproportionate fear, suspicion, and unjust discrimination against a religious minority and other others. But significant less attention of a far more serious homegrown terrorist threat has gone under the media radar and has neither been sufficiently challenged by our political culture nor law enforcement. Not only this disproportionate rate of media coverage lead to increased profiling and discrimination, it also makes the US less safe as a whole. Furthermore, it makes public figures less likely to take responsibility for their rhetoric that could inspire many of these nutjobs to commit heinous acts. Now while the government may be slow to act on domestic terrorism, the media doesn’t have to. In fact, if the media just got it together and report domestic terrorist attacks in a way they should, then it might actually encourage leaders to come up with policies combating it. After all, people didn’t take lynchings as serious acts of terrorism meant to intimidate black people during segregation in the South until Ida B. Wells investigated them in the 1890s and began an anti-lynching campaign to spread awareness about the atrocity. Today she is turning in her grave. If the news media should cover domestic terrorism correctly, then it must be depicted in a way that’s represents the reality. By that I mean showing that domestic terrorism can take many forms, be motivated by different ideologies, and committed by people of many different backgrounds. And that all these domestic terrorists should be treated as a national security threat to be taken seriously.

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Here we come to a bunch of heavily armed open-carry activists “protesting” at a mosque in Phoenix against “Islamic Radicalism.” In reality, they’re just a bunch of armed terrorists who are using their guns to intimidate the Muslims who worship there. This isn’t peaceful protesting, it’s domestic terrorism and should be treated that way. This should neither be tolerated nor encouraged by anyone. It’s utterly disgraceful anyone there with a gun wasn’t arrested. Because the country needs to know that armed protest rallies are never ever acceptable.

The Nesting World of Matryoshka Dolls

Posted by historymaniacmegan on September 21, 2016

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One of the more popular dolls around the world are Russian matryoshka dolls which is a set of wooden dolls that have one doll inside another and so on and so forth. The name “matryoshka” meaning “little matron” and is a diminutive form of the Russian girls’ name “Matryona” or “Matriosha.” Outside Russia, these are known as nesting dolls. Anyway, the original nesting doll set was carved in 1890 by Vasily Petrovich Zvyozdochkin and designed by folk crafts painter Sergey Vasilyevich Malyutin in Abramstevo. These men were inspired by a doll from Japan’s Honsu which may have been a hollow daruma doll of a Buddhist monk or a Seven Lucky Gods nesting doll. So it’s possible the popular doll sets associated with Russian arts and crafts could’ve had roots in Japan.Traditionally, the outer layer is a woman in Russian peasant garb but the figures inside can be of either gender. The smallest, innermost doll is usually a baby carved from a single piece of wood. A lot of the artistry is used in the painting of each doll which can be very elaborate. And each nesting doll set often follows a theme which can range from fairy tale characters, holiday decorations, and even Soviet leaders. For instance, my family has a nesting doll set of nutcrackers they sometimes use for Christmas. Today you can see nesting dolls covering just about anything which part of why I’m doing this post. There are even nesting doll sets from craft stores you can paint yourself. So for your reading pleasure, enjoy these unique Russian nesting doll sets.

With these Devo nesting dolls, you must whip it, whip it good.

This 1980s band was best recognized by their trademark hats. So doing a nesting doll set of the lineup wasn’t difficult.

2. Let yourself go with these nesting dolls from Frozen.

This set has Elsa, Anna, Kristoph, Hands, and Olaf in descending order. And each is well painted.

3. This nesting doll set is particularly presidential.

This one just has the presidential hits. Why FDR, Harry Truman, Teddy Roosevelt, James Madison, LBJ, and Richard Nixon weren't included, I have no idea.

This one just has the presidential hits. Why FDR, Teddy Roosevelt, James Madison, LBJ, or Richard Nixon weren’t included, I have no idea. Also, Ben Franklin wasn’t a president.

4. Henry VIII and his six wives always make for a great set of 7.

Henry VIII is the biggest while each wife is depicted in descending order. Sorry if Anne Bolelyn and Katherine Howard don't come with detachable heads.

Henry VIII is the biggest while each wife is depicted in descending order. Sorry if Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard don’t come with detachable heads.

5. Mexicans who celebrate Dia de los Muertos can’t do without this nesting doll set.

Each one is depicted as skulls as specified. Make great decorations on any Mexican shelf.

6. This nesting doll set pays tribute to Charlie Chaplin as the Little Tramp.

Of course, one doll depicts him as he normally looked like. But as an old movie buff, I find this set awesome.

7. If you like horror comedy, this Addams family nesting doll set is a delight.

Sure it doesn’t include Lurch and Uncle Fester. But it does consist of Gomez, Morticia, and their kids.

8. This nesting doll set was made for cat fanciers in mind.

A must have for the crazy cat ladies of lore. A set of 5 cat breeds.

9. Seems like we have a US and Russian crew on this space shuttle.

Yes, it’s a crew of 4. But the largest doll is a shuttle. How cool is that?

10. From the world of Roald Dahl, no one can resist this Charlie and the Chocolate Factory set.

Includes Willy Wonka, Charlie, the 4 brats, and an Oompah-Loompah. Great for inducing nightmares from children.

11. A set of Sesame Street nesting dolls is all you need to learn your ABCs.

However, I think Big Bird should be the biggest doll, not Elmo. Also, Bert and Ernie should be shown together. But whoever made this wanted to use different colors. Cookie Monster should be bigger as well.

12. On the child unfriendly side, there’s a nesting doll set from South Park.

This one depicts the main boys as well as Mr. Poop. Please don’t ask.

13. Minion fans will enjoy a nesting doll set like these.

Well, to be fair, minions aren’t hard to paint since they’re mostly yellow. Still, these are adorable.

14. Nesting doll fans should take a look at these painted owls.

Each owl is painted in a rather stylized fashion. But each is special in its own way. Then again, owl nesting dolls are probably not hard.

15. The theme of this nesting doll set is a costumed cat family.

Each of them seem to be in Renaissance costume. I think this is based off an artist who does cat paintings.

Each of them seem to be in Renaissance costume. I think this is based off an artist who does anthropomorphic cat paintings.

16. These nesting dolls are afraid of no ghost.

Kind of bummed they don’t have the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in this Ghostbusters line up. Well, you can’t win them all.

17. These ninja nesting will make you never see what’s coming.

After all, you don’t expect them to wear outfits in 5 different colors. Or be so adorable. Love it.

18. Civil War buffs would appreciate this nesting doll set of Union generals.

However, I’d take out George B. McClellan and Irving McDowell because one lost the Second Battle of Bull Run while the other was a perpetual chickenshit. Replace with Philip Sheridan and George H. Thomas. Or David Farragut.

19. This Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle set will make you say, “Cowabunga!”

Has the 4 Ninja Turtles and their mentor. Yes, Ninja Turtle fans, this set exists.

20. Teachers will surely appreciate a nesting doll set like this on their desks.

Each teacher has a tool to teach with in this set of 5. Not sure if they have one for guys. Probably not.

21. Florida Gators fans will enjoy this nesting doll set.

Yes, they have college sports ones as well as professional. Not sure who the players are under the helmets. Not that I care.

22. This owl set will surely be a hoot.

Yes, this is another owl nesting doll set. But these are painted more realistically. And I’m sure they’re not from North America.

23. What better way to honor Team USA during the Sochi Winter Olympics than with this nesting doll set?

I would’ve went with the Russian Rio set. But I found the wood on those dolls tested positive for performance enhancing drugs.

24. These firefighter nesting dolls are always to the rescue.

The large one even has its own hat. One even depicts a fireman trying to rescue someone from a building.

The large one even has its own hat. One even depicts a fireman in action. Includes dalmatian and fire hydrant.

25. If you’re Jewish, Russian, and like Marc Chagall, this set is for you.

Marc Chagall was a famous modernist artist who worked with several artistic styles in several artistic mediums. Part of his art was based on Eastern European Jewish folk culture.

26. Since there are so many lighthouses, there has to be a nesting doll set for them.

Noticed how the lighthouses are in different colors and styles. I guess the stripes seem to increase their visibility.

27. This nativity nesting doll set is perfect for Christmas at any home.

There are a lot of nativity scene nesting doll sets out there. This one was made for small children. So cute.

28. Nurses will appreciate this nesting doll set.

Notice how each nurse is dressed in a different way. And how each one of them handles different things.

29. Fans of Greek mythology will totally want this set of nesting dolls.

This mostly consist of mythological creatures. Not sure who or what that guy in the loin cloth is supposed to be.

30. This snowman family is all smiles in winter.

Guess this one isn’t hard to make. Still, I bet they’re all singing Christmas carols since two of them are holding books.

31. No nesting doll can be complete without a set of the King.

I may not be a fan of Elvis. But I know that many readers will appreciate these dolls. Doesn’t include his Vegas years.

32. For fairy tale sets, this Little Red Riding Hood one is worth howling over.

Includes all the known characters. However, what most people don’t know is that this children’s story originally didn’t have a happy ending. And it had sexual connotations.

33. This horror nesting doll set will give you a good scare.

These seem like extras from The Nightmare Before Christmas. But I’ll allow it. Great for those who love a good scare.

34. Not to be outdone, the Confederate side has nesting doll generals of their own.

I suppose James Longstreet is the smallest one because he became a Republican and civil rights advocate after the war. Not to mention, he didn’t think the South could win and was right.

35. This Happy Hoots nesting doll family will make you smile.

Yes, this is my third owl nesting doll set. But these have different colors on them. So I couldn’t pass it up.

36. Speaking of nesting dolls, these chickens are only fitting.

Comes with one rooster, 3 hens, and a chick. Great for down on the farm.

37. For dogs like these, it’s up to them to destroy the One Collar to rule them all.

This nesting doll set depicts dogs as Lord of the Rings characters. I know it’s crazy, right?

38. If you don’t like Ninja Turtles, a regular turtle set would do just fine.

Because while real turtles aren’t fit to be ninjas, they can be quite cool. Each one here has a unique shell.

39. For Queen fans, this nesting set will rock you.

Depicts each member of Queen and their logo. There are lots of songs from this group that get stuck in your head.

40. Those who grew up loving The Wizard of Oz will enjoy this set of nesting dolls.

Includes Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. I know it’s not the best but it’s the least scary rendition.

41. This Pink Floyd nesting doll set belongs on the dark side of the moon.

Wait, that group had 5 members. Why does this set depict 4? Maybe because Syd Barrett left the group early.

42. While some nesting doll sets are nativity scenes, this one depicts the life of Christ.

You have a lot of these sets, too. Usually they start at the nativity. This one depicts some of Jesus’s miracles and the Good Samaritan.

43. You have to have a hard heart not to appreciate this nesting doll set of woodland creatures.

Well, one of them is a chick while 2 are insects. But the others are a fox, rabbit, and owl. Probably made for kids.

44. A Van Gogh nesting doll set is great for anyone with a lust for life.

Shows Van Gogh’s self-portrait with 4 of his best known paintings. All of which didn’t earn him a dime.

45. For Will and Kate’s wedding, these nesting dolls are best desired.

Consists of Will and Kate, Elizabeth II and Philip, Charles, Diana, and Harry. All in a red background.

46. Since nesting dolls are from Russia, it’s only fair I present you a set of modern Russian leaders.

Soviet and otherwise to get my drift, starting with Lenin. But Putin is included.

47. This nesting doll set of Goldilocks and the Three Bears is just right.

Like how they made all the bears bigger than Goldilocks. She really should’ve known not to break into a bear home.

48. From New Zealand, is this set of Maori nesting dolls.

The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand who do exist (unlike Hobbits). They’re known for their striped grass skirts.

49. Fans of Wes Anderson will adore this nesting doll set of the Grand Budapest Hotel.

Depicts characters from the hit Wes Anderson movie that should’ve won the Oscar for Best Picture. Still, this is great.

50. No, I don’t think this is a set of ninja nesting dolls.

These are nesting dolls of Muslim women in the Middle East. Well, at least ones wearing a chador that only shows the eyes.

51. Russian nesting doll beauties always look great in furs.

Well, they seemed to dress quite fancy. But Russian winters can be quite brutally cold.

52. These painted women nesting dolls seem as immortal on wood as they are on canvas.

I guess these are from Renaissance paintings since they depict the Virgin Mary. Not to mention, a bunch of women dressed from the 16th century.

53. As with nesting dolls, burlesque involves multiple layers.

As you can see how each succeeding doll has less and less clothes on. The last one is totally nude.

54. No one can resist this panda bear nesting doll family.

I don’t think pandas live in groups like that for they’re solitary creatures. But this set is adorable.

55. This Obama First Family nesting doll set is sincerely presidential.

Let’s just say I’ll miss this bunch after Obama is out of office. This is especially if Mr. Hamsterhair gets elected president which I think will be an absolute nightmare.

56. This nesting doll set is among the best from the Hundred Acre Wood.

Includes Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Rabbit, and Piglet. Not sure if the Eeyore one had a great paint job.

Includes Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Owl, and Piglet. Not sure if the Eeyore one had a great paint job.

57. These dog nesting dolls seem all ready for a feast.

Seems like they are. Each seems to have their own dish according to breed. Viewers will adore this.

58. This dog nesting doll set is even loved by man’s best friend.

A lot of dog nesting doll sets seem to show single breeds. This one doesn’t which is why I put it on this post.

59. The Dark Knight of Gotham always needs his own nesting doll set.

This set is from the Dark Knight Saga. Features Bane, Catwoman, and the Joker.

60. If you like Russian fairy tales, these nesting dolls are just the thing.

Since nesting dolls are from Russia, it’s only fair. The large one has the gorgeous Firebird.

61. This nesting doll set depicts the planets of the Solar System.

This is sorted by size, by the way. And in accordance with most scientists, Pluto is not included.

62. Though Russian, nesting dolls can depict a variety of different cultures. This set is from Africa.

Probably from the sub Saharan region but I can’t say where. But you have to admire the colorful outfits.

63. For Czarist nostalgia, you have this Royal family nesting doll set.

Just remember that this set depicts a family that would all be killed by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution. Let that sink in.

64. These Disney Princess nesting dolls have all the royal touches.

Sure Mulan, Pocahontas, and Tiana aren’t included. But they’re not exactly princesses per se. Then again, Elsa is actually a queen.

65. Another Wes Anderson nesting doll set is from the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

It’s about a Jacques Cousteau like captain and his crew. But they all seem to wear the same outfit.

66. When it comes to nesting dolls, you never know how many can fit inside each other.

Most nesting doll sets usually consist of 5-8 dolls. But this one has almost infinite that you can barely see the smallest one.

67. These ninja nesting dolls all wear black and gold.

Yes, it’s another ninja nesting doll set. But these are dressed and black and have knives on them.

68. If you like animals and Wes Anderson, these Fantastic Mr. Fox nesting dolls will delight.

Includes all the critters you know and love from the stop motion Fantastic Mr. Fox. Adorable.

69. For these Gustav Klimt nesting dolls, each one has a masterpiece.

Klimt seems to have his way with colors, doesn’t he? His kiss is the most famous.

70. For Christmas, this nesting doll set is perfect decoration.

Then again, this might consist of more than one. But I really like the Christmas tree.

71. This second season Blackadder set is great for all your cunning plans.

This is great. Has Blackadder, Queenie, Lord Percy, Nursie, and Baldrick. Love it.

72. No one can resist these penguin nesting dolls that can melt a frozen heart.

About time, I included a penguin nesting doll set. Because these creatures are adorable. Love the beaks and tuxedos.

73. With this nesting doll set of Muhammad Ali, your shelf will truly be the greatest.

Yes, this depicts Muhammad Ali who died not to long ago. Doesn’t hurt if I put this on my post. RIP

74. Guess these nesting dolls can be nun too holy.

As it turns out this is a set of nun nesting dolls. Guess these were easy to paint. So cute.

75. Though these hot air balloon nesting dolls can’t fly, they sure delight.

Now that’s a rather clever concept. Like how each one has a different pattern. Lovely.

76. If you like old horror movies, then this set is the one for you.

Includes Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and the Mummy. Guess Wolf Man fans will be disappointed.

77. Snoopy fans will adore these Peanuts nesting dolls.

Well, it has Snoopy with his friends. Each one has a different color. Adorable.

78. Follow the life of Christ with this nesting doll set.

Like I said before, Jesus’s life is a popular nesting doll theme. This one depicts it in chronological order.

79. This nesting doll set has all the iconography.

Well, iconography from Russian and Eastern European churches. Some figures may repeat.

80. Sometimes colors and abstract concepts can be well suited for nesting dolls.

This one depicts rainbow colors with each sporting a unique pattern. Guess it’s easier than painting a face.

81. If you liked Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, you can’t resist nesting dolls like these.

The dwarves on here seem considerably smaller than Snow White. But that’s to be expected.

82. This set of nesting dolls depicts a group that set off the British Invasion in the 1960s.

Yes, these are the Beatles possibly from 1967. Though they’re not in their Sergeant Pepper gear at this point.

83. Speaking of the Beatles, these nesting dolls all live in a yellow submarine.

It’s from the cartoon they were in during the late 1960s. So having a nesting doll set of Yellow Submarine is inevitable.

84. Hello Kitty fans can’t resist nesting doll set like this.

Each is depicted in a shade of pink and purple. Each features Hello Kitty in a different outfit.

85. For Christmas you can’t do without a nesting doll set of Good St. Nick.

Each of these has a different Santa though their faces mostly look the same. And so do their clothes.

86. This nesting doll set is boldly going where no man has gone before.

The Scotty and Dr. McCoy nesting dolls don’t seem to look right on this. Also, there’s no Chekov.

87. These robot nesting dolls might be metal but they’ll melt your heart.

Each one has a different machine configuration. One may be radioactive.

88. This Game of Thrones nesting doll set has a wide range of characters.

Remember that some of these will not be coming back next season. But the show’s really popular so I have it on here.

89. For Nightmare Before Christmas fans, these nesting dolls are a must have.

Who knew that you’d have a nesting doll set for this. Oogie Boogie is the biggest one here.

90. On Middle Earth, this is the nesting doll set to rule them all.

This one is of the Fellowship of the Ring from Lord of the Rings. Notice the the Ring is the smallest piece.

91. These nesting dolls are coming for your brains.

Man, these zombie nesting dolls surely look hideous. Doesn’t help that it has a bloody brain.

92. If you like Stanley Kubrick, this Clockwork Orange nesting doll set is for you.

Personally, I prefer to see ones of Barry Lyndon, Spartacus, or Dr. Strangelove. Yet, know that A Clockwork Orange is a very violent movie. Very violent.

93. This Harry Potter nesting doll set will make you the pride of Hogwarts.

This mainly consist of Hogwarts students. Looks like Draco Malfoy has the smallest piece.

94. This Fab Four nesting doll set is a true collectors’ item.

Yes, it’s another Beatles nesting doll set. But this one depicts them early in their career. That’s different.

95. This Apple Steve Jobs nesting doll set is truly revolutionary.

Each doll has Jobs holding a different item. Smallest one has the icon.

96. These Batman nesting dolls are surely imposing.

Each one is of Batman in his batsuit and bat logo. Don’t ask. Clever.

97. This nesting doll set has all the czars.

Well, all the czars you probably know. And some that you don’t but should.

98. These modern art nesting dolls are a treat to look at.

I think they’re supposed to be in the style of Malevich. Have no idea who that is.

99. From Pixar, these Inside Out nesting dolls are a great fit.

This one has all the feelings in Riley’s head. Includes Joy, Fear, Disgust, Sadness, and Anger.

100. Finally, you can’t possibly do without a nesting doll set of nutcrackers.

Doesn’t exactly look like the one my family has. But as far as nesting doll Christmas decorations go, it will do.

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The Lone Girl in a Crowd

The thoughts and perceptions of an aspiring writer on life and the world around her