
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, December 30, 1993                   TAG: 9312300240
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SAN DIEGO                                LENGTH: Short

`TERRORIST' ACT HAS G.I. JOE SHOPPING

When 7-year-old Zachariah Zelin ripped off the Christmas wrapping, he squealed with delight. Santa brought the talking G.I. Joe doll he wanted. Problem was, Joe talked like Barbie.

His doll stands at the ready in its Army fatigues, machine gun and hand grenades at its side. But it says things like, "Want to go shopping?"

The BLO has claimed responsibility. That's Barbie Liberation Organization.

Made up of more than 50 concerned parents, feminists and other activists, the BLO claims to have surreptitiously switched the voice boxes on 300 G.I. Joe and Barbie dolls across the United States this holiday season.

"We have operatives all over the country," said one BLO member, who wished to remain anonymous. "Our goal is to reveal and correct the problem of gender-based stereotyping in children's toys."

Among the messages the tampered G.I. Joe utters are, "I love school. Don't you?" and "Let's sing with the band tonight."

In a deep voice, the altered Barbie says, among other things, "Dead men tell no lies."

The BLO contends Barbie teaches sexism and passivity in girls, and G.I. Joe influences boys to act violently.

Zachariah wants to keep Joe. "I love him," he said. "He's teaching me not to fight."

by CNB