A site linked from Shaw Island.

Military hamsters capture toy sales

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Sales of military toys are getting a boost from the war in Iraq. And not just the standard G.I. Joe.

Plush hamsters dressed in military garb from all four branches of the U.S. armed forces, made by Gemmy Industries, have also been selling rapidly, according to a spot check of stores.

The Irving, Texas-based maker of the singing, dancing hamsters, shipped to K-B Toys and Walgreens 10 days ago, is now air freighting them from China and also speeding up production, said spokesman Jason McCann.

Gemmy has a full line of dancing hamsters — from boxer Apollo Creed of "Rocky" fame to a handcuffed CEO in an orange jumpsuit and briefcase, presumably caught in a scandal.

It began making its armed-forces hamsters just six months ago, shipping the first to stores last month.

Military-theme computer games also are in higher demand. "There's definitely been an uptick" in military-related toys, said Jim Silver, publisher of the Toy Book, an industry monthly.

Still, given polarized views of the war, the toys have ignited controversy.

Kmart spokeswoman Abigail Jacobs said Easter baskets stuffed with toy military soldiers are "doing better in some regions than others."

A few weeks ago, a woman in a bunny suit was arrested after protesting such toys in a Kmart store in Manhattan. And a protest outside a Grass Valley, Calif., Kmart led to the store's decision not to restock the baskets with military toys, Jacobs said.

Take a look at the country where these 'patriotic' toys are being made.