THE 9-11 POP CULTURE REPOSITORY
DIGITAL EPHEMERA (DISPOSABLE MATERIALS):
OSAMA BIN LADEN

Page 3: "Insult with Reference to Other Pop Culture"

In these graphics, humorous references are made to previously established American popular culture.

The reference here is to Ban, a longtime American brand of deodorant. Some Americans pronounced the Afghan ruling group as the "Tal-lee-BAN," as opposed to "Tol-lee-bon." The artist saw a connection between the deodorant and pronunciation. Further, the pun of a "stinking" terrorist is implied, both as someone to hate and someone who has bad body odor. The slogan also is a riff on Ban's rival, the women's brand Secret, which said "Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman." Again, there also is a Middle Eastern reference, with "goat scent" and "camel."

Another person gets his head replaced with bin Laden's -- in this case, Mike Myers, playing his villain, Dr. Evil, from the Austin Powers movies. Referenced here is the second film, The Spy Who Shagged Me, in which Dr. Evil's clone comes out too small, but he keeps him anyway and dubs him Mini-Me. "Mini Bin" is one of bin Laden's al-Qaeda lieutenants.

In the 1980s, dairies in the United States began the practice of putting missing children on milk cartons as a "public service." Many of these notices began, "HAVE YOUR SEEN ME?" This same question is asked for Osama bin Laden -- also heavily insulted as "ugly-ass, piss poor," etc. -- and gives the command not to call up and report your sighting, but to just go ahead and kill him yourself! Another Middle Eastern reference and/or stereotype -- this is goat milk.

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