New G.I. Joe Symptomatic of a Growing Cancer

If Hollywood get its way, G.I. Joe will no longer be the toy symbol of the quintessential American hero--the U.S. Marine. A movie project is in the making that will remove G.I. Joe as the symbol of American military might and place him under an international special operations force in Brussels.

Paramount plans to turn 'G.I. Joe' into an acronym meaning 'Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity.'

Apparently Paramount is concerned about its international marketing ability should the new film glorify the American military.

But, of course, as supporters say, G.I. Joe is only a toy, right? It means nothing, actually.

Think again.

The new 'G.I. Joe' is a symptom of a growing cancer--that of degrading American patriotism in favor of a generic, international entity in which citizens are no longer citizens of the United States of America, but citizens of the 'universe,' or the 'global community,' or whatever the hell else the modern-day neo-Commies wish to call it.

G.I. Joe bears the face of a real American military hero by the name of Colonel Mitchell Paige, a World War II veteran. Paige had served in the Pacific theatre as one of the Marines the U.S. Navy dropped off to drive the Japanese off the island of Guadalcanal.

Paige lost 90 of his men during the battle. The Japanese lost over 2000 soldiers.

The citation for Paige's Metal of Honor reads, 'When the enemy broke through the line directly in front of his position, P/Sgt. Paige, commanding a machine gun section with fearless determination, continued to direct the fire of his gunners until all his men were either killed or wounded. Alone, against the deadly hail of Japanese shells, he fought with his gun and when it was destroyed, took over another, moving from gun to gun, never ceasing his withering fire.'

Hasbro Toys contacted Paige some years ago to request his permission to use his face on its G.I. Joe. Paige consented. And ever since, the toy soldier has born the image of one of the finest heroes in U.S. history.

Oh, and by the way, when Paige gave his consent to be the face of G.I. Joe, he stipulated that he would agree to the deal 'only as long as G.I. Joe remains a United States Marine.'

Paramount should be resoundingly condemned for planning such a desecration of a real American hero (Paige is now deceased). It is not the toy that counts. It is the man whose face G.I. Joe bears.

Once again, the creeping crawl of globalization is about to gobble up another piece of unique Americana. The United States of America is not about a North American Union, an 'Amero,' the U.N., or some European Union entity in Brussels. Those who push these ideas are one half-step away from being outright traitors.