the evil-doers, perhaps, are not actually that smart

this story cries out for the photo. why couldn't they include it??

http://www.suntimes.com/output/iraq/cst-nws-iside02.html

GI taken hostage may be action figure Cody

February 2, 2005BY ROBERT H. REID Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A Web site posted a photograph of what it claimed was a kidnapped U.S. soldier, but doubts were quickly raised about its authenticity, and the U.S. military said no soldiers were missing.

An American toy manufacturer said the figure in the photo resembled one of its military action figures, originally produced for sale at U.S. bases in Kuwait.

The statement appeared on a Web site where militants' statements are often posted and was in the name of a group that has claimed previous kidnappings, the Mujahedeen Brigades.

The Arabic text, however, contained several misspellings and repetitions.

Staff Sgt. Nick Minecci, a U.S. military spokesman, said ''no units have reported anyone missing.''

No expression

The photo in the posting showed a figure dressed in desert fatigues, wearing a vest and knee pads and with a gun pointed to its head. All the items are similar to ones that come in a box with the action figure, named ''Cody.''

Hanging behind him is a black piece of cloth with the Islamic profession of faith written on it in white letters.

But the figure appeared stiff and expressionless. The statement said he was named ''John Adam.''

Liam Cusack, of the toy manufacturer Dragon Models USA, said the image bore a striking resemblance to its ''Cody'' action figure.

''To me, it looks definitely like it is,'' Cusack said. ''Everything the guy is wearing is exactly what comes with our figure. If you look at the two pictures side by side, it'd be a huge coincidence.''