US museum souvenirs attacked by peace groups

AMERICANS love a gift shop. Even the most dry academic institution, government department or museum will be sure to boast some sort of store that lets it all hang out for the privileged, from Central Intelligence Agency shot-glasses to lettered alumni slippers. And not only do Americans love to buy the stuff, they flaunt it, too. Fifty-year-olds scoot about in cars emblazoned with the decals of a university they attended 30 years ago. Even President Bill Clinton is not above a chunky pair of White House cuff-links on occasion.

The National Atomic Museum at the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is no exception. But its own special combination of kitsch Americana and Internet retailing is producing some extreme results.

A quick tour of the museum's Web site 'proudly offers several items you won't be able to find anywhere else' and gifts 'guaranteed to start a conversation'.

They certainly have in Tokyo at least. Spiralling protests from peace groups there have forced the museum to withdraw its 'exclusive' line of atomic bomb ear-rings - replicas of the 'Fat Man' and 'Little Boy' bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II - but only once current stocks run out.

It would be nice to assume the protests shocked the institution into undergoing a bad taste examination. Apparently not.

Still on show is an 'atomic tie' and a memorial plaque celebrating the 50th anniversary of the bombing missions led by the 509th Composite Group in 'their honour and to the lives they saved'. A hanging brass commemorative medallion is similarly plugged: 'Be sure to hang this beautiful souvenir ornament on your Christmas tree this winter'.

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