Philadelphians scared of toys?

If, as Sigmund Freud is often said to have stated, "a fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity," then what are we to think of people who fear toy weapons? The Philadelphia Daily News article in that link is about the Thanksgiving Parade in Philly, which honored Philadelphia Officer Chuck Cassidy, who was recently shot and killed in the line of duty. At the parade, toy vendors caused some parade goers to wrinkle their delicate noses in disapproval of the fact that toy guns were displayed for sale.

In a city gripped by gun violence and patrolled by on-edge cops who just lost one of their own to a bullet, many parade-goers yesterday said they were surprised and disturbed to see vendors selling toy assault weapons on the Ben Franklin Parkway.

"It just wasn't a good thing," said Gail Reide, who sat on a bench with her two cousins, ages 4 and 2. "It just lacks wisdom in today's environment."

Apparently, "wisdom," to Ms. Reide's way of thinking, is raising another generation of helpless herbivores.

According to the article several officers at the parade were among those offended, but thankfully, apparently not quite all of them have such tender sensibilities.

While some officers seemed upset to see toy guns being sold, others shrugged it off.

"What can I tell you?" one officer said. "Boys will be boys. Let's hope their parents teach them the right thing."

Imagine that--hoping that parents go to the effort of actually raising their children, rather than trying to emasculate them.

One of the toy vendors was evidently quite surprised about the amount of heat he took for his toy selection.

Roberts, 28, who owns Roberts Novelty, of Easton, said he was unaware of Philly's gun problem. He said he's used to working small towns with a pro-gun culture.

"We go down South a lot and that stuff sells real good," he said.

If I were you, Mr. Roberts, I'd seriously consider going back to the "small towns with a pro-gun culture"--not only are sales apparently better, but such places tend to be vastly safer than urban sewers like Philly.