Friendly Mascots

While we ponder the possiblities of an additional University of Toledo mascot--if not an Extreme Makeover for Rocky--let's take a look at the mascots chosen for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The Five Friendlies, each in the color of an Olympic Ring, will, according to the Olympic Games website, "carry a message of friendship and peace ...and good wishes from China."

I suppose these Pokemon-like cartoon characters: the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow, and the Olympic Flame--are a fitting vehicle for sending such a message.

And such a message is in stark contrast to the other messages China is currently dispatching to the world.

They could have chosen short-range ballistic missles as the five mascots (which would not be unlike our Rocket that greets spectators at the Glass Bowl.

They could have created cutesy, cartoonish executioners...China still leads the world in executions, according to Amnesty International.

Gosh, imagine the possiblities for the opening ceremonies! ATiananmen Square reinactment may prove quite a crowd pleaser.