Image via Complex Original
Tomorrow marks the 11th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the United 93 flight that crashed near Shanksville, PA, attacks that ultimately claimed thousands of lives.
One would think the occasion would be a somber one, but one man's memorial is another man's money-making opportunity, i.e. the following pieces of 9/11 memorabilia, which attempt to capitalize on tragedy. Never forget the tasteless, inappropriate souvenirs that attempted to exploit the grieving masses. Regrettably, we present Shameless: The Worst Attempts to Cash-In on 9/11.
9/11 Paperweight
Nothing heavier to hold down those clipped coupons or Bed Bath & Beyond receipts or TPS reports, right?
Laden vs USA Handheld Game
No one wins, here and everywhere.
9/11 License Plate
Honoring someone with an item that will someday be rear-ended, either in a serious way, during a wreck, or during the regular process of parallel parking, doesn't seem right.
9/11 T-Shirt
No, you're right—it is a significant public service to remind your fellow Americans of 9/11 with that cool black T. And the grungy font is just so apropos of something so real.
9/11 September Memorial Wine, Lieb Family Cellars
WHAT THE FUCK DOES THIS BOTTLE OF MERLOT HAVE TO DO WITH A DISASTER THAT KILLED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE?
"We Will Never Forget" Chronograph Watch
"Hey, nice watch!"
"Thanks! You know, I'm just out here trying to strip the meaning from an event that ended the lives of real, living and breathing human beings."
30th Anniversary Space Invaders Art Exhibit
There's a fine line between being a provocateur and being an asshole.
9/11 Commemorative Snow Globes
As if snow made to resemble falling ash could have a calming effect on anyone.
"Crying Eagle" Shirt Decal
Please, flatten a real event with real consequences by ironing this onto a T-shirt. Then go read Guy Debord's Society of the Spectacle and explain how you can look at yourself in the mirror.
9/11 Patriotic Sculpture
Throw a flag on it—that's how you make it impervious to criticism.
Commemorative Quilt of Shame
Kevin Held started a charity that raised cash for an imaginary quilt remembering the event and the lives lost. Thing is, he kept the $713,000 worth of profits for himself. Must be hard to stay warm when you've been so cold.
9/11 Tribute Lighthouse Sculpture from Thomas Kinkade
Thomas Kinkade is the famous artist of crap you've seen hawked at malls the country over. This is a lighthouse (?) adorned with his work that relates to 9/11 in ways that are incomprehensible to rational people. Enjoy.
Osama bin Laden Engraved Lighter
We give up. You try and parse meaning from this wretched object.
Commemorative iPod Speakers
Turn up the volume! Blast those tunes! In sad remembrance, of course.
9/11 Picture Frame
What photo could you possible place in there that would make one ounce of sense, that could redeem this nefarious business? Show us one, and we'll show you a liar.
9/11 Motorcycle Figurine with Patriotic Art
Every day you get to drive this around your desk with your fingers, and this does what exactly? What wrong is righted? What positive outcome is possible?
9/11 Desk Display
Cheer up your workspace! Just ignore the path of that plane past the facade of the World Trade Center towers.
9/11 Coloring Book
Hopefully this has never been given to a child as a way to explain the events of September 11, 2001. There's always the endlessly looping TV footage for that.
9/11 Plush Toys
Nothing like going to sleep clutching your favorite reminders of national trauma.
"Heroes for All Time" Cuckoo Clock
Every hour you can be reminded of tragedy...by a little bird. It's a lo-fi version of Twitter.