If Only the Iraq War Was a Laughing Matter

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In Izabella Bielawska’s Operation Iraqi Freedom Activity Book, there are such “fun and creative” family activities as searching for weapons of mass destruction, finding Saddam Hussein, liberating Iraq and more. “This dramatically different activity book will really make you think.”

I found this in my collection of printed Iraq war protests, which includes their fair share of indictments against what turned out to be a waste of lives and resources. Most were also so pegged to this specific conflict that they don’t have the timeless anti-war echoes of some important protest. But Operation Iraqi Freedom, which clearly linked to the event, also shows that not much has changed in the region. Saddam is gone, but his replacement is the Islamic State. Troops are reduced, but the buildup in Afghanistan will not be lessened for the foreseeable future.

This satiric booklet will make you laugh, but it’s a tragically painful laughter.

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About Steven Heller

Steven Heller is the co-chair of the SVA MFA Designer /Designer as Author + Entrepreneur program, writes frequently for Wired and Design Observer. He is also the author of over 170 books on design and visual culture. He received the 1999 AIGA Medal and is the 2011 recipient of the Smithsonian National Design Award.View all posts by Steven Heller →