Looking for a company to boycott? How about Blockbuster.

February 7th, 2009 | by: Brooks Peck | Comments(10)

Laurie posted the image to the left on the mainpage earlier today, but here’s a development that we all seem to have missed — after Radio Shack dropped out of the voodoo doll promotion, a new US based corporate sponsor stepped in as the treasonous distributor of these things:

Blockbuster stores in Mexico City began trading Record newspaper coupons for voodoo-doll likenesses of U.S. soccer players Friday. The back of the dolls’ jersey reads, “Gringos.”

“Gringos” — how quaint.

They should be used to wish for a Mexico goal during the World Cup qualifier Wednesday in Colombus, Ohio, according to the instructions. [...]

“Hold a needle firmly between your thumb and index finger and prick slowly the part of the doll where you want to affect the opponent,” the instructions say. [...]

Record spokesman Daniel Paz said the promotion is lighthearted.

“In soccer, training and practice are what determine the results. The best team will win,” he said. “But without any doubt, this little doll can help the good vibes of the Mexican fans to change the history of Mexico and turn things around.”

Oh yes — the first words that come to mind when I think of jabbing a voodoo doll with with the word “Gringo” across its back in the hopes that the inflicted punishment affects people playing a game are always “lighthearted” and “good vibes.”

When I first heard about this, I thought it was crass, yet kind of funny. But the more details I come across about it, the more I find it to be vile, contemptuous, and in no way a positive addition to an already heated rivalry. I hope Blockbuster goes out of business even faster than they already are and that Mr. Paz and anyone who uses one of these things in the sincere hope that it hurts their opposition suffers agonizing and unrelenting physical pain themselves.

But first and foremost: screw you in a prison shower, Blockbuster. I’m opening a Netflix account right now.

UPDATE: Yahoo! News has an AP video report about all this.

[Source: Soccernet; big thanks to Eric for the tip!]