Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Texas Rib Rangers

A worrisome twist on the Submissive Dominant archetype. You remember that one, don't you, class? The depiction of powerful figures as willing victims? (This monstrous creature comes to mind.)

In the case of the Texas Rib Rangers, our unlikely victim is a hyper-masculine law enforcement official. Muscles rippling, nostrils blasting out breath like scalding steam, the Texas Ranger is nobody's patsy. This is a steer who knows how to take care of himself.

But there he is, on the label of a barbecue sauce that boasts of its suitability as an accompaniment to beef! The Ranger could wrestle a twister bare-handed, so why has he thrown in with the meat lubricators? Because he is suffering from unnamed mental issues. They have driven him mad with the urge to die, to be covered in sauce, and eaten.

When we lose confidence in law enforcement, what can we depend on? Are we already doomed?

(Thanks to Dr. Bea for the referral.)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This is one of the most interesting blogs I've ever read!

When you consider how absurd the underlying message of these advertisements is - "animals enjoy giving us their bodies to consume" - it's simply baffling.

Indeed, it's so stupid that only through a conscious effort could we accept these images without question.