The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Che Guevara's Celebrity: 42 Years and Counting -- UPDATED

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The Spectacle Blog

Che Guevara's Celebrity: 42 Years and Counting -- UPDATED

By Robert P. Kirchhoefer on 10.16.09 @ 10:35AM

Just in time for fall! The Che Guevara replica jacket.

...a perfect replica of the one so famously worn by Ernesto Che Guevara on his legendary motorcycle journey across Latin America in the 1950s.

I'm sorry but... are you kidding me?

Where is the replica of Hitler's frock worn as a struggling artist? What about Pol Pot's replica boots from when he was a simple road builder in Yugoslavia? Surprisingly, the "before they were stars" collections of Lee Malvo, Timothy McVeigh, and Jim Jones haven't hit the stores... yet.

But I'm optimistic (and horrified).

I can't wait for the Che-people to get his fragrance out on the market. How about a name like Brutal Death to Thousands of Innocent People. Maybe that's too long. I'm sure they'll figure it out.

All I know is, 42 years ago this month, the vaunted "Che" was gunned down in Bolivia, and finally, we have another piece of cra... er, clothing to add to the icons pathetic (i.e., "legendary") iconography.

I wonder if he wore his jacket when he ended his romantic motorcycle ride and began his bloody rampage. Maybe the celebrated murderer of innocent men, women, and children liked to wear his jacket with the collar up. Maybe he wore it when he killed all of those people who had legitimate disagreements with his politics. Maybe he wore it when he killed all of those homosexuals. Or maybe he just wore it as he sat and pondered how to do all of that killing.

You would want/need a comfortable jacket for that.

So, if iconic murdering thugs are your kind of thing, your morals, your integrity, and your inner psychopath are just a purchase away!

UPDATE:

J-Crew has removed language referring to

...a perfect replica of the one so famously worn by Ernesto Che Guevara on his legendary motorcycle journey across Latin America in the 1950s.

J-Crew is now sold-out of the jacket (so they say) and they have conspicuously removed the language mentioning that ol' trouble-maker Che, replacing it with:

The epitome of rugged, authentic cool, the Trialmaster is as famous amongst serious motorcyclists as it is with fashion aficionados.

Might somebody be gaining a conscience?

Hmmm.

View all comments (10) | Leave a comment

Thunderbottom| 10.16.09 @ 11:38AM

The Left has a way of idolizing tyrants, traitors, and criminals. From Sacco and Vanzetti, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, and the (rather inept) criminal duo, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, to the cop murderer, Mumia Abu Jamal, and the murdering ex-con, Jack Henry Abbott, the Left has held rallies, hosted benefits, made movies about, and marketed products. If Ernesto "Che" Guevara was around today, he'd probably be upset at all the people who've profited by selling items with his image - and demanding a sizable cut (to fund the "Revolution of the People", of course).

Dave| 10.16.09 @ 9:05PM

I notice you forgot Ronald Reagan's right-wing contra death squads which led to the deaths of 100,000 in Guatemala, 70,000 in El Salvador, and 30,000 in Nicaragua.

Good thing nobody on the right admires that war criminal (eye roll)

Chris Baker| 10.16.09 @ 1:32PM

When did Pol Pot build Yugoslavian roads?

RPK| 10.16.09 @ 1:51PM

Pol Pot spent some time in Yugoslavia during the 1950's, building roads and observing European Communism. http://books.google.com/books?.....&q=pol pot in yugoslavia&f=false

Robert P. Kirchhoefer| 10.16.09 @ 2:38PM

Interesting that they've now removed the "Che" language from the site. Now it's just a "jacket" that is "famous amongst serious motorcyclists."

Come on, own it. Somebody suddenly ashamed to be associated with the murderous thug, Guevara?

Hmmmm...

Viva Che !| 10.16.09 @ 9:13PM

"At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality... We must strive every day so that this love of living humanity will be transformed into actual deeds, into acts that serve as examples, as a moving force." --- CHE GUEVARA

Carlos| 10.16.09 @ 8:22PM

"Che Guevara is an inspiration for every human being who loves freedom, we will always honor his memory." --- NELSON MANDELA

Mike| 10.16.09 @ 9:03PM

Actually this is an indictment of morality-less capitalism than the Marxism of Che Guevara.

Capitalism will sell anything that sells, regardless of taste, tact etc. Why are we complaining, if a closet pinko wants to waste 800 $ on a jacket that the teenage Che wore? Let them enjoy the irony whether they get it or not.

Douglas Duarte| 10.18.09 @ 11:27AM

Have you heard about "Personal Che"? It is a documetary on how the myth of Che is reinvented around the world from people as different as Nazis, Bolivians, Cubans and Americans. Check out www.personalche.com