Georgian riot cops in Mickey Mouse gas-masks
The Rose Revolution in the former Soviet state of Georgia is collapsing under phalances of riot-cops. This is distressing, but also fascinating -- who knew that the Georgian riot cop standard issue included a freaky white Mickey Mouse mask?
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(Thanks, Mikey)
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I think we have a winner of the "Ugly Mickey" contest.
I believe this is the same gas mask (or similar) featured on BoingBoing before?
They kind of look like the combine civil protection from half life 2
To me it looks as if it's steadily evolving into a stormtrooper helmet. Something to do with the way it bulges around the neck and shoulders...
Very creepy. To me, they look like the security forces in the Half Life 2 series.
I suppose the (strong) resemblance to elements from the Star Wars and Half-Life fantasy worlds is because the artists and designers of Star Wars and Half-Life looked to the real world for inspiration. Half-Life 2 in particular is modeled on former Soviet-bloc eastern Europe settings.
They totally ripped off Barminski.
I gotta say I don't get the fascination with gas masks. Spend any time in one and you really learn to hate the bastards. They stink, are hot, fog up and make just about everything hard as hell to do.
though evil mickey of the post-apocalyptic future does look bad.
its like a Kenji Yanobe sculpture is walking around suppressing dissenters.
Looks more like Sourpuss, really.
So it turns out Tbilisi is City 17.
I think it looks more like Goofy.
Quick ebay juant proves they are still available for purchase if anyone wants to have a post-apocalyptic Disney themed party.
Mickey Mouse? When I saw these, they were a dead-ringer for Half Life 2's Combine Troopers.
"zzzz... Pick up the can!"
First thing I thoutght was Gromit..Then Mickey, Then - most chillingly, The Combine
First, you can buy more of these here.
Second, check out my halloween costume featuring the mask here. (Dry ice not included.)
Nelson C. beat me to it... that's definitely Goofy.
Nelson C. beat me to it... that's definitely Goofy.
That mask is a riot!
Looks like he's on his way to bust some picketing writers' heads in Burbank...
"What, Pluto? You want early elections?"
has anyone considered covering the brutal treatment these combine-esque storm troopers are meeting out to the public in georgia?
I saw footage (via Miro) from this protest, the masks were definitely necessary given the copious tear gas canisters dispatched to disperse the crowd. The gas was quickly followed by cops with clubs, water cannons, and the infamous LRAD, or long-range acoustic device covered previously on boingboing (the benefits of American sponsorship no doubt).
Instead of admiring design, reflecting on how much our world now resembles unpleasant aspects of video games (or mickey mouse?), why not start exploring the issues involved?
@22 the election is called for 5th January. Maybe you can contact your government to become an international observer. Tbilisi is wonderful even in winter.