Nice picture Blowtorch!

First off, war is sometimes a necessary evil. Better war, than living in oppression or fear. And I'm thankful for those serving and who have served.

Since Frank's question dealt with how those with various viewpoints use their Joes, I had to think for a few moments. Me, pretty much for escape. But there are valid points to the psychological release of things we can't release in real life. Or at least we can't release in our present context in society. I'm afraid that my views would be somewhat less than politically correct in today's soft America. In WWII, the Allied forces did not concern themselves with the fact that enemies hid and fought in cathedrals or ancient historical buildings. There were bad guys inside. The bad guys had to die. There was collateral damage to buildings, and sometimes to innocent people who were in harm's way. This did not deter from the primary focus. The bad guys were no longer alive to fight tomorrow.

Unfortunately, we spend billions of dollars worrying about perception, when we will be hated regardless of what we do. If we give humanitarian aid, war-lords steal it. If we fight the war-lords, we are only making way for the second place war-lords to rise up. And lackeys of the first will still fight against us and the second place war-lords. Can't have peace with wackos with guns running around. Can't make peace with wackos who are willing to blow up themselves and others.

Someone needs to find bad guys wherever they are and K-I-L-L them. I equate bad guys as those who would willfully do harm to others simply because their viewpoint is different and who idealize their hatred, but mask it in the form or religious or political views. This seems like a job for a nimble, daring, highly-trained special missions force. It's purpose: To defend human freedom against _________, a ruthless terrorist organization, determined to rule the world.

Back to psychology, and the original question:

My 6 year old always has Joes and Cobras shooting at each other or people getting run over by tanks, etc.

My 3 1/2 year old has them talk to each other: "Hi, How are you doing?" "I'm fine." "That's good. Well have a good day!"

Is it insight into their personality? Is it just their age? I'm not sure. All I know is GI Joe is different for different people, and that's okay. I know the world would be better if everyone spent more time playing and less time killing, or having to hunt down those who would oppress us, or those who would make us live in fear.

I'm happy to see so many who have thought through this to a conclusion. Nice thread!