Exploitation of the First Daughters?

Well, that certainly didn't take long. Ty, Inc. has spawned two new dolls in their TyGirlz collection named Marvelous Malia and Sweet Sasha. A spokesperson insists that the dolls aren't named after the First Daughters.

Now, to play Devil's advocate for a brief moment -- yes, it appears to be a brilliant piece of marketing at just the right time. Controversy brings cash. However tasteless it may seem to use the names of living influencial characters, the dolls don't really look like the First Daughters at all. There are dozens of African-American females named Malia and many more named Sasha.

First Lady (damn, I love that title) Michelle Obama has given a stamp of disapproval -- and from her side of the fence, I can understand. Once associated with the First Daughters, if could affect how the toys actually play on a child's developing psyche. It remains to be seen what can actually be done about it. The last thing this country needs is more lawsuits over things like this.