User blog comment:Raidra/Creepy Craft for Children/@comment-24040907-20141205001234/@comment-4849011-20141205022151

Don't get me wrong, if I see someone wearing one of those things, I'm going the other way. Shoot, if it's dark, I'm running the other way! I totally get the masks as symbols and agree. I think a lot of people feel that way, even if they don't acknowledge it. That's why they inspire feelings of horror in some people and feelings of fascination in others.

I can also see why the World Wars would be fodder for a lampoon. That reminded me of an episode of The Adventures of Pete & Pete. The older Pete was talking about how things can get out of hand, and he made the crude claim, "A prime minister accidentally farts and whamo, it's the Crimean War!" We didn't study that in class, so I can't confirm that account.