Not that this should be any surprise, but support for the war in Iraq has become decidedly unattractive, of late. And bad for business, too, as the following report from Financial Times relates:

Yellow ribbons dwindle with war support

For three years after the invasion of Iraq, it was difficult to drive more than a few miles through middle America without seeing a car displaying a magnetic yellow ribbon.

The magnets, bearing the slogan “Support Our Troops�, became a symbol of patriotism for millions of US motorists.

But as support for the war fades, demand for yellow ribbons has collapsed.

Magnet America, the largest manufacturer of the product, has seen sales fall from a peak of 1.2m in August 2004 to about 4,000 a month and now has an unsold stockpile of about 1m magnets.

“We have enough supplies to meet demand for years to come,� said Micah Pattisall, director of operations. “Every product has a lifespan and this one has run its course.� [full text]

Let’s just hope that the war quickly runs its course. And that the Bush administration does not justify sustaining the conflict to prop up the novelty magnet industry.