Capitalizing on 9/11 tragedy

When checking out at the fabric store I didn't expect to see what I saw at the register - 9/11 memorial merchandise including T-shirts, bumper sticker decals and commemorative coffee mugs marketed with a copyrighted design of "9 11" with the "11" in the shape of the twin towers.

Some people may view this as a sign of patriotism, while others view it as disrespectful and insensitive to those affected by the events 10 years ago. I don't really know how to react.

In another instance of 9/11 merchandise, a "controversial" wine selling for $19.11 was being retailed by a cellar owner. Network star Anthony Bourdain aided in the wine's removal from a menu after criticisms of the wine circulated on the Internet.

Do I think Bourdain did the right thing by pulling some strings to remove the wine? Yeah. An alcoholic beverage doesn't seem like proper homage. Ribbons and pins I can deal with, but wine just doesn't scream "we remember."

The cellar owner and other retailers claim that a percentage of the sales go toward a cause like the National Sept. 11 Memorial Museum. I can see a valid cause here, but retailers who claim that 10 percent of their sales go toward the charities are still profiting off the product.

It's kind as if Jittery Joe's advertised a new coffee blend with a witty 9/11 title.  I just can't envision myself happily strolling through the breezeway sipping on a Memorial Mocha. It feels wrong even writing it.

One thing I hope I don't see are vendors selling 9/11 memorabilia on the corners of major intersections.

I can't tell you how many pitched tents I saw after the Mavericks won, advertising knock-off shirts for 20 bucks.

I'm not going to go so far as to call these retailers vultures (as long as they are donating a portion to a cause) but I will question whether these companies are in it for a humanitarian reason or if they are just hoping to make another buck off some impulse buying customer.