Closing Arguments: Politics of Fear

Well, it is inappropriate. The picture above the mantle should have been Ahmadinejad, not Osama. Silly New Yorker.

This goes to the Rove tactic of blowing smoke. Tell outlandish stories as way of brainwashing people. It doesn’t matter that they make no sense. The message is inside the story: example “birth certificate” means “not one of us”, as does “Hussein Obama”. “Wh*tey Tape” means “untrustworthy”, as does “under the bus “.
Repeated like a mantra, the messages soak in – how else can you explain the chorus of “THAT’S HIM!!!” in response to the New Yorker cover?
Enough smoke and people believe in the fire. In military parlance, it’s called ‘preparing the battlefield’. When the Swift Boats arrive, they swallow every drop.

Snarxon
Boy do you ramble! What are you drinking tonight?

your asses at abc know it not spam its your way of censorship, maybe i need to contact the aclu

On the one hand, I see the satirical work in the cover. This, of course is my “idealistic” hand, that believes that people see this for what it is. Satire. As in NOT TRUE.
On my other hand, my “rational” hand, I believe that is extremely offensive and only perpetuates the notion that is founded in many low info voters. My point is actually validated in some of the comments found on this board and others.

DOUBLE STANDARD
for your information he is not whining he has made no comment about it his camp has the media has as well as his supporters do you not watch tv and as far as obama making bill clinton a racisit i belive bill made himself look that way remember the sc and jesse jackson statement come to think of it i wouldnt put a past bill or hill being behind this cover of new yorker

Aston: You’re a paid stooge. Admit it.

angie — kindly tell me how comparing Obama to Jesse Jackson, who proclaims himself to be a good friend of Obama’s, as racist???? THAT, my dear, is the race card, calling something racist, when there is none. Bill has done so much for all minorities, he is the least racist person around. And Obama and his campaign IS whining about this cover. Deal with it, you can’t take the heat, get out of politics. It is very witty satire, and that cover will be a collector’s item.

DOUBLE STANDARD
once again obama is not whining the campaign is even mccain said how distasteful it was as far as bill clinton is concerned the statement he made when obama won the sc primary about jesse jackson winning there was racisit but it was ok when hillary was whining sexism right it was wrong didnt see any of her supporters telling her if she couldnt iake the heat get out of the kitchen you hillary supporters are such hipocrites

A picture is worth a 1,000 words and, unfortunately, the words inside the New Yorker will not be what people remember.

I think you need to get over it.
If it had been a joke about McCain, or Bush, you’d all be laughing without a let up. Its just a joke. Nothing more.
It would be nice to think we still have “Free Speech” here in America.
But sadly, we are losing it, little by little.
God help us!

There is a very simple test of whether the July 21st Barry Blitt cover was simply designed to provoke thought, controversy, debate: Would The New Yorker run a comparable cover targeted at Joseph Lieberman or John McCain.
The answer is a resounding no. The New Yorker cover is racist and targeted at the one group that The New Yorker thought it could get away with treating with bias — Muslims.
Revoltingly, many of the comments on this site already illustrate just how many racists the cover is appealing to.

I find the cartoon totally offensive no matter what politcal preference you might have. There is nothing funny about terrorism!

This cover was truly hurtful and it did nothing positive for this election campaign. Why would anyone think this kind of satire is humorous? It even opens a comparison of Michelle Obama to Angela Davis of the Black Panthers of decades past. And everyone knows she is nothing like that. How sad. I thought the New Yorker had more class and sophistication than that!

Senator Obama, Michelle,
Congratulations. After taking some time to ponder this New Yorker cover, you have now had a taste of what it feels like to be President George W. Bush and endure the ignorant visceral hatred he faces every day from your political allies.
Do you think you can deal with it as graciously as President Bush does?

I think that people need to open up there eyes and really take this photo for what it is. Basically soo what if he is muslim and im glad they would put this type of photo out there so the american people can see how small and limited there thinking is. I of course diagree with the photo over the mantel i do not stand behind a terrorist but in general i think the people need to get over themselves and think outside the box

ImATrueLiberal: Funny, you sound like a smoke-blower.

The new media is reporting just really “Stupid Stuff”.
What the media is doing these days along with all the rags is just showing how stupid we Ameicans have become.
I have given up on American news.
The media has lost their edge in my view point years ago.
We, as Ameicans need to grow up and go back to our roots. And regain our morals.

The cover is completely inappropriate, thoughtless and tasteless. It made me lose complete respect for the New Yorker magazine. Schmucks!

By the way, I forgot to mention, that I am a “angry white women” From Penna. with a gun, in one hand, and a bible in the other.
Be afraid, Be very afraid…..

As a Chicagoan and a loyal Obama supporter, I find the cartoon so over-the-top, so outrageous in its suggestions that it is obviously satire. It manages to reflect and send up every ridiculous element in the hate-filled anti-Obama emails circulating the web. In exchange for its funny little stunt, The New Yorker is getting the last laugh on those who bought into its joke and in turn gets just what it wanted: publicity!

Obama should not be portrayed in this VILE manner!
However, bring on more Bush = a Chimp or Hitler cartoons…we Liberals can’t get enough!
I’m a dumb@$$ Liberal hypocrite!
Obama ’08!!!

Punkie: Smoke-blower.
Hanan: Smoke-blower.

It’s true that’s why he found it so offensive.
I thought liberals were all about “FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!!” guess not….

No, it is not funny. It is satire.

New Yorker Way Out Of Line
at a time like this when america is involved in two wars with islamic radicals this is no time to be joking .

I suppose it’s as funny as millions thought Orson Welles was on October 30th 1938 broadcase of War of the Worlds was when they found out it was a hoax. As funny as now the historic pictures of a black man being hung while children and their parents had picnics around the event. Are maybe as funny as a Charles Manson party where they raided a home and killed the inhabitants. There are some things in life no matter how you draw them; it’s just not funny. I know some of the points I’m making are extreme; however the satire was extremely not funny.

What I’d like to day to the New Yorker:
“How could you print such a “cartoon”? It was so so UNfunny! Don’t you know that your cover just confirms what at least ½ of the US population believes? . . . In showing Obama as a Muslim you have confirmed this unfounded belief. Showing Michelle Obama as a terrorist just made their day…and Bin Laden on the wall?????? You have played right into the hands of the ignorant right- wingers that gave us Bush for 8 years.
Are you so lost in the canyons of NYC that you are oblivious to the fearful and misinformed rest of the country?”
I literally gasped when I saw the “cartoon” on TV….All I could think was:
”The new Yorker??? What is going on? How could they be so stupid????”
So I still ask:….”How could they be so stupid and . . . so out of touch …and so not not funny….?? Carl Rove has nothing on them!”
Peggy
Baltimore, MD

It is shocking to see that such a notable recognized magazine in an American city and not just any American city but a multicultural diverse city like none other in the US, the city of New York would stoop to such a low level of racism. What kind of example are we to the rest of the world? I see this kind of ignorance is just what will cause a race war in this good old innocent do no evil America. Guess what? The Black Americans have been hated on, terrorized by fire bombs thrown into houses, burning crosses, hung in nooses on trees, raped, dragged behind trucks and constant unnecessary police brutality, and the list could go on, even In this enlightened year of our Lord 2008. I am a 54 year old Black American female that is TIRED AND FED UP WITH ALL THE RACIAL CRAP THAT I’VE HAD TO DEAL WITH ALL MY LIFE. Pam in Houston,Texas

Why all of a sudden is it racial? America has allowed this to go on since its birth. It’s called
“Freedom of Speech”. Most Presidents and Presidential Candidates have to put up with this type of joking. What makes Obama any different?
If we really want racial equality then we cannot opress white Preseidents or Presidential candidates
by making them subjects of the tabloid, while it is tabu for African American candidates. Also lets quit chipping away at freedom of speech, OK?

We do have freedom of speech in this country, but… Satires are supposed to be funny. This is as funny as falsly screaming “FIRE” in a crowded theatre, or threatening an airplane full of people with a bomb. The New Yorker didn’t think this cover idea through.

the can see that there is still fear and descrimination in this country and I say shame on you yes shame on the USA that is the land of the free and home of the brave this was not what this country is about your freedom of speech is gone to far shame on you
Now I’ll vote for Obama, and I will pray for your ignorants. Obama is not Muslim. shame on you …

ImATrueLiberal: Smoke-blower.

1 Obama cartoon = Utterly OUTRAGEOUS!!!
1 million “Bush is a Chimp” cartoons = EXCELLENT!!!
I’m a dumb@$$ Liberal hypoctite!
Obama ’08!!

stopobama: Right, because we all know that freedom of speech applies to everything; even when one yells ‘Fire!’ in a crowded theatre. Give me a break.

The New Yorker magazine is owned by Samuel,Donald and Theodore Neuhaus, aka Newhouse, zionist, pro israel jews who want to drive a wedge between white voters and Obama. A win by McCain will result in further deaths of US military in Iraq protecting Israel. The cartoon is racist, zionist and slanderous.Would a similar cartoon be seen in a jew owned magazine if the subjects were jews? NO.

Snarxon = ain’t got a damn clue how hypocritical Liberals seem on this issue.
It’s sad…and pathetic.

1 Obama cartoon = Utterly OUTRAGEOUS!!!
1 million “Bush is a Chimp” cartoons = EXCELLENT!!!
I’m a dumb@$$ Liberal hypoctite!
Obama ’08!!

It’s disgusting in these times of crisis in the U.S. all The New Yorker can think of is to put a drawing of our democratic nominee and his wife on the cover that undermines all the good things that they stand for.It is not a humorous or intellectual cover , it is in the worst taste and shows a lack of respect for your readership. Needless to say I hope everyone that has been offended will cancel their subscription. It seems the only way to show our indignation these days is to hit them in the where it hurts,show them no more money.

Obama, as any presidential contestant, is a big boy and can handle smear or satire, deserved or not. What is repulsive in this cartoon is another scene of our flag being burned and this time by a US senator. How far do we need to go in the name of humor? Where is the respect for our country and its process of democracy?

I must say one more thing. Vote for the candidate that will best protect us from the evil people out there that want to get the US. Obama wants to negotiate with them which will never work and has never worked in history. One person comes to mind, Neville Chamberlain. He had a signed peace agreement that was broken by the Nazi’s shortly thereafter. McCain will protect us better than Obama. Obama is too weak on foreigh affairs. His words are worthless. Look at his stances and platform for what he really stands for. He will bring the wrong change to the presidential office.

That cover of the new yorker is offensive. First of all, obama is depicted in arab garb not muslim garb. I’m sick of hearing muslim=middle east…it doesn’t! there are thousands of muslims around the world, not just situated in the middle east! just because obama’s father was a muslim doesn’t mean he was a terrorist. MUSLIM DOES NOT = TERRORIST. second, every one of us has a part of history in our genes and it does not mean we are that person. what if you had a bit of german in you, does it mean you’re a nazi? wouldn’t you find that offensive because it does not stand for your morals and beliefs. I am a Muslim and just because I am does not mean i’m a terrorist. Whatever point the new yorker was trying to make missed the spot instead they smeared obama’s good name and for muslims who are trying to lead honorable lives in america.

the fact of it is alot of people belive this senator obama or his wife dont deserve this the cover on that magazine is not who they are its like the new yorker is feeding into all the smears and false information just think if their daughters see this or other children say to their daughters your mom and dad are terriost sad sad the newyorker owes them an apology!!!!!!!!

How dare the New Yorker disgrace Obama in this VILE Manner!
They disrespect him and his office!
Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way…bring on more BUSH = A CHIMP and BUSH = HITLER cartoons!
I’m a dumb@$$ Liberal hypocrite!
Obama ’08!!

Angie,
You are so wrong. I didn’t hear Hillary complain about sexism. That was me complaining and many like me when we heard Obama say those things. If he is not a sexist (or misogynist) he sure seemed like it to get the male vote that doesn’t consider women equal. By the way, the worst sexists are the women sexists who have no self respect or pride to pass on to their daughters.

Satire or smear? How about “truth be known”. It is an artist’s rendering of what life will be like in the White House if the uninformed people vote. Congratulations New Yorker, you hit the nail(or fraud) on the head.

Sure this country pays lip service to freedom of speech, but I find the cartoon reprehensible because it plays to the fears of ignorant american who are seeking any excuse to disregard Obama’s abilities to lead this country out of the hole that Baby Bush and his croonies have left the average american to dig themselves out of while they laugh at the “ignorant american” all the way to their power bank.
I have a white, male, lawyer friend who has always told me that most americans are STUPID! For the first time in my life, I agree with him. Not only are most americans stupid, they are also raising their children and grandchildren to be idiots as well.
I am ashamed of the total lack of intellect demonstrated by those who communicate their racial fears and insecurities by using the Obamas as their scapegoat.
Everyone should remember, George Bush has stuck it to the entire country; whites, blacks and the middle class, equally. Anyone who supports the ineptitudes of the Bush administration deserves exactly what they will be left with at the end of his eight year raid on america.

KayCay;
Satire is funny.

IT’S SATIRE.
Has anyone ever read Mad Magazine?
Lighten up, Enjoy Life. Everyone has to read something in anyone’s comments…

KayCay:
Correction—
Satire is NOT funny. It makes fun of.

“If God wants Senator Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States,no matter what the media says or do, he will be the next president of the United States.”

I think the New Yorker’s defense of the image seems viable, though I hold judgment until after I’ve read the article accompanying the cover.
What I find offensive about the image is this, would it be so wrong for Obama to be Muslim? Or any other American? Was this country not founded on religious freedom? Can anyone other than a Christian hold office?
And what if Michelle Obama’s hair was big? Gee, is that too black? wtf is wrong with Americans? We can’t all be protestant white males. Can we try to celebrate our diversity, not demonize it?
Racism in any form is an indication of ignorance.

Finally there is a sence of equality. Anyone with any conservative leanings has been ridiculed and made fun of constantly. Funny how just one cartoon
depiction gets such attention. I think it’s great and have already framed it
and hung it in my office. If you can’t
get past this then maybe you are just like the people that would kill someone
for drawing a picture of Muhammed. Wow
it’s not quite so funny when they’re
doing it to you….

I think that the cartoon on the cover of The New Yorker magazine borders on slander. It will reinforce what many people erroneously believe. These people will never read the article inside the magazine but they will remember the various meanings depicted by the cartoon.

While freedom of speech is a very important right that Americans enjoy, there MUST be some accountability for appropriate and inappropriate speaking. This definitely seems to have crossed the line, especially since many people have expressed concerns (fact or imagined), to imply a strong connection between Obama and Bin Laden. Bin Laden, 9/11 and terrorism is NO joke!!

Cathy:
I IMPLORE you to Google “Bush Chimp” and “Bush Hitler”…and then come back and express the same outrage…
yeah…didn’t think so.

You people need to find your sense of humor! Where were all of you when all of the covers were about Hillary. What has happened to this country? We used to be able to laugh at ourselves. I have never seen such a soft candidate that cannot take a joke without calling it racist or over the top. Get a life – They are more important things going on in this world – and this silly cover is not one of them!

I love it … New Yorker should do more.
How about a cartoon of Obama sitting down on the floor having lunch with Osama …
After all, Obama says he would talk to his enemies … the caption should read
“Talking with my enemies”

this is so stupid. it most definately is offensive and STUPID! you must not have a life or have a lot of time on your hands if you think of doing something so idiotic. and what made me mad was the burning american flag in the firepalce. but the thing i find the most disrespectful was that Michelle Obama was yeilding a gun that is so ignorant! but the one thing i do agree on is Obama in the Oval office that should stay!
Obama all the way!

for over a month i have been saying that Hilary could still get the nomination. barack has assumed himself the presumptive nominee, but hilary has not given up her delegates, as i understand her campaign pretty much went on hold.
i agree with annagain and have thought for a long while that “…He is unelectable. This has been clear since March when his numbers and funraising started dropping — ” i also believe she has the power to carry more of the states and the popular than obama could. i think obama has some damn strong phermones flying off him that make the women want to make mad love to him and the men want to play poker with him. if the dnc and howard dean really want the whitehouse they should seriously consider hilary clinton.
shelby steele was on cspan recently talking about his book “A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can’t Win”. he is a black author and was talking about authenticity and how we wear masks…he said obama has quite the mask on (which i’ve always thought) and he is unauthentic. he contrasted him to harold ford http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Ford,_Jr., who he said is a truly authentic man. i met him a few years ago and heard him speak and i remember thinking I Want this man to run for office. then i met him a year later at a party, and if you want to talk about getting your panties in a tither! i should have been bold and asked him out…

Mind you, Obama has an article about MCCain leaving his ex-wife on his website
Talking about being distasteful when this is very old news and his ex is supporting the MCCain candidacy.
And then whine about every negative thing on himself … what a cry baby … Do we need a cry baby in the White House?
The rest of the world will have worst cartoons about you, Obama … so hey, Obama, grow up …
If you want the cartoons to end, just quit running for the Presidency and they will all go away.

I believe the New Yorker tried to have it both ways. The apeal of however you choose to take the cover’s message and a convenient out in case there is to much criticism.

I find the New Yorker cartoon very offensive. It reinforces all the lies regarding the Obamas, regardless of what the artist’s intent. Most “low information” voters will latch onto this visual as proof to backup their fears.
I also think it’s a sad attempt by the publication to profit from lies. It’s definitely slander. I’m disappointed so many news outlets are showing the cartoon without a big disclaimer.

The more you look at these 2 candidates these past 2 weeks, the more pathetic things look.
Hillary is the best candidate of the 3 and Americans have these 2 to choose from? Well, then I choose MCCAIN
Americans are dummies really … losing out to the world in so many things …
Their young cannot compete with the young of the rest of the world. Is that surprising ? Americans cannot even choose a proper President for their Oval Office.
You think Bush is bad ? Just wait a few more months and you will see worse – guaranteed if you see an Obama presidency.

I think the cover is hysterical! Wonderful satire!!! I agree with the post that said if you can’t stand the heat…and guess what, “low information” readers are not the target audience of the New Yorker. The cover is edgy, and that is why we subscribe. The New Yorker is not afraid to flex its first ammendment muscle.
Of course Obama doesen’t whine, he has one of his flunkies do it and then when it dosen’t go well, he tosses them under his bus.
PUMA

I fine The New Yorker’s cover satire of the Obamas as offensive and depict a very narrow perception open to continue interpretative character assassination. It’s a double canon. I comprehend the point The New Yorker was trying to make, but in retrospect, it adds fuel to an already explosive topic. Unfortunately, many people will only look at the cover and not read the article to fully comprehend the cover’s satire, which leaves the picture as being its only source for interpretation. The New Yorker is exploiting Obama by reinforcing stereotypes. For the sake of argument, President George W. Bush was never depicted as a caricature in a white hooded robe at a K.K.K. demonstration proclaiming the holocaust was justified. This is a very inappropriate parody The New Yorker chosen to use. I cannot help but think perhaps The New Yorker has its own personal agenda to promote such subliminal propaganda. This is extremely unfair to the presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee.

I couldn’t tell if The New Yorker was being serious or being funny.

R. Moss:
Thank you so much for proving my point so eloquently. Next we are attacked by the country of Muslim, I’ll be interested in taking action, with a quickness.
Peace be with you. No, really.

From the time of the Boston Tea Party satire and
news cartoons have helped readers see the lighter side of politics — i.e. Bush’s empty helmut by Trudeau.
The very nature of politics requires the candidates develop thick skin and can own up to small or large truths represented by these drawings. I say — Hooray for the New Yorker! Satire can’t just be o.k. for white candidates — I think the race card is being pulled to prevent equal opportunity ideas and creativity by using satire as presented in the New Yorker. I agree– what are you worried about? The media has already elected Obama.

I think it’s funny.
I am a Utah Democrat and have heard all of the rumors this cover satirizes told to me with the same sincerity that the ever present missionaries speak of the local religion. The Republican hate machine has never sounded so shrill.

New Yorker readers would have gotten the cartoon since the magazine has been in the tank for Obama; however the MSM blew it up as if the magazine were Time, a journal of fact.
The magazine believes the cartoons are far from the truth, but unfortunately, the cartoons of the Obamas show an essential truth: Michelle is a thug and Obama does indeed of Muslim roots which the MSM and he are not being truthful about.
If Obama cared about the truth, he’d reveal the truth (including his birth certificate and his Muslim family associations and even his early years spent in a Muslim school; he’d mention he comes from an atheist background and that Trinity Church is not a conventional Christian church but one that fits into Obama’s basic atheism which he won’t be truthful about revealing).
So the cartoon by mistake hit on truthfulness, since Obama in no way matches the ideal put out there by his supporters and the MSM.
Too bad he’s not a big enough man to reveal the truth and then allow people to make their personal assessments when they vote.

It has never been appropriate to portray a presidential candidate or anyone else for that matter in a way that misleads or demeans the reader from the truth. The New Yorker’s “charicature” of Mr & Mrs Obama is totally inappropriate. Regardless of their explanation, discretion is the better part of valor. They have not lived up to this tenant of good taste and moral responsibility. Remember the Swift Boat issue?

Dear Demorats and Obama Supporters,
Lighten up!! This was political satire…aka political comedy. You clowns take Obama way to serious. This ex-coke head’s run is a joke and a sham.
He has flip-flopped excuse me LIED so many times…can’t track “em” all. Oh, by the way I served under GEN. Clark, THE MOST PROFOUND WOOSE TO EVER WEAR A STAR. HE RANKS AS A GIANT AMONG MICRO-MANAGING MENTAL MIDGETS IN THE MILITARY.

hi iam myron8160 iam a black american i don t have agood edacatin but i have good comon seane now let talk obama i think the NEWYORKER was funny but hey get a life america we neen to wake up to get the USA back on track no matter who you are can we all just get alone those famous words of rodney kind peache out myron8160

Here’s some proof that the New Yorker is out of touch with reality when it comes to the word SATIRE.Guess it’s because the Editor_has no experience editing!
David Remnick, has never held an editing job, was named editor of the New Yorker yesterday, taking the helm of the venerable weekly at a time of chronic financial trouble and fitful editorial verve.
Thw Washington Post article July 14,1998!
Guess he still doesn’t know how to EDIT!

I am tired of Obama and his hacks playing the race card. A real discourse on race relations is not a problem for most of “white America”. Don’t see any whites “bustin-out” the “white national anthem” at public events. The problem is black hold-outs from the 50′s and 60′s who still think this is Jim Crow era of the 40′s.in 2008. Folks it just ain’t so. Obama is a tremendously unqualified candidate, ex-coke head, with no real international experience. I am much more worried about the psychodynamics that led to his addiction and how it would effect his decision making in a crisis. This my friends should be enough to scare anyone away from any candidate, regardless of color.

So,here’s why The New Yorker doesn’t know about satire or editing….
Washington Post(July 14,1998)article:
David Remnick, a versatile journalist who has never held an editing job, was named “Editor of the New Yorker” yesterday, taking the helm of the venerable weekly at a time of chronic financial trouble and fitful editorial verve.
Mmmm.could this be the reason behind the so called SATIRE of the Obama’s..
not qualified in the editing dept.per the Editor???

this my thouth on KKK wake up whith america iam black black american and you dont seelite well you need to wake up mymyro8160

its a cartoon. i have seen comparable depictions of gwb on numerous left-wing sites. not that i am a fan of the prez, but hey, get over it sweetie!

I heard this “rumor” about McCain, so since we are all so much in favor of “satire”, how about a picture of the “war hero” McCain as he returns home, salutes the once beautiful wife (now crippled and not so photogenic) and sons who waited and prayed for his safe return, dumps the whole lot (haven’t seen any of that “first family” in any of his pro-mos have you)and after whoring around with loads of hotties,gets a divorce and rides off into the sunset (as in finding a rich typically pretty thin white babe 18 years his junior to marry) whose very wealthy father runs him for senator morphing into the next coming of christ (which anybody in a military uniform qualifies)to be groomed for president.
He is not well informed (Sunni, Shia)but what’s the difference for the average Amercian anyway. Not withstanding the obvious that he appears to be in a progressive stage of alzhimer’s,(after Bush nothing can be worse intellectually speaking) he will be “just the thing” to continue the economic and landslide decline in our standing in the world.
And for all of you out there that still believe America can go anywhere in the world and overthrow legitimate elected governments just because we don’t like their politics, here’s a tip-
-that’s how you lose the respect of the world
-and specifically as it relates to “Muslim” countries they all get to go to heaven even if they commit suicide – it’s real hard to win that one since most Americans aren’t willing to die (other than our brave military men)- who have to go and die whether the fight is legitimate or not and Iraq wasn’t and isn’t. Even the great America doesn’t get to deem a wrong a right simply by decree (except in their own warped world), so by rights you get to go to hell either way.
By the way when was the last time we had a code Yellow, Orange, or Red? You’all don’t remember those right before the second Bush election that scared the pants off of every red-blooded American that the terrorists were right outside your back door?
How about Osama Bin Laden? He’s the guy who was leading the charge to blow up America-remember? And you all still think Bush is the guy to keep you safe? I know you don’t remember but 911 happened during Bush’s watch because he didn’t listen to an FBI woman who sent it up the chain of command that there are some Muslim guys learning to fly planes who don’t think the need to know how to land. And McCain doesn’t think finding Bin Laden in Afghanistan is as important as protecting the oil in Iraq.
You will get what you deserve, too bad I won’t.
One last comment, whichever wins it’s a question of really difficult -Barack or worser-McCain, because Bush has taken this country so far into the toilet (and you haven’t seen the bottom yet for our America), McCain doesn’t even have a clue and as unfortunate as the reality is it will take draconian measures even if Barack gets in such that neither candidate can pull us out of this recession without a long drought of almost depression era suffering (exception- for the Bush click of the wealthy) who will continue to rig things so that they make money no matter what.
And America you get what you deserve. so maybe in some far off future you will vote for substance and the better good of all= the average working stiff instead of what you secretly wish you could be- a member of the top 1 percent rich.

I am sick to read all these people slamming Obama. It sickens me, how would McCain supporters like a cartoon of him and the women that claims he had sex together with Cindy McCains picture over the fireplace as a would have been first lady, It sickens me to see such dissrespect for the Presidential candidates, whatever happen voting for a President for there knowledge and creditentials, verses all this crap that is been smeared in the tabloids. I do not look at people and vote for them because one is not muslim, or one is white and has more money, or because one is younger then the other. I look at what they can do for our Country, we need help who is the best to get us out of the trouble our country is in. STOP the stupid campaign smearing and show us what you two our made of and which is the best for Our country.

The cover is definately offensive! Lighten up America, you say? Look at all the racist comments on this board and then walk a day in the shoes of an African American or Muslim these days. That cover was meant to sabotage Obama, we all know how much ignorance is in America, and that several people will see the cover and react. Wasn’t it once said “a picture paints a thousand words?” Whomever decided the cartoon should grace the cover knew what he or she was doing. That cover will have its intended affect! The cover should be taken off newsstands immediately and a public apology should be given to the Obama family. The picture is racist, and it is NOT funny. Remember, satire was used during the civil rights movement. Are we going back in time? The wounds have not yet healed, give satire a rest, or should I look forward to McCain showing up somewhere in blackface?

Afrosheen should capitalize on this opportunity and doodle their own monkey farm playing ghetto rap music and pimp the presidential limousine with loud speakers and 24 inch spinner rims. Hey, why stop there, sacrifice a goat on the white house lawn to celebrate muhamad’s circumcision. It could happen.

I have just finished watching Nightline, where my opinion on the New Yorker cover was invited.
If that is satire, I don’t get it. If I don’t get it, then it is not satire. To me that cover is viscious and stupid.
Furthermore, I have neighbors on both sides of my home, in back and across the street who really believe that Obama is a muslim, and for that reason alone, not to be trusted. These people are literalists, having never heard of satire.
When they see that cover, terror will well up in them, and no amount of convincing will bring them to reality.
Great harm has been done to the electorate by this cover. Not funny!!

dave rappoport said the following nonsense:
“Misguided at best, you argument on McCain and his family life are flawed. Clinton was the biggest A-MORAL pig and coward ever to be president. His wife..been more hands up that dress than a muppet?”
You call Clinton an “A-MORAL pig” and then follow up with that comment on his wife? You should be ashamed of yourself.

dave rappoport you sure are being vicious and the comments about hillary ‘my candidate of choice’ are totally sick. for your information many of us hillary supporters are still shopping around, your comments don’t help your candidate.

I’m not saying the editors of The New Yorker don’t have the right to put whatever they want on their cover. But I think they have an obligation to readers to adhere to some kind of limits, especially if they want to be taken seriously in the future.
Do they think there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed? Despite this week’s cover, I think they do. For example, would they have a cover depicting:
Obama behind the controls of a jet about to crash into the World Trade Center, or actually killing someone?
Obama ravishing a white woman, or some other racially charged image?
I could make up serious issues that these covers would be “commenting” on, but I bet The New Yorker still wouldn’t run them. That’s because there IS a line. Yes, it’s tough to define. But I can tell you that this week The New Yorker crossed it, just to drum up some publicity. Obviously, they have succeeded.
But there is a cost — it’s well documented that even denying false rumors perpetuates them. Putting them on the cover of a mainstream publication, even to show how ludicrous they are, lends them a level a credibility they didn’t have before. As for “sparking debate” on some sort of controversial topic, I don’t think that applies here.
In addition, many people are hoping that this election could be about actual issues instead of irrelevant nonsense and character assassination. This cover is not helping.

While the New Yorker cover is provocative, it will have no effect on any persons vote. An artists perspective ought to recieve consideration before the media jumps all over it. Another example of overlooking more serious issues in our society.

Why are people talking about Hillary, shes not even a has-been, more like an annoying wanabe that doesn’t understand we don’t care to have a cry-baby power-hungry president with pms issues dealing in nuclear negotiations. Not to mention shes a woman. I’d still chose her over Hussein.
McCain 08

The New Yorker made overt what the rumor squad is spreading covertly. It provides the senator with the opportunity to enter into a dialogue with the media and hopefully publically with the editorial board of the New Yorker. Senator Obama needs more dialogue and less monologue so that he will be experienced as a problem solver and issue confronter and less like an orator and monologuer. The New Yorker through satire has given him an opportunity that I hope his immature campaign staff can work with strategically.

It’s not about Freedom of Speech – of course they have the RIGHT to use the offensive cover. It’s just not smart. It’s devisive and fear mongering in the worst way. I suspect there is no person of color on their editorial board. THAT’S one of the reason you need people of different perspectives when you are trying to make such an important decision. If they really wanted to make it satire, all they needed to do was put Chaney and Rove in the background as the orchestrators of the picture – THEN it would be satire. The New Yorker blew it big time with this one.

Jezus Christ there are a of of idiots posting to this forum. Is this indicative of ABC viewership? I would have expected this from a FOX forum but I guess ABC/Disney is siphoning off some of their audience. Kudos to ABC, their strategy is obviously working…..

Great reporting.As I read it shows your viewers opinions.Though they differ it must feel great to know the freedom of the press is so strongly viewed by all.The new yorker should be nominated for a pulitzer.Why?Because good or bad it is a valid point.Why?because this man cant even respond to the truth.The best he could do is cry raceism. He has not once denied his affiliations of what the new yorker does or does not imply.If anything he should praise the new yorker on exersizeing thier rights to inform the people. You must stick together when a tyrant tries to silence the press. The founding fathers would be proud of todays press.

Great reporting.As I read it shows your viewers opinions.Though they differ it must feel great to know the freedom of the press is so strongly viewed by all.The new yorker should be nominated for a pulitzer.Why?Because good or bad it is a valid point.Why?because this man cant even respond to the truth.The best he could do is cry raceism. He has not once denied his affiliations of what the new yorker does or does not imply.If anything he should praise the new yorker on exersizeing thier rights to inform the people. You must stick together when a tyrant tries to silence the press. The founding fathers would be proud of todays press.

Ron, you are an IDIOT. Muslims come in all colors, shapes and sizes. There are black muslims, brown muslims, yellow muslims and white muslims. What back country do you come from? Obama looks like a man who is half white and half african because that’s what he is.

OMG, you really must give the average American some credit. You don’t think they know satire when they see it? How stupid do you think voters are? Do you really think a picture will change our minds about who we will and will not vote for?
It is the character of the person, the experience one has, the persons ability to take on any challenge, it is how they feel about the issues that are so important in today’s world. It is how they feel about the war, fisa, women’s rights, etc. A magazine cover will not sway the average voter as you put it. The average voter is quite well versed on the issues we face each day, and to think that you believe a picture would actually change a persons vote is ridiculous.
One Love

If it walks like a duck,qwacks like a duck,and looks like a duck…it is a duck!This is going to get real good.This man and women dont have skelatons in thier closet,they live in a cemetery.He may be popular among liberals and democrats and they will vote for him.But you know what?All your millions of popular votes mean nothing!Not one!Al Gore won the popular vote and still lost!our current system should be put back to the single popular vote where every vote counts!This man is a liar,cheat and bigot.the new yorker is opening every ones eyes to the truth about this man for what he and his wife really are. thank you nightline

Thanks new yorker keep going.

I can’t believe the news is making a big deal of of this. Politicians have often been satiricized on the New Yorker cover. Why can’t Obama and his wife endure some criticism? New Yorker, you did a great job. Now people need to read the article. That’s what I find the best part of this publication.

It seems Obama’s NASCAR ploy was less than a rousing success…

If you have to even ask that question, you must be more stupid than the NYorker! Anyone can see that it is a poor attempt at smear!! What has Michelle done to deserve this? Well, if you are blond and an heiress, you would not be made fun of that way. This “satire” is not unintended – it was on purpose to spread fear and evil, lies though they may be. It is time for the editors to own up and take responsibility for the harm they are trying to inflict on an already damaged nation, going down the tubes economically, and divided by race, class and wealth. We as citizens should stand up for higher morals and look towards building a better country. That is why we should vote for someone like Obama who would be trying to lift us up rather than McSame and the New Yorker who are just dragging us down. Shame on them!

If you take the facts of Obama’s Life.
Take all his personal friends over a 20 year peroid.
Take the Fact that on more than one occasion Mr Obama as an Adult did don the mulsim clothing.
In His own book, he states he study the koran.
Take the Fact that him and his wife did do fist bumps on national TV.
Take the Fact Mr Obama has complained and Blamed everything on The Government.
Take the Fact that Obama has used the media in all shape and forms to lie to the American People on numerious Occasion.
All the Facts True, Documented, In the Media, Done or stated by Mr Obama himself.
This is the Picture Mr Obama has painted of himself as in the New Yorker.
The More Mr Obama whines and cries publically about it The worse it makes it look on Him.
Everything Mr Obama did or said, was all put into one picture.

To all the hypocrites:
Where were your indignant voices when the very same New Yorker published the infamous “3 AM Red Telephone” cover on their March 13, 2008 issue?
Not a peep was heard then from the BHO peeps. Now, they do protest too much, methinks.

Evelyn…satire is supposed tobe funny, this isn’t.Did yo laugh at it? I doubt it. This showed how stupid some people can be that have an education. We are fighting terrorists all over the world, and they blew up over 2000 people in our country. Do you think representing a man who is running for president and his wife as terrorists is funny? I hope the New Yorker goes under because of this and I am not even an Obama supporter.

MaryLou..I guess you don’t know too much about Obama if you call him unAmerican. Do your research.

REALITY CHECK.
==============
Democrats are divided…….
U.S is divided…….
Obama’s supporters are blacks and
left wing radicals……
If you think the cartoon is bad….
stay tune for the next shoe to drop
next month before the convention….
DNC and party leaders MADE another
big mistake this year…….they
nominated the wrong candidate………

Night line should start telling the truth and report the views of thier viewers (read your blogs only 15% side with this spine less worm)not with phone polls.If the press lies or does not stay unbiased they souldnt be protected by the constitution.The new yorker did not make a statement against african americans,they just exposed only one person,the devil himself,an anti american anti-semite bigot!So with Al Sharpton in his corner with the rest of his criminals his fate is now sealed.This man and women have alot to hide.Sorry Al no bus loads of paid protesters this time.The race is over.The new yorker has just saved this nation by exercising there right,the truth and that all who lost thier lives in all the wars defending this freedom did not die in vain.May GOD rest thier souls.Thank you New Yorker magazine.

There’s nothing new about this story it has been happing, since reconstruction and Jack Johnson won the World Heavy Weight Title, White people are afraid of Blacks people in a position of power and influence. Since, Civil Rights passed Blacks have been in a holding pattern, waiting for the next great movement to happen and afraid to move out of the box. The great movements of the pass are over and the Jesse Jacksons and other should move on.
The Politics of Race against Race is alive and well.
The media is having a Fields Day with Obama with negative stories after negative stories.

Amazingly, this cartoon is showing exactly the way many people feel about the Obamas. They can’t get it out of their heads that the Senator is an Islamic sleeper who is just waiting to help our country implode. The touch in the artwork that troubled me was the American flag burning in the fireplace. This whole concept of Obama distancing himself from the American flag because it is a symbol of oppression for many people in th world is ridiculous. If you can’t love and treasure our flag…don’t try to be our president.

If he were the hypocritical covert Muslim terrorist that so many ignorant Americans believe him to be, Senator Obama could have saved himself a lot of agony by changing his name long before he entered politics. Uninformed bigots have no desire to change their unfounded opinions or misguided beliefs because they are intellectually unable to read with any comprehension. They are able, however, to look at pictures and find within them validation of their notions. The New Yorker cover handled that for them nicely. It should not be funny to any red-blooded American to even consider the idea of two terrorists in the White House. Sorry, no other political candidate has ever been made fun of in this manner.

i am a mccain supporter but i don’t find that picture fair at all. also i always found the new yorker always liberal offence but to their own nominee is digusting.
that is why i will NEVER subcript to it

i am a mccain supporter but i don’t find that picture fair at all. also i always found the new yorker always liberal offence but to their own nominee is digusting.
that is why i will NEVER subscript to it

Not going to play the race and victim card? The New Yorker will do it for you Mr. McCain. “Only Muslims get angry over silly cartoons.”

I saw the New Yorker cover, and surprised to say that I wasn’t bothered by it that much. It’s in bad taste, but not out ot the realm of satire. If one looks into presidential history, a lot of political cartoons impugning character, social status, etc. can be found. Add the New Yorker cover to the list.

I love satire! The New Yorker cover is not satire nor is it funny. What would be satire is to replace Obama and his wife with McCain and his wife in the cartoon, everything else remaining the same! Would that bring across the same point? Would there be any outrage?

I agree with you Manny! It disgusts me at how low people will go. You know Mohamad Ali is Muslim, and he has a Great respect from the American people, he is a great man, We need to wake up we need some change to see if are country can go in the right direction, without BUSH, Hold your head up high Obama.

did anybody bother to the read the two articles about obama before criticzing the new yorker’s obama cartoon? all of this ballyhoo is much ado about nothing.
both were even-handed and nonpartisan, and are definitely not attacking him. one was an extensive article about his political career, the other about if he really has flip-flopped on issues. while words like ‘opportunist’ and ‘carpetbagger’ were used, those were quotes from those who knew him best, and not the magazine’s opinion. he was called ‘paradoxical’, but that’s hardly an attack, it’s fact as he is a politician after all.
if it was a publicity stunt by the new yorker to sell magazines, well it worked! i hardly ever read it, but i did this time and wasn’t alone. i got the last copy at the bookstore i went to.

I thought the New Yorker had more class than this. Yes, I enjoy satire, but this was just plain bad taste. It think it cheapens the reputation of the magazine.

When I first saw the cover of the New Yorker, I found it HYSTERICALLY FUNNY! I had been keeping up with all of these insane e-mail myths that the right-wing fringe have been putting out about Mr. Obama for the past few months (“He’s a Muslim terrorist!” “That fist bump was a secret gang sign!” “He wants to destroy America!”), and it was hilarious to see them all compacted down to one simple yet ludicrous drawing – completely divorced from all reality, just like the mindsets of so many other hard-core conservative Republicans.
To then witness the stir that came about because of this cartoon depressed the hell out of me. It’s hard to believe that less than a month ago, the comedic legend George Carlin was still walking amongst us, and if he had remained alive for just a few more weeks to see this so-called furor over what is truly meant to be a joke, he would not have stood for it. He’d be going up to anyone who would listen and reminding them that THIS IS WHAT HUMOR IS/DOES/ALWAYS IS/ALWAYS WILL BE!! Now more than ever, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO LAUGH AT ALL OF IT!! Prices are going up; violence is on the rise; people are more paranoid than ever; we can barely afford to leave home to escape our meager lives, and when we try to seek solace in the “simple” escapism of television, we find 256 channels of nothing worth watching!! Now more than ever, we need to be able to laugh about it all!
So let’s break the joke down for those of you who still don’t get it: several hundred socially-inept, intellectually-bankrupt morons who just happen to be conservative Republicans “recieved” some (mis-)information from an “unknown source” about an African-American, Democratic presidential candidate. These same people, who seemingly have recused themselves from all reliable sources of “mainstream” information, pumped these lies back out to several thousand other like-minded individuals via the one medium that they could have used just as easily to check the facts behind these myths – the internet. These same brain-addled freaks could be shown the current cover of the New Yorker and see it as some sort of vindication that they were in the right all along. They would self-rightiously declare that this is EXACTLY who the Democrats want to put in the White House!
Kids, if we don’t laugh at this whole ridiculous thing, THE MORONS WIN!!!!!

As an independent I wonder why should we even care what the media does or says as the truth? It is a cartoon. Don’t take it personally. Aren’t there more important things to the discuss in our country? Why can’t the democratic congress pass a stinking energy bill? To the republicans why the hell can’t you release some oil from the strategic oil reserve to break the oil psychology? Because both sides are thinking about an election instead of doing the job we entrusted to you.
Has anyone figured out the more government we have involved in our lives the more screwed up things become? Every political race is about the lesser of the two evils. Maybe, next week there will be a cover mocking Mr. McCain’s relationship with Mr. Bush something the democrats love to do. I am glad to see one of the media groups steping away from the pack for once. As you can tell they are taking a beating for it as usual. Everybody vote in November and I will decide who wins.

Unfortunately the New Yorker went over the top on this one! Over the heads of most people. And since most people in the US don’t admit to being intellectual, it missed the point.
In any case even as satire, irony or sarcasm, it was in bad taste and only fuels the fire of ignorance and prejudice.
Sadly, the important issues are being ignored and only the emotional issues of race, religion and fear have become a detail of this campaign.

Obama continues the Clinton tradition of complaining about the media…

I have great respect for the role of satire in public discourse. Some may go so far as to say it is an American tradition.
Satire plays an important role in any democracy by allowing the free-flow of ideas into narrow places they may never otherwise reach. Through the use of humor, satire exposes our common cognitive dissonance and permits controversial or radical ideas to penetrate the thick skin of our preconceived notions in ways that the communication of mere fact cannot.
However, sensationalizing the worst fears of those who subscribe to only one particular mind-set or world view is not satire, but exploitation.
As an Obama supporter who is highly suspicious of John McCain, I, too, have my own ‘worst fears’ and negative stereotypes.
If the New Yorker’s editorial board is to claim that this cartoon is mere satire, then I expect to have my own narrow-minded ignorance revealed to me, as well. Am I any less deserving of having my hypocrisies exposed than its more right-of-center readers?
Where is the cartoon of an Oxycontin-swilling, Klansmen hood-wearing, peroxide blonde first cousin-marrying, shallow gene pool-wading octogenarian John McCain standing atop a tank about to plow through a Baghdad kindergarten?
Without such parity in the images the New Yorker editorial staff chooses to present, I will never again purchase an issue of that magazine.