New Yorker Magazine... wow, just wow.

[Fash]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanm ... it_up.html

The New Yorker says it’s satire. It certainly will be candy for cable news.

At a press availability Sunday afternoon in San Diego, Senator Obama was asked, according to the diligent Maria Gavrilovic of CBS News: “The upcoming issue of the New Yorker, the July 21st issue, has a picture of you, depicting you and your wife on the cover. Have you seen it? If not, I can show it to you on my computer. It shows your wife Michelle with an Afro and an AK 47 and the two of you doing the fist bump with you in a sort of turban-type thing on top. I wondered if you’ve seen it or if you want to see it or if you have a response to it?”

Obama (shrugs incredulously): “I have no response to that.”

Priceless stage direction by Maria.

The magazine explains at the start of its news release previewing the issue: “On the cover of the July 21, 2008, issue of the The New Yorker, in ‘The Politics of Fear,’ artist Barry Blitt satirizes the use of scare tactics and misinformation in the Presidential election to derail Barack Obama’s campaign.”



I’m sure Senator Obama is oh-so appreciative for The New Yorker’s help.

UPDATE -- Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton says: “The New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that their cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Senator Obama's right-wing critics have tried to create. But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive. And we agree."
See also

UPDATE to the UPDATE -- McCain spokesman Tucker "Outward" Bounds quickly e-mailed: "We completely agree with the Obama campaign, it’s tasteless and offensive.”

I can understand the intent, but this is just all wrong.

[Spang]

Welcome to America.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

Equal or worse has been done about Bush for 8 years. Just because he is a Dem and Black doesn't give him the right to be offended. He is a public official and is open to the same treatment that has been given to all other political officials since the founding of this country. Satrical cartoons go way fucking back.

[Spang]

McCain is offended also. Does he not have the right to be offended too?

[Winnow]

It looks like he's wearing a sailor hat. What's wrong with that? He's anti Navy or something?

[Fash]

Yeah I don't think any of the Bush satires made the front cover, or were this far from the truth.

The problem, to me, is putting this on the cover of a major magazine without explanation. Unless they A) open the magazine and read the article or B) have someone explain to them what's really going on... they won't know that the article is trying to de-bunk these types of scare tactics and misleading information. The article is titled,'The Politics of Fear,' but this cover has become another weapon of fear that will be seen and cause impact on many people.

It needs some text on the cover... "This is not the real Obama, but there are people who want you to think it is.. Read inside for The Politics of Fear" or something else that properly teases the article, without being misleading.

How about a poll... does this sell like hotcakes, or will the backlash hurt the New Yorker?

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

McCain is offended also. Does he not have the right to be offended too?

He will say he is offended because it has become prudent he do so.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

It looks like he's wearing a sailor hat. What's wrong with that? He's anti Navy or something?

Look again. It's not a sailor hat.

[Spang]

He will say he is offended because it has become prudent he do so.

And Obama will say he's offended because he's a black dem'?

[Xatrei]

To be fair, The New Yorker is trying to poke fun at the right wing nuts that have tried to paint the Obamas in this light. They're in no way suggesting that this cartoon accurately reflects the Obamas' values or beliefs. Having said that, it's fucking idiotic for them to for them to (further) inject this sort of stupidity into the process. Whoever made the final decision to go with this needs to be fired. Not for thinking this stupid cartoon is clever commentary on the right wing smear machine, but for having so little common sense and being unable to predict the sort of fall out that a cover image like this would generate.

Also, you're fucking retarded if you think this is in anyway comparable to the treatment given to Bush. W has earned every bit of ridicule he's gotten over the years. Calling or portraying him as a moron isn't doesn't even approach painting Obama dressed like a mujahideen fighter standing in front of a poster of OBL.

[Nick]

Yeah, this is a fucking retarded cover that does little but perpetuate the negative and utterly shitheaded way that people in the US currently gauge the votability of their presidential hopefuls.

Also, Bush gets satirised for a very good fucking reason Midnyte, you stupid fuckwit.

[Xyun]

I personally love this cover. Anything that pisses off and energizes the left and makes the right look like the propaganda peddling snake oil salesmen that they are makes me happy. Whoever made the decision to have this cover is a genius. If I'm standing at a news stand and see this magazine I for sure buy it. The cartoon itself is enough to get anyone from across the entire political spectrum want to read the article it relates to. It also brings attention to the ludicrousness of comparing an American senator to a terrorist, and the campaign to do so anyway, and to those running that campaign. All in all, I'm happy about this.

[Toshira]

McCain is offended also. Does he not have the right to be offended too?

He will say he is offended because it has become prudent he do so.

So are you saying he doesn't mean it?

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

McCain is offended also. Does he not have the right to be offended too?

He will say he is offended because it has become prudent he do so.

So are you saying he doesn't mean it?

I am saying 99% of the media statements made in the last 10 years by anyone saying somethign they truly meant, then retracting was done so because of political correctness and false offense at words. I am saying those who respond to things others have done after this bullshit outcry of offense at words, are jumping on the wagon so those "offended" ones won't rally against them as well. This entire facade lately is repulsive.

[Gzette]

I am saying 99% of the media statements made in the last 10 years by anyone saying somethign they truly meant, then retracting was done so because of political correctness and false offense at words. I am saying those who respond to things others have done after this bullshit outcry of offense at words, are jumping on the wagon so those "offended" ones won't rally against them as well. This entire facade lately is repulsive.

Here here. I am so sick of that shit. But I understand it. With all these knee-jerk sensitive orgs out there now, the idiotic reaction of some crybaby can blow up into a "OMG he said what!?" scandal in a split second. What makes me even more sickened is how people take quotes out of context. The Obama "elitisit" comment comes to mind as a more recent example, in which, in its full context you saw how he was referring to how the republican party uses those hotbed issues to rally its base, rather than chastizing people for being religious or having guns. Something you rallied around if I recall.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

I am saying 99% of the media statements made in the last 10 years by anyone saying somethign they truly meant, then retracting was done so because of political correctness and false offense at words. I am saying those who respond to things others have done after this bullshit outcry of offense at words, are jumping on the wagon so those "offended" ones won't rally against them as well. This entire facade lately is repulsive.

Here here. I am so sick of that shit. But I understand it. With all these knee-jerk sensitive orgs out there now, the idiotic reaction of some crybaby can blow up into a "OMG he said what!?" scandal in a split second. What makes me even more sickened is how people take quotes out of context. The Obama "elitisit" comment comes to mind as a more recent example, in which, in its full context you saw how he was referring to how the republican party uses those hotbed issues to rally its base, rather than chastizing people for being religious or having guns. Something you rallied around if I recall.

You recall correctly.

[Wulfran]

OK I saw that cartoon and I laughed. Obama should have laughed too. I think its a perfect summation of a lot of the bullshit reported in the media as coming from a lot of GOP supporters*. To me the controversy arises from the lack of a teaser or title on the bottom of the cover, something like "The Politics of Fear". As it stands alone, its kinda like the Golf Week cover with the noose on the front (when the chick made the comment about other golfers lynching Tiger Woods so they could win a tournament), which while it provided a lot of publicity, unless you subscribe to the "any buzz is good buzz" school of thought, may not be the kind of publicity you want... especially if you're trying to maintain any type of "serious news" image vs tabloidism.



*My major news sources are CTV and CBC in Canada; BBC World from the UK; ABC, CBS and NBC Spokane network affiliates and CNN for US sources of these reports. Some of the reports are better supported than others, some are just sound-bites, but the organizational bias in the reporting is generally very low.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

OK I saw that cartoon and I laughed. Obama should have laughed too. I think its a perfect summation of a lot of the bullshit reported in the media as coming from a lot of GOP supporters*. .

You should say those who oppose Obama. Dems who oppose Obama have said the same things. His radical association though beget such outlandish cartoons. It is not a farfetched satire without a deserved reason for it's creation.

[Bagar-]

OK I saw that cartoon and I laughed. Obama should have laughed too. I think its a perfect summation of a lot of the bullshit reported in the media as coming from a lot of GOP supporters*. .

You should say those who oppose Obama. Dems who oppose Obama have said the same things. His radical association though beget such outlandish cartoons. It is not a farfetched satire without a deserved reason for it's creation.

Yes it is.

[Forthe]

The cover needed a caption, the satire is not evident especially if you are not familiar with the New Yorker. Without a caption the cover actually aids that which they are supposidly condemning. CNN did some sidewalk newstand interviews with people that appeared to be fairly educated and they didn't get it at all.

The New Yorker is getting a bit of a pass here due to its liberal leanings, if this had been a right leaning publication there would have been a much stronger reaction.

[miir]

I especially liked the burning flag and the Bin Laden portrait on the wall.

You should say those who oppose Obama. Dems who oppose Obama have said the same things.

Um no.

[Forthe]

I especially liked the burning flag and the Bin Laden portrait on the wall.

You should say those who oppose Obama. Dems who oppose Obama have said the same things.

Um no.

Actually the newsweek poll showed a similar percentage of dems and republicans with these views. It isn't just republicans, the "whitey" video rumor was started by clinton democratics. It seems neither party has the monopoly on low information\ignorant members nor the scumbags that are willing to take advantage of them.

[Sirton]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Yorker

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Remnick

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/1 ... 12432.html

Democrats...trying to cause a backfire on republicans...or Hillary supporters working on her campaign in 4 years.

[*~*stragi*~*]

so you honestly believe it's feasible that barak obama is an extremist muslim with ties to bin laden who hates america and is married to the guerllia warfare version of the bride of frakenstein?

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

so you honestly believe it's feasible that barak obama is an extremist muslim with ties to bin laden who hates america and is married to the guerllia warfare version of the bride of frakenstein?

Do you honestly believe Bush is an idiot?

[*~*stragi*~*]

because george bush being an idiot is way more outlandish than that picture how?

you should keep replying to my questions with questions it will be a fun game that i will win because in the end i'm not not a racist pizza delivery driver who supports murder and is a closet homosexual with a huge crush on irish boys with facial hair

[*~*stragi*~*]

cuz im out of da closet lawllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

because george bush being an idiot is way more outlandish than that picture how?

you should keep replying to my questions with questions it will be a fun game that i will win because in the end i'm not not a racist pizza delivery driver who supports murder and is a closet homosexual with a huge crush on irish boys with facial hair

Back to the topic.....You make the assumption bush is an idiot. You may want to look into Bush's education and experience. Because, you do not agree with his stances politically does not make him an idiot. You are getting very close to do the same thing Nick did with Tony Snow.

[Spang]

Back to the topic.....You make the assumption bush is an idiot. You may want to look into Bush's education and experience. Because, you do not agree with his stances politically does not make him an idiot. You are getting very close to do the same thing Nick did with Tony Snow.

No one was even talking about Bush until you mentioned him. Bush has nothing to do with this discussion. Jump off a fucking bridge, please.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

Back to the topic.....You make the assumption bush is an idiot. You may want to look into Bush's education and experience. Because, you do not agree with his stances politically does not make him an idiot. You are getting very close to do the same thing Nick did with Tony Snow.

No one was even talking about Bush until you mentioned him. Bush has nothing to do with this discussion. Jump off a fucking bridge, please.

Bush was brought up in comparison with the silly things people might think Obama is. It was a very valid comparison. I'm sorry you cannot recognize that and that you wish death upon me.

[miir]

You may want to look into Bush's education and experience.

Geroge W Bush's academic mediocrity is well documented... as is his ineptitude in business ventures.

To say he is an idiot might be a bit harsh but I don't think it's very far off the mark.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

You may want to look into Bush's education and experience.

Geroge W Bush's academic mediocrity is well documented... as is his ineptitude in business ventures.

To say he is an idiot might be a bit harsh but I don't think it's very far off the mark.

As far off the mark as calling him a genius.

[Spang]

I said please.

[Toshira]

so you honestly believe it's feasible that barak obama is an extremist muslim with ties to bin laden who hates america and is married to the guerllia warfare version of the bride of frakenstein?

Do you honestly believe Bush is an idiot?

Yes. He's stupid and habitually makes poor choices.

Cheney, on the other hand, is a political animal - I'd guess top 3 in the last 100 years.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

so you honestly believe it's feasible that barak obama is an extremist muslim with ties to bin laden who hates america and is married to the guerllia warfare version of the bride of frakenstein?

Do you honestly believe Bush is an idiot?

Yes. He's stupid and habitually makes poor choices.

FIRST TERM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
THE WAR AGAINST TERRORISM


In 2001, with less than a month's notice, American and British forces in Afghanistan joined with local anti-Taliban troops in an assault on the al Qaeda network and the Taliban regime that gave it safe harbor in Afghanistan.
Passage of the USA Patriot Act met one of the president's goals. This law brought down the artificial wall separating law enforcement and intelligence officers and allowed them to talk to each other as they work to prevent future attacks.
In 2002, President Bush proposed and Congress approved a single, unified Department of Homeland Security to improve protection against today's threats and be flexible enough to help meet the unknown threats of the future. By unifying over 22 agencies and offices, the president has improved the government's ability to guard U.S. borders and infrastructure and patrol the skies.
In 2003, coalition forces acted with skill and bravery to liberate the Iraqi people and remove a grave and gathering danger to America and the world.
The murderous regimes of Saddam Hussein and the Taliban are history and more than 50 million people have been liberated.

JOBS AND THE U.S. ECONOMY


Between 2000 and 2003, productivity grew at the fastest three-year rate in more than 50 years.
In September 2003, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported the lowest unemployment rate (5.4%) since October 2001.
The president's tax relief allowed families to keep more of what they earn by cutting tax rates across the board.

HELPING THE NEEDY


In 2003, President Bush announced the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a five-year, $15-billion initiative to turn the tide in combating the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. Just one month after Congress appropriated funds for the president's plan, $350 million was awarded to service providers for critical prevention efforts and to bring life-saving treatment to suffering people in some of the hardest-hit countries in Africa and the Caribbean.

EDUCATION REFORM


President Bush submitted his framework for education reform, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), three days after taking office and secured overwhelming bipartisan support less than a year later. NCLB represents the most significant overhaul of U.S. education policy since 1965, when the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was passed.

MAKING HEALTH CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE


In December 2003, President Bush signed legislation that makes Health Savings Accounts available to millions of Americans. Health Savings Accounts offer flexible, affordable insurance options for small businesses and individuals.
This legislation also will make prescription drug coverage available to 40 million senior citizens and people with disabilities through the Medicare healthcare system.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT


President Bush has committed America to meeting the challenge of long-term global climate change by reducing the ratio of greenhouse gas emissions to economic output, or greenhouse gas intensity, by 18 percent by 2012 compared to 2002.
In December 2003, President Bush signed legislation implementing key provisions of his Healthy Forests Initiative. The President's initiative is helping restore the health and vitality of forests and rangelands, and helping reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires.

[miir]

Unless you're implying that George W Bush personally drafted and passed those bills and initiatives then they really have no bearing on his intelligence (or lack thereof).

[Aslanna]

Is George Bush an idiot? Yes he is. Now on to other matters... Spang did say please!

[Xatrei]

First of all, I don't believe that Bush is literally an idiot. I do think that he's an amoral, underachieving, opportunistic faceman of average intelligence who has been used by very intelligent and, in some cases, evil puppet masters. Having said that, even if you accept that he is personally responsible for each of the points listed, which I do not, you're going to lose the argument that you're trying to bolster. Considering his entire time in office, here's how your list should read:

War against terrorism: This is a joke. It's been unfocused and has trampled all over the Constitution. We've also pissed away vast amounts of money and a depressing number of lives. The WoT will be remembered as a very dark time in our history.

Jobs and the Economy: We're now seeing the fruits of right-wing policy. Nothing really needs to be said here. When adjusted for inflation, median household income has dropped drastically.

Helping the needy: Helping create more needy people is a better answer. Very little of the promised billions has been delivered to global HIV/AIDS relief and prevention efforts. Domestically, while the well off have, for the most part, become more well off, millions have slipped into poverty. Real unemployment numbers have grown (official numbers do not reflect actual numbers of unemployed because they drop people from the list after their benefits run out). The number of people underemployed have grown.

Education Reform: No Child Left Behind is widely recognized as a highly flawed system, if not an outright failure. Our education system is now discouraged from delivering a well-rounded education to simply preparing kids to pass a test. It will be massively overhauled or scrapped altogether once Bush is out of office.

Making Health Care More Accessible: Millions of Americans have lost their health insurance over the last 8 years. Millions more are under-insured, and are at risk of losing their coverage if they lose their jobs due to the economic downturn we're currently experiencing. Others risk having their insurance refuse to pay for necessary treatments or drop their coverage entirely by exercising loopholes in policy contracts.

Protecting the Environment: The Bush administration has accomplished almost nothing in this area now that their clean air efforts have been thrown out by an appeals court.

[*~*stragi*~*]

because george bush being an idiot is way more outlandish than that picture how?

you should keep replying to my questions with questions it will be a fun game that i will win because in the end i'm not not a racist pizza delivery driver who supports murder and is a closet homosexual with a huge crush on irish boys with facial hair

Back to the topic.....You make the assumption bush is an idiot. You may want to look into Bush's education and experience. Because, you do not agree with his stances politically does not make him an idiot. You are getting very close to do the same thing Nick did with Tony Snow.

i didn't make any assumptions, you're the only one talking about bush. that's not even a clever de-rail.

[Lynks]

Jon Stewart said it best. "You know who gets offended by cartoons? Muslims."

[*~*stragi*~*]

so what you're saying is basically midnyte is a muslim

[Forthe]

[Fash]

perfect.