Comments on: New Yorker cartoon: Satire is the message

By: Ann

Ann — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:14:55 +0000

I'm a seventy year old southern white woman from North Carolina, and a life long Democrat. Political satire is the form of comedy I've always loved and appreciated. I consider myself intellegent and usually pick up even on subtle satire. However, I didn't get this and it offended me. It 's the exact same as crying out "Fire" in a crowded theater. When I heard Clinton's most ardent supporter, James Carvell, so exuberantly defending the New Yorker cover, it occurred to me that to have this cover in full view on news stands and, for months to come, lying around doctors offices for the common masses to see has made the Clintons very happy indeed.

By: Elijah

Elijah — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:14:36 +0000

I am a very liberal minded person, but this cover is inappropriate at such a time. To me, i might not take it seriously but some else might not.

I dont know how many times Sen. Obama has had to explain his religion and this is not taken well by the moslem Americans! It sounds like America is for Christians!!

Having Osamas picture on the wall of the oval office and the burning of the flag is supposed to portray the Obamas as anti america, something which not every american would take lightly.

Having Michelle with an Afro, and an SMG would portray a black American dealing with guns, and all sorts of crimes seen in the black communities!

So one would see the cartoon as Anti Black (racist) and anti moslem! Sen. Mcain must be the happiest man at the moment as this would win him new supporters, the new yorker of course will have BIG money since many have bought the magazine, and Sen. Obama goes back to Illinois! American moslems will remain aliens in their country, and the Racism will continue!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:22:43 +0000

I dont care if you're Democrat, Republican, black or white... you should be offended by this "satirist" cartoon. There is no witty caption to explain it as being satire and you know millions of people are gonna take a glance at this cover at their local newsstands and start to cement their beliefs that Obama is a terrorist and a Muslim, neither of which are true. There are thousands of reporters out there trying to dig up dirt on Obama every day and if evidence existed of Obama being a Muslim or a terrorist it would have surfaced. Imagine if Senator John McCain and his wife were on the cover depicted in Klan hoods? Are you serious???!!! I will never read the New Yorker again and Im sure many Americans will follow suit. Im just so amazed and disgusted....

By: Don WIgal

Don WIgal — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:22:33 +0000

I haven't yet heard a commentator mention that the title of the provocative New Yorker cartoon is "The Politics of Hate."

By: J.V.hodgson

J.V.hodgson — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:35:15 +0000

Ok Media if you must justify it as satire and freedom of the press.
Then you have to construct a similar page about Mccain and Cindy.
Sorry, I cannot find any reaonable argument for linking Michelle especially or Obama himself in any way satirical or otherwise to Osama bin Laden, or the cardinal sin of flag burning, for either of them.
Satire has its place but it is not on the front page of a major magazine and obviosly relative to a Presidential election. Even his opponent condemned it as improper.
On that basis all media stop the conversation, discussion. There is not a conversation to be had other than Time screwed up!!
Regards,
Hodgson.

By: Frank in Illinois

Frank in Illinois — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:30:39 +0000

This cover has done great things for The Obama campaign. It has created so much publicity and is actually so outrageous, it truly creates a separation between rumor and truth. I would prefer to believe, as a society, we are intelligent enough to see this.

By: Mason

Mason — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:26:25 +0000

I say get over it... I don't believe he is muslim but if he is offended by this...just wait. Cause IF he was to be elected to president the gloves come off... for example i can easily find similar depictions of Bush. The thing I am offended by is the coverage by the Press of such a waist of time. Its as if the Press is saying .... How dare anyone make fun of him or even say anything bad about him.

By: Heidi DeYoung

Heidi DeYoung — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:52:12 +0000

Tempest in a teapot. Good for ratings.

It's funny that any network could get pundits pontificating about it.

Come on people. Look back at the history of historical cartoons. Please don't tell me we live in an age where people need to be so protected from satire. That's stupid. Making it a big issue is stupid, and the people who don't get it are ...well, at least uninformed.

Like so many issues mainstream media has the tendency to latch on to, it is much ado about nothing. The last thing people in this country need to concern themselves with is the legitimacy/intent of any one political cartoon.

By: EMMANUEL MADUABUCHI

EMMANUEL MADUABUCHI — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:45:38 +0000

This cartoon by NewYorker is the worst thing I have ever seen in my four years in this Country.
The people who did this cartoon should hide thier heads in shame.
How many of those people defending the cartoon will stand when they see thier wife in the cover of a magazine holding a rifle and an American flag burning at the background?.
This is no satire or whatever they choose to call it; It is racism at it`s worst.
How Americans have had thier wife on a cover of any magazine the way this racists placed Mrs Obama?
IT IS A SHAME THAT THE 1960S ARE TRYING TO COME BACK AGAIN.This election will come and go but this cartoon will not. Atleast not for African Americans.

By: Lee-Kelley

Lee-Kelley — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:42:37 +0000

I was taught that you will know a tree by the fruit that it bares. Whether it is a hangman's noose that is called a prank or, racist caricatures which are referred to as satire, America's ignorance is expose to the world. THIS WAS NOT A MISTAKE, nor is it humorous. THIS WAS INTENTIONAL, and it is sick! You can dress a frog, and call it a prince but, you will be the only one deceived, and ending up with warts. America's shame is dressed as satires/pranks. When will we admit wrong? James Carvelle's response was to praise the publisher, and to say that "people will believe what they want to believe."I believe as Bill Bennett has stated:"We are responsible to teach/tell truth," and not to make excuses for (the New Yorker's cover) lies which promote destruction/discord. The fruit on this sort of tree is poisonous, and they that eat of it treasure death, and hate life.

By: Dan Golden

Dan Golden — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:42:04 +0000

Since 2001, President Bush has been portrayed in editorial cartoons and on magazine covers as a war-monger, a know-nothing, and a dangerous, gun-totin' cowboy. A widely distributed comic strip has enshrined our commander-in-chief as an empty Roman helmet who spouts ignorant blather, all this during war time.
It's amusing to see the rising indignation when the same irreverent brush paints a satirical portrait of the latest political-celebrity-icon. Golly! Good thing the New Yorker isn't published in Denmark.

By: Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:28:36 +0000

I feel so sorry for Mr. Obama. He can't defend himself or his family for fear that white america will not vote for him. It's really sad. If he made a comment about a white woman he would be sure to lose, because white america would make sure of it. I am black and I am getting pretty fed up with all this racism. I am also starting to hate this country.
I'm sick of white people thinking that they have the right to slander this man and openly abuse his wife and children. If white people think that young BLACK America is going to keep putting up with this they are gravely mistaken. You are making enemies. be warned.

By: lampe

lampe — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:26:56 +0000

Have all of you people forgotten what happened in New York CITY on 9 11 ? Now I'm not saying one way or another If I believe Obama's a Muslim. But, I am not so sure I want to take a chance on the unknown. Black people are just as bad, about putting fear in the blogs. Tonight on Anderson 360 a black man made the remark that if Obama's not elected POTUS, the young black people will be roiting in the streets. Now if thats not fear-mongering, how about telling me what is.

By: JayNVa

JayNVa — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:20:23 +0000

I admire Obama because with ALL the barbs he has had, he remains cool and collected. A man who shows his composure MUST be admired.
If he can handle the firestorms in the USA, I am sure he can deal with the countries the buttholes call threats.

Americans are so cut throat if things do go their way.

By: Ted in Pueblo, CO

Ted in Pueblo, CO — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:06:42 +0000

The New Yorker powers-that-be “hoisted themselves on their own petards.” Don’t know what that means? The “intended communication” is then lost. That will probably be the direct result of the “picture that is worth a whole lot more than a mere thousand words.” Flag burning? Michelle looking like revolutionary Angela Davis? Obama dressed as a fundamental Muslim? The graphic images will be prominently displayed “everywhere”—and will burn themselves into observers’ emotional brain centers, very well clouding reasoned thinking at a time we need it the worst. The only thing they’ve left out here is an insult to Allah or Mohammed. We already know what reactionary effects that can have.

By: Marcie

Marcie — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:05:20 +0000

I see racism is alive and well in our SUPER POWER , disgusting;. Bet you it's those baby boomers who are creating all this havov. Our new generation are much more loving; and accepting. Are we not supposed to love one another? SURE WE ARE , but only when its convenient,. So glad I am Canadian , and who cares about Anjolini ( or whatever her name is} Mothers have been giving life since the beginning of time, who cares about Agolina ,its a natural process. Please GOOD OLD USA give us a BREAK. Lighten up and don't keep your mind on WAR

By: lampe

lampe — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:46:48 +0000

Why is it that anything bad that is said about Obama, only comes from racists? 90 to 95% of Blacks voted for Obama, not because of what he stands, but because he is Black. If White women who supported Sen. Clinton, because that thought that she was not only the better person to be in The White House, decide not to support Obama then they to are racist. Black people you can not have it both ways. Let Obama be a man, stop acting like he's a baby. I do not always like what I see and hear in videos or on 106 and Park. But, I don't write them nasty e-mails, I just change the channel.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:42:45 +0000

Oh! Come on ! Michelle doesn't have a "Afro" ! She doesn't wear "Boots" and I've never seen Her with a MachineGun ! Obama's head isn't really that "Big" ! It's simply a "Cartoon "! I think the Artist who did that drawing is a Great Artist and The New Yorker should be Proud of Him/Her ! Grow up America and get serious about the real Issues !

By: Chris Walker

Chris Walker — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:39:15 +0000

After watching James Carville comment on the New Yorker cover it has occurred to me that he like most Democratic s who CLAIM to support the African American cause are just as racist, insensitive and narrow minded as most of their Republican counterparts. I would hope that one day the Democratic or Republican party changes, so we can not only hear a new voice in Washington, but hear from new representatives to those parties. Anderson, when it comes to comments about Senator Obama, please do not waste our time getting comments from Hillary Clinton Drone James "My candidate didn't win so I will travel to many shows and criticize the Democratic nominee, so that maybe my girl can get another shot " Carville. The fact is...this man has had a Clinton agenda for over four presidential elections and most of us Americans that are NOT Clinton lovers are tired of him. Unlike his wife who will support any Republican candidate (they do a better job paying off their spokespeople) Mr. Carville has shown his fraudulent hand..... Money well spent President Clinton.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:28:25 +0000

As a young American, I am appalled by such tastelessness. Satire? Don’t you mean propaganda? This cover is wrong on so many levels. I am thoroughly disappointed in the judgment of the New York Times. Honestly, I am disappointed that America is still dealing with such primitive issues.