User Comments

1. 

   7/14/08

   TonyB

   Seems tasteless.

   [reply]
   1. 

      7/14/08

      globalgirl

      It is tasteless.
2. 

   7/14/08

   cooper

   He missed the mark with it for sure, but as this is them major news all over the blogesphere in regard to the campaigns I think it is too bad as it obscures many issues that need to be addressed before he gets elected.
   
   It is a fact I am told that you need an IQ of 115 to be able to "get" real satire and that leaves Out a large part of the population. That is what will hurt the campaign. 9 posted ab out it on my blog - no link)
   
   I find much satire offensive, because it uses racial and sexual stereotypes, in this case there is no title which is usually a hallmark of New Yorker satires and in some ways negate the satire to for those to stupid to get it, but otherwiseI've seenmore offensive.
   
   It did miss the mark, and sadly ignited a large amount of blog and news coverage which could best be used on other topics.

   [reply]
   1. 

      7/14/08

      Wisco

      It is a fact I am told that you need an IQ of 115 to be able to "get" real satire and that leaves Out a large part of the population. That is what will hurt the campaign. 9 posted ab out it on my blog - no link)
      
      I'm a little lost on how anyone could not "get" this is satire. It seems so obvious. In fact, all of the people I've seen criticizing it are worried about what other people will think, which suggests to me that it doesn't strike them personally as bad.
      
      Besides, anyone who still believes this stuff at this point is a freakin' moron -- way below 115 and closer to the room temperature of a walk-in freezer. This isn't going to persuade people one way or the other, even if they misunderstand it. The dumb and gullible ones have already made up their minds that this is all true,
   2. 

      7/14/08

      globalgirl

      It is appalling to me that the New Yorker would be so brazen to have this on their cover. It is loaded with meaning, bigotry, and sarcasm. Whether the New Yorker calls it satire or not, it speaks volumes about how they view Obama and his wife. They know most people don't "get" satire and even those of us who do "get" it are disgusted.
3. 

   7/14/08

   Anok

   It's just an inappropriate way to handle the "fear based politics" and mud slinging, particularly in a climate where Obama has been accused - and severely so - of all of these things.
   
   Inappropriate, just - not n the mark this time.

   [reply]
   1. 

      7/14/08

      TonyB

      Almost feel like its a 7 game sport's series and the media wants to make certain it goes 7 games.
   2. 

      7/14/08

      globalgirl

      What do you think is the intent of this cover?
   3. 

      7/15/08

      TonyB

      Magazine sales and to hurt Obama's chance of election. I thought the New Yorker is a liberal magazine? It will more than likely cut their subscriptions in half. They clearly thought through the possible public responses and knew it was going to create major attention for the magazine.
   4. 

      7/15/08

      Anok

      Supposedly it is to make those who have used those stereotypes about Obama and his wife uncomfortable, by taking all of the little snide remarks, and adding them up to show the total damage.
      
      Unfortunately, it is so disrespectful in my opinion, that it missed the mark.
      
      Either that (or in reality), or it is showing something that no one wants to see or admit - that racism is far more prevalent than anyone would like to admit.
      
      Ugh
4. 

   7/15/08

   gmoney

   WOW....... but that cover was stupid!

   [reply]
5. 

   7/15/08

   jan4insight

   Of course it's satire! I just posted on this in the general discussions, and while I'd love to repeat my own brilliance, it's late and my brain is mush. However, the two salient points of my thoughts are:
   
   ~There may be some good to come out of this if we can collectively get this song and dance out of our system, and return the campaign to the issues.
   
   ~Nothing in this cover is as offensive to me as Bush's parting shot at the G8 Summit: "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter." And he meant it as joke, complete with high-five or fist bump or whatever. So, he's admitted to trashing the planet, and he's laughing about it. Now THAT is offensive!

   [reply]
6. 

   7/15/08

   clioandme

   Here's an Obama supporter who thinks the cover is funny and who also thinks we shouldn't take everything so darn seriously all the time. if it weren't for satire, this would be one unbearably long campaign.

   [reply]
7. 

   7/15/08

   satijournal

   

   [reply]
   1. 

      7/15/08

      RuinousRight

      I think you're on to something.
   2. 

      7/15/08

      globalgirl

      Funny cartoon, but both parties operate fear campaigns. The right and left both play the same game.
8. 

   7/15/08

   RuinousRight

   I have not seen the issue myself, but I've heard there is no explanation within about it being satire or about how ridiculous the misinformation is. Many people will understand it to be satire, but some will not and this just feeds into their distorted view of things.
   
   It was stupid, stoopid.

   [reply]
   1. 

      7/15/08

      clioandme

      Those who won't don't read it anyway. Those who won't will be getting it second or third or tenth hand through the awful rumor mill anyway.
9. 

   7/15/08

   Wisco

   I think the real question is whether or not it'll make any difference. I say no.
   
   griperblade.blogspot.com/2008/07/stupid-will-stay-stupid-and-crazy-will.htm...
   
   Frankly, I think the reaction is a little overblown.

   [reply]
10. 

    7/15/08

    gerryPlanetEarth

    This cartoon is not at all funny...I think more than anything it shows how desparate magazines are for customers and readership...
    
    The development of blogging will soon make most magazines a distant memory like 8-track tapes, vinyl records and vcr etc...
    
    There is more value to the reader in a well written post on a blog such as relevant links, videos, audio, ability to submit a comment, social media etc.. than any printed magazine article could possibly offer...
    
    The Magazine Industry is doomed and oviously desparate to publish such a cheap laffs cartooon...
    
    Newspapers and magazines is a waste of trees in this day and age and leaves behind huge carbon footprints compared to electronic media...
    
    The cartoon about the New Yorker Cartoon submitted by satijournal is somewhat funny and a good example of a political cartoon...
    
    The New Yorker cartoon doesn't really even qualify as a cartoon...

    [reply]
    1. 

       7/15/08

       satijournal

       Thanks!
       
       I agree. They'll probably have huge sales of this issue, although I'm not sure that was their rationale for running it. It's just a parody of how a lot of people actually see Obama. But most liberals find the cover offensive and neoconservatives want to perpetuate the rumors depicted in the cartoon.
11. 

    7/15/08

    omiller

    I would have been really upset if we weren't in the middle of two wars while witnessing the collapse of Capitalism. I find these things slightly more tasteless and offensive.

    [reply]
12. 

    7/17/08

    techfun

    Like Mark, I also found it funny.
    
    What I like best about it is that it drags the kind of whisper campaign stuff that people keep repeating long after rumors have been debunked. The Obama campaign cannot fight a fair fight against a whisper campaign. After all, people who believe those rumors are the same type people who would say "Well, of course he would deny being a Muslim."
    
    Pretending that there are no Americans who believe many if not all of the rumors/smears that are highlighted on that cover is not a good answer. Sure, they may be on the fringe, but they still exist and need to be addressed in a Loud Clear Voice and to have their belief in false rumors shown to be as ridiculous as it really is.

    [reply]