The latest edition of the New Yorker has a controversial cover depicting the Obamas as too radical for America. Barack is dressed as a Muslim and Michelle is dressed as a 60s radical with a rifle on her back. They are doing the "terrorist fist bump" and the American flag is burning in the fireplace, which has a picture of Osama Bin Ladin over the mantle. Satire or Over the top....I report you decide.



http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/07/13/2008-07-13_new_yorker_mags_satire_cover_draws_team_.html

7/14/2008 8:48:16 AM

I'm far from Obama's biggest supporter, but this is pretty tasteless. Probably one of the reasons I think the New Yorker sucks a huge cock though.

7/14/2008 8:53:25 AM

Quote :

"Obama is the Anti-Christ. This is the evidence: 1.- He will come as a man of Peace (Obama promises peace in Iraq, defeat for the US) 2.- He will come mounted on a white Female horse(Obama mother is white who had 6 African husbands) 3.- He will come to deceive( Obama says he's a Christian but in fact he was born a Muslim, practices the Islamic religion, prays Friday’s facing Mecca) 4.- He will make himself the most powerful man on earth, if elected 5.- He will try to destroy the Jewish People and Israel( Obama has said he loves the Arabs specially the Palestinians, hates Israel and Jews. Admires Hitler, Osama etc) 6.- He will present himself as good and righteous but in fact he's Satan himself. Violence is in his heart 7.- Obama will help Al Qaida in its evil projects. 8.- Barack Hussein Obama is the “King of the South” predicted in the Bible.(Daniel .11, Kenya is south of Jerusalem) 9.- Obama comes to implant muslim Sharia Law upon America. Obama is the Anti-Christ, beware of him. Watch him and don't let you be deceived by Him. Supporters of Obama: 1.5 billion Muslims, Oprah, Louis Farrakanh, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and all American Muslims. OBAMA’S GAME IS DECEPTION AND VIOLENCE A VOTE FOR OBAMA IS A VOTE FOR OSAMA AND KILLER ISLAM!!"

7/14/2008 8:55:47 AM

I don't know anything about the new yorker but that seems pretty low to me. Thats almost an insult to the subscribers to think that they would buy into the whole obama is a muslim thing. I'd expect something like this from a newspaper in West Virginia or something.

7/14/2008 8:58:30 AM

i thought The New Yorker was the ultimate liberal rag - is it not?
If so, obviously this is satire meant to point out the extreme idiocy of people who think that the Obama's are Muslim or "hate America" or whatever.

7/14/2008 9:02:09 AM

Initially, i thought it was tasteless as well, but I think it's more meant to be a jab at all of the stupidity around the rumors about him. And a jab at the media for continuing to perpetuate the rumors.....

7/14/2008 9:09:02 AM

Even if its mocking the right wing attacks on him, Obama is pissed about this

7/14/2008 9:15:49 AM

It's supposed to be satire obviously. But a lot of people don't get satire (like those people who think Stephen Colbert really is a conservative). A lot of people who are inclined to believe Obama's a Muslim anyway will just see this as confirmation.

7/14/2008 9:23:22 AM

Ok, if it's satire, that would actually make a lot more sense. But I still think it's pretty tasteless and this is only going to be one more thing all those morons can point to in order to 'prove' Obama is a Muslim without really knowing what's going on.

7/14/2008 9:49:05 AM

Im more offended it shows him in the oval office vs the other things. jk

7/14/2008 9:52:29 AM

i thought it was a gay sailor gettin jiggy with Condi Rice.

7/14/2008 10:50:58 AM

speaking of Condi Rice, in Oliver Stone's upcoming film about W, Condi Rice is played by Thandie Newton

7/14/2008 11:09:11 AM

its about fucking time ... he has been pampered by the media this whole fkn campaign



his revolutionaries need to grow up and realize that anything goes in political satire. this has been going on since the press had the freedom to do so.


gg new yorker

7/14/2008 11:09:23 AM

my in-laws think that Obama wants to destroy American. Not that his policies would in some way lead to the destruction of American, but that his actual goal is go become President in order to destroy American. I imagine the satire of The New Yorker would be lost on them.....

7/14/2008 11:13:28 AM

i don't know. i see this as being pretty favorable to obama. it shows how ridiculous all the smears are. of course, plenty of people won't realize this. BUT the new yorker isn't a magazine you see much in the line at the grocery store. so likely most people who see this (who aren't subscribers to the new yorker) will see it on the news where the people are talking about either how outraged they are at it, or that it's a satire of the retarded smears of obama.

7/14/2008 11:15:29 AM

this isnt that big an issue

the people who "get it" are pretty much all voting for him anyways

those who dont were never going to in the first place for the reasons the satirical cartoon was drawn

7/14/2008 11:17:57 AM

Ahmadinejad is wrong!

7/14/2008 11:22:19 AM

Quote :

"his revolutionaries need to grow up and realize that anything goes in political satire. this has been going on since the press had the freedom to do so."

i have to agree with this, wtf. grow up and grow some thick skin.

7/14/2008 11:27:47 AM

having read about half the article now (it's fifteen pages. . . the rest may have to wait until after 5), i can say that the article so far isn't exactly negative on obama. more than that it's cynical. either way, it's an interesting look at his early career and political moves.

7/14/2008 11:48:36 AM

it's obviously satire against Obama's detractors.. The New Yorker is pretty liberal, pretty sure they wouldn't put something on their cover that was anti-Obama

7/14/2008 1:52:57 PM

Quote :

"obviously this is satire meant to point out the extreme idiocy of people who think that the Obama's are Muslim or "hate America" or whatever."

Quote :

"it's obviously satire against Obama's detractors."

7/14/2008 2:04:44 PM

lol

this just showed up in my gmail from someone who would not get this cover...

Quote :

"Obama, By Bill Brown on Billy Graham Team Bill Brown, is a highly respected retired member of the Billy Graham team So, I take his assessment of Obama very seriously and for that reason accept his challenge to pass this on. I share his concern about the 'rock star' image Obama has and watch with growing concern at the celebrity status the media has foisted upon him. Here is hope this email informs you in a wise way. ________________________________ The Obama Tidal Wave We are witnessing a political phenomenon with Barack Obama of rare magnitude. His speeches have inspired millions and yet most of his followers have no idea of what he stands for except platitudes of 'Change' or that he says he will be a 'Uniter'. The power of speech from a charismatic person truly can be a powerful thing. Certainly Billy Graham had charisma and both his manner of speech and particularly the content changed millions. On the extreme other hand, the charisma of Adolph Hitler inspired millions and the results were catastrophic. Barack Obama certainly is no Hitler or a Billy Graham, but for many Americans out there feeling just like a surfer who might be ecstatic and euphoric while riding a tidal wave, the real story is what happens when it hits shore Just Some of What Defines Barack Obama: · He voted against banning partial birth abortion. · He voted no on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. · Supports affirmative action in Colleges and Government. · In 2001 he questioned harsh penalties for drug dealing. · Says he will deal with street level drug dealing as minimum wage affair. · Admitted marijuana and cocaine use in high school and in college. · His religious convictions are very murky. · He is willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Kim Jung Il and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. · Has said that one of his first goals after being elected would be to have a conference with all Muslim nations. · Opposed the Patriot Act. · First bill he signed that was passed was campaign finance reform. · Voted No on prohibiting law suits against gun manufacturers. · Supports universal health-care. · Voted yes on providing habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. · Supports granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. · Supports extending welfare to illegal immigrants. · Voted yes on comprehensive immigration reform. · Voted yes on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. · Wants to make the minimum wage a 'living wage'. · Voted with Democratic Party 96 percent of 251 votes. · Is a big believer in the separation of church and state. · Opposed to any efforts to Privatize Social Security and instead supports increasing the amount of tax paid. · He voted No on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. · He voted No on repealing the 'Death' Tax. · He wants to raise the Capital Gains Tax. · Has repeatedly said the surge in Iraq has not succeeded.... · He is ranked as the most liberal Senator in the Senate today and that takes some doing. If your political choices are consistent with Barack Obama's and you think that his positions will bring America together or make it a better place, then you will probably enjoy the ride and not forward this Email. If you are like most Americans that after examining what he stands for, are truly not in line with his record, it would be prudent to get off the wave or better yet, never get on, before it comes on shore and undermines the very foundations of this great Country. We have limited time to save America or the Supreme Court as we know it. Inaction is action. If you agree this is important, pass it on. The mainstream media will not do it for you! Bill Brown MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS . . ."

7/14/2008 2:41:05 PM

I can't wait for Obama to get elected and nothing bad happen. Can't wait to shut up the propagandists.

7/14/2008 2:45:43 PM

The thing is, I could see that cover being a non-satirical editorial cartoon in a conservative publication. It's not over-the-top enough, regardless of its being on the cover of a liberal publication.

And because there are still lingering doubts about the Obamas' patriotism--even amongst their supporters--this cartoon doesn't quite manage to make fun of the ridiculousness of the putatively false claim of the Obamas' underlying militant radicalism. Instead, it seems to be attempting to work in reverse, to convince the viewer of the Obama's patriotism by portraying a ridiculously hyperbolic version of that putatively false claim.

When satire becomes rhetorical rather than absurd, that's when the joke falls flat, imo. For example, Stephen Colbert's politically-tinged campaign against bears isn't actually trying to convince the viewer that bears pose no real threat to human life, it's making fun of the overwrought attack techniques employed by the right-wing political machine.

[Edited on July 14, 2008 at 3:22 PM. Reason : admittedly, though, the cartoon's really doing a little bit of both]

7/14/2008 3:21:02 PM

Quote :

"I can't wait for Obama to get elected and nothing bad happen. Can't wait to shut up the propagandists."

yes, i think that is going to be the best thing to shut these people up. he will get elected, and things will generally continue on like they have been for decades. We will have ups and downs, but none of the doomsday bullshit that people are spewing about Obama will come true.

7/14/2008 3:27:10 PM

Quote :

"he will get elected, and things will generally continue on like they have been for decades"

so....what about the Change he's promising? That's kind of the complete opposite of what you're saying

7/14/2008 4:37:38 PM

my point is, and you know it, that the the country overall might not turn into paradise, but it certainly won't immediately turn to shit because of some devious plan he conceived of 30 years ago which culminated with the Presidency in 2008, which is what the people who will "believe" that magazine cover seem to think.

7/14/2008 4:42:53 PM

i'm just saying fundamentally he has lassoed in a base by talking about how fucked up the country is and how it needs change...you seem to be saying its pretty much going to be the same...doesn't seem like you can really argue for both sides at once

if you're saying there won't be drastic changes, i probably agree just because politicians are by and large fickle partisan hacks and any attempts at change might be voted down in typical partisan fashion...but thats just an argument that the Change he is promising won't become reality

Its like he says there will be changes, then when people who don't like him fear negative changes, you say there probably wont really be changes? I don't get it

7/14/2008 4:55:20 PM

This is obviously effective viral marketing.

Carry on...

7/14/2008 5:01:03 PM

Quote :

"if you're saying there won't be drastic changes, i probably agree just because politicians are by and large fickle partisan hacks and any attempts at change might be voted down in typical partisan fashion...but thats just an argument that the Change he is promising won't become reality"

yes, this is more or less what I'm saying.
I realize that everything Obama is promising/saying is not going to happen, just like with every Presidential candidate. But that's what campaigning is for - he (or McCain) can't just go out there and say "i'm going to try to get some things done, but it's pretty hard, so don't expect much!"

For example, all the programs that he's talking about that opponents will shout and scream "OMG HE'S GOING TO BANKRUPT AMURICA!!" Well, 1) if something like Universal Healthcare is going to be implemented, I think/hope that his administration will find a way to do it in a responsible and affordable fashion, and 2) I honestly don't think it's likely to happen, just because of the massive amounts of work and change that would be required, by the administration and Congress. I just don't see it happening, so I'm really not concerned about it bankrupting the country.

7/14/2008 5:28:21 PM

Quote :

"I'm really not concerned about it bankrupting the country."

I'm kind of concerned, because he'll have a Dem-controlled congress that will empower him considerably in his massive spending proposals. The last 2 administrations that presided when their party controlled congress (W, Carter) had disasterous results. Clinton seemed to do a much better job after Dems lost control of congress in '92 and he realized he had to move to the center. It seems like our Presidents do better when congress serves as a counterbalance.

[Edited on July 14, 2008 at 5:43 PM. Reason : 2]

7/14/2008 5:40:04 PM

I agree prawn.

agentlion, I dont think universal healthcare will bankrupt us in the near future, but it will certainly add more water to the sinking ship. Look at SS or medicare as examples. Both werent nearly the liability when started as they are currently and project in the future. The fact people ignore this is just further evidence that americans dont have the stomach for real discussions or the hard truth.

7/14/2008 6:05:56 PM

^,^^ that's a pretty shocking change of song considering the outrage the right had about the dems recently gaining a majority.

7/14/2008 6:54:01 PM

The Dems deserved that majority after all the fiscal irresponsibility we've seen from the GOP-controlled congresses.

And honestly, they deserve to take back the Whitehouse after the mess we've gotten ourselves into with Bush at the helm. But Obama + a Dem legislature scares me, considering all the massive spending that Obama has proposed in his stump speeches. I can only hope that a lot of it is empty promises.

7/14/2008 7:10:07 PM

Obama isn't Bush. If Republicans give an inch, he's not going to take a mile.


[Edited on July 14, 2008 at 9:13 PM. Reason : Probably the same is true for McCain. It will take a while for congressmen to adjust.]

7/14/2008 9:12:19 PM

Quote :

"The Dems deserved that majority after all the fiscal irresponsibility we've seen from the GOP-controlled congresses."

Again I agree 100%

Ive stated several times that i kept my ass at home in 2006 bc those idiots needed to get thier asses handed to them. I was for seeing what the dems had to offer(just coulnt bring myself to vote for them). SO dont act like everyone on here moron holds the party line no matter what. In hindsight the dems have been another do nothing congress with a lower approval rating than the previous congress.

What does worry me is these idiots in congress will be feeling the heat of a similar fate of the previous congress will look to pass EVERYTHIGN they can to buy votes and with Obama in there, they just might pass.

For instance all congress has to do is lift the drilling bans.. and they still speak in rhetoric. Bush called them on it, and they balk. Smart move, esp if they continue to do nothing about energy. Esp since they "had a plan" to lower gas prices when they took over in 2006.

7/14/2008 9:19:13 PM

jab toward the redneck idiots or not, I'm surprised they put this on the cover...

7/14/2008 9:19:36 PM

I like the cover, it's funny. And for some reason I don't think the people who think Obama is Muslim read the New Yorker (or much of anything, for that matter ...)

7/15/2008 12:36:58 AM

Quote :

"i thought The New Yorker was the ultimate liberal rag - is it not?"

agentlion

Yes, but even liberal rags--hating capitalism though they do--must sell copies or die. The agitprop doesn't fund itself, you know--they're working on that.

7/15/2008 5:35:41 AM

^ yeah, my point was: "if The New Yorker is a liberal rag, then the cover must be satirical"
My previous knowledge about the magazine ends with episodes of Seinfeld and Family Guy

7/15/2008 6:17:13 AM

Quote :

"The latest edition of the New Yorker has a controversial cover depicting the Obamas as too radical for America."

Quote :

"its about fucking time ... he has been pampered by the media this whole fkn campaign "

I didn't have a problem with the cover because I figured the satire was obvious enough.

Guess not

7/15/2008 8:09:40 AM

You know. The Obama campaign has not been offended by enough things yet. I'm glad that satirical magazine covers has been added to the list.

7/15/2008 11:13:13 AM

http://bp1.blogger.com/_t6rV3U9ZEHM/SHzQ5a-WLuI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/48iGOErXmLQ/s1600-h/mccainNewYorker.gif


[Edited on July 15, 2008 at 2:00 PM. Reason : b]

7/15/2008 1:59:58 PM

I almost forgot.

Quote :

"Good heavens. If I didn't know any better, someone could potentially and incorrectly view that magazine cover as being anti-Bar-ra-ra-rack! An maybe ra-ra-ra-racccsit!!!! Ohhhh my staarrrs!!!~~~~~ "

[Edited on July 15, 2008 at 3:59 PM. Reason : ``]

7/15/2008 3:58:39 PM

Didn't even notice the American flag in the fireplace!

7/15/2008 4:10:01 PM

^ Well, I've seen no evidence that Obama has burned or would burn a U.S. flag improperly. But his pal Bill Ayers sure has stomped on one--literally and figuratively.

7/15/2008 6:59:04 PM

Symbolic gesture made with symbol. Shocking footage at 11.

7/15/2008 7:48:12 PM

^^ THAT'S Ayers? I thought it was Frank Black from that old show Millenium.


I'm glad I was wrong. That show kicked ass. gg Chris Carter.

7/16/2008 2:01:57 AM

I lol'd really hard when I saw this cover but its in very poor taste. Im one of the biggest liberal haters youll find and this was even a little bad. I mean, too good. I laughed at every piece. But its not something you print on your magazine cover or even 'funnies' page.

7/16/2008 2:30:42 AM

Quote :

"so....what about the Change he's promising?"

hahaha

Quote :

"if something like Universal Healthcare is going to be implemented, I think/hope that his administration will find a way to do it in a responsible and affordable fashion"

ha. it is by definition not affordable or responsible.

Quote :

"i kept my ass at home in 2006 bc those idiots needed to get thier asses handed to them."

Same here.

I am fairly confident in saying that I will never, ever vote for any Democrat (other than maybe some local election, which is totally different). I basically pick through the lists of dumbasses on the ballot and find a few Republicans and Libertarians that I can vote for without completely offending my concience. I didn't vote in '06, and I barely, at the last minute, convinced myself to go to the polls in '04, and then I half-heartedly voted for Badnarik for President.

Quote :

"I didn't have a problem with the cover because I figured the satire was obvious enough. Guess not "

Yep.

Quote :

"You know. The Obama campaign has not been offended by enough things yet. I'm glad that satirical magazine covers has been added to the list. "

haha, true.



^ dude...it's people like you they are poking at, not Obama.

[Edited on July 16, 2008 at 3:28 AM. Reason : asdfasd]

7/16/2008 3:26:24 AM