Slog - Comments on Quite a Cover http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover The New Yorker puts all of the worst paranoid right-wing fears about Barack and Michelle Obama into one image, calls it satire, and in doing so assures the magazine's new issue will receive a ton of attention: What really should be getting attention is Ryan Lizza's 15,000-word exploration, in the same New Yorker, of Obama's rise in Chicago. It's a fascinating read. But, naturally, the startling image trumps the thoughtful written word—and generates an immediate response: Responds Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton: "The New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that their cover is a... Copyright 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:45:32 -0800 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:23:25 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by iflurry Pussies. The cartoon is just so innocuous that it shows just how silly the Obama smears are.

Did Obama decry the Colbert Report when Stephen satirically noted that Howie Mandel also used a "terrorist fist-jab" and must have "shaved off his turban"?

]]> iflurry http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072625 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072625 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:00:26 -0800 Comment by Jubilation T. Cornball Have we become a nation of whiners?

]]> Jubilation T. Cornball http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072626 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072626 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:20:36 -0800 Comment by kinaidos Why do they have a porcupine on the mantel? The Armani slacks under the Thawb is nice touch though.

]]> kinaidos http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072627 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072627 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:20:36 -0800 Comment by Mr. Astonished Golly,

Obamaniacs don't have a sense of humor?

Jeesh, who would have thought.

]]> Mr. Astonished http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072628 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072628 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:24:45 -0800 Comment by Lose-lose Somewhere out there is a verifiable statistic akin to "In their entire history, the New York has (almost? nearly? completely) never published African-American writers or cartoonists. Their editorial board has (never? hardly ever) had an African-American on board. Their entire mission is devoted to the leisurely pursuits of Upper Class white New Yorkers. All the aspiring and established writers or the world should just stop submitting to them.

]]> Lose-lose http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072632 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072632 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:04:56 -0800 Comment by Suz WTF New Yorker? This feeds right into what middle America is afraid of.

]]> Suz http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072634 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072634 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:27:34 -0800 Comment by Freddy inbred

stupid and vapid and 1950's

]]> Freddy http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072635 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072635 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:30:45 -0800 Comment by brett last i checked, a magazine doesn't have to base artistic/editorial decisions on shrill campaign orthodoxy. thank god. i'm pro-bama and i think the cover is hilarious.

]]> brett http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072636 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072636 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:33:35 -0800 Comment by SteveM Another reason not to vote for McCain: His spokesman uses comma splices.

]]> SteveM http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072637 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072637 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:02:05 -0800 Comment by shub-negrorath @6: Fortunately, middle America doesn't read the NYer and probably won't hear too much about this.

]]> shub-negrorath http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072638 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072638 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:21:38 -0800 Comment by ru shur Indistinguishable from your average Cox and Forkum "cartoon".

]]> ru shur http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072640 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072640 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:52:40 -0800 Comment by PC so....we have to keep quiet about right wing smears and not confront them w/ humor. The smearers are so powerful we must defer and give in and not talk about things.

OK, got it.

]]> PC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072641 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072641 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:05:57 -0800 Comment by jean genie Yes, yes...we're all too stupid to read the "written word". We're doomed to relive the past because we're shocked and rendered senseless by a "shocking image" (or a comic...?)
whatever
If McCain is elected because we can't see irony when it stares us in the face then we get what we deserve.

]]> jean genie http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072643 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072643 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:15:10 -0800 Comment by lark Eli,
As a former subscriber of the New Yorker and not necessarily a fan of Sen. Obama, I believe it is tasteless. They've done something similar before (remember the rabbi & imam male to male kiss cover?). Granted, very few of the people that hold such bigoted views of Mr. & Mrs. Obama won't read or know that that cover is a satire on their views. Still, all one has to do is look at the cover on a newsstand and perception will run wild. Bad move on the part of the editors of the New Yorker.

]]> lark http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072644 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072644 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:17:32 -0800 Comment by RainMan Jubilation @2: Yes, but that happened long before anyone outside of Chicago had ever even heard of Barack Obama.

I love to see right wingers get lampooned as much as anyone else here but I really do wish they would make up their minds. Either

A. Obama is a MUSLIM.

or

B. Obama is a 20+ year member of a CHRISTIAN church whose pastor has made controversial remarks.

They can't have it both ways. So please, any Republicans out there (or hard core Hillaristas who are still in denial), for God's sake, just choose one smear or the other and stick with it.

]]> RainMan http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072645 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072645 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:22:17 -0800 Comment by bigyaz So, is Eli saying that the New Yorker can't employ humor or irony because it might be misunderstood by the un-hip, unwashed masses?

Pretty rich, coming from a Stranger writer.

]]> bigyaz http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072646 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072646 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:23:56 -0800 Comment by Judah I think it rules. Partly because it refers back to an image of anti-establishment African Americans that hasn't been used in a long time: the Angela Y. Davis figure with her natural and her Soviet assault rifle. That shit's old school as fuck.

]]> Judah http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072647 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072647 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:24:20 -0800 Comment by Suz I'm not saying they shouldn't have a right to run the cartoon, I just think its stupid and shouldn't be on the cover. And yes, middle America WILL be hearing all about it when its on Fox News and all the other talking head shows (and blogs.)

]]> Suz http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072649 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072649 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:27:12 -0800 Comment by CP Ooh, me likey Mrs. Obama. Is it the hair or the gun?

]]> CP http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072650 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072650 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:28:08 -0800 Comment by PC Interesting story, in case you're left wondering "gee what the fuck does the story acually say," here's a tidbit or two:

Sample:
"Although many of Obama’s recent supporters have been surprised by signs of political opportunism, Preckwinkle wasn’t. “I think he was very strategic in his choice of friends and mentors,” she told me. “I spent ten years of my adult life working to be alderman. I finally got elected. This is a job I love. And I’m perfectly happy with it. I’m not sure that’s the way that he approached his public life—that he was going to try for a job and stay there for one period of time. In retrospect, I think he saw the positions he held as stepping stones to other things and therefore approached his public life differently than other people might have.”

And:

"Ivory Mitchell, who for twenty years has been the chairman of the local ward organization in Obama’s neighborhood—considered the most important Democratic organization on the South Side—was one of Obama’s earliest backers. Today, he says, “All the work we did to help him get where he finally ended up, he didn’t seem too appreciative.” A year ago, Mitchell became a delegate for Hillary Clinton."

Golly gee whillikers it says ....thowse who know him best say.....he's a politician!!! Not a God!!

Who, who, woulda thunk it?

]]> PC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072652 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072652 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:30:38 -0800 Comment by PC Another tidbit:

on the floor of the State Senate Obama and another state senator almost get into fisticuffs:
"Hendon told me [the author of the pice in the NYer], “He’s the one that got mad [that is, Obama], because he said I embarrassed him on the Senate floor. That’s when he came over to my desk.” Before Nottage broke them up, Obama, who had learned to box from his Indonesian stepfather, supposedly told Hendon, “I’m going to kick your ass!” "

I like it.

]]> PC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072653 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072653 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:50:46 -0800 Comment by clintonsarmy We won't support ball-less NO-Bama and will re-defeat him in November!!!!

]]> clintonsarmy http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072654 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072654 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:59:40 -0800 Comment by montex I can't believe The New Yorker is so fucking stupid. Now that a liberal publication has put this racist crap up and called it "satire", the door has been flung wide open for every right-wing rag to put the most heinous, awful things they can think of about Obama, and it will be OK just as long as they call it "satire". Smooth fucking move, New Yorker.

]]> montex http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072658 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072658 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:09:38 -0800 Comment by Bob The New Yorker cover is Obama's Sister Souljah moment! Oh wait ... no ... it's his Ralph Nader moment! It will cost him the election. How many thousands more American men and women in uniform will die in the Middle East under the insane warmongering leadership of John McSame because of this cover? How many more Klamath River ocean run Chinook salmon will die gasping in shallow hot algae infested pools because of this cover?

]]> Bob http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072659 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072659 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:20:28 -0800 Comment by umvue ... calls it satire... THAT is offensive. And ridiculous. What would you call it?

Jebus Murray motherofgod! Is the sky falling everyfuckingday for (some of) you peoples? I know, I know, Obama's gonna have a tough time recovering from a cartoon in the FOUR months left until the election (what with the party already destroyed by Clinton and all).

]]> umvue http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072663 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072663 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:56:43 -0800 Comment by Andy Niable (can't wait to see what the McCain cover's gonna satirize)

]]> Andy Niable http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072672 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072672 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:20:47 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Can't wait to see the cover with McCain and Bush holding hands in the desert, walking along a trail of US dollars.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072686 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072686 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:51:10 -0800 Comment by Bob That's too obvious Will in Seattle, I am thinking the McCain cover will have John in a Hanoi Hilton POW cell and he's all skinny and starving and sick looking and he'll be trying to stab a cockroach with a sharpened stick cuz he's so hungry but those New Yorker bastards will have put Barack Obama's head on the cockroach! And everyone will know then that the New Yorker has JUST ABOUT GUARANTEED an McCain victory.

Why does the New Yorker hate hope?

]]> Bob http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072697 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072697 2008 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:20:00 -0800 Comment by Clint I Love it. Where is his latte though? Must be holding it in his right hand, hidden from view.

]]> Clint http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072702 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072702 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:14:22 -0800 Comment by hal "Interesting story, in case you're left wondering "gee what the fuck does the story acually say," here's a tidbit or two:"

It's a 15,000 word story. Nice of you to cherry pick a couple of hundred for everyone. Hey Obama supporters! He's not a God! I know! Totally shocked, cause you know anyone not voting for McCain or Hillary must be delusional. Is that satire?

]]> hal http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072708 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072708 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:04:54 -0800 Comment by Frank Sinclair I LOVE this. It demonstrates how vapid right wing chain letter smears are, as well as the people who swallow them whole (your garen variety dittohead).

Nice work, New Yorker!

]]> Frank Sinclair http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072709 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072709 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:22:34 -0800 Comment by ru shur This is offensive the same way Carlos Mencia is offensive: offensively unfunny.

]]> ru shur http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072713 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072713 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:52:16 -0800 Comment by Odrama The cartoon should show him walking on a walker since Odrama got no spine.

]]> Odrama http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072715 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072715 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:25:15 -0800 Comment by Nora Y'know, the article actually does scream one thing loud and clear. Obama is a POLITICIAN. Every time I mentioned this on DailyKos or in other places, I'd get crap for it. But I really don't know where everyone got the idea that Obama isn't a politician. Jeebus.

]]> Nora http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072716 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072716 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:54:02 -0800 Comment by violet_dagrinder "Calls" it satire? It IS satire.

And it's funny. Anybody too dumb to see how ridiculous the image is (I think the burning flag in the fireplace is a great touch) is going to be too dumb to vote for the guy anyway.

]]> violet_dagrinder http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072718 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072718 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:08:47 -0800 Comment by Just Me I would like to think this will not be problematic for Obama but sadly most Americans are pretty damn stupid. This may just cost him the election. Expect to see HUGE blown up copies of this handed out at the GOP Convention in Minneapolis.

If there is one thing about Americans and that is during an election year we are super stupid.

]]> Just Me http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072726 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072726 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:16:22 -0800 Comment by Jason Yes, its great satire for ultra-liberals on the coast to see how ironic and smart and clever they are.

I don't disagree with the New Yorker's right to print it, it just seems a little irresponsible. Now every right-wing magazine has the right to publish similar cartoons and worse so long as they call it "satire".

On the other hand, maybe in the heartland people will see it as a big, bad, liberal elitism magazine beating up on Obama? Could it work to his benefit?

Interesting all around, and yes I did find the cartoon funny although the Osama portrait above the fireplace bothers me some reason....not sure why. I think the idea that Michelle Obama is Angela Davis is ridiculous enough to be clearly amusing satire. Maybe since Obama is still making his case to pro-Israeli voters, tough-on-defense voters, etc the Osama portrait doesn't sit as well for me...

]]> Jason http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072751 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072751 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:08:21 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways The New Yorker is the king of posery, pseudo intellectual, literary magazines.

The last time it was relevant, Lyndon Johnson was in the White House.

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072777 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072777 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:42:57 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Yeah, but they've got great cartoons.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072783 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072783 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:52:28 -0800 Comment by Bad move Tasteless and extremely unfortunate. Free speech yes. Of course, this should be legally allowed. But an outlet with the New Yorker's reach needs to have more of a moral compass and avoid things that are this mean spirited. So much of the battle that Obama is fighting is against subliminal racism and fear and this feels that fire mightily.

]]> Bad move http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072828 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072828 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:47:21 -0800 Comment by Big Sven I agree with the Carlos Mencia comment. But those of you who think New Yorker has no relevance have obviously never read a Seymour Hersh article.

As a New Yorker subscriber for over a decade, and committed Obama supporter, I will not be canceling my subscription.

]]> Big Sven http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072829 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072829 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:47:39 -0800 Comment by elswinger This wouldn't be so "offensive" if the New Yorker also released (in the same week) an alternative cover depicting McCain as a doddering old Nazi, with a stick figure of a wife popping pills, planning on his overthrow of the world starting with Iran.

]]> elswinger http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072835 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072835 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:52:56 -0800 Comment by scott in chi-town Ohhh, I get it.. scary black people scares frightened white people with their, um.. scary,scary..um.. blackness-ness. And if you don't understand our snarky brand of satire then,you are a blainless and awful person!!
It's official..the length and breadth of this election cycle has crushed my very soul. The next four months will seem like a full calender year. I also firmly believe that this election could very well spill over into 2009 and 2010.

]]> scott in chi-town http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072839 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072839 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:55:13 -0800 Comment by scott in chi-town oops I mean BRAINLESS..see this election even effects my spelling capacity!

]]> scott in chi-town http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072843 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072843 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:58:08 -0800 Comment by Raphael It's a brilliant cover. Completely brilliant.

I am sick of hearing the Obama campaign judging every trivial bit of media...

]]> Raphael http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072929 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072929 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:10:27 -0800 Comment by elswinger Apparently neither ECB or Charles find this cover offensive.

]]> elswinger http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072932 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1072932 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:11:18 -0800 Comment by ru shur This does remind me of one annoying thing about an Obama Presidency:

Middle-class white hipsters who think Barack being "post-racial" is a greenlight to embrace every black stereotype in the name of being "ironic".

]]> ru shur http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1073009 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1073009 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:02:48 -0800 Comment by Todd Considering you work for The Stranger, and considering how many times The Stranger has used satirical humor, I would think you would understand it for what it is.

Your offended by this only if your too stupid to get the joke.

]]> Todd http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1073090 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1073090 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:19:47 -0800 Comment by sci fi As soon as this magazine hit the racks in every town (yes even Puyallip) I bet you hand over fist that a huge majority of "aint gonna vote for no black man" voters
have this on their garage walls, right next to the dixie flag throwing darts at it.
But thinking about that, there were some just comming over to the other side, you know the ones who can't read, or just read auto mechanic, and are getting sick of Rush Limbaugh.
Those votes might have counted to just edge Mccain out .
But now the New Yorker just thinks everyone will get it.
I don't think so New Yorker. That blaintant everybody who gets it will vote for Obama anyways, and those who don't were not going to anyways just shows you that the New Yorker has never once heard or listen ot heart what Obama is trying to change about this country.
The image is a political cartoon but it needs to be next to an article about what the hell it aludes to.
On the cover without a caption or explanation, it might as well be an image of Obama in black face 1930s characature paint saying "Mammy", with Jackson in KKK garb looming over him ready to cut his nutz off. How bout that for shock and awe New Yorker. Jeesh.
God I am pissed.

]]> sci fi http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1073096 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/quite_a_cover#c1073096 2008 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:23:25 -0800