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The July 21st illustrated cover of The New Yorker magazine depicts Barack Obama in a turban fist-bumping Michelle Obama, who sports an afro and a machine gun, while an American flag burns in the fireplace. The New Yorker editorial staff defends the cover as satire, while both the Obama and McCain campaigns have condemned the cover as "tasteless and offensive."Send Your Letter:
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# 3,987:
6:21 pm PDT, Sep 5,
Name not displayed, California
It was an hilarious cover. Perfect in tone, only the undead and humorless wouldn't get it immediately (so, that's about 2/3rd of America). God help us.
It was an hilarious cover. Perfect in tone, only the undead and humorless wouldn't get it immediately (so, that's about 2/3rd of America). God help us.
# 3,986:
9:00 am PDT, Sep 5,
John Doe, Texas
Lets just call it what it is, an attempt to get widespread coverage for a struggling media channel. It is insensitive and irresponsible... if I were looking for this type of journalism I would buy an Inquirer or a local rag magazine. The New Yorker should be embarassed. Gain a short term bump in readership and coverage by those who would typically ignore the New Yorker but you loose the base readership that sustains the magazine over time. Sad day for the New Yorker.
Lets just call it what it is, an attempt to get widespread coverage for a struggling media channel. It is insensitive and irresponsible... if I were looking for this type of journalism I would buy an Inquirer or a local rag magazine. The New Yorker should be embarassed. Gain a short term bump in readership and coverage by those who would typically ignore the New Yorker but you loose the base readership that sustains the magazine over time. Sad day for the New Yorker.
# 3,985:
3:05 am PDT, Sep 5,
Sonya Cook, Michigan
Now let's be fair here. There are some satirical covers that can depict the republican candidates as well i.e. John McCain: crouchty old man chasing kids off his grass with a barbie doll peering through a window.. :) Let's not mention his running mate Sarah??? White trailer park mooseburger eating hick, with a husband in jail for a DUI and a pregnant teenage daughter...Now that's satire. Dare you to print that. Oh I'm sorry I forgot this is America, you wouldn't dare do this to good white folks right? If John McCain wins the presidency, I plan on filing for a soverign status
Now let's be fair here. There are some satirical covers that can depict the republican candidates as well i.e. John McCain: crouchty old man chasing kids off his grass with a barbie doll peering through a window.. :) Let's not mention his running mate Sarah??? White trailer park mooseburger eating hick, with a husband in jail for a DUI and a pregnant teenage daughter...Now that's satire. Dare you to print that. Oh I'm sorry I forgot this is America, you wouldn't dare do this to good white folks right? If John McCain wins the presidency, I plan on filing for a soverign status
# 3,984:
11:46 pm PDT, Sep 3,
Christine Schoefer, California
I'd like to know how this mean-spirited cover made it past the editors. Unbelievable!
I'd like to know how this mean-spirited cover made it past the editors. Unbelievable!
# 3,983:
9:18 am PDT, Sep 3,
Carole Napier, Colorado
I like the cover. It is illustrating the obvious questions and issues that are being asked about Obama, his wife and their true politics.
I like the cover. It is illustrating the obvious questions and issues that are being asked about Obama, his wife and their true politics.
# 3,982:
8:04 pm PDT, Sep 2,
Gavin Moku, New Mexico
This image has became a topic of the Advanced Placement English class I am currently taking, and analyzing this as a group of students I think of this as satire... really inapropriate satire that seems tasteless and offensive but still satire.
This image has became a topic of the Advanced Placement English class I am currently taking, and analyzing this as a group of students I think of this as satire... really inapropriate satire that seems tasteless and offensive but still satire.
# 3,981:
7:35 pm PDT, Sep 2,
Rev. Robert E. Murchison, RPp, Oklahoma
This is nowhere in the realm of satire! When did the New Yorker become a racist magazine? You and all who are looking at Obama's name as labeling him as a Muslim and are against all Muslims because of those who are against the U.S. need to wake up to the truth. You are the one who will help turn the world against the United States and not just the government but all the people who live here. Not all of us think like you. Peace and Blessings to All. Rev. Robert E. Spiritwalker Murchison, R.Pp. of Vision Ministries
This is nowhere in the realm of satire! When did the New Yorker become a racist magazine? You and all who are looking at Obama's name as labeling him as a Muslim and are against all Muslims because of those who are against the U.S. need to wake up to the truth. You are the one who will help turn the world against the United States and not just the government but all the people who live here. Not all of us think like you. Peace and Blessings to All. Rev. Robert E. Spiritwalker Murchison, R.Pp. of Vision Ministries
# 3,980:
12:11 pm PDT, Sep 1,
Joan Hicks, Georgia
Most intellectuals see the cover as "satire" (including me) however,the majority of USA see the opposite offensive/tasteless and some believe its the truth!!
Most intellectuals see the cover as "satire" (including me) however,the majority of USA see the opposite offensive/tasteless and some believe its the truth!!
# 3,979:
10:58 am PDT, Sep 1,
Karen Campbell, California
# 3,978:
12:13 pm PDT, Aug 30,
Jo-Anna Lloyd, Texas
To the Editor: I am writing in response to your July 21st cover, "The Politics of Fear" by "artist?" Barry Blitt. Are you now going to run a photo of Pistol Packin' Palin on your cover? You claim that the offensive caricature of the Obamas was sitire. The photograph of Republican VP Nominee, Sarah Palin, is fact. I'd be curious to see if you run a photo of a Militant NRA Mama as opposed to your racist, childish and ignorant cartoon which does not depict reality. Sincerely, Jo-Anna Lloyd
To the Editor: I am writing in response to your July 21st cover, "The Politics of Fear" by "artist?" Barry Blitt. Are you now going to run a photo of Pistol Packin' Palin on your cover? You claim that the offensive caricature of the Obamas was sitire. The photograph of Republican VP Nominee, Sarah Palin, is fact. I'd be curious to see if you run a photo of a Militant NRA Mama as opposed to your racist, childish and ignorant cartoon which does not depict reality. Sincerely, Jo-Anna Lloyd
# 3,977:
10:16 am PDT, Aug 29,
Name not displayed, California
I think this cover is a failure. It isn't satire, it's caricature and anti-Obama propaganda.
I think this cover is a failure. It isn't satire, it's caricature and anti-Obama propaganda.
# 3,976:
12:58 am PDT, Aug 29,
Can Atik, Turkey
# 3,975:
10:04 am PDT, Aug 28,
Valerie Cohen, Nevada
Offensive spin: you and various pundits make this an INTELLIGENCE CONTEST. If one is educated and liberal, one appreciates the "irony." If one doesn't get the "irony," then one must be stupid and illiterate.
Offensive spin: you and various pundits make this an INTELLIGENCE CONTEST. If one is educated and liberal, one appreciates the "irony." If one doesn't get the "irony," then one must be stupid and illiterate.
# 3,974:
9:30 am PDT, Aug 28,
C.L. DeMedeiros, New Jersey
To the Editor: I am writing in response to your July 21st cover, "The Politics of Fear" by artist Barry Blitt. I wish my art work could cause such commotion, http://godskin9lives.blogspot.com/ it's free speech for cry out loud! We cannot talk about almost nothing allegedly and then when somebody say something or drawing something it's like a big f***ing deal> Sincerely, C.L.DeMedeiros http://br.youtube.com/godskin9
To the Editor: I am writing in response to your July 21st cover, "The Politics of Fear" by artist Barry Blitt. I wish my art work could cause such commotion, http://godskin9lives.blogspot.com/ it's free speech for cry out loud! We cannot talk about almost nothing allegedly and then when somebody say something or drawing something it's like a big f***ing deal> Sincerely, C.L.DeMedeiros http://br.youtube.com/godskin9
# 3,973:
3:32 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Myra Young, Arkansas
YOUR JULY 21, SATIRE IS MUCH TOO SOPHISTICATED FOR MIDDLE AMERICANS.MANY PEOPLE IN THE SMALL TOWNS BELIEVE FOR FACT HOW YOUR COVER DEPICTS THE OBAMAS. I THASHED YOUR RENEWAL FORM THAT WAS SEALED READY TO BE SENT.
YOUR JULY 21, SATIRE IS MUCH TOO SOPHISTICATED FOR MIDDLE AMERICANS.MANY PEOPLE IN THE SMALL TOWNS BELIEVE FOR FACT HOW YOUR COVER DEPICTS THE OBAMAS. I THASHED YOUR RENEWAL FORM THAT WAS SEALED READY TO BE SENT.
# 3,972:
6:25 am PDT, Aug 26,
Ellen Pratt, Virginia
I'm not a fan of the cover, but what offended me most is that as soon as it was mentioned on the news I went to the New Yorker website to view it... and a poster of it was already for sale in the New Yorker store. I find THAT tasteless and offensive. I'm also letting my subscription expire and part of that decision is this cover.
I'm not a fan of the cover, but what offended me most is that as soon as it was mentioned on the news I went to the New Yorker website to view it... and a poster of it was already for sale in the New Yorker store. I find THAT tasteless and offensive. I'm also letting my subscription expire and part of that decision is this cover.
# 3,971:
3:10 am PDT, Aug 26,
Aishah Gossady, Romania
This is sooo offending!
This is sooo offending!
# 3,970:
7:07 am PDT, Aug 25,
Bob Kautz, Delaware
the cover makes a huge statement about the new yorker.... thoughtless as well as tasteless
the cover makes a huge statement about the new yorker.... thoughtless as well as tasteless
# 3,969:
4:07 pm PDT, Aug 23,
Raw Rii, Arizona
Obama party all together is tasteless and offensive....
Obama party all together is tasteless and offensive....
# 3,968:
12:23 pm PDT, Aug 22,
Pat Mascorro, California
Like I told my wife, someone is always going to be offended by a satirical piece. Satire is not meant to be harmless. It is meant to be thoughtful. As far as the politicos, their comments are a public stance. I wonder what they really thought!
Like I told my wife, someone is always going to be offended by a satirical piece. Satire is not meant to be harmless. It is meant to be thoughtful. As far as the politicos, their comments are a public stance. I wonder what they really thought!
# 3,967:
11:54 am PDT, Aug 22,
David Rosenberg, Pennsylvania
I found the cover to be clever and a droll commentary on the publilc images of the Obamas. I especially liked the cartoonist's use of the fist-bumping incident, a practice that I was unfamiliar with and found charming.
I found the cover to be clever and a droll commentary on the publilc images of the Obamas. I especially liked the cartoonist's use of the fist-bumping incident, a practice that I was unfamiliar with and found charming.
# 3,966:
7:13 pm PDT, Aug 21,
Chris Kuhar, Virginia
# 3,965:
11:43 pm PDT, Aug 20,
JAYLA DAWN WOODRUM, Kentucky
# 3,964:
8:40 pm PDT, Aug 20,
Susan Brittain, Nebraska
# 3,963:
2:28 pm PDT, Aug 20,
Kathryn Lees, United Kingdom
# 3,962:
1:39 pm PDT, Aug 19,
Carla Aden, Texas
In response to your July 21st cover: maybe I have an overly stimulated sense of humor, but I found it most amusing. Actually, this depicts the way that I see the Obama camp, tasteless and offensive. Anyone that runs for public office must have a more than normal tolerance for the humorous and the outlandish. if one can't laugh at themselves, then they take life too seriously. I see it as creative and funny with a dash of reality. Good job, you got everyone one's attention!
In response to your July 21st cover: maybe I have an overly stimulated sense of humor, but I found it most amusing. Actually, this depicts the way that I see the Obama camp, tasteless and offensive. Anyone that runs for public office must have a more than normal tolerance for the humorous and the outlandish. if one can't laugh at themselves, then they take life too seriously. I see it as creative and funny with a dash of reality. Good job, you got everyone one's attention!
# 3,961:
8:23 am PDT, Aug 19,
Delliana Of the Sea, Colorado
# 3,960:
11:00 pm PDT, Aug 18,
Stephen Ford, Nebraska
Not even CLOSE to being amusing!!!
Not even CLOSE to being amusing!!!
# 3,959:
4:38 pm PDT, Aug 18,
Bruce Dodson, Washington
Incredibly stupid and bad taste. Will undoubtedly hurt this candidate. I can't believe you did this.
Incredibly stupid and bad taste. Will undoubtedly hurt this candidate. I can't believe you did this.
# 3,958:
1:33 pm PDT, Aug 18,
Bobbi Taylor, Florida
It is just an illustration of a few people's opinions/views. It is election year. And the last time I checked this is America. So to the editor, I personally see nothing wrong with putting on display what many people are too scared to say themselves. Good job. Everyone needs to learn how to take a joke and lighten up.
It is just an illustration of a few people's opinions/views. It is election year. And the last time I checked this is America. So to the editor, I personally see nothing wrong with putting on display what many people are too scared to say themselves. Good job. Everyone needs to learn how to take a joke and lighten up.
# 3,957:
6:17 pm PDT, Aug 17,
Jonathan Bedder, New York
# 3,956:
8:46 pm PDT, Aug 16,
Joan Klein, Illinois
I am writing in response to your July 21st cover, "The Politics of Fear" by artist Barry Blitt. Although I realized when I first saw it that Blitt intended it to be understood as satire, I also felt it was deeply offensive to all of us who support the Obamas and perhaps even offensive to more conservative Americans. That image, as inflammatory as it is, should never have appeared on the cover of the New Yorker.
I am writing in response to your July 21st cover, "The Politics of Fear" by artist Barry Blitt. Although I realized when I first saw it that Blitt intended it to be understood as satire, I also felt it was deeply offensive to all of us who support the Obamas and perhaps even offensive to more conservative Americans. That image, as inflammatory as it is, should never have appeared on the cover of the New Yorker.
# 3,955:
6:43 pm PDT, Aug 16,
Esteban Rios, Argentina
# 3,954:
12:54 pm PDT, Aug 16,
Angela Rhodes, Greece
I see it as harmless.
I see it as harmless.
# 3,953:
1:28 pm PDT, Aug 15,
Name not displayed, Kentucky
*Sigh*…for the last time people…Barak Hussein Obama and Sadam Hussein are two very different people!! You don’t associate the Bush family with Bush Baked Beans, do you?? Geesh! This is EXACTLY what many white Americans think of Obama. Clueless, I tell you!! Barak is a Jewish/Hebrew name (found in the Old Testament) that means "lightening" or "blessing", Obama, which is a Kenyan name (funny....his dad is from Kenya...go figure!) and is a name given to babies born in the breach position. Since his surname is of Kenyan descent....I dunno, maybe because his dad is Kenyan (did I say that already?)...now might be a good time to mention that Kenya is a predominantly Christian nation. But of course, your average white person doesn't know this. Google anyone?? And since when did pointing out our country’s short comings and disagreeing with the standard of American ignorance and prejudice become the equivalent to being anti-American? Barak is like a lot of us, tired of the same ole standard of good ole boy government. The time for change is long overdue!! But of course, those who are ignorant usually fear change! If nothing else, the folks who think in the way this cartoon depicts are at least predictable!!
*Sigh*…for the last time people…Barak Hussein Obama and Sadam Hussein are two very different people!! You don’t associate the Bush family with Bush Baked Beans, do you?? Geesh! This is EXACTLY what many white Americans think of Obama. Clueless, I tell you!! Barak is a Jewish/Hebrew name (found in the Old Testament) that means "lightening" or "blessing", Obama, which is a Kenyan name (funny....his dad is from Kenya...go figure!) and is a name given to babies born in the breach position. Since his surname is of Kenyan descent....I dunno, maybe because his dad is Kenyan (did I say that already?)...now might be a good time to mention that Kenya is a predominantly Christian nation. But of course, your average white person doesn't know this. Google anyone?? And since when did pointing out our country’s short comings and disagreeing with the standard of American ignorance and prejudice become the equivalent to being anti-American? Barak is like a lot of us, tired of the same ole standard of good ole boy government. The time for change is long overdue!! But of course, those who are ignorant usually fear change! If nothing else, the folks who think in the way this cartoon depicts are at least predictable!!
# 3,952:
9:17 pm PDT, Aug 14,
Patricia Barton, California
I don't keep up with The New Yorker, so if this cover has already been done, I missed it: It will be interesting to see what your "McCain" cover looks like.
I don't keep up with The New Yorker, so if this cover has already been done, I missed it: It will be interesting to see what your "McCain" cover looks like.
# 3,951:
4:20 pm PDT, Aug 14,
Sanda Oslin, Minnesota
tasteless, offensive and not funny
tasteless, offensive and not funny