Jul 15 2008
Get the satire?
David Horsey (one of my favorite political cartoonists) puts the lid on this kerfuffle…
It’s satire. Get it? (It would have, in my opinion, been much better without any text. The New Yorker cover didn’t have any text.)
The difference, of course, is that it is pretty clear to anybody with eyes to see that this is meant to be humorous. Such was not really the case with the New Yorker cover yesterday.
P.S. This cartoon will definitely be making an appearance in this week’s Friday Night Cartoons.
UPDATE: Senator Obama is the guest on CNN’s Larry King Live tonight. Here’s what he had to say about the New Yorker magazine cover:
Obama downplays satirical magazine cover
(CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama on Tuesday called a New Yorker cover that unflatteringly depicts him and his wife an unsuccessful attempt at satire that will probably fuel misconceptions he has long battled over the course of his presidential campaign.
But in an interview with CNN’s Larry King, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee downplayed the impact of the illustration, which depicts him in Muslim attire in the Oval Office, with his wife, Michelle, carrying a machine gun.
“It’s a cartoon … and that’s why we’ve got the First Amendment,” Obama said. “And I think the American people are probably spending a little more time worrying about what’s happening with the banking system and the housing market and what’s happening in Iraq and Afghanistan, than a cartoon. So I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about it.
“I’ve seen and heard worse,” he said. “I do think that, you know, in attempting to satirize something, they probably fueled some misconceptions about me instead. But, you know, that was their editorial judgment.”
8 Responses to “Get the satire?”
You lib’s sure can dish it out, but can’t take a joke! Even from YOUR OWN MAGAZINES! I thought the New Yorker cover was more offensive to conservatives than liberals, because it gave Barrack Hussein Obama credit for pulling off his scheme.
@James : You thought the New Yorker cover was offensive to conservatives? Very interesting!
Here’s hoping Senator Obama “pulls off his scheme.”
And… I think us libs are much better at taking a joke than you cons. But then, that’s just me.
I thought that was funny. I will have to go see what every one is having a hissy fit over.
Exactly!
Another mock cover from the Nation.
I think the point is not that it’s satire (we all know it’s satire), but even satire has a line that can be crossed. Using satire does not give one a moral excuse to publish anything that would otherwise be deemed out of line.
It’s all to prove a point folks! Some people are just too gullible and will believe anything you tell them, others just take things too seriously. Both points were perfectly illustrated by our reactions to the cover don’t you think?
[...] Additional articles: The Liberal Journal – “Backfiring Satire” The Sauda Voice – “This is Satire Huh?” Idle Worship – “Is Obama missing out on an opportunity?” First Door on the Left – “Get the Satire?” [...]
[...] of the best responses I’ve seen comes from Len in Texas, who is on my blog roll: Get the satire? He includes this [...]