Comments on Blog of Ages: Can we laugh at Obama jokes?

what ny cover? ... Sally

2008-07-18T10:04:08.302-05:00

what ny cover? ... Sally

The art director should be tarred and feathered......

2008-07-17T06:49:13.227-05:00

The art director should be tarred and feathered...and the editor fired.
There is a line between satire and bad taste...a thin line which they
crossed. It's another version of "are you still beating your wife?"

I didn't see or read any coverage about it because...

2008-07-16T17:25:01.554-05:00

I didn't see or read any coverage about it because I was up north enjoying the singing of the loons, but someone told me about the cover, and I was puzzled. But now that I see it, I do think it's pretty funny. Everyone knows the bent of the New Yorker, so that makes it even funnier. I'm thinking the Obamas got a laugh out of it too... Joann

I saw a cartoon yesterday that showed McCain in a ...

2008-07-16T15:53:54.406-05:00

I saw a cartoon yesterday that showed McCain in a wheelchair with his wife offering him medicine. A picture of Cheney was on the wall. In the background there was a reproduction of the New Yorker front page. The Magazine cover it was purported to be on was National Review. The caption was something like "Have someof your pills dear so you can be rested for your inaugural parade."

I thought it was amusing and sent it to all my pals, Republicans and Democrats. Nobody objected that it was ageist. LOL

Of course, it was lampooning both sides.

The New Yorker covers pales beside a lot of the stuff that goes around.

It is funny, it is satire. I would have rather se...

2008-07-16T15:14:07.848-05:00

It is funny, it is satire. I would have rather seen a cover featuring "W" with a drool cup, but that would not be satire would it?

I agree with Stewart's take: "It's just a $%^%$#$%...

2008-07-16T14:09:43.076-05:00

I agree with Stewart's take: "It's just a $%^%$#$% cartoon!" I'm with George. We all need to take it easy and quit looking for insults where none are intended, and quit being bothered even if they are intended.

It's politics, for crying out loud. What we have are clowns on every side trying to pretend they are something they are not. Whichever candidate fools the most voters, wins.

What is all this brouhaha about, anyway? aren't...

2008-07-16T11:08:24.293-05:00

What is all this brouhaha about, anyway? aren't political cartoons a no holds barred arena? caricatures are NOT supposed to be politically correct! And they are not to be confused with the Gospel. Their essence is attention to and exaggeration of fact and/or rumor DETAILS. They are designed to expose stupidity! I thought the artist did a magnificent all- inclusive job of highlighting the hubbub surrounding Obama... It wasn't intended to make a believer out of you.. it's supposed to make you THINK about current affairs. and Obama is a current affair, misunderstood or not. When you start imposing standards of taste and ethics and political correctness on satire, it isn't satire anymore.

I heard a comment the other day about the cover --...

2008-07-16T10:43:13.140-05:00

I heard a comment the other day about the cover -- this magazine is known for its satirical overtones and that the cover reflects what's been inside shouldn't be a surprise to those accustomed to its slant. My reaction is mixed -- the cover is offensive yet not any more than some of the covers I've seen on other political targets. But when I first saw it, I hated it. And like anonymous stated, I'm beginning to see the cover in a different light. Have we not come to the conclusion that politicians are fair game? There is something "sacred" about Obama, perhaps as you stated that he's the first person of color to be seriously considered for the highest office and he's, so far, accumulated a fairly clean political record. And there is that unspoken area where making jokes at his expense could come off as racist instead of political. But I give these comics time -- they'll come up with some way to poke fun at Obama, just as they have every single person of note who's come along in the last 50 years. As much as we laugh (remember Dan Akroyd as Jimmy Carter and the take offs on Clinton on Saturday Night Live), those jokes do tend to lessen the integrity of the person and the office. For example, I can't imagine seeing FDR lampooned on the Jimmy Kimmel Show. The editorial cartoons of yesteryear did target politicians, but usually not personally. That, unfortunately, is a hallmark of my baby boomer generation that honors very little these days. -- Denise

Personally, I don't care if I am stereotyped by vi...

2008-07-16T10:42:14.319-05:00

Personally, I don't care if I am stereotyped by visuals. Perhaps I am.
I don't like him and I'm not voting for him....period! The pic doesn't offend me one way or the other and I think it's funny.

So, there you have my warped perception of the world!

I thought it was funny, but I'm an elitist.

2008-07-16T10:40:50.117-05:00

I thought it was funny, but I'm an elitist.

At first, I was incensed. But I came around to thi...

2008-07-16T10:40:02.061-05:00

At first, I was incensed. But I came around to thinking: Why not? It is
pretty funny.

I agree with you and Ms. Dowd. The part of the co...

2008-07-16T10:39:07.297-05:00

I agree with you and Ms. Dowd. The part of the cover that confirms its
intent and satire is the smirk on Michelle Obama's face. It is
mischievous and not like her. I like it and commend the New Yorker
(obviously, not a right-wing publication)for pushing the envelope.