What has annoyed me enough to take a popsicle pause July 14, 2008
Posted by brandy in AHHHHHHHHHHH!, Bill Schneider wears a lot of funny hats, anger and I have sat down for tea, books, cnn makes my heart beat fast, disappointment, i am slowly going crazy, oh look! i have opinions., politics, seriously, soapbox, thinking, today i am not funny, when i say it anyway.trackback
I’ve been blogging a lot lately and was going to spend today eating popsicles and writing tweets declaring my love for the book “Then we Came to the End” by Joshua Ferris (in a word- genius), but I’m feeling ranty so you get another post. Hurrah!
This:
pisses me off. A lot. If you haven’t been following along, this is the new cover of The New Yorker magazine. It’s Obama dressed up like a Muslim, Michelle is a terrorist, there’s a burning American flag in the fireplace and a picture of Bin Laden looks on as the mighty couple give each other a ‘fist bump’. Or as some have called it “a possible terrorist signal”. (Fox news, I want to punch you in the junk).
The magazine has come out and said it’s “satire”. An image used to illustrate the ridiculousness of the attacks faced by Obama. One supporter on CNN had the nerve to say that the people who looked at this and believed what was depicted, would never be voting for Obama anyway, so there was no harm.
What’s wrong with this image, is that “satire” implies that we are smart enough to get the joke. That we can see this image, and mentally check off all the things that are not true. It requires a foundation of us knowing the truth behind the picture- Obama is not a Muslim. Michelle is not a terrorist. The problem is, we aren’t smart enough.
CNN recently interviewed people on who they were going to vote for. Many of those interviewed who said they were not supporting Obama based their reason on the fact that he was a Muslim. They were basing their views- their vote, on something that wasn’t true. So to have The New Yorker go out and illustrate what many people still believe to be true- isn’t just bad form, it’s dangerous. It reinforces ideas that many believe, ideas that aren’t true.
If you don’t like Obama, that’s fine. If you don’t support his ideas, care for his voting record, or disagree on personal beliefs- I understand that. I accept that. But what I have hard time accepting today is the idea that a magazine cover like this one put forth by The New Yorker does anything but harm everyone involved.
It may sell more copies, but it’s lost my respect.
Off my soapbox and back to my popsicle.
I think they called it a ‘terrorist fist jab’ on Fox. Which is just literally-speaking – BRILL-IAN-T. The images that conjures? I love it for the pure insanity.
The cover is supposed to be satirical but it isn’t really and I think they should apologize.
First off, the whole fist bump thing really irritated me. I mean, they’re a couple. Aren’t they allowed to do something cute? Why is that considered a terrorist thing? I do it, am I a terrorist? Second, regarding the cover, in satire form, it’s amusing, sure. It’s making fun of the narrow mindedness of people along with the whole controversy of him being Muslim and what came from that. The thing is, like what you said, many people who see it in newsstands don’t realize it’s a satire. People are smart, sure, but some in this country? Not that smart. And it’s just contributing to the problem.
I think they need to retract. Or at least have next week’s cover depict McCain in an equally offensive manner. I was literally sick when I saw this.
I have to agree – I was able to understand that it was satire, but I was still immediately offended when I saw the image yesterday. Some people will get it, but enough won’t and they should have known better than to put something so volatile on their cover.
Enjoy your popsicles
There’s not a day when I visit the states and see Fox news that I don’t rejoice at having the BBC!
That cover satirical in the way that Alanis Morisette is ironic….
I am so glad you wrote this. I was livid when I saw this cover. It almost made me wish I actually had a subscription so I could cancel it. And it just galls me that the cover made it past editorial approval. Do they really think that people will “get” it? Not when, as you point out, there are dumb shits walking around still thinking that he doesn’t say the pledge of allegiance or salute the flag.
That’s just so wrong.
It doesn’t really surprise me that the New Yorker would have the American Flag burning in the fireplace on the cover. I don’t think it’s a Freudian slip, it’s just par for the course from a bunch of liberal, elitist, left wing bastards.
I thought this was insulting and ridiculous. I’m glad you wrote this because the first thing I thought was people are not going to get this. And, what’s worse, people are going to be influenced by it. Ugh.
I actually don’t find it that offensive. I think The New Yorker has misjudged it’s audience (which is overwhelmingly liberal and pro-Obama) and its sensitivity towards this sort of criticism of its favored candidate.
But I also don’t think it is at all damaging to Obama, if only because of who reads the magazine. I have read a lot today of people saying “I get it, but most people won’t,” but do any of those people read The New Yorker? This isn’t People…it is a magazine with a pretty limited and very unique readership.
So, I dunno…it is definitely inflammatory, and my guess is that it has missed the mark, but I don’t feel like it is something that the magazine should feel like they need to retract. Just my two cents.
Let’s see…something like 15% of US citizens believe that Obama took his oath in the Senate on the Qaran and 26% believe he is a Muslim.
But then, about that many also approve of the job Bush is doing…so…it is probably true that the people who would take this image at face value would never vote for him anyway.
But it is still offensive beyond it’s satirical points and was a huge mistake. And beyond THAT, it is The Shiny Object that the stupidasso media can yammer on about this week. Not the bailing out of major banks or lenders. Not the continuing tanking of the economy. no, let’s discuss the New Yorker cover. *Sigh*
I don’t know what pisses me off more, this picture or that idiot (whom I’ve never ever liked because he’s more of a trouble maker than a peace maker) jesse jackson.
They totally crossed the line. That said, I want to watch you punch Fox news in the junk. Seriously. Sell tickets.
Really quick – how are you enjoying Then We Came to the End? I’m going to start it in a couple weeks when I leave for vacation.
I would like to think that gullible, ignorant people do not read the New Yorker or even have exposure to its cover, but if they do I can only hope they will have a moment of clarity where they say, “oh, I get it, it’s a satirical cartoon.” I agree with Littlespoon – they need to do something equally as offensive w/McCain. Perhaps he could be looking in a mirror and seeing Monkey W. Bush as his reflection…
how quickly they forget – um, anyone remember the uproar a few such “innocent cartoons” caused at a Dutch newspaper a few short months ago??
it is absolutely offensive, if not to Obama then to the muslim sects who have been dipicted as evil and anti-American by the mere fact that they are muslim
last I checked, being muslim does not equate evil flag burning
at the very least a retraction is warranted here
ok, joining you with the popsicle now
There are so many smears on his campaign, and while the New Yorker WAS trying to poke fun at it all, in all actuality, it’s just fueling the fire that the ignorant people believe. I hadn’t seen that cover before, but it certainly made me do a double-take. I thought to myself, “Now why would a reputable magazine have THAT as it’s cover? I hope they’re joking.” I’M smart enough to do my background research into a candidate and figure out what’s true and what isn’t, but a large portion of Americans aren’t, like you said. They see this, and they think it’s all true.
You are so right. People aren’t so smart and it puts an image in people’s heads. However, I think it will blow over. Also, it annoys me at all the free media and free re-publication it is getting. Had it just been on the New Yorker cover, it wouldn’t have been much noticed, which I think is what Accidentally Me was going for. But all this free media brings it out for the not-so-smart people to see and interpret as they please.
Also, I’ve heard And Then We Came to the End is fabulous and it’s on my list to read. Someday when I’m not innundated with a 400+ page book club book about slavery. Ugh….
This is news in Australia too. And I agree with you – if The New Yorker thinks this is somehow humorous, they have made an intelligent statement, that it is clearly satire, the only people they are kidding is themselves.
It is unfortunate that the media becomes the word for the masses (but it does). This time, I think, they have crossed the line.
Very bad form!
I kept finding myself wondering what would happen if they gave a similar satirical treatment to John McCain. Or, better yet, published both covers at the same time.
Of course, the thing that really annoys me in the first place is that this is even “news”… *sigh*
Based on some of the forwards I’ve received from people in my (small town) hometown, there are people who wouldn’t think this was a joke. Of course, I’ll bet zero people in my hometown subscribe to the New Yorker, and it’s definitely not on the newsstands either.
I could not agree with this post more. Fantastically put. Enjoy that Popsicle!
Just wanted to let you know that I took your advice and started a blog. If you get a chance, please check it out! thanks!
I was also offended by the cover. This campaign is bringing out the best and worst i people.
I wish they would just put a real american couple on the cover…
Heidi and Spencer and be done with all these political shenanigans!
Sadly, that satire is a true view of Obama from the right and some in the south
That’s exactly what I thought . . . you can’t just ASSUME people are going to get it. They won’t.
This is just wrong on so many levels. It just goes to show you how narrow minded a lot of people still are.
I agree, it’s really just in bad taste. But if you think about it, people who really still think that Obama is a Muslim obviously don’t follow the news. Um, hi, it was really huge news that his pastor was vastly inappropriate, it should have been gathered that he is christian from these news stories. So if people don’t follow the news their opinions won’t be reinforced by this news. I guess The New Yorker is a pretty high brow magazine.
Hmmm…I’m not sure how I feel about this.
On one hand, I agree – a lot of people aren’t going to get it. Just like some people don’t get Southpark – they take it entirely wrong and don’t get that it’s a joke. They are so quick to get angry – to assume that something is offensive before they really think about what is trying to be portrayed.
Maybe it’s because I don’t really get offended by stuff like this, I can see the humour in it. I see it as kind of a thumbing of the nose at those who are so ignorant who really think this is an accurate view of the Obamas. The New Yorker’s audience is primarily far left and they should really get it. Unfortunately, the far right people may see it and they could consider it confirmation. Which boggles my mind because they usually hate publications like The New Yorker and don’t read them.
But, while I get it and can appreciate it for it’s intent, I do agree that in these sensationalist times, The New Yorker should have probably thought a bit more before releasing that cover.
welp… i dont read the new yorker, and im not politically “in the know” enough to really have much input on this.
i will say though, that evans comment about having speidi on the cover made me giggle.
just got your email, and pics! i feel like it’s my duty to tell everyone here how pretty you looked during your mc adventures! (her HOH was gooood!)
(i love how im writing this comment, actually thinking people are coming here to read what i write on brandylu’s blog.)
I completely agree with your assessment. Minus one item. In fact, there are a lot of people, like you, who are refusing to purchase it because they disagree with it that much. I subscribe to the New Yorker and am saddened they went to this length in the name of satire. Hopefully, we can move beyond this quickly and focus on the other issues in this election. Namely, getting Obama into office!
Exinator- “terrorist fist jab” does sound more Fox-new-ish. Sigh, they are so ridiculous.
Lauren- Totally agree.
littlespoon- What would you suggest that do with McCain?
Nora- Thank you! They were delicious. (I think grape is my favorite)
Red Squirrel- Your comment made me laugh. And I’m thankful for the CBC just as you love the BBC.
Dingo- Exactly! I just think it was poor judgement.
Sandy- I know!
davisoftheaples1- But what do you really think?
justrun- I agree with you. The idea that anyone would be influenced by this cover (and they will be since it’s been on the air 900 gazillion times) is just.. outrageous.
AM- I was curious to hear what you would think. I think my problem with it is that the article of Obama accompanying the cover is actually really positive. I understand that the cover IS supposed to be poking fun at the people who are not supporting Obama based on things that are not true, but my problem is that even if one person sees this magazine cover as a confirmation of what they think is ‘true’, then the magazine is at fault. I know what you are saying about The New Yorker not being like People, but my issue with that is, with a cover as controversial as it is- The New Yorker was hoping to get the same publicity as a People cover. Their editors even suggested so. So when you put a cover up, that you know is going to reach more than your intended audience of open-minded liberals, you have to take into account the views of the other people who are going to be seeing the cartoon. Because it’s impossible to read any news article or watch any news program now without seeing it- and for those who may not be New Yorker readers- they may skip the satire and see the cover as a confirmation of something they ‘know to be true’- Obama is a Muslim, who dislikes America. And the fear I have, is that allowing such magazines to get away with stunts like this, we are playing on the ignorance of people at a time in history when we’ve never been more ignorant towards political leaders. On the flip side, I don’t know if I agree about retraction either. I think it was a horrible cover, but a retraction would bring up all first amendment issues. It’s just a shame they did it at all.
tpgoddess0103- It’s a bit depressing isn’t?
notperfectdotcom- See, the Jesse Jackson thing is awful but I think of it and can’t help but suppress a giggle thinking of Lou Dobbs using the word ‘manhood’ on the air.
Cheryl- Wouldn’t it be great?!!!
Mel Heth- Loved the book. Really loved it. It’s like, “The Office”, but book form! Although, I thought the ending was kind of sad, I definitely recommend it. (Okay, I think I just wrote this almost exact comment on your blog. Sorry for the repeat).
Kathryn- I agree with you on the Muslim point. I think it’s a fine line between Obama clearly being annoyed that he’s being portrayed as someone he’s not- a Muslim, and the outrage some people have that comes with the word “Muslim”. Or, the fact that people will not vote for him if they think he is a Muslim- that alone is enough to change a vote? Ugh.
Angela- At the end of the day the fault ultimately lies with the voter. Like you said, a smart person does their own research and reviews a candidate but so many people are willing to just accept whatever the media hands them. The New Yorker definitely fueled the fire on this though.
Supergirl- I completely agree with you, and I think you have a good point (along with AM.) If it had just stuck to newsstands and hit the intended ‘liberal’ audience, I think the satire would have been accepted. But, it didn’t. And I’m pretty confident The New Yorker didn’t create a cover like this thinking it would only stick to the audience it wanted. It wanted controversy, and it got it. As for the book, I hope you get a chance to read it sometime!
Jacinta- Isn’t ‘very bad form’ a great way to say ‘you totally screwed up”? I love it!!
geekhiker- I know. See, I don’t know enough about banks closing and mergers of beer companies to write about that, so this is the news I write about. As for the McCain cover, I would be curious to see that…
ally- That’s scary.
Nicole- Thank you dear!
citygyrli- I did! congrats on doing it!!
Diane Mandy- I totally agree. 100%
Evans- Spiedi on the cover of The New Yorker? I completely agree! She could be illustrated wearing something from her collection. Perhaps the zipper print short shorts?
longredcape- So sad, so true.
Semichrmd- Agreed!
Dutchess of Kickball- True, but if we go with the assumption that people who weren’t going to vote for him anyway aren’t going to read the magazine, doesn’t it still make the magazine inappropriate? Whoa. I’m not sure my sentence makes sense but hopefully you know what I mean.
SM- My problem is that I think The New Yorker DID think a bit more when making the cover and wanted the hype this created. I get that they need to sell magazines, I just don’t like that they do it by creating this doubt over a candidate. It confirms the worst that some believe, while those who know the truth, are left to try and explain it to everyone who doesn’t want to hear it anyway. I hate the idea that Karl Rove is loving this right now.
brookem-ha! My hoh is massive!! But I’m glad you liked the pictures, I totally thought they were worth sending just for the hair shots.
Nilsa- Agreed!
Without going too much on a tangent this burned me. No it made my blood BOIL!!! In truth print media has steadily gone down in subscriptions and circulation losing thousand (even millions) of advertising dollars. Writers and now artists are doing everything possible to try and increase sales and circulation, but at the cost of what?
Painting a United States presidential candidate as a Muslim (which, would it be so terrible to have a Muslim president. It’s not like he is the Taliban or Al Qaeda) and his wife as a terrorist is absolutely abominable!!! A credible source such as the New Yorker has to stoop so LOW as to create national attention to sell magazine.
My furry goes beyond words.
Your furry goes beyond words? Bless your heart, I hope you’re a female.
It’s NY. People here are REALLY stupid sometimes as I’m quickly learning. Plus, it’s a state over run by Republicans.
Amen!
The people at the NEW YORKER should know better than to put something like that on the cover. And while I realize the New Yorker is higher brow than the average newspaper I work for, it’s still unacceptable to assume your audience is going to get something.
There are so many people who aren’t going to understand it’s meant to be satirical. And it only is going to hurt Obama by simply reinforcing what has been whispered about him…
I totally understand the outrage but, I’m sorry, it’s a hysterical mockery of small minded Americans. I mean, that cover layers every fallacy he’s been accused of. So I guess I get both sides of the argument.
And since this is the topic, go read the Wed op-ed by Maureen Dowd in the NYT. Timely and interesting.
I like you on your popsicle box.
You are right– so many of us are able to see the ridiculum in what Fox News says, for example, but some people really do believe it to be fact.
well…..I think it’s on target. Both as an incredibly powerful piece of satire AND as an outing of just how dumb we, Americans, tend to be about these things. We think we hear one tid bit of information on the radio or on tv and run with it and base all of our thinking around it without ever QUESTIONING what’s really going on, who said it, why they said it, or if it’s even accurate. Bottom line: I think this is one of the most daring turns of political lampooning I’ve ever seen and it exposes Americans (in general) for what we, sadly, are more often than not. I mean, just look who we re-elected.
this is very upsetting to me too- actually, i was working this morning on a blog post about emails I’ve been getting saying Obama is a terrorist and stuff, and it really bothers me that my family members would take the time to forward this crap. Like it’s “headline news” and i better read it before “it’s too late”. well, that’s too bad, because I’m totally an Obama Girl and I’m insulted by the people that think a ridiculous ignorant email is going to change my mind….