New Yorker beats the Repubs

#27
#27
TennNC said:
This election could be within single digits, so that's not insignificant IMO. In fact, it's a significant enough portion of the voting population for Fox News (and others, I'm sure) to report on at least some of these perceptions (Obama dressed in Muslim garb, he and Michelle fist-bumping as a terrorist act, e.g.).

Here's the editor's explanation for it:

David Remnick On That New Yorker Cover: It's Satire, Meant To Target "Distortions And Misconceptions And Prejudices" About Obama
Click to expand...


As for the election being close argument - who is this supposed to sway? Anyone who holds these views wouldn't vote for him anyway.

It reminds me of the constant drumbeat of "fear" and "smear" politics that Republicans are accused of. The Dems use these tactics with equal aplomb. In fact, this piece is a prime example of distorting the arguments against Obama. The author claims to be hold up a mirror to prejudice but in stereotyping so badly, he is the one in the mirror.

I really don't care about the whole thing other than how absurd it is and how some will actually believe that any significant number of Republicans view Obama this way.

The irony is that it keeps Obama on the defensive.
 
#28
#28
I saw on the today show this morning that harold ford jr. was talking about how Obama has been treated so unfairly this election, and how this is one of the lowest shots on any candidate. it was disgusting to hear Harold Jr. talk. Obama has been treated far better i think than any other candidate that i know of.
 
#29
#29
I think that there are enough people out there who bought into the early internet-based rumors that Obama is a Muslim (the famous photo when he was on a trip overseas) and Michelle is anti-American (her oft-quoted line about being proud for the first time) that the Obama campaign is almost paranoid about it.

While I do think that the conservative media has allowed such misinformation to cloud people's judgments (by repeatedly airing the Rev. Wright stuff, for example), it seems to me that the folks clinging to these misimpressions aren't going to vote for him, anyway, so other than to dismiss such rumors as untrue, there's not much to be done.

I do think that the New Yorker cover is a criticism of the rumors -- and those that promote or repeat them without basis. The cover is much less about Obama than it is about Fox, Drudge, etc.
 
#30
#30
lawgator1 said:
I think that there are enough people out there who bought into the early internet-based rumors that Obama is a Muslim (the famous photo when he was on a trip overseas) and Michelle is anti-American (her oft-quoted line about being proud for the first time) that the Obama campaign is almost paranoid about it.

While I do think that the conservative media has allowed such misinformation to cloud people's judgments (by repeatedly airing the Rev. Wright stuff, for example), it seems to me that the folks clinging to these misimpressions aren't going to vote for him, anyway, so other than to dismiss such rumors as untrue, there's not much to be done.

I do think that the New Yorker cover is a criticism of the rumors -- and those that promote or repeat them without basis. The cover is much less about Obama than it is about Fox, Drudge, etc.
Click to expand...

A couple of points:

1. Believing Obama is Muslim is not the same as believing the images conveyed in the cover. That view is an extreme view of Muslims so we are talking about a fraction of a fraction.

2. I was watching Fox this morning and the report on this topic stated emphatically that Obama is NOT Muslim. In fact, whenever I see Fox reporting on the topic they make that statement. Fox News is not promoting or repeating these rumors without basis. Perhaps some opinion-based commentators who appear on Fox are.

3. Thankfully, the liberal media hasn't clouded anyone's judgement about anything...
 
#31
#31
Vol Mania 21 said:
I saw on the today show this morning that harold ford jr. was talking about how Obama has been treated so unfairly this election, and how this is one of the lowest shots on any candidate. it was disgusting to hear Harold Jr. talk. Obama has been treated far better i think than any other candidate that i know of.
Click to expand...

I agree...I can't stand Ford, Jr. I didn't vote for him and I found out this weekend a friend of mine voted for him...(who also voted in the primary for Obama because she didn't want Clinton to get the nomination)
 
#32
#32
lawgator1 said:
I think that there are enough people out there who bought into the early internet-based rumors that Obama is a Muslim (the famous photo when he was on a trip overseas) and Michelle is anti-American (her oft-quoted line about being proud for the first time) that the Obama campaign is almost paranoid about it.

While I do think that the conservative media has allowed such misinformation to cloud people's judgments (by repeatedly airing the Rev. Wright stuff, for example), it seems to me that the folks clinging to these misimpressions aren't going to vote for him, anyway, so other than to dismiss such rumors as untrue, there's not much to be done.

I do think that the New Yorker cover is a criticism of the rumors -- and those that promote or repeat them without basis. The cover is much less about Obama than it is about Fox, Drudge, etc.
Click to expand...

LG that was a major story when a spiritual advisor of a candidate is on tape saying this type of thing it will get play. Conservative, Liberal, Independant it doesn't matter it will get discussed.
 
#33
#33
volinbham said:
1) As for the election being close argument - who is this supposed to sway? Anyone who holds these views wouldn't vote for him anyway.

2) It reminds me of the constant drumbeat of "fear" and "smear" politics that Republicans are accused of. The Dems use these tactics with equal aplomb. In fact, this piece is a prime example of distorting the arguments against Obama. The author claims to be hold up a mirror to prejudice but in stereotyping so badly, he is the one in the mirror.

3) I really don't care about the whole thing other than how absurd it is and how some will actually believe that any significant number of Republicans view Obama this way.
Click to expand...

1) Never said anything about swaying. I was just making the argument that single digits is not an insignificant % of the voting populace. Hell, as of a month ago, 10% of voters still thought Obama was Muslim! There's a whole lot of ignorance out there.

2) As to the "fear and smear" - that's EXACTLY what they're satirizing. A lot of people fear Obama - not b/c of his economic policies, which I know many of you fear - but b/c of his makeup, his unknown background, and a host of other reasons. The fact he's painted as a terrorist-loving Muslim is ridiculous, and the cartoon shows how ridiculous it is. How many times have people posted that pic of Obama in Muslim garb on here? It happens!

Satire rarely goes after the mainstream or the center of anything, and satire is all about exaggerating - otherwise it'd be boring. And I'd argue that it appears the cartoonist (and the magazine) have been successful in getting people to talk about it and separating the lunatics from the non-lunatics.

3) I highly doubt that readers of the New Yorker will look at that and change their mind about Obama, Republicans, etc. And also, who said they were going after Republicans? They're going after lunacy.

If Republicans are feeling defensive about it, there's probably at least a shred that comes from being embarrassed by the lunatic fringe, and if so, good - we should all distance ourselves from lunatics.
 
#34
#34
TennNC said:
2) As to the "fear and smear" - that's EXACTLY what they're satirizing. A lot of people fear Obama - not b/c of his economic policies, which I know many of you fear - but b/c of his makeup, his unknown background, and a host of other reasons. The fact he's painted as a terrorist-loving Muslim is ridiculous, and the cartoon shows how ridiculous it is. How many times have people posted that pic of Obama in Muslim garb on here? It happens!

My point is that the artist/author is using "fear and smear" himself to point out "fear and smear". That's the irony.

Satire rarely goes after the mainstream or the center of anything, and satire is all about exaggerating - otherwise it'd be boring. And I'd argue that it appears the cartoonist (and the magazine) have been successful in getting people to talk about it and separating the lunatics from the non-lunatics.

I understand satire.
Click to expand...

Perhaps it's coming across that I think this is a big deal - I don't. I just thought it was pretty shocking that the New Yorker (a general interest national publication) would put this on the cover.
 
#35
#35
volinbham said:
A couple of points:

1. Believing Obama is Muslim is not the same as believing the images conveyed in the cover. That view is an extreme view of Muslims so we are talking about a fraction of a fraction.

2. I was watching Fox this morning and the report on this topic stated emphatically that Obama is NOT Muslim. In fact, whenever I see Fox reporting on the topic they make that statement. Fox News is not promoting or repeating these rumors without basis. Perhaps some opinion-based commentators who appear on Fox are.
Click to expand...

1. It's not far off. If someone thinks Obama is Muslim, they are ignorant - therefore I don't think it's a stretch to think they might think a lot of Muslims are terrorists, and therefore, harbor serious doubts about Obama. And last check, 10% of voters thought he was Muslim. It's a large enough misperception to warrant an effort to kill it.

2. If Fox allows commentators that continue to promote or repeat these rumors, then it's no different in the eyes of viewers. To them, if they hear it on Fox, it came from Fox, unless the talk show host immediately corrects and admonishes the person spreading these rumors, and demands that their "commentators" not perpetuate this. Maybe they do.

Listen, I'm all for criticizing the liberal media too, but let's not use "they do it too" as an excuse for promoting rumors and characterizations.
 
#36
#36
volinbham said:
Perhaps it's coming across that I think this is a big deal - I don't. I just thought it was pretty shocking that the New Yorker (a general interest national publication) would put this on the cover.
Click to expand...

It was a bit more extreme than others, for sure.

I just inferred some defensiveness in your response, but that could've been my misinterpretation.
 
#37
#37
TennNC said:
It was a bit more extreme than others, for sure.

I just inferred some defensiveness in your response, but that could've been my misinterpretation.
Click to expand...

the defensiveness was more of a overall frustration with the same old tactics reappearing in another guise.
 
#40
#40
volinbham said:
A couple of points:

1. Believing Obama is Muslim is not the same as believing the images conveyed in the cover. That view is an extreme view of Muslims so we are talking about a fraction of a fraction.

AGREED

2. I was watching Fox this morning and the report on this topic stated emphatically that Obama is NOT Muslim. In fact, whenever I see Fox reporting on the topic they make that statement. Fox News is not promoting or repeating these rumors without basis. Perhaps some opinion-based commentators who appear on Fox are.

THEY'VE GOTTEN BETTER ABOUT THE MUSLIM THING. THE REV. WRIGHT ISSUE THEY WILL NOT LET GO OF AND IN A SENSE I DON'T BLAME THEM SINCE THERE ARE SOME BIGGER SOCIETAL ISSUES AT WORK IN THAT CONTROVERSY THAN JUST OBAMA. IRONICALLY, BECAUSE THEY HATE JACKSON SO MUCH, WHEN HE MADE HIS STATEMENTS LAST WEEK IT WAS ALMOST AS IF FOX WAS CHAMPIONING OBAMA'S MORE MODERATE VIEWS NEXT TO JESSE'S.

WOULD HAVE BEEN FUN TO BE A FLY ON THE WALL IN THEIR EDITORIAL BOARD MEETINGS (OR EQUIVALENT) WHEN ALL THAT HAPPENED.


3. Thankfully, the liberal media hasn't clouded anyone's judgement about anything...

POINT TAKEN.
Click to expand...

KB5252 said:
LG that was a major story when a spiritual advisor of a candidate is on tape saying this type of thing it will get play. Conservative, Liberal, Independant it doesn't matter it will get discussed.

NOT SO MUCH ABOUT HIM AS "SPIRITUAL ADVISOR" AND MORE AN INSIGHT INTO THE ANGRY BLACK MAN MENTALITY THAT IS SEETHING JUST BELOW THE SURFACE IN PORTIONS OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY. THAT'S THE REAL STORY. OBAMA'S PROBLEMS WITH WRIGHT ARE JUST EXPOSING IT A BIT MORE THAN WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH.
Click to expand...

volinbham said:
Perhaps it's coming across that I think this is a big deal - I don't.

ME EITHER.

I just thought it was pretty shocking that the New Yorker (a general interest national publication) would put this on the cover.

I'M NOT REALLY SURPRISED. IN A WAY, THIS ELECTION IS FORCING US TO CONFRONT A LOT OF RESENTMENTS THE COUNTRY STILL HAS OVER RACE, GENDER, AND RELIGION, AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PATRIOTIC.
Click to expand...


LG
 
#45
#45
Of course, I was not thinking. Thanks.

ALSO....why are my smilies not working!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#48
#48
Change = Government control of your daily life!

Hope = That he can get away with it without being challenged!
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top