I'm an artist

[Sugarcoated]

and while I'm well aware art is subjective, and get satire and usually enjoy it, the New Yorker cover is just an ugly thing to look at. Many people will not get the nuance of this, or they will get it but think it's just plain ugly so I think Obama's response is right. The non-nuance types, satire or not, would question Obama's judgment if he said "Haha, we get it, it's all good".

Visually it's repulsive and if my spouse was depicted like that, satire or not, I'd be skeeved and I would defend. Obama's response is good. Middle of the roader "folks" like this kind of response - ie: Chelsea dressing down the reporter for asking personal questions, the Cheney's indignation when asked about their gay daughter. They'll respect Obama for it.

Repeatedly over the last several elections we've misinterpreted issues of culture and nuance. It doesn't make sense . . . but yet it does. Just my humble. :)

[valerief]

1. Why are people surprised when mainstream media publishes stuff

that supports the ruling class? After all, the ruling class owns the media.

We should expect bad taste, because we get bad taste and know the reason for it. Mainstream media has no value whatsoever, except to hurt us.

[Sugarcoated]

2. It's about ratings

and money and getting the story first. It's about sensationalism and the news making the news . . .

[BuyingThyme]

5. What about the cartoon is supportive of the ruling class?

[valerief]

7. It's a talking point for Rush Limbaugh who talks to dumb people nt

[BuyingThyme]

8. Actually, it's a depiction of the picture Limbaugh is trying to paint for dumb people.

[valerief]

11. I understand satire. That doesn't mean Rush won't use it as a

"See? It's true!" tool to his listeners.

[Sugarcoated]

9. Ah, okay

I'd like to see that plump bag o' gas explain how the librul media is helping the libral here.

[valerief]

12. There is no mainstrream liberal media. If you don't know that, then

you are a blue dog.

[Sugarcoated]

14. I don't think the mainstream press is liberal

How do you get that? I'm dissing the whole notion.

[valerief]

15. You said

<<I'd like to see that plump bag o' gas explain how the librul media is helping the libral here.
>>

You said it, I didn't. The New Yorker is mainstream and helps the ruling class.

[Sugarcoated]

16. Hey, we're on the same side valerief

And, I'm sorry, I don't get what you're saying. Could you elaborate? I thought you were poking fun at Rush/RW's liberal media bias or something.

[Window]

3. K/R.

:kick:

[BuyingThyme]

4. How could the cover have been any better?

The artist has communicated something to near perfection while actually getting people to discuss the topic at hand.

[Sugarcoated]

6. Well, in that respect it's great

But Obama has to respond the way he is or "folks" will lose respect for him. I'm not one who says it shouldn't hit the stands. Art doesn't have to be pretty . . . but as I said, satire or not, Obama is totally justified in denouncing it. It's repulsive to look at.

[BuyingThyme]

10. Open-heart surgery is repulsive to look at too.

[Sugarcoated]

13. Well

What I'm saying is, Obama's response is correct. The "folks" won't get past the hideous depiction. They may even get the satire, but they won't care. They'll see a man who's got no balls. His response will win the "folks" respect. And to be honest, my respect for him, while pretty damn high has gone up a notch. I'm an artist and I think, pretty sophisticated, and I'd do the same.

[Sugarcoated]

17. kick

:think:

[aikoaiko]

18. But the NewYorker cover isn't about the Obamas

All he had to say is, "I recognize the NYer cover as satire. I know who it targets and it isn't me and Michelle. Sadly the targets of the satire may not understand it."

[Sugarcoated]

20. I'm sure he'll nuance it in later interviews this week

His initial response was good - simple and to the point.

[aikoaiko]

21. good response -- he called it offensive. How is ridiculing those who think

he is jihadist Muslim and Michelle is an aggressive militant offensive? He's all but said such ideas are ridiculous himself.

[Sugarcoated]

22. You me and Barack get it

But our logic, what we see as obvious and common sense doesn't always = smart politics. It's hard even for me to get past the repugnant drawing to get to the satire. People see an ugly portrayal and will wonder why Obama's not standing up for himself. He can nuance it later for the more sophisticated middle of the roaders as well as for us la-tay drinkers. ;-)

[depakid]

19. "Visually it's repulsive." Agreed.

Among other things, it's a lousy drawing.