Thank You, New Yorker
What’s the big friggin’ deal? Nothing like hearing liberals complain that this image is offensive as if they don’t get the joke. Even worse: Watching CNN conduct an informal poll at a newsstand where they show unsuspecting citizens the “offensive” cover illo and ask, “Is this positive or negative?” Wow. Then there are the commentators, the pundit class who should know better, act like they’ve never read the New Yorker lamenting that there should have been an article to go with the front cover. Why, oh why, they ask wasn’t there a headline or some sort of explain-y thing to go with the cover art? Gee.
And almost even worse: David Gergen. This former adviser of presidents turned wonk, academic, and CNN talking head, usually represents some clear-headed CW and carefully calibrated insight. He’s great at being a blowhard without actually sounding like a blowhard. Over the years, I’ve come to rely on his commentary. But last night, Gergen joined the chorus to declare that the New Yorker really whiffed and called the joke unfunny, etc. At least he judged the illo as a joke.
It’s art, people. Deal with it. The New Yorker had every right to publish it. And despite all the huffing and puffing, the cover did its job. It provoked a conversation about all those bad Obama rumors. If only the conversation actually got deeper than hating on a drawing and dealt with the real reason those rumors persist: racism.
In this year of faux umbrage, the flap over this New Yorker cover is perhaps the worst example.
4 Responses to “Thank You, New Yorker”
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July 15th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
You are framing this the wrong way. It’s not about whether the New Yorker had the “right” to publish a cover like this. No one, not even us liberals, are saying there should have been a court-injunction against publishing the cover.
But we also have the right to criticize it. Sometimes I think the outrage-over-the-outrage can *also* be a tad overdone. What is wrong with *some* commentary about a cover that some people find tasteless and a misjudgement by the publication?
I feel like some commentors such as yourself feel that ANYONE SAYING ANYTHING is “too much outrage.” But I actually think its just the right amount. We comment and move on.
July 15th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I’m quite put out.
The cover is only a put on, of course. Thing is, folks in the provinces will think it’s for real and refuse to vote for the senator in the upcoming election! And before you know, the much needed change of policy at the top will become impossible.
Very badly done, New Yorker.
July 15th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
All CNN ass holes reporters, keep defending Obama (Osama) because CNN is a
A communist Network (Lefty) CNN are in Pro of Terrorism and Pro Obama….
But that Negro has no experience to be a President of this Country.
He doesn’t even know how to clean his fucking ass.
His magic wand will fix everything that is happening in the world…
He is an ass hole. He just wants to be the first Negro to be a President of the USA
And then he will paint the White House in black. And all his camels will be park
Outside his Black house.
That is why I thank you guys for the good job you did with that cartoon…Is the
Best thing for the world to see…Watch CNN and you see all those Idiots reporters are so Piss-off…JAJAJAJAJA….Fuck you CNN!!!!
My vote goes for McCain…Like it or not.
July 16th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
As everyone knows, man evolved from ape.
That Henry sounds as if he hasn’t quite evolved yet.