I was not going to drag my opinion into this but it is nagging at me. I've been a fan of the New Yorker for many years. The articles usually have a bite and the satire is right up my line. BUT this latest issue with Mr and Mrs Obama on the cover put me over the edge. You must have seen it as it is spread all over the media for all to digest. That is my major concern. Barack Obama has been characterized in turban and dress, with his wife dressed as a terrorist with gun over the shoulder as they fist bump standing in the oval office with the American flag burning in the fireplace while Ben Laden's portrait hangs over the mantle. I know the artist and editors thought this was a great spoof on the "stuff" that has been coming out about Obama and could not imagine it was anything but satire on the perpetution of ridiculous lies about him. Have they become so elitist that they believe everyone would catch the joke. Did they not research the fact that 26% of the people believe he was raised a Muslim and 12% believe he is still a practicing Muslim and was sworn into office on the Koran. Rather than showing these ideas as riduculous they have cemented the idea in those that believe them to be true. It is hard to satirize a truth and many believe it is a truth. I doubt many of the believers have read the New Yorker or even know what it is. But now in all its glory, they have a picture to hold up and say "See, I told ya". I bet this cover has been blown up to poster size for playrooms all over the country. The New Yorker has the right to publish their views and that freedom should never be taken away. I just wish they had used a bit of common sense. The joke could now be on them.
