Obama in a turban...?

[WDRacing]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politi...11719

Just wow...

[audtatious]

Tasteless

If it were about Bush then nobody would complain and the cartoonist would get an award for something.

[Encryptshun]

I disagree with the image itself, but it's no worse than many other political cartoons I've seen.

And I gotta hand it to the artist -- s/he pretty much laid down every anti-Obama spin-meme out there in one drawing. And I agree with the sentiment that we elect our leaders based on smear campaigns and public misinformation/misdirection rather than their position on important issues. Hopefully that will change once debate season begins in ernest.

[skylndrftr]

The problem is the (from what I caught this mornign on MSNBC) is that freaking pundit mafia completely missed the point. If peopel are offended by this they need to standup and say stop to the truely unamerican groups that are workign to perpetuate these lies in a way that doesn't generate attention.

[smockers83]

The only things I find a little tasteless are the portrayal of his wife as a militant terrorlst and the flag burning, in the Oval Office no less. The turban, its sad that our country identifies that as some sort of threat to our country or something disgraceful or however its being interpreted. I realize its satire, but its satire from people who support Obama playing on crazy right-wing criticisms. I can say not all right-wingers think the fist bump has terrorlst meanings, and I hope its only a few isolated ones that do. I read only a couple paragraphs of the essay linked to the cover, if one read the essay they wouldn't have to worry about the cover. I'm not saying being oblivious to it, just realize what it is.

Since there has been a national outcry over this cartoon, it won't have any effect on his campaign. Both sides are calling it tasteless and offensive so it pretty much neutralizes it.

[rn79870]

I find it as tastless as the perple referring to McCain as McCauns. Doesn't help the world see the reality of the issues.

[audtatious]

Why is there an outcry on this cartoon and not others that show other officials in "bad light"? I understand it's showing Obama, but sheesh....

[WDRacing]

The more I look at the cartoon...it encompasses my real world fears and emotions of what will come if we elect him.

[rn79870]

It portrays Michelle as a terrorlst if nothing else. That's really out of bounds. The rest is probably free speech, but acquisitions of terrorism isn't any funnier than accusing a woman of having an STD.

It will probably backfire and create more sympathy for Obama's cause though.

[audtatious]

Why is it out of bounds? Bush and others have been portrayed as war monging christian radicals without so much as a puff. Show Obama and the Obama supporters get in a huff.

Oh yeah, because you agree with it. n/m

[skylndrftr]

The more I look at the cartoon...it encompasses my real world fears and emotions of what will come if we elect him.

And the point of the sarcasm/satire cartoon becomes clear.

16% of the country believes the man is a Muslim...and a lot of them are very upset abotu his crazy christian preacher?

seriously guys what the **** are the peopel in this country smoking? You can't bash him for two religions at once and keep a straight face...can you?

[WDRacing]

It portrays Michelle as a terrorlst if nothing else.

Imagine the horror...a black muslim getting fingered as a terrorlst. She knew what would happen when things came down to it...as does any candidate.

[rn79870]

I'm not as upset with their portrayal of Obama as much as I am with their caricature of Michelle. She really isn't a fair target. Calling someone a terrorlst is pretty low. Let's leave the wives and children out of the election.

[rn79870]

Imagine the horror...a black muslim getting fingered as a terrorlst. She knew what would happen when things came down to it...as does any candidate.

And you don't see that as an insult to all Muslims worldwide? Maybe that's part of the reason so many countries hate our country. Think about it.

[WDRacing]

If countries hate us because we are a Christian based society maybe YOU should think about it. If it were not for terrorists we would not have war right now...a basic math equation =s what?

I want to be left alone...the only people on the planet trying to kill me are Muslim. Not ALL muslims...not even most...but some is all it takes.

WD

[skylndrftr]

She knew what would happen when things came down to it...as does any candidate.

SHES not a candidate, and I'm gonna put that in my back pocket for when I get around to slapping together a Cindy McCain thread...just sold her quintesentially American business to those damn Europeans.

People hate us not because we're Christians but because we're a nation of bigots.

[audtatious]

I'm not as upset with their portrayal of Obama as much as I am with their caricature of Michelle. She really isn't a fair target. Calling someone a terrorlst is pretty low. Let's leave the wives and children out of the election.

I would agree other than Michelle herself has stepped up and is campaining like she is running herself. Remember, she hated America until Obama became an elected official

[audtatious]

People hate us not because we're Christians but because we're a nation of bigots.

Who are you a bigot against?

[rn79870]

People hate us not because we're Christians but because we're a nation of bigots.

Sky, that is so very true. Our country has insulted Islam, the Muslims and the Arab world whether or not they even know what al Queda is. It's no wonder the US doesn't seem to be making any headway with the world opinion problem.

Brian, you're painting with that wide brush again. Just becasue SOME Muslims are terrorlst does not equate to all Muslims being terrorists. That's no different than judging all Christians by what Fred Phelps does.

[rn79870]

Who are you a bigot against?

Sky was referring to overly broad defamatory comments leveled against (all) Muslims. That's what a bigoted society does - they categorize and condemn based on the actions of a fringe few.

[WDRacing]

People hate us not because we're Christians but because we're a nation of bigots.

What are you taling about? We simply want to exist as we are RIGHT NOW. Remove the need to accomodate others and you remove 98% of all the problems we disagree with. So who is in the wrong? Tne person that requires others to change for the benefit of the few, or the people that simply want things to stay as they have been.

In case you haven't been keeping track...our country does fine without accomodating every little thing someone wants. It isn't until someone wants to run against the current that we have issues...

I'm American and I'm not here to spoon feed every punk that thinks he deserves it. Nor every religion that doesn't like what we ALREADY have.

I wish you wouyld leave...seriously...get out.

[skylndrftr]

The most disgusting thing I ever saw happen on TV (surprise it was fox noise) was some vapid blond demand that this countries first Muslim Congressman categorically swear Muslim terrorists. I think we should demand the same of all Christian whether its Fred Phelps or Eric Rudolph, if thats the rule put in place then they need to actively swear off these people it shouldn't be assumed.

[audtatious]

Sky, that is so very true. Our country has insulted Islam, the Muslims and the Arab world whether or not they even know what al Queda is. It's no wonder the US doesn't seem to be making any headway with the world opinion problem.

PC world = PC problems. People need to stop being so sensitive. As a Christian I really don't care what others say about God. We have the freedom of speech until some key words are put on the books as offensive and against the law. If others don't like it then they should not focus so much on the US.

[audtatious]

Sky was referring to overly broad defamatory comments leveled against (all) Muslims. That's what a bigoted society does - they categorize and condemn based on the actions of a fringe few.

It was a blanket statement. I just want to know what he is bigoted about since he would be including himself in the coverage.

[audtatious]

The most disgusting thing I ever saw happen on TV (surprise it was fox noise) was some vapid blond demand that this countries first Muslim Congressman categorically swear Muslim terrorists. I think we should demand the same of all Christian whether its Fred Phelps or Eric Rudolph, if thats the rule put in place then they need to actively swear off these people it shouldn't be assumed.

I thought that was pretty stupid as well. Regardless of how vehemently some disagree, this country was founded on Christian values, thus why the bible is still used. Hell, remove the bible from swearing in completely because most people will lie anyway.

[rn79870]

PC world = PC problems. People need to stop being so sensitive. As a Christian I really don't care what others say about God. We have the freedom of speech until some key words are put on the books as offensive and against the law. If others don't like it then they should not focus so much on the US.

True, there is a long history of being sensitive. But when you combine that with a country imposing their will on a foreign people (as the Arab's see our presence in their land) you need to stop and take the few steps necessary to correct the (apparent?) misconception. That misconception is that the American people want to destroy Islam and the Muslim faith. When someone condemns a Muslim for the acts of a terrorlst, the condemnation is seen as an act against Islam. Why do you think the Arab world hates America? Is this really any more reasonable than all the Muslim world seeing Fred Phelps as the christian spokesman?

We are the nation that needs to be more sensative. But what the heck, we've got a big army.

[audtatious]

You are making a blanket statement that all arabs hate the US. I see no proof of this. Do a few groups hate us? Sure. Do some get angry at us? Sure. Do they all hate us? I'll let you answer that one.

[rn79870]

WASHINGTON -- The United States has often irritated the rest of the world, but lately it's gotten worse -- and more dangerous.

Analysts say America's image problem is pervasive, deep and perhaps permanent, an inevitable outcome of being the world's only superpower.

But there is worse news. In the past, while Europeans, Asians and Arabs might have disliked American policies or specific U.S. leaders, they liked and admired Americans themselves.

Polls now show an ominous turn. Majorities around the world think Americans are greedy, violent and rude, and fewer than half in countries like Poland, Spain, Canada, China and Russia think Americans are honest.

"We found a rising antipathy toward Americans," said Bruce Stokes of the Pew Global Attitudes Project, which interviewed 93,000 people in 50 countries over a four-year span.

The dislike is accelerating among youths, Stokes said. For instance, 20 percent of Britons under age 30 have an unfavorable opinion of Americans, double the percentage of 2002.

Muslim opinion

http://www.worldpublicopinion....t.pdf -

And more importatly,

An in-depth poll of four major Muslim countries has found that in all of them large majorities believe that undermining Islam is a key goal of US foreign policy. Most want US military forces out of the Middle East and many approve of attacks on US troops there.

Most respondents have mixed feelings about al Qaeda. Large majorities agree with many of its goals, but believe that terrorlst attacks on civilians are contrary to Islam.

There is strong support for enhancing the role of Islam in all of the countries polled, through such measures as the imposition of sharia (Islamic law). This does not mean that they want to isolate their societies from outside influences: Most view globalization positively and favor democracy and freedom of religion.

http://www.worldpublicopinion....d=%3E

It has many causes. It is in our best interest to understand it and fix it, not merely wage war against it.

[audtatious]

I don't see where all arabs hate us?

[WDRacing]

Bob...are you so friggin blind that you forgot that the terrorists attacked us first? Are we to do nothing? Don't even go into the mismanagement of the war...

I'm asking you directly...right now. After 911, do you believe we should have done nothing?

What country was it that stopped the Russian army from destroying ALL of the middle east and making it the USSR? It was a LIBERAL that lead that effort I might add...

You people have lost your minds in defense of what? For the sake of playing party politics that's what. You're so against anything that could even be conveyed as Conservative that you'll willing throw yourself and our country under the bus. My God Bob...do you even realize what you're saying at this point. Are you arguing just to argue? Election aside...brother, you have to know that we aren't souly responsible for the Arabs not liking us. Ask those selfish fvckers where they would be if we hadn't intervened when the Russians were slaughtering them by the 100,000 thousand...or has EVERYONE convienently forgot about that?

Jesus...you people amaze me. As a person who has risked his life in order to protect you while you sleep, you make me ashamed to call you American. You dishonor everyone that has died to preserve your rights...