Yes, we can. - Page 136

Alex · 07-13-2008, 06:57 PM

Haven't read it yet, but here is the article that goes with the cover.

Cadaverous Pallor · 07-13-2008, 10:12 PM

Quote:

I think the idea that the Obamas are branded as unpatriotic [let alone as terrorists] in certain sectors is preposterous. It seemed to me that depicting the concept would show it as the fear-mongering ridiculousness that it is.

flippyshark · 07-14-2008, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Artist on piece

If the artist has to explain it, it's not a very good joke.

Looking at the comments section below this piece, it's pretty clear that this fails as satire for a lot of people. It's provocative without delivering a clear intent. (One comment summed it up well. If this image had appeared on The National Review, there would be outrage. On the New Yorker, it's perplexing.)

On the other hand, I thought the Ahmedinejab cover was funny.

Alex · 07-14-2008, 08:56 AM

Knowing the New Yorker I immediately knew it was intended as satirical. I wouldn't have been bothered. Being on The National Review I would know the intent was not satirical (or that if such was claimed it was more likely to be a sham).

Intent matters. The problem is that when it is sitting on the shelf at Barnes & Noble, the majority of people walking by who see it won't have any idea of that context.

So it was probably more appropriate as an accompaniment inside the magazine than as the cover. Or the cover needed something to make it more explicit (though New Yorker covers don't really use headlines so can't really explain the artwork).

Gemini Cricket · 07-14-2008, 09:05 AM

But I guess the cover is doing its job. People are talking about it and most likely are buying the mag now...

Kevy Baby · 07-14-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

But I guess the cover is doing its job. People are talking about it and most likely are buying the mag now...

I am aggressively not buying it in protest.

Ghoulish Delight · 07-15-2008, 10:35 PM

Dragging this back up since I was out of touch while this news broke.

As Alex says, knowing where the New Yorker stands, I know it's obviously satire. But I think it's still a questionable decision as for the majority of people, all they see is the image and do not grasp the context, and as an image with no context it just reinforces the ridiculous notion that does exist in many voters' minds that Obama is indeed a closet terrorist. Poor judgment on the part of the New Yorker editorial folks, imo.

Cadaverous Pallor · 07-16-2008, 07:47 AM

I realized I didn't say this - I think the piece was poorly done and doesn't make the point he was trying to make.

innerSpaceman · 07-16-2008, 08:02 AM

Maybe it wouldn't have happened if Obama's right turn doesn't look now like it's his Swift Boat moment and turning point.

Yes, every democratic nominee does it. But Obama seeming like every other democratic nominee kinda takes the wind out of the sails that blew him to the nomination.

I think the cover art is a symptom of a failing campaign. Obama's looking like just another pol ... which, to those who've bothered to study his campaign history, is exactly what he is.

But he better start wearing the Hope Candidate disguise again, or he can expect much worse treatment from the press, from his base and from voters in the Fall.

scaeagles · 07-17-2008, 06:14 AM

I just do not know how Jesse Jackson has had any credibility for the last, oh, couple decades or so, and now that it was revealed he dropped the "N" bomb in his didn't-know-the-mic-was-on moment (in case you haven't heard, he accused Obama of talking down to "N"s).

I'm tempted to go into a racial discussion of acceptable racism vs. unacceptable racism, but this isn't the place for it, I suppose.

07-13-2008, 06:57 PM	#1351
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Haven't read it yet, but here is the article that goes with the cover.
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07-14-2008, 08:56 AM	#1354
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Knowing the New Yorker I immediately knew it was intended as satirical. I wouldn't have been bothered. Being on The National Review I would know the intent was not satirical (or that if such was claimed it was more likely to be a sham). Intent matters. The problem is that when it is sitting on the shelf at Barnes & Noble, the majority of people walking by who see it won't have any idea of that context. So it was probably more appropriate as an accompaniment inside the magazine than as the cover. Or the cover needed something to make it more explicit (though New Yorker covers don't really use headlines so can't really explain the artwork).
	Submit to Quotes

07-14-2008, 09:05 AM	#1355
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	But I guess the cover is doing its job. People are talking about it and most likely are buying the mag now...
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07-15-2008, 10:35 PM	#1357
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Dragging this back up since I was out of touch while this news broke. As Alex says, knowing where the New Yorker stands, I know it's obviously satire. But I think it's still a questionable decision as for the majority of people, all they see is the image and do not grasp the context, and as an image with no context it just reinforces the ridiculous notion that does exist in many voters' minds that Obama is indeed a closet terrorist. Poor judgment on the part of the New Yorker editorial folks, imo. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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07-16-2008, 07:47 AM	#1358
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	I realized I didn't say this - I think the piece was poorly done and doesn't make the point he was trying to make. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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07-16-2008, 08:02 AM	#1359
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Maybe it wouldn't have happened if Obama's right turn doesn't look now like it's his Swift Boat moment and turning point. Yes, every democratic nominee does it. But Obama seeming like every other democratic nominee kinda takes the wind out of the sails that blew him to the nomination. I think the cover art is a symptom of a failing campaign. Obama's looking like just another pol ... which, to those who've bothered to study his campaign history, is exactly what he is. But he better start wearing the Hope Candidate disguise again, or he can expect much worse treatment from the press, from his base and from voters in the Fall.
	Submit to Quotes

07-17-2008, 06:14 AM	#1360
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	I just do not know how Jesse Jackson has had any credibility for the last, oh, couple decades or so, and now that it was revealed he dropped the "N" bomb in his didn't-know-the-mic-was-on moment (in case you haven't heard, he accused Obama of talking down to "N"s). I'm tempted to go into a racial discussion of acceptable racism vs. unacceptable racism, but this isn't the place for it, I suppose.
	Submit to Quotes