The Joker...

JJ_BPK · 08-04-2009, 06:05

I don't think there are many that would disagree with the fact that todays news organizations are a bit left leaning.

The outrage about the "Joker" poster being only the latest.

Quote:

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sh...er-not-so-much

Obama Joker Poster Stirs Outrage, Bush Joker Poster Not So Much
By Noel Sheppard, August 3, 2009 - 21:58 ET

Not surprisingly, the Obama Joker Poster reported by NewsBusters Saturday is already drawing some outrage.

According to a television station where the posters have been spotted, "Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable President Earl Ofari Hutchinson is calling the depiction, politically mean spirited and dangerous."

Yet, when Vanity Fair's Politics & Power blog published a somewhat similar visual representation of George W. Bush last July, nobody seemed to complain. In fact, throughout the Bush years, demeaning drawings of the President and Vice President Dick Cheney were quite commonplace.

But, according to KTLA.com, depicting Barack Obama in unflattering terms is a no no (h/t Sonny Bunch via Jonah Goldberg):

Hutchinson is challenging the group or individual that put up the poster to have the courage and decency to publicly identify themselves.

"Depicting the president as demonic and a socialist goes beyond political spoofery," says Hutchinson, "it is mean-spirited and dangerous."

"We have issued a public challenge to the person or group that put up the poster to come forth and publicly tell why they have used this offensive depiction to ridicule President Obama."

Hmmm. I wonder where the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable was when Vanity Fair published this last July:

And where was the outrage when the Village Voice published this on the cover of its October 26, 2004, issue:

In reality, if I wanted to, I could likely produce hundreds of disgusting drawings of Bush, Cheney, and others in their Administration plastered at publications across the fruited plain the last eight years.

That was acceptable commentary and political satire back then.

Now that Obama is in the White House, it's called "mean-spirited and dangerous."

Any questions?

—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters

While I think the Bush-Joker is much more artistic...
The Obama-Joker is very sinister...

My $00.0002

Paslode · 08-04-2009, 06:46

I don't seem to remember there being any concern over 'Mean-spirited and dangerous' with any of the artistry done on George Bush.

JMO.... I kind of like this one......the shoe fits so to speak.

Richard · 08-04-2009, 06:57

Today - for some strange reason - the BHO Joker poster brings up images of the Joker's blowing up the hospital in the last Batman movie...

Richard's $.02

SF_BHT · 08-04-2009, 07:05

I wish everyone would get off the sensitive train and get thick skin. They are now on the big boy train and need to toughen up and quit being so sensitive to anything that is not positive to their KoolAid plan.

Dozer523 · 08-04-2009, 07:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

While I think the Bush-Joker is much more artistic...
The Obama-Joker is very sinister...My $00.0002

They are both wrong. There is a a difference between political satire and meanness. And my mom would have jack-slapped me if I'd done either and then claimed First Amendment rights. In her world, politeness, kindness, and civility trumped "I can because I can". Thanks Mom!

bandycpa · 08-04-2009, 07:08

"We have issued a public challenge to the person or group that put up the poster to come forth and publicly tell why they have used this offensive depiction to ridicule President Obama."

Because it fits?

Because it's the truth?

Because Americans have finally grown sick and tired of being force-fed socialist ideology? And our freedom is more important than his attempt to look good to the rest of the world?

And maybe because America is slowly realizing we (yes, "we"...I didn't vote for him, but once the decision is made, we're all in this together) made a mistake voting this man into the World's Most Powerful Office.

And maybe, finally, because we're mad as hell, and we're not gonna take it anymore.

Bandy

blue02hd · 08-04-2009, 07:17

This reminds me of the Sarah Palin likeness that was hung on a noose from a chimney on the West Coast during Halloween. If I remember right, this was considered "art".

Poor taste is still poor taste.

**The Reaper** · 08-04-2009, 07:21

Cartoonists have been doing this and putting it in published works since elections began.

Somewhere, underground in Greece, are millenia old political cartoons.

I see nothing wrong with it. You cannot rationalize that it is okay for people to mock Pres. Bush, and publish defamatory cartoons, but not to do the same for Pres. Obama.

This is a 1st Amendment issue.

TR

**Pete** · 08-04-2009, 07:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozer523

T...... There is a a difference between political satire and meanness. ........

True - but for most - where the line is drawn depends on if it is your guy or the other guy.

Me? I can just smile and shake my head at both.

Abu-Shakra · 08-04-2009, 07:39

Lets get real. We all know it's really racially motivated.

Richard · 08-04-2009, 07:53

Quote:

Lets get real. We all know it's really racially motivated.

So it's all NASCAR's fault?

By definition - and IMO - the posters are art, satire, political commentary, propaganda, usw. - they're all designed to portray the creator's thoughts and to evoke an emotional response (or not) which can be as individual as each viewer's experiences and opinions.

It is a gratification to me to know that I am ignorant of art...because people who understand art find nothing in pictures but blemishes.
- Mark Twain

Richard's $.02

exsquid · 08-04-2009, 09:26

You ever notice that people are most offended and/or indignant when your accusations are true?

x/S

**Team Sergeant** · 08-04-2009, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abu-Shakra

Lets get real. We all know it's really racially motivated.

I'm at a loss, is it his Black or White half they're depicting?

dennisw · 08-04-2009, 10:23

Me thinks the socialists doth complain too much.

Sigaba · 08-04-2009, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

I don't think there are many that would disagree with the fact that todays news organizations are a bit left leaning.

The outrage about the "Joker" poster being only the latest.

The story aired by KTLA dis-spells the notion that news outlets in L.A. are left leaning <<LINK>>. Out here, it comes down to three things: what the therapist says, the impact on traffic, and the question of questions: "Can I get away with it if I do what everyone else is doing?"