The Power of Images

The New Yorker cover only reinforces the silly Obama rumors.

By Jonathan Alter | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jul 14, 2008 | Updated: 6:52  p.m. ET Jul 14, 2008

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  • Posted By: Diogenes 08 @ 08/03/2008 3:41:23 PM

    Comment: The New Yorker did one thing right, it has caused us to think and talk about the rumors. Unfortunately, we continue to fail in truly looking at the man as determined by his past instead of the man as promoted by his speech writers.

    Look at his past voting record, look at his church, look at his family and friends, look at his business associates. Listen to what he has said. (there are 50 American States, and 57 Islamic states) Then ask yourself honestly, is this the man worthy of the rock star worship he has been getting from the media. If he didn???t consider himself in the same category as Spears and Hilton, then why did he change the convention site to a stadium worthy of a rock star?

  • Posted By: Thewhitesmiter @ 07/22/2008 12:19:13 PM

    Comment: What's wrong with a satire if it says what needs to be said and what it said is that you have a man whose
    like a little boy, maybe a half-white boy, yes but there's one very aggressive woman at his side and she's the 'by any means necessary' type if you know what I mean. So you've really got to thank the New Yorker's team of artists for coming up with that insightful illustration because as they say, a picture's worth a thousand words.

  • Posted By: gsandell @ 07/21/2008 10:09:07 AM

    Comment: This week the New Yorker editor responded to the controversy, and although I think "he gets it" somewhat, I think he is missing the boat too. See http://gregsandell.blogspot.com/2008/07/new-yorker-editor-responds.html.

  • Posted By: cpusftwre @ 07/20/2008 6:51:09 PM

    Comment: Obama's over-reaction to a Cartoon is suprising like the standard Radical Muslim's reaction to cartoons in Europe and elsewhere.

    Maybe he would be more comfortable in Europe... I know I would be more comfortable with him in Europe instead of having him running our Country!!!

  • Posted By: cpusftwre @ 07/20/2008 6:46:04 PM

    Comment: Obama's Radical Muslim over-reaction to a Cartoon... he really should be happier in Europe instead of running our Country

  • Posted By: sunnydaze @ 07/20/2008 3:14:44 PM

    Comment: i i feelfeel there wasn't anything wrong with t

  • Posted By: cadbury @ 07/19/2008 10:23:26 AM

    Comment: My apologies for the triple post. I didn't do it to be emphatic--or annoying. I'm having problems with my connection.

  • Posted By: cadbury @ 07/19/2008 10:14:05 AM

    Comment: Am I the only person who is more disturbed by the Newsweek cover of a praying Obama? The New Yorker cartoon was satire. People who believe that he's a Muslim with ties to bin Laden and she's a gun-toting radical ain't gonna vote for him anyway. End of story! But the NW cover is different. This is supposed to be a TRUE image of him. I've had enough of Christian-in-Chief presidents!

  • Posted By: cadbury @ 07/19/2008 10:13:41 AM

    Comment: Am I the only person who is more disturbed by the Newsweek cover of a praying Obama? The New Yorker cartoon was satire. People who believe that he's a Muslim with ties to bin Laden and she's a gun-toting radical ain't gonna vote for him anyway. End of story! But the NW cover is different. This is supposed to be a TRUE image of him. I've had enough of Christian-in-Chief presidents!

  • Posted By: cadbury @ 07/19/2008 10:13:37 AM

    Comment: Am I the only person who is more disturbed by the Newsweek cover of a praying Obama? The New Yorker cartoon was satire. People who believe that he's a Muslim with ties to bin Laden and she's a gun-toting radical ain't gonna vote for him anyway. End of story! But the NW cover is different. This is supposed to be a TRUE image of him. I've had enough of Christian-in-Chief presidents!

  • Posted By: MuseOn @ 07/19/2008 4:05:16 AM

    Comment: This is a cartoon, a satire - and really, I think that making "the subtle gossip visible", it takes some of the poison out of it.
    And I, for one, don´t for a minute believe that Michelle is a terrorist, nor that Barack is Muslim.

    That said, I do think that cartoonists doing work like that are quite intuitive, and good at picking up sides of the more subtle expressions in a personality - or what is happening around the person(s).
    There is a strike of warrior in Michelle, and she does seem like the "masculine part" in the marriage - and that´s why she has been given the gun; she does speak with a "I´m on the barriers" approach - and the "finally proud of my country" and civil rights are drawn into this, in a way that it wouldn´t have with any other ("white") politician.
    The Obamas has pulled race into this, which was inevitable.

    I really don´t see that taking the race fight into the White House does anyone any good, nor Obamas campaign - it takes the attention away from the politics and the politician.....and that work both ways.

    I look forward to the day we can just listen to the political agenda, and who is better at the job, what experience they have and what they have accomplished in their political life.
    I´d like a debate between just two politician and humans, both covered equally in the media; McCain and Obama.

    Still...I think we let the best go; Hillary. May she, next time she hopefully runs, be judged on political skills and experience, and the one she´s running against compared on those things as well, so it´s not down to a popularity contest again.

  • Posted By: Amma @ 07/18/2008 12:49:53 PM

    Comment: This is an excellent article. The New Yorker cover is despicable. It feeds into fear and racial divisiveness. This does not merely hurt the Obama campaign, it hurts America. The challenges we are all faced with are magnificent. And certainly if we are divided, we are conquered. The New Yorker editors should have known this image reflects what too many people believe. It does not dispel the untruths that are paramount. An illustration of a bumbling President Bush does not mean that he is intelligent??? or an old McCain does not mean he is young. So why would an image of a Muslim Obama mean he is Christian? It may be a joke who knows better, but the point is not everyone does. Instead it promotes the lies.

    As to the comments about Michelle, her comments were taken out of context. As a black woman, slightly older than Michelle, I too was blown away and am really proud by the Iowan voters and the Obama campaign that was able to overcome racial divides, in a way we have never witnessed in our life times!! -- from a mass, grass-root standpoint. We were not adults when Martin Luther King bought America together for civil rights, and were not adults when Kennedy was President. There has been no President or leader that has succeeded in bringing America together based on hope, mutual respect and common purpose. The Clintons have progressive ideas, but they did not mobilize the people, and were stuck in power plays and gridlock. Economic prosperity at the time was due to the post-industrial, technological revolution. Not via a movement of people lead by Clinton bring us together to solve our problems and ensure our future.

    Martin Luther King and the Kennedy's bought us together -- by providing moral authority as well as advancing progressive ideas. We are inspired by those voters in Iowa, and the Obama campaign that demonstrates that together Americans can effect positive change. We can learn to respect each other, despite our diversity. There is enough resources for all human beings in the world to have food, shelter, health care and a college education. But, the road ahead is extremely tough. Yes We Can do it, if we all do our part to build a bright future. We need a president with moral authority to encourage our youth to strive to excel, to reverse negative thinking and not glorify thugs as is promoted in the media and the record industry, that is derogatory toward women and weaken the family structure. Compromises must be made or Obama will simply be engaged in gridlock, and the movement will fail.

    Anyone who speaks against comments to challenge black fathers to be more responsible is doing us more harm than good! We must question their motives. Thank God Barack Obama has a strong beautiful woman behind him. He needs the support, he needs the understanding he needs the encouragement at home, and so do we! Thank you Michelle for making this day possible! You are highly appreciated and respected.

  • Posted By: lamm01 @ 07/18/2008 11:30:55 AM

    Comment: I thought the cover was hilarious and thought provoking at the same time. The mass media who annointed Obama many months ago may make fun of the fears of Americans regarding the Senator's values, religious beliefs and positions, however the fact remains that we the people are still not sure who this man is. All we know is what the media tells us which isn't all that much. And when confronted with questions regarding his and his wife's past, we are accused of being racist or "unfair". It is these concerns that will be the downfall of the Senator in November. I believe that the last few weeks have shown that the "gloss" is off and as more is revealed, his negatives and that of his wife's will increase. Why else would he remove her from the campaign. As for the power of images, have you taken a look at your own publication. Every picture of Obama is one of him smiling in that arrogant, supercilious way or deep in prayer... As for McCain, he has a look of anger on his face or the picture was taken out of context.....

  • Posted By: NotFooled86 @ 07/18/2008 11:30:54 AM

    Comment: If the Obama campaign does not view the cover of the New Yorker as satire, they have no business expecting Americans to support Obama.

    Obama tells his followers that anyone who opposes his is a Republican and/or a racist and that they are lying. I am so tired of that Bla, bla, bla.

    Obama is hiding his lack of qualifications and his corruption behind his minority status at the expense of all legitimate minority efforts for equality.

    Shame on you, Barack Obama!

  • Posted By: straight @ 07/18/2008 9:16:40 AM

    Comment: Michelle's comment was not taken out of context. It was the exclamation point to that part of her speech. This otherwise excellent column is somewhat diminished by being dishonest on that one point.

  • Posted By: straight @ 07/18/2008 9:15:01 AM

    Comment: Michelle's comment was not taken out of context. It was, in fact, the exclamation point to that part of her speech. This otherwise excellent column is somewhat diminished by being dishonest on that one point.

  • Posted By: kle5507 @ 07/17/2008 5:25:05 PM

    Comment: I dare any Wing Nut out there disprove and provide evidence that Dick Cheney did not kills puppies and Dubya did not have a 3 gram per day coke (cocaine) habit.. Using HolyHoller's logic, if the lie is disputeable, then the lie is true. This is what I call poor home school logic.

    It's a sad but true that pictures are more powerful than words (nobody buys playboy for the articles). There's a lot of Biggots out there like LiberalGuy, LuLuBelle, LIKEITIS and HolyRoller who just eats this stuff and feeds their ignorance.

    Remember, a mind is a terrible thing to waste. Stay in School and say no to home schooling.

    • Posted By: HolyRoller @ 07/17/2008 6:10:15 PM

      Comment: sticks and stones
      may break my bones
      but please...
      don't call me mohammed

      NOBAMA!!!

      • Posted By: olderwiser @ 07/19/2008 11:40:13 AM

        Comment: Salaam alaicham, Holy Roller, you're a Muslim named Mohammed. It's a compliment, if you can keep it.

      • Posted By: swdemocratforchange @ 07/18/2008 1:26:25 PM

        Comment: Let me guess Holyroller.....you're just a child, pretending to be an adult!!!! Let's us know when you grow up.....should that ever happen!

  • Posted By: LIKEITIS @ 07/17/2008 1:46:17 PM

    Comment: IT WOULD BE ANY AMERICANS NATURAL REACTION TO HATE MUSLIMS.................THERE WAS 9/11 AFTER ALL................AND THE PART ABOUT 9/11 THAT SEEMS TO BE FORGOTTEN IS................THAT IT IS THE LACK OF CONTINUITY AND CONTROL OVER AND IGNORING, UNDER THE PROTECTIVE UMBRELLA OF RELIGION, THE VISCIOUS MUDERING HATE SPEWING BEHEADERS OF THEIR OWN KIND THAT LEAD TO ALMOST ALL OF THE PRESENT WARRING ON THE PLANET.

    IN SIMPLER TERMS.....................THE PARENTS(THE MUSLIM RULE COUNTRIES) DIDN'T SPANK THE BAD CHILDREN WHEN THEY NEEDED IT...........................NOW THEIR PROBLEM IS OUR PROBLEM!

    IF MUSLIMS ARE UNABLE TO CONTROL MUSLIMS.................THEN WE ARE LEFT WITH DEADLY (OURS AND THEIRS) AND EXPENSIVE CHOICES AS TO HOW WE CONTROL THEM.....................................

    I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I WOULD RATHER NOT LOSE AMERICAN LIVES OVER MUSLIM ISSUES AND WOULD RATHER KILL MUSLIMS THAN GIVE THEM MY MONEY!

    • Posted By: kle5507 @ 07/17/2008 5:28:03 PM

      Comment: Hey DA!

      If you drive, you're already giving money to the Muslims since they own most of the oil. Bow Down to your Saudi Master!

    • Posted By: catspaw @ 07/17/2008 2:20:11 PM

      Comment: What in the hell are you talking about?!!! American children don't get spank any more and their behavior is the worst, they way they speak to elders, I mean, WHAT THE HELL??!!!.

      On 9/12, when I was walking to work, I saw a young woman w/ a had scarf, evidently muslim. I made sure to say GOOD MORNING to her so she knew that I did not blame her for what happen in New York. And I'm sure Most Americans did the same.

  • Posted By: liberalguy @ 07/17/2008 3:55:56 AM

    Comment: Barack Hussein Obama was born in
    Honolulu,
    Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., a black MUSLIM from
    Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a white ATHIEST from Wichita,
    Kansas.As a moderate muslim I cannot longer tolerate obamahe and his wife are haters for his wife to say that this country is no good and this country has never been good to her,and obama should renounce his pastor jeremiah wright, who has connections with louis farakan, along with him being friend s with that underground guy william ayres he said its his firnd after he bomberd petagon in1972, he received money from william ayres,and this guybis way worst than mark richObama's parents met at the University of Hawaii. When Obama was two
    years old, his parents divorced. His father returned to Kenya. His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a
    RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia.When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocated to Indonesia.Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakarta.He also spent two years in a Catholic school.Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, "He was once a Muslim, but that he also
    attended Catholic school."Obama's political handlers are attempting to make it appear that
    Obama's
    introduction to Islam came via his father, and that this influence was
    temporary at best. In reality, the senior Obama returned to Kenya soon after the divorce,
    and never again had any direct influence over his son's education.Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama's mother, Ann Dunham,
    introduced his stepson to Islam.Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta.Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim
    terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western world.Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN when seeking Major
    public office in the United States, Barack Hussein Obama has joined
    the
    United Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay his Muslim
    background.Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential
    candidacy.The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside
    out, what better way to start than at the highest level - through the
    President of the United States, one of their own!!!!ALSO, keep in mind that when he was sworn into office - he DID NOT use
    the Holy Bible, but instead the Kuran (Their equivalency to our Bible,
    but very different beliefs)Obama also refuses to pledge allegiance the the USA flag. How can
    someone who wants to be president refuse to commit to the USA.Before you vote for any candidate I'm sure you can search the internet
    and find out about all the candidates.O f course he is amuslim his own brother in kenta said so!! their is excerts of this onyou tube were brit hume reports this, you are what your

    • Posted By: catspaw @ 07/17/2008 2:25:36 PM

      Comment: Where are the facts to support what you say. Where did you get it from?

      • Posted By: sjpersonal @ 07/17/2008 3:06:58 PM

        Comment: You have to know that you will not get a reply. The idiots that run rampant with this BS never respond when asked for verification of their sources. They just post BS and hope that no one with a brain reads and questions it. The other idiots will be either cutting and pasting this nonsense or repeating throughout these sites or others.

  • Posted By: TRUTHradar @ 07/16/2008 9:33:57 PM

    Comment: JUST IMAGINE IF THEY HAD DONE A SATIRE COVER OF McCAIN BARE-CHESTED IN NATIVE GARB, HAPPILY BASKING UNDER A PALM TREE WITH NATIVE GIRLS FEEDING HIM GRAPES & POLISHING HIS NAILS WHILE SIPPING ON AN UMBRELLA DRINK. A SIGN ABOVE HIS HEAD READS "CAPTURED AMERICAN SOLDIERS PRISON CAMP" AND A CAPTION SAYS "TELL UNCLE SAM I'M NOT QUITE READY TO COME HOME JUST YET, I'M LOVING THIS TORTURE!" THE McCAIN CAMPAIGN & THE FAR RIGHT WOULD BE PROTESTING IN THE STREETS IN FRONT OF THE MAGAZINE HEADQUARTERS, WITH VERBAL ATTACKS FLYING FROM EVERY CONSERVATIVE DIRECTION THREATENING ACTION...AND EVEN A CONDEMNATION STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT BUSH ON PRIME TIME ABOUT A SMEAR JOB ON AN AMERICAN HERO! "SHAME SHAME ON YOU..."

    COME ON, IT'S NOT SATIRE, IT'S AS BIGGOTTED AS THE RACIST CARTOONS OF THE AMERICAN PAST, MEANT TO STIR FEAR AND RACISM...and certainly not intellectual conversation about how ludicris the public is to buy such hogg wash or internet propaganda. And to try to sell it as "it was only meant for our sophisticated readers" not the rest of you idiots, is just as revolting. LET'S GROW UP AMERICA...IT IS WHAT IT IS!

  • Posted By: TRUTHradar @ 07/16/2008 9:33:32 PM

    Comment: JUST IMAGINE IF THEY HAD DONE A SATIRE COVER OF McCAIN BARE-CHESTED IN NATIVE GARB, HAPPILY BASKING UNDER A PALM TREE WITH NATIVE GIRLS FEEDING HIM GRAPES & POLISHING HIS NAILS WHILE SIPPING ON AN UMBRELLA DRINK. A SIGN ABOVE HIS HEAD READS "CAPTURED AMERICAN SOLDIERS PRISON CAMP" AND A CAPTION SAYS "TELL UNCLE SAM I'M NOT QUITE READY TO COME HOME JUST YET, I'M LOVING THIS TORTURE!" THE McCAIN CAMPAIGN & THE FAR RIGHT WOULD BE PROTESTING IN THE STREETS IN FRONT OF THE MAGAZINE HEADQUARTERS, WITH VERBAL ATTACKS FLYING FROM EVERY CONSERVATIVE DIRECTION THREATENING ACTION...AND EVEN A CONDEMNATION STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT BUSH ON PRIME TIME ABOUT A SMEAR JOB ON AN AMERICAN HERO! "SHAME SHAME ON YOU..."

    COME ON, IT'S NOT SATIRE, IT'S AS BIGGOTTED AS THE RACIST CARTOONS OF THE AMERICAN PAST, MEANT TO STIR FEAR AND RACISM...and certainly not intellectual conversation about how ludicris the public is to buy such hogg wash or internet propaganda. And to try to sell it as "it was only meant for our sophisticated readers" not the rest of you idiots, is just as revolting. LET'S GROW UP AMERICA...IT IS WHAT IT IS!

    • Posted By: LIKEITIS @ 07/17/2008 1:47:21 PM

      Comment: WELL PUT, TRUE!

    • Posted By: JollyB84 @ 07/17/2008 12:33:38 PM

      Comment: Excellent Point.

  • Posted By: estherk32 @ 07/16/2008 9:29:47 PM

    Comment: What is sad is the fact that Americans won't or can't read and process factual information but they will never forget a picture or video. We are an extremely visual society and the politicians know this. In fact, they count on our lazy habits and lousy memories for facts. We get the "leaders" we deserve as a collective whole. Half of us deserve what Bush has done to this country. Too bad half of us don't.

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 07/17/2008 5:18:32 PM

      Comment: your so special.

  • Posted By: teddyo @ 07/16/2008 5:03:01 PM

    Comment: To all the uneducated Let me help you. If you confess Jesus Christ is Lord, and get baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38 ) like President Obama has, and continues to live the life of Christ. I think that kinda makes him a Christian.

    • Posted By: aad135 @ 07/17/2008 6:33:33 PM

      Comment: The problem there, teddyo, is your last statement, and that is trying to live "the life of Christ". How can anyone who call themselves Christian vote for public officals that are Pro-choice (abortion is murder), Pro-Gay Marriage (homosexulaity is an abomination in the sight of God) - to name a few..? In Obama's case, how can he, in any good conscience, even think about the Presidency when he allied with a pastor that preached such hateful sermons? His core beliefs are what are under scrutiny here. What is his character? Martin Luther King Jr., in his "I Have a Dream" speech says that someday a man "...will be judged by the strength of his character, and not by the color of his skin". What is it that has created BHO's character; his atheist mother/father, his Muslim step-father, his white grandmother, his association with Rev. Wright..? These are the far reaching questions that people of Christian faith want to have answered. Yet, in another Newsweek article, it reads, "...He found Christ???but that hasn't stopped him from asking questions. 'I'm on my own faith journey and I'm searching,' he says. 'I leave open the possibility that I'm entirely wrong.'" Is this really the kind of person you want as the leader of the free-world..? Now, I do have my problems with McCain, but they are few in contrast with Obama. This election has way too much riding on it look for a stump speaker without substance, like Obama.

      MCCAIN 2008 & 2012..!

      • Posted By: Jose52 @ 07/22/2008 2:15:19 PM

        Comment: Thanks. Just the plain facts! Why are we choosing this loser? Even Hilliary has more gravitas!

    • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 07/16/2008 8:37:55 PM

      Comment: Thank you teddyo!

    • Posted By: JollyB84 @ 07/16/2008 6:37:41 PM

      Comment: Amen!!

  • Posted By: teddyo @ 07/16/2008 5:02:59 PM

    Comment: To all the uneducated Let me help you. If you confess Jesus Christ is Lord, and get baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38 ) like President Obama has, and continues to live the life of Christ. I think that kinda makes him a Christian.

  • Posted By: HolyRoller @ 07/16/2008 3:57:57 PM

    Comment: Hey JonJon....You can shake it, bake it, twist it, turn it, hip and hop it. I TOLD YOU months ago. You discounted and smeared millions of American voters. HE WAS A PRACTICING MUSLIM. Is he now? I don't know, but if not, he is apostate. I've not heard of any FATAH's being issued against him. He is considered a savior among most Islamists. This leads to the conclusion, he is still a mohammed in good standing.

    Regardless of all the above, he is definitely this....A CROOK and a FRAUD.

    NOBAMA!!!

    • Posted By: swdemocratforchange @ 07/17/2008 3:38:33 PM

      Comment: You know HolyRoller...I'm surprised that you haven't framed the cover of the New Yorker, because it proves your insanity of accusing Senator Obama of being a Muslim, and there's nothing wrong with being Muslim anyway!!!! And what's truly ridiculous, is that you're all about smears that have to do with his supposed sexuality.......I mean, doesn't that go against your 'screen name"? The only crook & fraud is you...HolyRoller...you're a total joke!!!!

    • Posted By: amaryllism @ 07/17/2008 2:50:03 PM

      Comment: Where would you hear about a fatah anyway? Did they start announcing them in Christian churches? To say that he must be a muslim because you never heard about a fatah against him is inane, irrelevant, ridiculous and stupid. OBAMA IS NOT NOW, NOR EVER HAS BEEN, A MUSLIM. HE IS A CHRISTIAN.

      oh yeah, mohammed is a name, not a title or a synonym for practicing muslim. it is one of the most common names in the world, making it the arabic equivalent of john.

    • Posted By: JollyB84 @ 07/16/2008 6:44:07 PM

      Comment: The only CROOKs I see is the president in office NoW!!! Obama isn't in debt because of his campaigning. He isn't asking the poor working class people for money to support is campaign. He is an honest, hardworking, intellectual candidate, but unfortunately for him and many other intellectual, successful, hardworking black people......we never receive credit even when it's due! To many haters in this world down-playing and discrediting the hardworking individuals just because their black and they can't take it. You haters need prayer. Please find Christ.

      • Posted By: catspaw @ 07/17/2008 2:31:05 PM

        Comment: HR find Christ?!! you got to be kidding, he can't even understand what Jesus was talking about.

    • Posted By: teddyo @ 07/16/2008 5:11:11 PM

      Comment: Ya see that is what is good about being a christian does not matter who your father is or what he did, his dad could have been a pimp, and his mom a whore but to God don't look at that. God said if you call on him he will come and never leave you. You should try him

  • Posted By: mscsbc @ 07/16/2008 2:34:59 PM

    Comment: This socalled satirical piece of The New Yorker ,made me recall,a not so stairical attempt but more with ulterior motives of Daniel Pole on his web page magazine about the Muslim background of Obama.He pulled out records of early schooling of Obama,upto the age of 10 in suburbs of Jakarta,Indonesia, with S.nos of his registration,listing of his father's(stepfather) name and his religion.He also quoted the statements of his old teachers and classfellows about his accompanying his father in local Muslim dress to Mosque for Juma prayers once a week and also lessons in Quraan.His stepsister was quoted,saying that the most of his/her family members were Muslims.Obviously she meant paternal family as all his/her maternal family stayed Christians with whom Obama grew in later childhood and adolscence.
    However Daniel highlighted his( Obama's) Muslim associations,including his photo in Muslim dress which was exploited by Hilary compign managers,for which she later tendered apology and regret,candidly or as a formality,you can never know.

    After suffering heavily under 8 years of rule by Bush and his Neocons with Manichean mind-set, through Machiavellian tactics of Rove and verdict of partisan judiciary,Americans deserve better deal to pick their future leader with the set of requisite positive traits,irrespective of race,creed and religion in correspondence with the principles of the Founding Fathers , to meet the challenges of 21st century with emerging powers like China and India and economic blocks,like APEC,E.U,ASEAN and South America,headed by Venzvela

  • Posted By: mscsbc @ 07/16/2008 2:34:26 PM

    Comment: This socalled satirical piece of The New Yorker ,made me recall,a not so stairical attempt but more with ulterior motives of Daniel Pole on his web page magazine about the Muslim background of Obama.He pulled out records of early schooling of Obama,upto the age of 10 in suburbs of Jakarta,Indonesia, with S.nos of his registration,listing of his father's(stepfather) name and his religion.He also quoted the statements of his old teachers and classfellows about his accompanying his father in local Muslim dress to Mosque for Juma prayers once a week and also lessons in Quraan.His stepsister was quoted,saying that the most of his/her family members were Muslims.Obviously she meant paternal family as all his/her maternal family stayed Christians with whom Obama grew in later childhood and adolscence.
    However Daniel highlighted his( Obama's) Muslim associations,including his photo in Muslim dress which was exploited by Hilary compign managers,for which she later tendered apology and regret,candidly or as a formality,you can never know.

    After suffering heavily under 8 years of rule by Bush and his Neocons with Manichean mind-set, through Machiavellian tactics of Rove and verdict of partisan judiciary,Americans deserve better deal to pick their future leader with the set of requisite positive traits,irrespective of race,creed and religion in correspondence with the principles of the Founding Fathers , to meet the challenges of 21st century with emerging powers like China and India and economic blocks,like APEC,E.U,ASEAN and South America,headed by Venzvela

    • Posted By: JollyB84 @ 07/16/2008 6:50:29 PM

      Comment: Well put. I agree. Excellent choice of words.

  • Posted By: NotSoBigMac @ 07/16/2008 2:30:17 PM

    Comment: Most people don't get sarcasm. But the problem is not MSM; they tell us what we expect of them. The problem is laziness. People are just too lazy to study things out.

    Of course, ignorance and bigotry are pretty common, too.

  • Posted By: sjpersonal @ 07/16/2008 12:51:17 PM

    Comment: OK time to lighten things up, has anyone seen this video about the 2008 election campaign? It is too funny!

    http://sendables.jibjab.com/

    • Posted By: aad135 @ 07/16/2008 6:11:39 PM

      Comment: I am completely offended by the content of this musical video and how it portrays the American election process. These little computer geeks should be caught and hung-up by their buster browns. Shame on you for thinking that this even remotely resembles humor. This music video is the most tasteless thing that I have viewed ever in my life. No wonder we are a joke to the rest of the world, because we allow this kind of humor to be aimed at the most sacred instituion of our country - free elections. I am going to contact my Congressman today to call for legislation to ban and condemn Jib-Jab for this outrageous, un-patriotic and vial act. At a time when our country needs to be brought together, things such as this only widens the divide of our citizens. NO MORE JIB-JAB! NO MORE JIB-JAB! NO MORE JIB-JAB!

      MCCAIN 2008 & 2012..!

      • Posted By: sjpersonal @ 07/16/2008 6:17:43 PM

        Comment: You cannot be serious! THIS OFFENDS YOU??? Two questions what do you think about the purple Tele Tubbie and Sponge Bob Squar Pants???

        • Posted By: aad135 @ 07/16/2008 7:57:15 PM

          Comment: Comment: I am completely offended by the content of this musical video and how it portrays the American election process. These little computer geeks should be caught and hung-up by their buster browns. Shame on you for thinking that this even remotely resembles humor. This music video is the most tasteless thing that I have viewed ever in my life. No wonder we are a joke to the rest of the world, because we allow this kind of humor to be aimed at the most sacred instituion of our country - free elections. I am going to contact my Congressman today to call for legislation to ban and condemn Jib-Jab for this outrageous, un-patriotic and vial act. At a time when our country needs to be brought together, things such as this only widens the divide of our citizens. NO MORE JIB-JAB! NO MORE JIB-JAB! NO MORE JIB-JAB!

          MCCAIN 2008 & 2012..!

        • Posted By: aad135 @ 07/16/2008 6:25:06 PM

          Comment: Queer/gay & mindless waste of TV tube particles.

          MCCAIN 2008 & 2012..!

          • Posted By: sjpersonal @ 07/17/2008 11:22:53 AM

            Comment: I am so very sorry that your world is so void of love and laughter.

    • Posted By: Cloudosmoke @ 07/16/2008 1:20:54 PM

      Comment: Yeah it's funny, matter of fact, I'm going to watch it again. Now this is true satire.

      • Posted By: aad135 @ 07/16/2008 7:56:46 PM

        Comment: Comment: I am completely offended by the content of this musical video and how it portrays the American election process. These little computer geeks should be caught and hung-up by their buster browns. Shame on you for thinking that this even remotely resembles humor. This music video is the most tasteless thing that I have viewed ever in my life. No wonder we are a joke to the rest of the world, because we allow this kind of humor to be aimed at the most sacred instituion of our country - free elections. I am going to contact my Congressman today to call for legislation to ban and condemn Jib-Jab for this outrageous, un-patriotic and vial act. At a time when our country needs to be brought together, things such as this only widens the divide of our citizens. NO MORE JIB-JAB! NO MORE JIB-JAB! NO MORE JIB-JAB!

        MCCAIN 2008 & 2012..!

      • Posted By: sjpersonal @ 07/16/2008 2:07:14 PM

        Comment: I love the fact that it makes fun of ALL of the candidates so that way we won't have to read the nonsense about "They are picking on my candidate" LOL! I have forwarded it to several people. Have a wonderful day.

        • Posted By: aad135 @ 07/16/2008 7:56:19 PM

          Comment: Comment: I am completely offended by the content of this musical video and how it portrays the American election process. These little computer geeks should be caught and hung-up by their buster browns. Shame on you for thinking that this even remotely resembles humor. This music video is the most tasteless thing that I have viewed ever in my life. No wonder we are a joke to the rest of the world, because we allow this kind of humor to be aimed at the most sacred instituion of our country - free elections. I am going to contact my Congressman today to call for legislation to ban and condemn Jib-Jab for this outrageous, un-patriotic and vial act. At a time when our country needs to be brought together, things such as this only widens the divide of our citizens. NO MORE JIB-JAB! NO MORE JIB-JAB! NO MORE JIB-JAB!

          MCCAIN 2008 & 2012..!

        • Posted By: loriw @ 07/16/2008 3:19:55 PM

          Comment: agreed. They make fun of voters too. Hilarious video.

          • Posted By: sjpersonal @ 07/16/2008 6:19:06 PM

            Comment: Lori,

            i guess I spoke to soon LOL! See comment above from aa135.

            • Posted By: loriw @ 07/17/2008 1:57:31 PM

              Comment: Hi sjpersonal,
              I still say it is funny and acceptable because it makes fun of everyone.
              You know aad135... In the scheme of things our reputation in the world was in the crapper long before this video hit the internet. Have you been to the movies lately or watched TV? The trash that passes for entertainment has portrayed the American people poorly for decades! Other world citisens watch this stuff and think we are all like the sluts on the screen and the rambos in the movies. You and I both know that Americans are not all like Brittney, Nicloe, and PEE WEE Herman or Batman. HELOO. The dam broke years ago on this flood.

              Ever notice that when there is a natural disaster in most anty other part of the world the US rushes in with aid but when Katrina happened did even one other country in this world offered anything? Maybe I just missed it. Did anyone help us?

              • Posted By: loriw @ 07/17/2008 2:08:48 PM

                Comment: sorry for typos- hate these boxes that don't expand when I get long winded. I'm a lousy typist.
                Heloo should have been HELLO. anty should have been any.
                To the bloggers in the Katrina areas...did I miss it? did any other country assist us in any way?

                • Posted By: catspaw @ 07/17/2008 2:45:45 PM

                  Comment: I leave in Colo and insure truckers. I don't remember any of them talking about about any outside help.

  • Posted By: citron16 @ 07/16/2008 12:33:26 PM

    Comment: Cloudsmoke: MSNBC has always been on Obama's side especially Chris Matthews, Rachel M. and the rest of them. Just last week on MSNBC after the comment Jesse Jackson made they were talking about Black America and White America I thought we all lived in the same America. In my opinion the people in the United States have been getting along pretty well and all this talk from the meida could destroying that.

    • Posted By: Up88front @ 07/16/2008 12:41:29 PM

      Comment: The media is always trying to stir up problems. They they have something to report. They make most the news anymore, not report it. I feel they are a large part of our problems anymore. They keep the controversies and the competitiveness alive. I believe in freedom of the press, but I don't believe in their deity-like control - kick them OUT - get new ones.

  • Posted By: Cloudosmoke @ 07/16/2008 11:50:29 AM

    Comment: I just watched a vid on MSNBC about Are Comediens Staying Away from Obama. Morning Joe guy was about to bust a blood vessel talking down to that lady that was sitting beside him arguing black this, black that. He sounds like a Conservative. If that is what MSNBC has to offer, then I think all media is out to support McCain such as FOX and obvioulsy MSNBC if they have guys like that talking about race that have no business talking about it. That vid was crazy.

    Also saw an article that Obama is not closing the race divide. Since when is it Obama that has to close the race divide? I thought this race was not about race. Well now it sounds like it is and it's up to Obama to take care of that issue to. So let's see here, Obama must solve the racial divide, foreign policy, domestic issues; i.e. economy, medicare, social security, homeland security (which he needs to dismantle and replace with something else), infrastructure (post Katrina, midwest flooding, wildfires, bridges), death penalty, education, gender bias, equal rights; he has his hands full. But wait, McCain can handle it, NOT!!!!!!!! This nation is screwy if McCain is voted in. But let's hope that actual thinkers out-vote other thinkers.

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 07/16/2008 1:37:35 PM

      Comment: of course msnbc is going to support MCCain they are financial people. People who understand money want MCCain because they know Obama will cause huge problems for the financial markets. An increase in the capital gains tax will cause a tremendous sell off in the markets so investors can take profits at the lower rate.

  • Posted By: tootight @ 07/16/2008 11:12:43 AM

    Comment: hey! i guess there has been thousands of satrical cartoons,ah yes!,and those millions of picture cartoons of movie stars and politicians hanging on the walls of bars,restaraunts,clubs etc.just like the front cover of new yorker.i have never heard of one complaint from who they represent.and as a matter of fact it was a privilage to have it done,that is except for now.BoooHo,BooHoo,BooHoo,Were black! were special! it's different for us.you see it's OK to do it to white people for 70yrs,and for us to enjoy them as we visited the places but were black,you can't do this,Boo Hoo,Boo Hoo

    • Posted By: JollyB84 @ 07/16/2008 7:00:54 PM

      Comment: You're completely out of touch. You really haven't got a CLUE. You're basing your personal feelings about "black" people on the response from the cover. MANY people agreed that the cover was inappropriate....white, mexican, asian, or black it doesn't matter. I wouldn't have liked the cover if it were McCain and his wife and I'm not a McCain supporter, but wrong is wrong period.

    • Posted By: Cloudosmoke @ 07/16/2008 11:52:23 AM

      Comment: You're out of touch my friend.

  • Posted By: NO OOOOOOOOO @ 07/16/2008 10:34:43 AM

    Comment: I just wonder how many of you Obama supporters have put your order in for Rosetta Stone to learn your 2nd (and 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc.) languages? I'd bet you pretty much anything that some of you have really made efforts to learn another language just since that speech. That cracks me up!

    • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 07/16/2008 12:52:29 PM

      Comment: I'm an Obama supporter and already speak three languages and can also read Latin. Duh. You have some username. Go look for your pal Casper.

      • Posted By: NO OOOOOOOOO @ 07/17/2008 9:31:22 AM

        Comment: Well my my, Pia, aren't you just so special!

        • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 07/17/2008 10:42:30 AM

          Comment: Didn't say I was. You're the one who had to post negative remarks about Obama. What do you know, Nooooooo? Nothing.

          • Posted By: NO OOOOOOOOO @ 07/17/2008 10:54:52 AM

            Comment: And exactly what makes you think that I have not done my homework...just because we do not agree? And since we don't agree...what makes you think your opinion is right and mine is wrong? Superiority complex? Just like your candidate?

  • Posted By: ghicks @ 07/16/2008 9:29:31 AM

    Comment: The cover is pretty much my opinion of him and ALL my friends. He and his wife hate America and they probably do burn flags in the privacy of their own home. He talks about 'change' with giving us no true idea of what he is 'changing'. If his 'change' is NOT attending debates, NOT going to Iraq before he talks about it, NOT wearing a flag pin until American's complain, NOT allowing American's to question is wife when she puts herself in a big mouth public position we don't agree on - then Obama wants to take away our Freedom of Speech stating to; allow her to speak and we shut up if we don't agree. I AM NOT INTERESTED IN THE KIND OF "CHANGE" Obama seems to politically stating. Mark my words, he will be the worst President EVER!! Good Job The New Yorker ! Keep it up.

    • Posted By: LIKEITIS @ 07/16/2008 9:48:57 AM

      Comment: HE WILL HAVE TO WORK 24/7/365 TO BEAT THE ONE IN OFFICE NOW! (AT BEING THE WORST PRESIDENT ............EVER)

      • Posted By: mrgonon @ 07/16/2008 11:21:57 AM

        Comment: Wow! You are a very insightful person. You never meet the guy...read a few blogs and have decide that he hates America. I guess in the end we all believe what we want to bleieve. The real question is why do you wnat to believe that this man hates America?

        • Posted By: sjpersonal @ 07/16/2008 12:12:51 PM

          Comment: I think you misread LIKEITIS' post, they support Obama,

          • Posted By: LIKEITIS @ 07/16/2008 3:51:05 PM

            Comment: TRUE.................THANK YOU

  • Posted By: Questioning @ 07/16/2008 9:17:20 AM

    Comment: Very well put. We live in a fast, visual world. The majority of people do not read the New Yorker or long articles on anything. When the cover is seen as someone passes it in the grocery store it reinforces all the false stories being promoted in every media form. The voting public is not going to open the magazine, read the contents or article and ponder the meaning. At best, the person will be puzzled as to why the liberal magazine is supporting these crazy stories. Those at the New Yorker know the power of the visual as well as you and I. Talk about living in the bubble of your own world.
    Thank you for your comments.
    T. Gillam

    • Posted By: bkghd @ 07/16/2008 9:29:33 AM

      Comment: The question is, "What is the New Yorker afraid of?"

  • Posted By: emmarcee @ 07/16/2008 8:56:13 AM

    Comment: The question is Alter, you liberals could find only this guy to be the next president of the USA? Just because he learned the "pastor" style oratory and was able to "split" the black votes in dem primary? There was nobody else who could have gone without the stigma of "may be he is a Muslim"? It is not his race or his faith that is going to cost him, but the "cover up" and flip flops aided by the liberal media.

  • Posted By: Bruce0747 @ 07/16/2008 8:35:36 AM

    Comment: Was Barack Obama's father more Arab than Negro?

    • Posted By: amaryllism @ 07/17/2008 2:54:56 PM

      Comment: what is appalling about this question is both its sincerity and the fact that that is the second time this week I have heard someone use the word "negro". we moved to a new house, and the man across the street come over just to tell us how happy he was that the previous owners didn't sell the house mexicans or negros. i was really happy about my purchase until that moment.

    • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 07/16/2008 12:31:50 PM

      Comment: Does it really matter? BTW, I have a neighbor named Bruce I hope you're not him because if you are, I'm moving.

    • Posted By: Cloudosmoke @ 07/16/2008 11:55:14 AM

      Comment: Stupid is as stupid does.

    • Posted By: bkghd @ 07/16/2008 8:58:37 AM

      Comment: Not all Muslims are Arabs. Not all Arabs are Muslims. You are stupid.

      • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 07/16/2008 12:32:31 PM

        Comment: Thank you for telling Bruce he is stupid.

        • Posted By: JollyB84 @ 07/16/2008 7:11:04 PM

          Comment: Closed minded people are stupid. They tend to think that their personal beliefs are ALWAYS right , they tend to do LITTLE to NO research on the subjects they have the greatest opinion on, and they usually base their opinion of someone or something on the ONE bad experience they had.

          • Posted By: NO OOOOOOOOO @ 07/17/2008 9:46:29 AM

            Comment: Helloooooooooooooooooo

          • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 07/16/2008 8:39:52 PM

            Comment: So true.

      • Posted By: tootight @ 07/16/2008 11:26:15 AM

        Comment: maybe he is stupid maybe he isn't,but the fact remains is that he asked a legitament question.what is apparent is that your gun is so fully loaded and cocked and your so stupid, you will shoot at anything.is this the vice president by any chance?

        • Posted By: amaryllism @ 07/17/2008 2:56:26 PM

          Comment: how is that a legitimate question?

        • Posted By: mmcgee @ 07/16/2008 12:21:27 PM

          Comment: It is as legitimate a question as : Is McCain the best candidate that conservatives had to offer?
          A man who has senior moments on a daily basis, who barely graduated (with a GPA worse than the current offering), who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and whose only claim to fame is that he crashed 4 aircraft in training, crashed another behind enemy lines then got lucky enough years later to marry a beer heiress with big *** and the only reason he got to where he is now is his father and grandfather covered up his incompetence. Hell you want to talk about flip-flops McCain changes his mind on a daily basis and declares angrily that he never said what we saw and heard him say the day before.
          This election all comes down to :
          Obama ( tax and spend on people infrastructure "liberal" ) Vs.
          MaCain ( angry borrow and spend on war profiteers "corporate liberal" )
          The only difference really is one is an elitist who wants to spend the money on the people and the other is and dangerously angry idiot that wants to give the money to the rich while sending your children off to die in a war he doesn't understand ( He doesn't know sunni from shiite).

        • Posted By: Cloudosmoke @ 07/16/2008 11:55:45 AM

          Comment: Stupid is as stupid does.

  • Posted By: Bruce0747 @ 07/16/2008 8:32:52 AM

    Comment: Is Barack Obama's father more Arab than Negro?

    • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 07/16/2008 12:33:52 PM

      Comment: Dumb and dumber, yet very entertaining.

  • Posted By: bkghd @ 07/16/2008 6:53:25 AM

    Comment: Is the New Yorker cover a swft boat hatchet job by Billary, looking ahead to taking out McCain in 2012?

    • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 07/16/2008 12:34:32 PM

      Comment: I doubt it, the Clintons wouldn't stoop so low.

    • Posted By: LIKEITIS @ 07/16/2008 10:18:35 AM

      Comment: I DOUBT HILLARY HAD ANYTHING TO DO W/THE NEWYORKER COVER PERSONALLY..................WETHER HER DEMENTED MINIONS IN NYC DID HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT IS UNDENIEABLE!

      ANYBODY WHO THINKS THAT THE DNC HAS NOT NOTICED THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE PARTYS' CANDIDATE BY HILLARYS REFUSING TO BOW OUT WHEN THE GAME WAS WAY PAST DONE IS NUTS!

      FURTHERMORE, POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITITIANS INVENTED THE GRUDGE.............................NOT A CHANCE HILLARY GETS ANOTHER CHANCE .........................EVER!..................SHE WOULD GO DOWN IN FLAMES AGAINST ANYONE.....................YES.................G.W. BUSH WOULD BEAT HER!

      OH, BY THE WAY, FOR HER TO RUN IN 2012 MCAIN HAS TO WIN................NO ONE BELIEVES THAT IS HAPPENING,..................NO ONE!

    • Posted By: vakosh @ 07/16/2008 8:24:54 AM

      Comment: Yes, EVERYTHING is Hillary's fault, Hillary caused Rev. Wright, Ayres, Ahmedinejad and now this. Shame on her. Hillary is responsible for all the problems in the entire world. Barrack Obama is perfect and everything he does and says is perfect, so it is Hillary's fault.

      • Posted By: bkghd @ 07/16/2008 8:50:57 AM

        Comment: It was someone on Hillary's campaign staff who started all this stuff with an email campaign. That individual was fired. Remember?

        • Posted By: emmarcee @ 07/16/2008 8:59:24 AM

          Comment: No that his underaged mother hooked up with the Kenyan Muslim landed 2 months before she met her. Then went around marrying Muslims only, making him live and travel to Muslim countries only. Everything is Hillary's fault.

          • Posted By: bkghd @ 07/16/2008 9:01:47 AM

            Comment: Yo mama.

  • Posted By: bkghd @ 07/16/2008 6:51:39 AM

    Comment: Is the New Yorker cover the doings of Hillary, looking ahead to beating McCain in 2012?

    • Posted By: LIKEITIS @ 07/16/2008 3:54:37 PM

      Comment: ANYBODY WHO THINKS THAT THE DNC HAS NOT NOTICED THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE PARTYS' CANDIDATE BY HILLARYS REFUSING TO BOW OUT WHEN THE GAME WAS WAY PAST DONE IS NUTS!

      FURTHERMORE, POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITITIANS INVENTED THE GRUDGE.............................NOT A CHANCE HILLARY GETS ANOTHER CHANCE .........................EVER!..................SHE WOULD GO DOWN IN FLAMES AGAINST ANYONE.....................YES.................G.W. BUSH WOULD BEAT HER!

      OH, BY THE WAY, FOR HER TO RUN IN 2012 MCAIN HAS TO WIN................NO ONE BELIEVES THAT IS HAPPENING,..................NO ONE!

    • Posted By: SPIRITED AWAY @ 07/16/2008 12:12:54 PM

      Comment: Blame P.U.M.A.

      • Posted By: sjpersonal @ 07/17/2008 11:26:29 AM

        Comment: They are a very scary group of women. I've gone on their site to read their comments, seriously crazies. Not all but most. They refer to themselves as animals, snow tiger etc and refer to their website as the Den. The all pledge to Growl, yes Growl daisly (this is their word for contacting Pres. Clinton ect asking and them not to campaign for Obama)

  • Posted By: hotstuff @ 07/16/2008 6:20:56 AM

    Comment: Images are more powerful than printed words. The New Yorker should have known that.
    The cover is not only distasteful, it´s pretty irresponsible! Because it adds fuel to the simmering
    flames of the smear mongers, who thrive on the ignorance, prejudice, stupidity or intellectual laziness
    of their target groups in the first place.
    If that was meant to be a satire, it was very bad and damaging! Maybe for parity, for "fairness" sake, they
    should do a similar one on McCain.
    Or do another one on Obama. This time around, as the newly inaugurated President of the USA!


    • Posted By: JollyB84 @ 07/16/2008 7:20:14 PM

      Comment: Hotstuff you're absolutely right, but the truth is the new yorker knew exactly what they were doing when this cover was printed. They know all about visual imagery and how it affects voters. They're fully aware of the uproar the cover would cause, but bad judgment and personal feelings overruled their common sense.

    • Posted By: LIKEITIS @ 07/16/2008 3:56:07 PM

      Comment: WELL SAID, AND RIGHTIOUS...................PAY BACK IS A............WELL, YOU KNOW!

    • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 07/16/2008 1:44:14 PM

      Comment: Hey Hotstuff! Nice to 'see' you blogging. Missed you.

    • Posted By: caroline @ 07/16/2008 9:47:27 AM

      Comment: The New Yorker has to get over itself. Their customer base is highly literate and well-educated. Unfortunately, the New Yorker is reflective of and speaks to the upper 10% of the American public. The New Yorker is simply too smug and insular. They are out of touch with the masses.

      The most telling evidence of this is the hysteria of the pathetic posters here and elsewhere who say "See!! I told ya!" These gullible souls have never heard of satire, never heard of the New Yorker,and most likely can't read and comprehend beyond the 5th grade level. They have no critical thinking abilities and lemming-like believe the most implausible and preposterous claims of right wing hate talk. The illiteracy of these people, afloat in ignorance in the most powerful and affluent democracy in the history of the world does not auger well for the future of our nation.

      • Posted By: Chester Hank @ 07/16/2008 11:52:17 PM

        Comment: Oh, Caroline, I couldn't agree with you more. I just want to know, though, when "highly literate and well-educated" became a bane instead of a goal? I just read this blog a couple of days ago to gauge general reactions, and I was appalled--not because people agreed or disagreed, but by the lack of clarity and thoughtful analysis here. So I posted a few things, and I've gotten some inane replies from the more loathsome types, and it was shocking; I just don't understand these people. Your comments are refreshing.