Newscom
Creator of ‘Joker’ Obama image unmasked
By Matthew Shaer | 08.18.09
Earlier this month, we covered the story of the “Socialist Joker” Obama poster, which was spotted around Los Angeles and as far afield as Chicago. By early August, the image had gone viral, enraging progressives and earning plaudits from conservatives. Now, thanks to some gumshoeing by the folks over at the Los Angeles Times, the creator of the portrait has been unmasked.
And guess what? He supported the liberal candidate Dennis Kucinich.
“I abstained from voting in November,” 20-year-old college student Firas Alkhateeb told the Los Angeles Times. “Living in Illinois, my vote means close to nothing as there was no chance Obama would not win the state.” Still, he added, had he voted, he would have thrown his ballot to Kucinich, famously a punching bag for right-wing types.
Alkhateeb’s original creation was a fake Time magazine cover. The image sat on Flickr for several months before a second, anonymous artist created the more familiar work, pictured at right. The portrait was intended to take Obama down a notch, Alkhateeb told the Times. “After Obama was elected, you had all of these people who basically saw him as the second coming of Christ,” he said. “From my perspective, there wasn’t much substance to him.”
Reaction
Many found Alkhateeb’s work to be particularly vicious. On the website of LA Weekly, Steven Mikulan wrote the following:
The poster, which bears a very superficial resemblance to Shepard Fairey’s famous Obama Hope illustration, has been pasted on freeway supports and other public surfaces. It has a bit of everything to appeal to the drunk tank of California conservatism: Obama is in white face, his mouth (like Ledger’s Joker’s) has been grotesquely slit wide open and the word “Socialism” appears below his face. The only thing missing is a noose.
Many commenters on this site agreed. On Aug. 3, for instance, “Murdock” wrote, “This is the typical hate-centered projection that the hysterical right is manufacturing. They are out of real ideas and all they have left is scorched earth. This represents their typical projection and emotes who they really are: jokers with the burned out eyes.”
Others expressed interest in buying stickers or T-shirts emblazoned with the image. “[C]all me weird, I have the utmost respect for what Obama tries to stand for, I have nothing against him and certainly think he is quite a few steps up from Bush,” another commenter wrote. “[I] like this picture, well done.”
Editor’s note: The original post named Alkhateeb as the creator of the image pictured here. In fact, Alkhateeb created a fake Time magazine cover with a”Jokerized” Obama, which was appropriated by a different – and as of yet unnamed – artist.
—
Et toi? Weigh in here or on Twitter, @CSMHorizonsBlog.
<< Could iLike be a game-changer for MySpace? | MainComments
2. Ramone | 08.18.09
Now that the artist has finally been discovered all the stereotyping and labeling by the progressives has been illuminated as being incorrect.
3. Ken | 08.18.09
Finally americans are starting to attack obama. He has been getting a pass on harsh critism because he is black. Let him reap what he has sown. This man tried to push a horrendous health care package on the country, and he tried to do this without debate, how dare him. The poster is great because that is how I view him. I still don’t think he was born in the US and that his birth place should be throughly investigated, and if found that he wasn’t born here impeached.
4. Maguire | 08.18.09
That’s hilarious. The Obama administration pushed so hard to find out who the originator of that poster was, and it turns out it’s not from a conservative. It’s from the left. Awesome - anything to continue to take down the false left-right paradigm.
5. Matt | 08.18.09
Alkhateeb’s “Jokerized” Obama image is no more a product of the “hysterical right” than Fairey’s “HOPE” Obama poster is a product of the hysterical left.
6. BrianD | 08.18.09
Check your facts on this story. Another story I read said that while Alkhateeb did create the Joker face, using third-party software, he did not add the socialism tag. Alkhateeb applied the face to a Time magazine cover. The image got posted to Flickr and someone else later took the image and added the socialism tag. This story, certainly the headline, implies Alkhateeb created the poster. He did not.
7. Ashley | 08.18.09
I think it is important to note that Firas may have made the image, but he never added the word ’socialism’ to the image. In fact, according to a quote from NPR, he finds such branding ‘immature’ and does not find socialism particularly evil.
See the quote: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2009/08/obama_joker_artist_revealed.html
8. Jsherman | 08.18.09
Why no outrage when this was done to Bush????
The new Liberal weapon is the RACE CARD, Give me a Break!!!!
11. Michael Bedar | 08.18.09
In the end when all’s said and done, I’m glad this got Kucinich some press. If the issues and perspectives Kucinich brought up during his two primaries (’04 and ‘08) had gotten its fair share of mainstream press, there might be such a principled and awake President in office that the underlying source of controversies like the Joker photo would be removed. Of course, the media needs these dramas and controversies. The most important thing we can do maybe is live peacefully and drama-free in our own lives, so the media will follow if they want to resonate with us.
12. Justin | 08.18.09
Ashley, socialism is a legitimate term and description for some of his policies. I don;t think that is immature - it’s accurate. If anything is immature it is the artwork dones to his face in the pic above.
14. Robert | 08.18.09
This is disrespectful and disgusting. This kid’s karma will come back to haunt him and teach him a few lessons.
15. Catherine Collins | 08.18.09
I agree partially with Alkhateeb that some people idolize him. I’m a foreigner living in Kenya, Africa and Obama is seen as a superhero by Kenyans. They sing songs about him and almost idolize him. I think many people need to realize that Obama is a human being and is not immune from making mistakes. I voted for Obama and I support his health care reform absolutely, but I worry that too many people support him no matter what he does.
16. Radical Reductionist | 08.18.09
All I have to say is “First Amendment”!
Nice one Firas, you were right on about “there wasn’t much substance to him[Obama].”
17. Illegal Alien As President | 08.18.09
Liberals are SO-O-O-O screwed up.
“Alkhateeb tells Top of the Ticket that he thinks Obama is ‘definitely doing better than Bush was’” -NPR
And so are socialists! 
18. Jon Hughes | 08.18.09
I can’t begin to count how many posters were made of Bush, looking like Hitler, in front of a mushroom cloud, dressed up like a chimp, or a clown. Even the mainstream press seemed to enjoy finding pictures of him with a quirky smirk or look of foolishness. OH BUT NOW that its OBAMA on a poster, it’s a news story! I don’t remember any news about Bush being slandered, why? Because to the press, it was’t slander, it was just “the facts”.
Hypocricy, lunacy, stupidity! Of course, I guess there is some relief in the fact that people are generally “over” mainstream press, as is demonstrated by their plunging readership numbers.
19. Lenny Fink | 08.18.09
Two questions:
1. Who cares?
2. Who investigated this?
This is a waste of time. Go after the greedy pigs that cratered our financial system, and put the spotlight on each and every one of those cockroaches.
20. MARLON | 08.18.09
That’s what happens when you don’t teach the difference between freedon of speech and being disrespectful. Or when you justify being disrespectful with “freedon of speech.”
21. Hulkmania | 08.18.09
This is a very important thing.
Someone from the left is disappointed with obama.
That is the begining of the end of this administration.
I heard someone said that “the republicans represent the true americans and that people only vote for democrat when there is something wrong with the republicans, in other words they vote democrat as a punisment”.
Maybe that thing that I heard it is the truth.
22. Craig Maxim | 08.18.09
Political statements take many forms, and are meant to be provocative and make a strong statement in a sound bite type way. To compare this to racism is juvenile and naive. Where was the outrage over similar statements made about Bush? Political protest is an important part of keeping freedom alive, and refreshing the political process from time to time. It should be celebrated, not shunned.
http://www.myspace.com/craigmaximamericana
Listen to my song FREEDOM!
An anthem to the “angry mobs”!
23. Jeff | 08.18.09
This is great. Let the left wing press run with their narrative and they’ll shoot themselves right in the foot. Wonder if they’ll shout the correction as loud as the accusation. Wonder if they’ll even apologize? State owned media strikes again.
25. patia | 08.18.09
“20. MARLON | 08.18.09
**That’s what happens when you don’t teach the difference between freedom of speech and being disrespectful. Or when you justify being disrespectful with “freedom of speech.” ** See I guess the new rules go like this - It’s disrespectful when it’s against your guy, freedom of speech when it’s against mine. Just so we all know. Don’t want to be send to the gulag.
26. Mathew | 08.18.09
I hope Alkhateeb does not have to pay dearly for this,umm, somewhat ‘audacious’ act. Having said that this poor kid did NOT create the pic that has stirred up a hornet’s nest. Maybe it is about time the ‘investigators’ at LA Times got their act together- and unearth the REAL person behind the controversial picture that has been circulating around.
27. Chagrined | 08.18.09
Alexis de Tocqueville wrote DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA , translated into English in 1835, a democracy created by Protestants and Deists for Protestants and Deists. He would weep to see the denigration of our Democracy today! With immigration of the ‘great unwashed’ comes a lack of civility and respect for what so many sacrificed so much!
28. Byron | 08.18.09
Here’s to you Mr. President:
Where are the open doors you promised on these meetings about healthcare?
Why are the lobbyists and special interests still in town that you said you would get rid of?
Why aren’t you fixing the economy and creating jobs?
Why are you trying to ram legislation through before people can read it?
Why don’t you try and fix Medicare first so you can prove the government can handle the responsibility?
Heathcare has been broken for 40 years and it can wait 2 more years so we could have a debate about it.
You could make Joker posters out of all of them as far as I’m concerned. The jerk-store in Washington D.C. is always full of inventory.
29. DocTom | 08.18.09
Free speech guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights has been exercised. Nothing more - nothing less. To keep everything in proper prospective, I recently saw a sticker that read “Politicians are like diapers. They need to be changed frequently for the same reasons.” Another example of free speech that amply describes the entire political arena. Offensive? Not really. Just the freedoms that we Americans enjoy. Have a pleasant day - not offensive I pray.
30. faceplant | 08.18.09
Attention those of you on the right. Your guy lost. Your last guy practically destroyed the country. Ask yourself Ronald Regan’s question: Are you better off now than you were four (or eight) years ago? Try to be honest with your answer.
Keep sharing your opinion and make sure you vote your identity and not your self interest. Why work to make the United States a world power when you can work non-stop to ensure that we are divided and never recover from the last eight years of greed and suffering. Your tiny brains are unable to conceive just how easy it is to lead you to work against your own interests by simply showing you a shiny coin (like abortion, prayer in school, the Flag etc.) and you will go off, foaming at the mouth and surrender yourself to what ever BS they direct you to. I am sorry to say that we may never recover as long as you conceive terms like “liberal” and “health care” as a threat to your precious identity bubble. Fiddle on as Rome burns…
31. studebiker | 08.18.09
The rabid right still suspicious Obama wasn’t born in America and continuing to believe all the other thoroughly discredited crap like reader Ken, (3) show the right’s true bankruptcy of ideas they have when faced with the 21st century. He asks that the matter of Obama’s birth be throughly investigated failing to note it has to the point the Hawaiian hospital staff where he was born are sick of hearing from morons continuing to ask about it. Like all the other BS flying around the Internet that claim about him being born in Kenya has been proven to be totally false like all the other vicious crap being spread about the President and the health related bills now before congress.
The real issues are how health care is going to be managed in the face of those inconvenient facts the rabid right so willingly ignore. Facts like the majority of personal bankruptcies are the result of medical costs, that “socialized medicine” is all ready here: it’s called the emergency room that provides basic non emergency care to the dispossessed at high public cost. Facts like health care rationing is already here. It’s called health or cost management by the insurance companies deciding what they will or will not cover.
Additionally it’s quite true people need to take more personal responsibility for their own health. Stop the denial and excuses about why smokers should continue to smoke and stop that stupid habit, get more exercise, eat better and loose weight. On my first visit to France the first thing I noticed was how few fat people I saw. Here I see cars idling in a line wrapped around the In ‘n Out. What a contrast.
Most importantly people need to stop being fools by believing all the forwarded Internet crap about Obama’s birth place, health care death panels, out of context quotes and that sort of false junk. If you don’t know the source, don’t believe it. Just because it fits your preconceived ideology doesn’t mean it’s valid.
Get an inflammatory email? Before you buy into its premise KNOW ITS SOURCE! If it’s a so-called quote of someone in government, go back to the original document and read it. In every case you’ll find the content quite reasonable and that horrible out of context quote part of a statement that says something else entirely.
32. bimplebean | 08.18.09
When Bush attacked another country for no reason, tortured people and spied on our citizens, people compared him to Hitler.
When Obama tries to expand health care, he gets compared to Hitler.
See the disconnect?
34. Merfzero | 08.18.09
Beautiful, another seemingly viciuos attack by the right turns out to be a liberal concoction. The real amazing thing is that the LA Times admitted it.
35. Scooter | 08.18.09
Discussion of the poster reveals that there are actually a few Bush dead enders around.
Who knew?
36. alfonso | 08.18.09
I laughed at a million Bush/Chimp photoshops, and the Joker Obama one was funny too. Just because its making fun of your guy doesn’t make it bad. It’s art, deal.
37. Amy | 08.18.09
This wasn’t done to Bush. Bush as Alfred E. Newman was rather cute, not grotesque. (and accurate, since Bush famously seemed not to be worried that he could make a mistake) There’s no real parallel here, though it’s sad that the far right is calling Obama both a socialist & nazi. Don’t they know the difference?
38. meee | 08.18.09
18. Jon Hughes | 08.18.09
“I can’t begin to count how many posters were made of Bush, looking like Hitler, in front of a mushroom cloud, dressed up like a chimp, or a clown. Even the mainstream press seemed to enjoy finding pictures of him with a quirky smirk or look of foolishness. OH BUT NOW that its OBAMA on a poster, it’s a news story! I don’t remember any news about Bush being slandered, why? Because to the press, it was’t slander, it was just “the facts”.”
Hmm, maybe it wasn’t regarded as big news since it was a FACT that Bush ran the country into debt (accept it), started an unnecessary war with the WRONG country, lied about WMDs (accept THIS, too). So, when they had posters of him, it was justified since Bush actually DID something wrong. Obama hasn’t done anything remotely wrong to deserve the same treatment (Bush in office 8 years, Obama 7 months - Do the math). Comparing Bush and Obama is like apples and oranges, not because of their color, but their ideologies, actions and time in office. Very ignorant comment of yours!
39. mick | 08.18.09
Funny that the artist would go through the trouble to make the sign but couldn’t be bothered to go vote.
40. LaVerne Wheeler | 08.18.09
I remain astonished that so many in this country prefer to be right, rather than employed or able to afford their house payments. And health insurance! Do they truly prefer to be overcharged for inadequate health care? Apparently so if the so-called “town meetings” are any indication. Sorry folks - but racism is racism. You allowed George W Bush, Mr Cheney and all the rest of the Republican rabble to decimate the economy, lead the country into a war that is still draining the treasury and the lives of our young men and women, and institute laws that would have made Richard Nixon blush. NOW you get uspset?!! NOW you want to bandy words like socialism and Nazi?!! The fear you feel is the racism in your soul at a boiling point. Okay - understand: this is not the “beginning of the end” for the Obama administration. Not at all. You can bus your foil helmet freaks from one end of the country to the other. In the end, the American people will show the same good sense that elected Barack Obama - and they will reject your fear mongering. Go ahead and follow every word fed to you by Mr Limbaugh and Ms Coulter, and let’s not forget the Wonder from Wasila-Ms Palin. The wrong answer always loses, no matter how you try to twist the question.
By the way - are you all high? Do you not think that the very able vetting agencies, such as the FBI and the CIA would have known, long before you all got so smart, if Mr Obama was not a US citizen? How deluded are you people??!! Birthers? Idiots is a far more descriptive term.
41. eman | 08.18.09
All these assumptions:
First we find out that a liberal made the image…huge shock to everyone and their prejudice opinions that the conservatives were behind it.
Now that we know a Liberal Democrat made the image, people are up in arm that HE didn’t add the word Socialism at the bottom…so THAT must have been done by Republicans. Since you are so sure you know who is doing this, then maybe you can also tell me theis persons sex, ethnicity, religion, type of car they drive, income, etc….
Stop grouping everyone into categories, when you have no idea who they are. Haven’t people learned that prejudice is wrong? Prejudice is defined as arriving at a conclusion before any facts are presented.
Republicans are NOT the only demographic that doesn’t agree with Obama’s vision of bankrupting America and loading the unborn with huge debt, in the name of social experiments with unknown results.
42. tonytopper | 08.18.09
These comments digress too much from the topic. I enjoy this image thoroughly. Especially with the socialism tag. Where can I buy a poster?
Kudos to @DocTom
43. Rose | 08.18.09
It was never racist for White people to rant against Bush because his race was not different from 99% of the protesters– the Anti-Bush League was protesting his unconstitutional acts and his reckless diplomacy, both of which flushed our country nearly down the toilet.
The reason it is racist for people to defame or attack Obama for being Black is that is the epitome of racism. White Trash fear of non-White people is based on the reality that non-White peoples of the world have historically been exploited and abused by the White people they encountered.
My 95 year old mother decries “What happened to the White man?” meaning how come a Black man is president. That is 100 year old racism at its worst. I tell her that what happened is the White man stopped “owning” non-White people, and now the White man is just going to have to get used to a level playing field instead of rigging the game.
How can any racist consider himself Christian? Because he’s unaware that he is a racist, or he doesn’t know what it means to be a real Christian instead of a reborn hypocrite.
44. Ketch Rudder | 08.18.09
Someone needs to create a Flash site where anyone can upload a picture of anyone else and “jokerize” them.
No one on earth is beyond the potential for ridicule, especially narcissistic humans who feel compelled to meddle into the lives of others and thus choose to become politicians.
Socialist Joker Obama fits the man.
45. wilmad | 08.18.09
I always hear that there was no outrage when Bush was paraodied or dissed
What? Does no one read the paper or watch Fox or CBS news? Listen to talk radio. The airwaves were and are full of outrage. Conservatives have become the outrage queens. No one get’s more outraged by trivial insults than Sarah Palin and and her Palindrones. No outrage indeed. Y’all give a person outrage fatique.
46. Rose | 08.18.09
Merfzero — it’s not amazing that the LA Times “admitted” it was a liberal who concocted the picture. We don’t know WHAT kind of person concocted the picture with the word “socialism” under it, but it probably was not a liberal, because it’s conservatives who are ignorant of the meaning of the word “socialism” as revealed by their complete misuse of it, along with “fascist” and “nazi” — which they misinterpret as wrongly as they do the word “Christian.”
The LA Times is conservative, fyi.
48. iCarry - 1911 | 08.18.09
Does it matter somebody made a political cartoon of the President?
Every President has had political cartoons made of them.
God forbid someone does one of the second coming wanna be.
50. Kelley | 08.18.09
Personally, I think it is offensive to protray President Obama in this manner, not because of his race, which was the first thing that jumped out at me (e.g., black face), but because the man is the President of the United States. He is our rightfully elected leader.
I didn’t like it when Bush was the president and I thank God for every day since that man’s administration peacefully left power, but I was also wholly against some of the unsightly images that were being produced about him from the left. You cannot scream that you are a patriot and that you respect this country, if you are only willing to do it when your guy is in power. By the very nature of democracy, your side will not be in power forever, but will most likely get anouther shot on down the line. This is true if you are a Democrat or a Republican, and who knows maybe Green, Constitution, etc. will rise to power in the future.
51. Some American | 08.18.09
Given the photo above, it seems as though a simple cut/paste procedure was done to capture an underlying tone; enemy to the republic. It’s hard to argue that Obama isn’t immediately recognizable (considering the rock-star/prophet propaganda he rode into the White House on). Same for the fictional character “Joker” (cartoon, comic, Heath, etc…). So, what we have here are two recognisable symbols joined in a simple cut/paste maneuver to establish a link between either their views, or someone’s views towards them. I’m gonna stick with the latter. Given that, for the past 8 years, we’ve all hid under the “Freedom of Speech/Right to Protest/Right to Petition the Government” everytime we didn’t approve of certain political moves, I think it’s not that far of a stretch to agree it is a fundamental right we can, and do, excersize. Kudos to the ignorant left for pretending that “race” has anything to do with it.
Re: Steve so-and-so from whatever site who probably won’t read this:
I think, it’s more racist to keep highlighting the “race” issue, instead of identifying the man as an individual and assessing his issues as though there were no colors. I also think it’s self-defeating to assume that any conservative outcry is spurned by race or ignorance. If you stereotype an entire classification of people in a negative way, so much so to actively dismiss their spoken word solely on your misappointed stereotype, are you really progressive? Or are you merely perpetuating the same plaguing hatred, intolerance, and bigotry that you claim is what keeps those who politically disagree with you “below you,” in your stride for whatever self-righteous, emotionally driven overhaul of “the man,” and “society” you aim to herald in? Either way, you’re doing your political “brothers in arms” a grave injustice everytime you let yourself echo your trite rhetoric in any kind of public forum.
What most people don’t know, is that “Batman” was originally created to dissuade the notions of communism/socialism (the latter being the second of two words in Obama’s self-proclaimed Senatorial party ticket), so the Joker was a fitting choice. And…really not that detrimental, if you consider that they’re both of similar product. The fact that the face is white and slashed is because (I’m assuming) it was easier to cut Heath Ledgers face and Paste it on Obama’s…than it would have been to digitially re-render Obama’s entire face. But, I’m sure the average person’s Photo-Editing prowess and artistic merit could easily render an Obama/Joker from scratch while giving it a realistic feel. So, you must be right…the creator of the image meticulously colored in Obama’s face to generate a “White Supremacy” feel, while giving him the slashed mouth to not only inflict pain, but also embarassment in a publicly permanent fashion…but failed to clean up the areas around the hairline, and found a “noose” too complicated of an addon.
Ugh. Political satire is JUST THAT. Political satire…ask John Stewart. He made a career out of a very crude, elementary version of it. Besides, it’s not like someone’s making a movie where Obama gets assassinated…only Bush gets assassinated. If I were a lesser person with too much free time, I’d make a politically satirical poster of every individual who votes along the left side of the fence strictly to remind each and every one of them that it’s America…and I CAN. “Bleeding Heart” takes on far too much meaning these days…I blame Hollywood.
52. Shawn | 08.18.09
“…though it’s sad that the far right is calling Obama both a socialist & nazi. Don’t they know the difference?” - Amy
Amy, NAZI translates to National Socialist from German. I guess you don’t know something even when it literally translates to the EXACT words!
53. Tim B | 08.18.09
“I still don’t think he was born in the US and that his birth place should be throughly investigated, and if found that he wasn’t born here impeached.”
And I assure you, we expect nothing less from right wing nutjobs such as yourself. You’re eliminationists - unable to compete with better ideas so you seek to remove the opposition entirely from the debate. It’s a favorite tactic of those with no coherent argument to make.
54. Dan | 08.18.09
Oops… not quite as racist has the hyper ventilators would have had one to believe.
55. Paul | 08.18.09
I understand that the CSM Editors placed a correction to the article at the end… but the freakin’ headline still reads:
Creator of ‘Socialist Joker’ Obama poster unmasked
This is completely false. And it’s still popping up in Google News. With each view you’re doing damage to the name of Mr. Alkhateeb.
How about correcting THAT error. Or better yet, how about scraping the entire article and starting over - this time with a little more care and thought? If Mr. Shaer were still in Journalism school, he’d be failed for a paper like this.
56. Luther Blisset | 08.18.09
Does anyone realize that the public school system is a socialist ideal? how about any and all Departments in the goverment (transportation, interior, homeland security, agriculture, etc…), as these are all SOCIALIST ideals. You morons need to get it through your thick, stupidly right heads that SOCIALISM is not the first step towards COMMUNISM (uh oh i know all the conservative “rights” just crapped themselves over that word). What we have to realize is that we are one of the only major country that does NOT have some form of socialized medicine.
57. Dan | 08.18.09
While the tag is accurate, perhaps the Batman villian Two-Face would be a better caricature in that it better represents Mr. Obama’s behavior (i.e. the recent double-dealing with the pharmaceutical groups, etc…).
58. Ratioal | 08.18.09
As to where was the criticisms of the Bush era depictions, well I saw them all over the place in conservative news outlets and in print, Fox anyone? What about the crys of “it’s un-American to not support our president” or “your with us or against us” mentalities among other things, I guess our collective memory as a nation is pretty short? Seems like the right is doing what the left did and now they are being criticized for it just like the left was (except none of the liberal protesters brought assault rifles to their protests, and they seem to always be a little bit more rational on the left). In my mind the big difference here is Bush era policies have directly led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people (including many thousands of American soldiers), a seemingly endless incredibly costly war, the death of the largest budgetary surplus in U.S. history, economic and banking policies that directly led to the financial collapse that we are trying to claw our way out of, the largest erosion of personal liberties since WWII, the loss of international respect which causes huge amounts of tension and only helps extremist causes, the almost complete ignorance and lack of action towards climate change (god forbid they ever payed attention to those damn liberal quacks the rest of us know as scientists) and the list goes on and on. Obama is trying to provide reasonable health care and restore our international image as well as pull us out of a recession. While I don’t agree with all his policies I feel that the criticisms against him carries far less weight than those against Bush, and where are the republican alternatives to his policies anyway. Instead of saying no to everything and drumming people into a frenzy why don’t conservatives actually offer a viable alternative. Mind you he has only been in office for slightly more than 6 months. We may yet have time for legitimate criticism, but this type of thing is counter productive to rational debate (it was during the Bush era and still is now). So don’t yell socialism unless you know what it is, and instead of arguing about amorphous issues that don’t even exist simply because you are scared go read the legislation or listen to the interviews and read the literature and make informed decisions about what is actually in them then raise respectable opposition and debate instead of knee jerk reactions.
59. Pdog | 08.18.09
“It has a bit of everything to appeal to the drunk tank of California conservatism: Obama is in white face, his mouth (like Ledger’s Joker’s) has been grotesquely slit wide open and the word “Socialism” appears below his face. The only thing missing is a noose.”
Steven Mikulan obviously doesn’t get it. As the article states, the person who made the picture is a liberal! The fact that Obama is a liar and deceiver should be bi-partisan. Whoever has not yet watched “The Obama Deception”, which has been the most popular online video since it’s release in March, should take a minute to google it and you will realize that he really is “The Joker”! For more on the meaning of the joker poster click on this link: http://www.infowars.com/obama-as-joker-explained
60. Dutch | 08.18.09
@studebiker
100% agree with you. Ignorance and hatred has replaced America’s once admired intellect. They (the ignorant) will consume anything you feed them, including skewed and biased information, as long as it supports their equally skewed perception of reality.
61. hiwaycruzer | 08.18.09
Damn cool artwork… wish I’d created it. I downloaded and printed dozens of copies and gave them to all my friends, family, and co-workers. To a man, they all thought the poster was cool, too. There are no racists among us. Most of us voted for Ron Paul, and can discuss opposing attitudes without jumping to the conclusion that those who oppose a particular view held as dogma by the liberal bolsheviks on the left does not make one anti-semitic or racist. We look at evidence from ALL sources, and we call ‘em like we see ‘em…
62. Chris in Buffalo | 08.18.09
Liberal please just shut up and remember the fire you set under Bush is called an equal opportunity act supporting freedom of speech. If you don’t like what you hear or see, get over it, because the world doesn’t revolve around you. If you don’t like my opinion, or another point of view however remotely polarized from your own, welcome to the show - and just remember freedom of expression is not geared toward mass acceptance, but towards individual. The day we censor expression is the day we shut down all media, arts and science.
63. mike | 08.18.09
The author makes suggestions that the “white face” makes this a racist poster. Grow up and stop looking for what you want to see in everything. Clearly this is about the “Joker” image and that is all. The author notes that all that is missing is the noose. Well the noose and lot’s of other direct and indirect symbols are missing because this is not a racist attack. I know the author and many others would like to cast it as such–My my we are always looking for something to express our shock, even if we have to make it up. Liberals and conservatives seem to want to do this at every turn. Grow up everybody–Obama is not thin skinned, neither is he a foolish little twit, looking to be hurt or offended by every form of social satire. He is also a bigger man than most and is not looking to be racially offended at every turn. We leave that to Al Sharpton and others who have little else to do.
64. Fred H | 08.18.09
Sad commentary … Nazism was the National Socialist Workers Party (check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_Party)
The scary part to me is that this pciture is layered with pictures of people wearing side arms and bearing semi-automatic “hunting” rifles at anti-Obama rallies.
Perhaps National Socialsim isn’t too far away AND that is scary!
+Peace!
67. justthefacts | 08.18.09
In response to all those that still live in the past and make statements like Bimplebean “When Bush attacked another country for no reason”
It is amazing that the media refuses to go after the facts.
Please, Please, Please, pull your heads out of the sand and thank former President Bush for standing firm with his provided intelligence at the time.
We gave Saddam about 6 months warning that we are coming so he gets rid of all his WMD’s and sends them to Syria.
All this is from a ranking General that was in Saddam’s army. I bought 4 copies of his book and shared. (it’s funny how I cannot find a copy at any bookstore anymore…I wonder why?)
I know most of you will shove your head in the sand when you refuse to read these transcripts because you are never interested in the truth omly your agendas
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,182932,00.html
http://www.nysun.com/foreign/iraqs-wmd-secreted-in-syria-sada-says/26514/
Also if you do a Google search on Genearal Georges Sada you will come up with plenty of eye witness facts
Believe me, I am not a big fan of the former president, What he had done (or lack of) to create a non existant border is unforgivable and with all the added burden that it has caused on our current health care system is the reason we are so messed up. Please take the time to ask a nurse! They will tell you how much time and waste of money goes into free care for illegal, non tax paying, people.
Why are people so afraid of the facts on both sides?
Don’t just rely on your radio talk shows so you can zombie through life. Take the time to check out the sources and facts
Just lay out the facts and let me make an informed decision.
That’s all I ask
68. Tony | 08.18.09
The people posting this picture all over the country are neither Republican or Democrat. They might be registered one way or another, but are quickly waking up to the fact that corporations and the globalist elite run BOTH parties!!!
In San Francisco, the posters were mostly glued in front of banks, the UN, and other elitist institutions pushing globalization. The same globalization killing our jobs, creating us wars, and eroding our rights - be you a Republican OR a Democrat. Personally I am registered Republican, I voted Democrat down the ticket in 2006 in protest, and in 2008 I wrote in Ron Paul. I’d say now I’m more a Libertarian than anything else. I was just as much against Bush as I am now against Obama - they both have the same CFR/banker/corporate think tank scum lining their administrations.
69. Michael B | 08.18.09
In the grand scheme of things it is a picture. As with all forms of right it is interpretive. It does not detract from the many positive qualities of an exceptionally intelligent human being doing the best he can for the American people in one of the most difficult jobs in the world. We should try to leave behind these notions of such clear cut party definitions and try to address issues both as individuals and as a collective nation. No one is ever completely liberal or completely conservative. If we put this in such a perspective things would make more sense.
70. kayekoiki | 08.18.09
LONG LIVE USA!!! This is one thing that makes this country great; The right to FREE expression under the guidance of the first amendment. That is, every American is at liberty to express him/her self without incurring injuries on anyone. The Nation’s Apex court ruled this action to be legit. Former Governor of New York State Andrew Cuomo, openly admitted that no government on this Universe will exist without any form of socialist implementation to take care of it’s people. Cuomo was a deputy governor for eight years and later became New York State governor for another eight years. He(Cuomo) knew what really works from aqquired experience. Mass transportation; Welfare; Medicare; Medicaid; Social Security administrations; Federal Housing programs; Food stamp programs; PHEA(Education) programs; and many more are “UNDER MUST” social programs, needed to help the masses left behind in a capitalistic systems; If not, tons and tons of people will go to waste. Obama’s critics may not be responsible for this joker poster, but they were happy someone forestalled their intentions.
71. Not shocked | 08.18.09
Of course he didn’t vote — a total idiot, and that’s to be expected of a Kucinich supporter
Go Obama!
72. Tony | 08.18.09
Oh yeah, And it was Alex Jones at Infowars dot com that started a contest that got people out posting these all over.
Jones was one of the most vocal critics against Bush and his administration - now he is an opponent of Obama. Why you ask? Because he knows that global elitists run both parties. Presidents are nothing more than finger puppets for the elitists.
73. Cesar | 08.18.09
Whomever did the original is showing disrespect for their country. Many comment that if it was bush it would be appropriate, maybe, but there’s something completely wrong about the face of any president being photoshoped into the jokers face.
and of course this guy would take it and modify it even more by plastering it on a fake time magazine! Just look at his name, Firas Alkhateeb. Born here or not deep down they are full of hatred. Why would her care about voting? why would he care about democracy? why waste his time? might as well just throw his vote away for Kucinich! Dont wanna exercise your right to vote as an american citizen? then go back to where your parents were born and try again!!!!!!
74. George | 08.18.09
This poster was dumb to begin with … simply because the Joker was the furthest thing from a socialist, but rather an nihilist or anarchist. The creator was simply taking two popular (of the moment) images and combining them together, with little actual substance uniting them.
75. Coach McGuirk | 08.18.09
Wilmad: you are very correct!
Rose: Your grandmother is a racist but due to her age, we’ll forgive her ignorance.
Icarry: still bitter since the election? Wow. You need to grow up and move on.
Meee: very correct! Bush was bashed with facts not speculation and lies.
If Republicans had shown this much enthusiasm during the Bush years, maybe they could’ve stopped some of his many failures and the ruination of his legacy. He will be regarded as the Worst President.
76. Charlie | 08.18.09
“Personally, I think it is offensive to protray President Obama in this manner, not because of his race, which was the first thing that jumped out at me (e.g., black face), but because the man is the President of the United States. He is our rightfully elected leader.”
I’m a firm believer that this AND the Bush pictures are quiet possibly the BEST way to make a point.
If you were to tell Obama he was a Social or tell Bush he was a Nazi to either of their faces, your comment would be dismissed and the message would be lost.
Exagerate it, and it becomes a media hit, with the message spreading far and wide for all to see and make judgments on.
You cannot go along blindly with every action made by a president. That is not democracy. That is “Let our voice be heard - Once every Four Years-ism”
77. Think | 08.18.09
Why do you assume the original artist is a liberal? He said he didn’t vote because a vote against Obama wouldn’t mean anything in Illinois. The idea of supporting Kucinich would be a way to throw a vote to a long-shot. It doesn’t mean he actually “supported” Kucinich (as the article suggests). Very misleading. It sounds to me like he’s just jaded.
78. John | 08.18.09
Wow, way to dive off topic.
The point here seems to have delved in to a couple notable categories:
1) The poster was made by one of Obama’s own - a Liberal. The word “Socialism” underneath is now being argued. I find it amusing that we’ll suddenly shift the outrage from the picture of “Jokebama” from the image (”What? Oh, a liberal made that? Interesting artistic expression!”) to the simple word slapped underneath (”OMG, those evil Republicans twisted this art!”). Quite simply, this is a piece of political expression, used to convey people’s dissatisfaction with the current president. It’s that simple. If you don’t like it, why don’t you make a poster of Obama photoshopped into a superhero or whatever and sport that around town.
2) We’re all retarded and nobody on either side of the pointy political fence understands common definitions of words like “Nazi”, “Socialism”, and “Fascist”. Well, if that’s the case, since you’re already arguing on the internet, hit up webster.com and check them out…Or even better, write your congressman and tell him to have the president do something about our terrible education system (you know, since we’re all pretty stupid and can’t understand definitions or appreciation of art, first amendment rights, political debate, and so forth).
3) Everything anybody ever does is Racist. This is also the same argument I hear about Sexism, Homophobism, and all the other political “ism” people like to hide behind. Political correctness is Social Intolerance. Whether you’re using the Racist card to defend Obama against whomever or defend yourself, you are breeding just as much discrimination as you intend to stop. Perhaps this poster was never about Obama’s skin tone. Well, by saying it was about him being black, and cry wolf, you are now using Racism as a defensive crutch, and thus being Racist yourselves.
All of you need to get over yourselves, and Barack Obama. You know what? He’s a public figure - heck, a celebrity. That means you can see Obama at the checklanes right next to Britney Spears and the Octomom. He is thus cannon fodder for whatever satirical (whether you like the humor or not) comedians everywhere, and yet you need to stick your nose in it anyways.
Now, how about some healthy, INTELLIGENT debate about things that really matter, like Healthcare, the War in Afghanistan, Drugs, and all that fun stuff. Not the “Republicans have little brains, and Liberals are brain dead hippies” type comments, but actual facts that support your reasoning to help illustrate why you believe these topics are right/wrong.
Because, as it stands…
I think you’re all a bunch of Jokers.
79. Andrew | 08.18.09
Something about this seems incomplete. Dennis Kucinich is more of a socialist (regardless of weather that’s good or bad) then Obama. Is this guy really telling the truth?
80. Chris | 08.18.09
I think what gets my goat about America as it stand now, is that people don’t want to help one another at all!!! I mean folks are calling the policies this President is trying to implement as Socialism!!! All I can say is how dumb is the American Society that we use such words when we are here to help one another. It is very scary that folks who call themselves Conservatives or Christian Right are merely selfish people that are all about self!! This pull yourself up by your bootstraps will only go so far people!!!The President has been in office less than a year and folks are just going stupid crazy. It is ridiculous!! What a selfish Country we live in!!!
81. Just-The-Facts? | 08.18.09
justthefacts - And no where do we have physical evidence. In ANY court of law in this nation, you cannot be charged without evidence. One persons Testimony is not evidence. We need hard, physical evidence before you start claiming this to be true. Thank you.
82. Mike McKinnon | 08.18.09
A Black man in white face, that is in no way racist? We used to have a minstrel show at my middle school in the fifties, until people realized that white face was not funny. It doesn’t matter whether you support Obama or not it is racist.
All you people who are against socialized medicine: I assume that you are going to decline medicare, and social security when you reach 65. Also make sure that you take your parents off it, and start paying for their health care, and supporting their living habits. Otherwise you are a socialist!
83. CSA | 08.18.09
Tasteless… yes.
Offensive… maybe.
Creative… actually quite good.
Try doing the same thing to an artistic rendering of Mohammad and see how far that gets you.
84. asc | 08.18.09
Early in the campaign the Rahm-less Obama gave a “no more comments like that” ultimatum to the press when one of the lackeys made a quip about his ears.
The man cannot take feedback, even in jest, and that was evident then.
His disciples are really taking their art criticism off the reservation given their record of the preceding eight years of political art history.
85. Matt | 08.18.09
It’s amazing that people think Obama comes close to any socialist ideals. I agree with the artist in that if you think he’s a socialist, it’s BS. He’s in bed with all of the neo liberals. He has to be or he’d be crucified. Put a few dollars in front of any of these political prostitutes, they’re down on their knees to add another roof peak on their McMansion. Giant social and physical corporate strip-mines are in charge of the government and creating all of the propaganda.
86. me | 08.18.09
bimplebean,
When Obama tries to destroy our country by insisting the government controls every little aspect of our lives, they make him look like a clown
When Bush tried to protect the citizens of his country, they portrayed him as Hitler
do you see that disconnect?
87. Jon | 08.18.09
Great picture. Worth a thousand words for sure and SOCIALIST definitely tops the list. In the words of Obama in a recent speech about the war in Afghanistan “this is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue”. After the failed bailout, GM CEO firing and gov’t takeover and the push for socialized medicine — Obama is truly a socialist Joker.
88. Jayne | 08.18.09
Liberal Cry Babies Unite. All the political cartoons and slogans on Bush were not considered racist, hate centered…but put one up of Obama and it becomes a hate crime.
Barrack Obama does have a track record following Marxism which a socialist mentality.
The art work properly depicts Obama for who he is. Great work!
89. Batman | 08.18.09
“Do you ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight? I ask that of all my prey.” (Joker, 1989)
90. csisia | 08.18.09
@LaVerne Wheeler:
YES, I would prefer to be “right” rather than be employed or able to afford my house payments. One’s political ideology shouldn’t be dictated by how they will benefit from it materially. It’s call “principles”… look it up.
No, I would not prefer to be overcharged for inadequate healthcare, but I would also not prefer to have the gubment meddle with the free market… IT DOESN’T WORK. EVER.
War is an unfortunate fact of life. WE WERE ATTACKED. GW did what was required to prevent it from happening again. Just thank him and move on, please.
Racism? I’m only hearing one group of people bringing up the issue of race, and it ain’t conservatives.
Finally, please recall that 48% of voters didn’t vote for him. Hollywood and The Media DO NOT represent an accurate cross section of American ideologies. People don’t always agree… assuming that people with whom you disagree are stupid is counter-productive. And sorry, “Foil helmet freaks” are all we could round up to protest for us… the rest of us have jobs to go to.
91. Percy | 08.18.09
Ken (comm.#3) you are so ignorant, you should read what you are writting.
Republicans are the real jokers, starting with Bush and ending with you Ken.
92. Rob | 08.18.09
Being for Dennis Kucinich is not about being a liberal, it’s about being a nut-case ideologue. When it comes to the far left, the gap between them and the far right is very narrow. Kucinich is far left of Fidel Castro. And, Limbaugh is far right of Musolini. These two - Kucinich and Limbaugh - are practically kissing cousins.
94. csisia | 08.18.09
@Mike McKinnon
Clowns traditionally wear white makeup. I’ve seen them. Google it.
95. Rich | 08.18.09
The poster was good political satire. And this blog would be funny if not for the venom and personal attacks from both left and right. Please, debate the facts and policy - not your perception of the size of your adversaries’ brains.
Anyone that thinks the government’s current participation in the health care industry (i.e. medicare and medicaid) is not driving the escalating costs needs to get informed. The system needs to be fixed but fixed properly. And, I can’t think of a single Federal government program that operates efficiently.
The President made a Freudian slip when he noted that the Postal Service, UPS and Fed Ex all co-exist in order to make the point that a “public option” would not crowd out private insurers. He’s right - we can have the postal service of health care and, if you can afford it, pay for private insurance that covers better care and better doctors.
The silver lining here is that people are getting involved and contributing to the debate. Now, if only we could have more debate and less debasing, we might see some progress. Is that hope too audacious?
96. cwmaxson | 08.18.09
The poster was witty. So were the depictions of Bush as a chimp. The whole purpose of the first amendment is to give the masses a chance to tear down the establishment a bit; to bring them to equal status. Obama is now the establishment, get used to it. If he is good at what he does, he will role with the punches. If he is not, he will be ripped to shreds. Both sides reeeeally need to calm down a bit for a while. At the end of the day, we are alive in a country where we are free to think the way we want. When others don’t think like us, it’s not the end of civilization, it’s the beginning. God bless democracy.
97. Nate | 08.18.09
Political satire is one of the freedoms we as Americans can enjoy. The freedom to speak our mind and show our true feelings about things we feel strongly about without being taken away in the night. Thomas Paine was no different than the artist here and how many people would think him in a bad way? The truth is politicians both democrat and republican have done a disservice to the american people. They make deals under the table and vote their own self service to deals that work best for them. Who knows when the idea of “a government for the people” was lost, but it is definitely lost today.
98. G. Bush | 08.18.09
Wait…this guy DIDN’T make the Obama Joker image?
All he did was stick a red box around it and write “socialism”??? Guess what.. he’s not the creator, how about you do some real reporting and find the real creator..
100. ralphwiggummm | 08.18.09
I think a more appropriate tagline than socialist would be “dope.”
Just my 2 cents….
—————————-
The Democrat Party has embraced the culture of dependence as a means to power. We are its victims.
101. wow | 08.18.09
I’m simply taken aback by all of this. The poster is the artist’s constiutional right to express their opinion. It is art work. It is satire people. Its a sad state when we’re that picky about the little insignificant details of life.
And frankly, displaying a political figure as a joker doesn’t really seem that far out of line.
102. Greg J | 08.18.09
In my best Nelson-from-the-Simpsons voice, I just have to say “Ha-Ha!” Here we have a perfect display of liberal hypocrisy at its most blatant. It was perfectly fine to portray President Bush as a chimp, or as Hitler, or — gasp! — as the Joker, long before this Obama poster. (Don’t believe me? Look up “Bush Joker” on Google Images.) These were only two examples in an absolute deluge of vicious and disgraceful depictions of Bush by the Left during his eight years in office.
So now we have people like Murdock screaming in hysteria about all of those bad, bad “hate-filled” people on the Right for creating this poster, except that — oops! — the poster was actually created by someone on the far left.
Awesome.
103. nick savage | 08.18.09
Here’s a similar one that I altered:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickskitch/3642326034/
105. DS - Arkansas | 08.18.09
Funny how the birthers & anti-immigration haters are embracing Firas Ahlkhateeb. No one has even asked for his birth certificate. I’m hoping this is progress.
107. Jim | 08.18.09
The difference between a Nazi and a socialist? Hmm. Let’s see. Hitler 6 million murdered innocents. Stalin 30 million.
Not much difference.
108. Scott | 08.18.09
QUOTE: 3. Ken | 08.18.09
Finally americans are starting to attack obama. He has been getting a pass on harsh critism because he is black. Let him reap what he has sown. This man tried to push a horrendous health care package on the country, and he tried to do this without debate, how dare him. The poster is great because that is how I view him. I still don’t think he was born in the US and that his birth place should be thoroughly investigated, and if found that he wasn’t born here impeached.
————————————————-
Just so you know… impeached is just having charges brought…(ex. Clinton was impeached, but not thrown out of office)…. so just bringing charges does nothing. He is still able to do as he pleases. And, yes, I am on your side. Let’s just bring some knowledge to the table.
109. Tara Parker | 08.18.09
Im glad we live in a country where we can get away with doing these kinds of things. If this were Russia and that was Putin’s face someone might end up dead…
110. John | 08.18.09
Leftists are a funny sort. Here, again, demonstrating they are the epitomy of hypocracy. Ok to make up Bush as a Hitler (even though Obama has more real connections to Hitler than Bush, but that is a diferent argument) but don’t you dare dis the chosen one. Yes, you are a funny sort.
111. KC | 08.18.09
You right wingers are a hilarious bunch. Do you honestly think that the sane buy your notion that Obama “got a pass in the media” up until now? I have never in my few years on this earth seen a presidential candidate berated constantly like I did Obama. He was called everything from a Terrorist to a racist to un-American. There were magazine covers that portrayed him and his Wife as terrorists. He was even attacked for a loving fist bump with his wife. Are you serious? It hasn’t ended since he has been elected either, but I don’t have time to list all the trivial attacks. I just hope and pray that none of the hysteria leads to violence.
112. NY’er | 08.18.09
Let the right wingers talk, and talk and talk.
It only shows their ignorance, and close mindedness. No matter how many people are on the “conservative” side, when they ignore ALL the proof of Obama’s USA citizenship, or scream out “government hands off my medicare”, or scream out “don’t kill my grandma with your healthcare” …
We can all just laugh (if it wasn’t so pathetic).
====
You don’t like Obama - fine (I don’t like him MUCH either)
You don’t like his policies - fine (I can take or leave his policies)
But when you can’t even come up with something better…
I bet you (right winger) don’t even know how ridiculous you look and sound.
====
P.S. I’ve been a Presbyterian (Sunday school teacher) all my life. I even believe in creationism. I would be a Republican if it wasn’t filled with all the hate and fake “Christians” who can’t show an ounce of love (to anybody not like themselves).
113. Mike Stabile | 08.18.09
On matters of the economy and our laws lets first remember that it is congress that decides how we spend our money and creates our laws. The President can only sign them into being. If you are unhappy with the way things are hold your congressmen accountable. If you want to have more influence vote to have the power brought back to the state and local government, by raising your state taxes and lowering Federal taxes.
The US governmental system is not designed for money to go in at the Federal Level. Federal money for the most part has to be spent in the same year it is appropriated, and you have 535 members of congress competing to steal that money from the big pot to bring back to their state so they get your vote. And, we the voters, have very little influence on it. If you don’t like special interest groups and lobbyists vote for people who will reduce the Federal Budget. Raise you city/county budgets and hold them accountable for how its is spent where you actually have some influence. Do you really want people in Washington, D.C. deciding how our money is spent?
114. wes | 08.18.09
On a totally different issue, I think it is hilarious that Obama is sending more troops to Afghanistan after promising during the campaign to withdrawal the troops as soon as possible. Taking a page out of McCain’s book, haha.
115. Dick Clark | 08.18.09
Who cares who made the poster, its a free country, we’re allowed to voice support or decent towards our leaders.
But I sure am sick of this whole Obama is a socialist malarkey. He proposed this health plan before elected, people that wanted his policies voted for him, which WAS the majority of Americans(unlike Bush who barely squeezed in the 2nd time). He won the election and now is doing what he said he’d do. Of course those that did not vote for him don’t like it.
Government run healthcare is not socialism, Europe, Canada are not socialist countries and there healthcare works. Not a perfect system but not a total corprate scam like it is here. Why are republicans so sceptical of liberals and activists but trust corporations who could care less about them ????
Don,t forget Republicans, your in the minority now. Now you know how we felt when your President started two wars for no reason. Made sense to you so its right.Thats your policy.
116. what | 08.18.09
@faceplant. cripes your random tirade is borderline schizophrenic. seek help.
in regards to your concern for people who are easily lead around like sheep by those who are in power…
pot kettle BLACK.
117. NY’er | 08.18.09
The right wingers didn’t created racism either. But they are the one in love with that idea (even if they can’t see they are).
You can try and say “we didn’t create it” - the joker image, but you certainly love to flaunt that image.
===
AS for criticism of Bush Jr., he deserved most of it. He screwed up the country for 8 years. Obama has been in the office for 8 months. It is just way too early to say that he (Obama) is a Joker.
I never criticized Bush Senior because he was actually a decent president. So not all criticism towards presidents are POLITICAL only. Some are actually justified.
===
P.S. Correction, I criticized Bush Sr., for not taking over Iraq (over throwing Sadam) the first time. Now we know why he didn’t want to “conquer” Iraq. He was smarter than you and me. I know how to admit when I’m wrong (about a president). Do you?
118. justthefacts | 08.18.09
This is for “Just-the-facts?”
“justthefacts - And no where do we have physical evidence. In ANY court of law in this nation, you cannot be charged without evidence. One persons Testimony is not evidence. We need hard, physical evidence before you start claiming this to be true. Thank you.
Here is some evidence that doesn’t seem to get much play?
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2006/06/22/report-hundreds-wmds-iraq/
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3255
http://www.americanthinker.com/2004/03/case_not_closed_iraqs_wmd_stoc.html
So, As you stated “One persons Testimony is not evidence” I agree and I can find many more if you would like but as I suspect, no amount of “Facts” and “Evidence” is going to change your mind
You are probably like all the Democrates and Republicans, under NO curcumstance agree to what the other party says and lets continue telling lies until we are sure to destroy ourselves.
Enjoy it while it lasts
119. LikeME | 08.18.09
I am a black women is tired of not being able to listen to someone critize Obama w/o being worried about the blacklash of that person being called a racisit. so if you don’t belive in Obama and yr white yr racist and if you don’t believe in Obama and yr black yr a sell out? what the hell….
120. NY’er | 08.18.09
The ONE thing I heard about W. Bush (Jr.) that sincerely admire was that during his final days, he refuse to pardon Libby. Not because I think Libby is guilty, but he felt that pardon system is all bogus.
If you read the TIME mag article, he never like Pardon system as Governor and even as president. He refuse to pardon one of his own (who probably took a dive for him).
He does have principals. Even if those principals hurt him. That is exactly what PRINCIPALS are suppose to be. I admire that about him (Bush Jr.).
Sadly, the problem was most of his principals were wrong.
====
We liberals can see the truth. We don’t politics nearly as much as you suspect. If anything, liberals play hard ball, only because right-wingers keep playing hard-ball first.
121. Tyler | 08.18.09
This is disapointing. Republican’s you like this poster. It’s time you grow up.
OBAMA IS NOW A SOCIALIST
Something to think about Republicans
Social Security - socialism?
Medicare - socialism?
Public Library (Government run)- socialism?
United Postal system - socialism?
US Treasury Dept. - socialism?
Lets get this Universal healthcare now ya…
122. steve | 08.18.09
we were created to amuse god. In the end we become one in the light back to god. we are god. we are all brothers, but on this earth we cannot see it too well. I love you all.
123. rush is a tool | 08.18.09
@wes
What I think is hilarious is that you are mixing up Iraq with Afghanistan. He said he would withdraw troops from Iraq and intensify the fighting where it belongs, in Afghanistan.
124. rush is a tool | 08.18.09
@wes
What I think is hilarious is that you are mixing up Iraq with Afghanistan. He said he would withdraw troops from Iraq and intensify the fighting where it belongs, in Afghanistan.
125. German Terminator | 08.18.09
hey all you Americans listen up. do you know what SOCIALISM means? well, Germany is a country run on socialistic ideas. I wonder why Germany has good roads, schools and working public health care system? i wonder why Americans cannot build roads that last for more than 2 years. their school standards are so low, anyone holding a pencil can pass. and forget about your health care. on a side note: doctors shouldn’t be millionaires. there is no reason why the Doc charges 120$ for a check-up; 20 maybe 30 bucks should be the max. in my opinion you are all getting ripped off (not just at the doctor’s)
Socialism means that it will - yes it will!!! - take more money out of your pocket. that money is however spend on the country’s infrastructure and other public needs. you prefer having money in your pocket or money building a nice country around you?
126. Free Speech | 08.18.09
Come on People…
Has anyone read the Bill of Rights?
This is NOT a “typical hate-centered projection that the hysterical right is manufacturing” but rather the expression of the recognition that the left and the right are both the same. The people are awake enough to say that they don’t believe the Bush Joker or the Obama Joker…. They know it is all the same smoke and mirrors and enough is enough.
127. German Terminator | 08.18.09
hey all you Americans listen up. do you know what SOCIALISM means? well, Germany is a country run on socialistic ideas. I wonder why Germany has good roads, schools and working public health care system? i wonder why Americans cannot build roads that last for more than 2 years. their school standards are so low, anyone holding a pencil can pass. and forget about your health care. on a side note: doctors shouldn’t be millionaires. there is no reason why the Doc charges 120$ for a check-up; 20 maybe 30 bucks should be the max. in my opinion you are all getting ripped off (not just at the doctor’s)
Socialism means that it will - yes it will!!! - take more money out of your pocket. that money is however spend on the country’s infrastructure and other public needs. you prefer having money in your pocket or money building a nice country around you?
128. rush is a tool | 08.18.09
@likeME
I usually hate grammar Nazis, but come on! Meet us halfway here; I have no idea what you are trying to say. What the hell indeed…
129. PittDave | 08.18.09
OH MY! Criticize or direct satire toward The Saviour? Now that the Federal investigation into this crime (obviously a necessary and worthwhile endeavor to protect us from dissenters) has produced a perpetrator, let’s see to it that the punishment sets an example for any other swastika-bearing, shotgun-toting, obviously White, racist, Christian, right-wing whacko who would consider any similarly eggregious blasphemy against President Obama and his prophetic quest to save us from those big bad rich people. I wonder what role the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance plays in such a response? Could it be that people have so much hope invested in President Obama’s promises for “change” that they will go to great lengths to protect their perception. Same thing happened with the supporters of the Republican party. Of course, if one wants to learn how to protect these “mis”perceptions, you might try to understand the tactics used by the Obama team to create them in your mind. Many are straight out of Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals.”
130. BTom | 08.18.09
I like it. I can finally bring myself to hanging a picture of our commander in chief in my place of business.
131. Todd Stevens | 08.18.09
I notice that some of you people want Obama to be impeached.
If by some small chance that he ever is impeached, millions of us will be showing up at your beloved George Bush and Dick Cheney’s homes with torches and pitchforks.
132. rush is a tool | 08.18.09
@German Terminator
I think one reason you guys have good roads and schools is because we rebuilt them for you after the war you started destroyed them. You’re welcome.
Everyone hates America until they need something from us don’t they?
133. Vadi | 08.18.09
How can we be raciest for this?? Obama is a american just like the rest of us. When will they figure out it the stuff he is trying to jam down peoples mouths.
135. Backfire Wagon | 08.18.09
Fun conversations - some of the folks here extolling the virtues of socialism, well, socialism doesn’t work well for long, it quickly runs out of money. Take a look at many of the socialistic forms of healthcare ( England comes to mind) have you checked out their care. I have - it takes forever to get seen by a doctor. Dentistry - please - they pull the teeth as it is cheaper than filling them. So, yes, it works, just not terribly well. One gentlemen mention how wonderful the roads were in Germany - okay - fair enough there are some roads that are nice, and i can find some here that are nice - your point? Socialism or wealth redistribution can work if EVERYONE is willing to work equally hard. Now, how are you going to feel if there is a person sitting on the curb, no working , yet they get the same services, you do?? Makes one think.
Obama is doing what he said he would do - he is making changes. No one said they would be good changes! The man is doing the best he can with the supporters he has, and the experience he has to draw upon. you or i would probably make the same similar blunders, thinking we were doing the right thing.
We should all spend less time aligning our selfs politically and spend a bit more time figuring out what is right for humanity… no cars, more cars, hybrids, monster cars… not sure.. they all have unintended consequences.
We as a country have lost that “can do ” attitude, the feeling of pride and family we had in the 40’s and 50’s , for those of you who might remember. WE need to get that back, quick kicking each other when we are down… take a moment and help the other guy back on his feet.
Remember when Pearl Harbor was bombed? Men and Women stopped at once , what they were doing , and went to sign up to defend their country! Someone had attacked them, and they weren’t going to take it - we came together as a country… we need to do that again - either under Obama - or another leader, but the sooner the better…
Sorry i ran on here… thanks for reading
136. Zim | 08.18.09
I thinks it pretty funny myself. I think America needs to get it’s sense of humor back.
138. Phillip | 08.18.09
LA Times investigating? Where all those investigations about Bush’s caricatures? And why is this a big deal? Why this is a big news and every major newspaper covering? You in the media are sick people! No wonder you getting bankrupt.
139. Zee | 08.18.09
You guys are a bunch of bigots, just accept yourselves as who you are and stop sugar-coating yourselves as anything other than a bunch of bigots.
140. Larry | 08.18.09
Poor Ken (#3). Still living in that delusion the other birthers share.
Face it racists: A bi-racial man won the approval of American voters and is YOUR president (unless you’ve renounced your citizenship instead of being the ‘patriots’ you claim to be) and commander in chief.
The deluded extremist bloc wouldn’t approve anything Pres. Obama said, did, or proposed even if he were responsible for lowering unemployment to 1% overnight, drumming up a huge surplus (like Clinton) in a year, and walking on water afterwards. You just have that unfocused hatred of a guy who is doing his best to move the country forward.
141. Ken2 | 08.18.09
Some people on this post are pure bread home grown lunatics. I have question for the Obama birthers: Why is Obama good enough to be a citizen and Senator but not the President? Give me one solid reason aside from the dumb and outdated provision in the constitution… To me birthers are the true idiots of America: No real proof of him born elsewhere but he can’t possibly be American.. Grow up..
142. Wilson | 08.18.09
So to the argument by “studebiker” concerning health care:
Have you bothered to read any of the 1,000+ page bill that Obama is trying to get passed? If so, you are probably aware of the fact that in it, health care is required for illegal immigrants. Also, that if you are not enrolled in a private insurance program by a certain date, you are forced onto the governments program and not able to leave.. for life. Next, doctors will be paid the same, no matter what their specialty is. This is America. We follow a free market economy. Anything beyond that is one step closer to socialism. Before you spout crap about health care already being socialized, learn the facts.
143. Michael | 08.18.09
Whats funny is your average brain-dead Repub does not even have a clue what “socialism” is, all they are doing is parroting the talking points of the right. Remember everyone, this is the party that has nothing left except hate and deception. No values, morals, or ideas.
144. DrB | 08.18.09
This has nothing to do with race. Americans are allowed to express their opinions and views regardless of whether the federal government or any political party might dislike them.
145. Ted J. | 08.18.09
There have been several critical posters of Obama. LaRouche PAC has been circulating a poster of Obama with a Hitler mustache which reads: “I have Changed”. Obama is no more a progressive than, Tom Delay or those Democrats who supported segregation and the Vietnam war. He is a Chicago politician who happens to be half African. Look at his policies. 23.7 trillion $ to bailout banks, by we want a health care policy that cuts medicare and medicaid. Instead of a committee to ration health care to our elderly and disabled, how about euthanasia for the major wall street banks.
146. kws | 08.18.09
“Attention those of you on the right. Your guy lost. Your last guy practically destroyed the country. Ask yourself Ronald Regan’s question: Are you better off now than you were four (or eight) years ago? Try to be honest with your answer.”
Yes for both time spans.
BTW, the guys that are responsible for the mortgage meltdown are the ones that blocked any sort of reform of FannieMae/FreddieMac prior to 2006. Are they out of a job or in jail? No. They are currently in charge of the Senate and House Banking committees. Other than trying to limit executive compensation, it’s not surprising that there hasn’t been any reform of the mortgage laws. Something as simple as requiring the lenders to rigorous income and credit rating standards of their customers would have eliminated most of the problem.
147. rw | 08.18.09
@46 Rose: Of course, all media is conservative, right? Because it goes against who you support? I would also contend that is you who does not understand the meaning of socialism and fascism, due to the fact that if you knew what they actually meant you would see it happening in the USA as we live and breathe.
148. Jack | 08.18.09
To all the “liberals” out there: Stop complaining, this is just exercising free speech. I have nothing against Obama, but I still claim to hate him for the hell of it. Your undying trust for him is startlingly reminiscent of the rise of every fascist regime in history. No matter how great a leader is, skepticism is your best friend. The people spreading this picture around are doing their part to keep free speech alive.
149. Lindsey | 08.18.09
Who cares? Every one bashes everyone else if they disagree, right left or center. Its all just noise.
150. Alex | 08.18.09
Ok, Bush stunk as president, Obama is a fascist, Bush went to war [stop arguing if his reasoning or legalities were right or wrong, he went to war] Obama bought Banks and Auto Companies with money that could have fed masses or fixed our economy [something forbidden by our founding fathers, see the irony of Thomas Jefferson]. So, what I hear is that we over look Obama’s wrongs because of Bush’s?
Stop blaming the previous guy, stop the wrongs of the current guy, CHECKS AND BALANCES were put in place for this very reason, now that we have gone around those checks and balances we cry because of the results?
Grow up, draw a line, stick to it. HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
You don’t like what Bush did in office? What didn’t the Democratic Congress/Senate Override even ONE Veto? You don’t like Obama’s “Race card” usage? Call him/them [staff] on the carpet.
Use you voice, your vote, and your rights, stop complaining and do something. Or just stop complaining.
151. Phillip | 08.18.09
Hey Michael 143. Please tell us what socialism is. Enlighten us. I wonder what you know about.
I was born and live in former USSR for 22 years, thats as close to it as you can get. You libs always try to insult people who disagree with your liberal views. So whose here full of hate and deception?
152. Backfire Wagon | 08.18.09
Well let’s get that issue behind us - folks socialism is a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. okay we all know what it is - so that tired bit of rhetoric is at an end. Racism - please - bottom line we are all in the human race, that is the common denominator - so ease up.
Health care reform is a great idea, however, this implementation is severely flawed, yes i have read it , and yes, there are some major flaws. it needs to go away.
Democrat and Republican alike can be misdirected idiots, as is evidenced here by some of the comments. it is easy to call names and try to put people off or on the defensive or distract them from what the issues are … stop wasting peoples time.
We the people elected Obama - he won the vote, like him or not - he is out commander and chief. We should support him. We need to ensure that our congressmen and senators are clear on what we their consituents want the to do, we cannot afford to have them think for themselves…
We need to speak up , with thought and reason , and get things done…. the right way…
Now, some of you might Label me a racist, however, do any of you know what race i am? Many of you might figure i am a liberal , democrate, repub… however your labels will not define me.. 
Enjoy the blog - but stop the hate and discontent
have a great day
153. Phillip | 08.18.09
146. kws.
BTW, the guys that are responsible for the mortgage meltdown are the ones that blocked any sort of reform of FannieMae/FreddieMac prior to 2006. Are they out of a job or in jail? No. They are currently in charge of the Senate and House Banking committees.
——————-
You mean Barnie Frank and Chris Dodd. I agree with you, they should be in jail.
154. Geohar | 08.18.09
I find it says tons about the media and liberal left cool aid drinkers that several derogatory images were created of President Bush and posted all over the internet and media, yet someone creates one image of Obama and it’s the worse thing ever. Whats even funnier is they even tried to play the race card on this one, too funny. Obama’s a hack, I cant wait till 2012.
155. Geohar | 08.18.09
I also find it telling that anyone who is critical of Obama is called a rascist. Anyone who does that is simply attempting to use white guilt to shut up the opposition. Thats how dumbocrats operate.
156. aleks | 08.18.09
“The poster is great because that is how I view him. I still don’t think he was born in the US and that his birth place should be throughly investigated, and if found that he wasn’t born here impeached.”
Yeah, Obama’s the real joker here . . .
157. Chaos | 08.18.09
I find Hilarious that the liberal media hunted down this individual over a photoshop job. Don’t they have anything else to report on of value instead of protecting their “God”?
158. Betsy Ross | 08.18.09
Hasn’t any of the younger generation at all caught on at this point. There is no difference between either party anymore, nor has there been for quite some time. And if you haven’t also figured it out, they are all nothing more than representatives of their corporate campaign backers and work for the bankers at the Federal Reserve.
Bush and Obama are now different. The war is still going on for Silicon Valley and Cheney’s Haliburton buddies and Wall Street. The bank bailout was nothing more than transferring assets in order to pay off those foreign investors, and the banks to flip those properties in the Southwest and West to the new “illegals” they are going to legalize at rock bottom prices, so that during the next wave (since they are now writing 40 year loans), they can then steal those homes from them - especially since they won’t be able to read those loan documents without an interpreter, as most Americans need to read them anymore.
They are all a bunch of crooks…..every last one of them.
159. Average Joe | 08.18.09
“3. Ken | 08.18.09
Finally americans are starting to attack obama. He has been getting a pass on harsh critism because he is black. Let him reap what he has sown. This man tried to push a horrendous health care package on the country, and he tried to do this without debate, how dare him. The poster is great because that is how I view him. I still don’t think he was born in the US and that his birth place should be throughly investigated, and if found that he wasn’t born here impeached.”
Please tell me you are joking, I still have hope people have more intelligence than this. Things like this make me sad for the human race. As long as making war is considered noble and helping your fellow man is considered evil(socialism), we are destined to a vicious cycle of death and misery.
160. WTF_Michael | 08.18.09
You are seriously delusional if you believe either of these two parties we’ve been railroaded into voting for have your best interest in mind.
I believe that Bush cared for America and had some genuine tears at ground zero. He felt it was better to go on the offensive. Something that has worked so far.
However, Bush drove a lot of back handed deals that made him more money and kept him with powerful friends.
Obama, well he is a joke. All politicians today are. The democrats didn’t exactly go behind him full heartedly wasn’t it split between Hilary and Obama up until the last state? Spent more money campaigning than any candidate prior, spent more money while in office, and he hasn’t been there very long than any other president.
Our nation has been seized by greed and lies. The gentlefolk running our country couldn’t give an ounce of spit about the American people. The democrats and the republicans are not our forefathers, trying to do what is right for our country. They have simply made it so we are forced to vote for whom they put in charge.
We need to set term limits on ‘all’ public offices.
We need to limit the amount of money a person can use to get elected, whether its his own or not.
We need to give all candidates air time on t.v. if that is the media of choice to use debates.
We need to find some people who will put the country first.
I think our system is in a downward spiral at the moment.
What is next the government will bail out big business and tell them how to run their books. Now that is funny the government telling someone how to balance the books.
162. reaper | 08.18.09
I think it’s funny how we all want something, but at somebody else’s sacrifice. Think about how many people you don’t like that you have to deal with in your daily life. Just imagine that there are a lot of people that see you that way. It’s funny how giving somebody a smile will make thme feel a certain way but what I’m really doing is appealing to your weaknesses. My point is, quit being america’s bitch and letting crap like this get to you. Deal with things that really matter in your life and quit being somebody elses advantage.
163. Josh | 08.18.09
Mr. Shaer: Have you figured out who cut the fake Time cover out and placed the word Socialism under the caption? If so, could you add a comment with a link to the article?
Commentors: I tend to agree that people seem angrier, louder and ruder these days. They usually are when things are rough for them. One thing is for sure, we’ve had a rough year so far regardless of political affiliation in almost every nation on earth.
Editors: I read the rules against personal attacks and writing novels below. I think some comments are not being successfully edited out based on the rules quoted.
164. ART | 08.18.09
Sad its always the press bringing Presidents images down that seems to get all of us fired up.
166. Stonewall Jackson | 08.18.09
Win good ole’ George “Duh??? B U”(W) wuz prezndint weez kooden say nuttin or weez looz ar jobs. Now dat mister Obama iz prezndint, we can sez watz weez wantz to. Hail to the Confederate Republicans!!!
167. jeeves | 08.18.09
“Funny that the artist would go through the trouble to make the sign but couldn’t be bothered to go vote.”
What’s so funny about? His voice has had a far bigger impact with the creation of this image than your one little vote had.
168. doodlesnort | 08.18.09
Nothing wrong with disrespect. Nothing wrong with dislike or even hate. Just remember, whatever label you choose to give yourself, liberty is rooted in distrust, dislike and a desire to pursue one’s self-interest. Social engineering, guilt and coercive/forceful action will not bring forth the utopian world you seek.
169. Vickery | 08.18.09
A Kucinich supporter may have made the initial artwork, but it was angry, largely white conservatives who gave it its socialist banner and pasted it all over the place.
Bunch of crybabies. You get caught doing something most people consider heinous and your only response is to point fingers and say “he hit me first.”
Grow up!
170. Chris | 08.18.09
I’m with Lindsey, poster 149.
Let’s see…
Petty name-calling…check.
Recycled platitudes from the media…check.
Heavy use of quote marks…check.
Use of caps instead of valid reasoning…check.
Statistics pulled out of asses…check.
Thickly applied unfunny snark…check.
Noise > Signal.
171. Chase Hunter | 08.18.09
From time in American society when the mood of millions of people is cultivating a subconscious groundswell of common sentiment, often a particularly sensitive creative individual will feel the pulse of that growing groundswell and create a work of art, be it a song, an image, a lyric, a work of prose, what have you - that captures and voices the opinion of a silent majority of millions of people. Bob Dylan famously did this in the 1960s with his simple but profound folk anthems that voiced the feelings of the entire youth of the nation about the Vietnam war and goverment collusion in sending thousands of young men to their deaths. The “Obama as Joker” artist has done the very same thing. His image voiced the legitimate feelings and concerns of millions of people in America. That’s precisely why the image went viral. There was a degree of truth in it. The image hits a nerve because Americans are concernedfor the future of their country as never before, and the outcry aginst socialist leaning laws and totalitarian governing tactics rubs America the wrong way. We should laud the gift of the artists in this country who are sensitive enough and astute enough to create works that set forward the right to freedom of expression, and set forward in one work the mood of a majority of American citzens, My words to the artist are: “Well done, and correct. YOu hit the target square in the center of truthful recognition.”
Chase Hunter
http://alligatorfarm.wordpress.com
172. Eric | 08.18.09
I read a bit of the first few comments. You people are pathetic. Can’t you guys stop whining like children, accept the fact that he won, he’s trying hard to do his best, he cares about the country, and we need to all stick together to improve everything that we care about in this country. All the harsh comments I assume are all obvious Mccain supporters - if I’m wrong, don’t focus on that. You guys have been complaining ever since this man got in and now every attack upon Obama will automatically be judged as “aww, he’s complaining about racism!” I’m disgusted by everyone. GROW UP, AMERICA!
176. Andrei | 08.18.09
Clearly, it is now the beginning of the end of this administration. Seven years to go.
177. Roo | 08.18.09
Leave it to the Liberal pansies to point blame at the Conservatives without due process. It ends up the kook who drew this is one of their own! Typical Liberals!
178. Dennis R. White | 08.18.09
The politics of the creator of this image has nothing to do with it’s current use. This kid didn’t set out on a stealth campaign to discredit any political movement. He created an image, it sat on the net for months and someone else decided to appropriate and alter the image. There’s no need to gleefully point fingers and pretend this was a campaign by liberals to undermine the conservative movement. The image we are familiar with is simply a variation on something created by an artist….his politics are quite irrelevent since he did not seek to use the image to publicly politicize a position on healthcare reform.
179. Stephen | 08.18.09
Im a republicAN AND i HATE Obamas health plan, its terrible, but um even if I were a liberal i would still think this would be pretty funny
180. Michael | 08.18.09
Irreconcilable Differences
Thats what it said on my divorce decree. As I listen to the anger in these comments that is what I am reminded of. Dear friends, Right and Left, Red or Blue, Black and white. We need to talk, but we need to do it from honest conviction and not anger. Or else all we are left with is anger and the memory of a country that once stood for the right of all to be heard. And the responsibility of each to speak honestly….
181. miriamma | 08.18.09
Thank you, Firas. The thing I hate most about the whole obamadrama is that everyone thinks he is some kind of Jesus, come to save the world. he is not that smart (I think clinton was way smarter on the economy), he is just another politician.
182. Joseph Madden - Syracuse, NY | 08.18.09
Hey, rad photo! I’d hang it up here if I had a printer.
183. Joe (Not a plumber) | 08.18.09
As I understand it, Firas Alkhateeb is a college student interested in graphic design, and made the picture as part of a workshop showing colleagues how to do Joker faces on paint shop software. Obama was little more than a subject, although he did say in the interview with the reporter that he felt people developed a “hero worship” for the President-quite true, in my opinion.
The rendering was the posted on Flickr, where a person(s) as of yet unknown found it, added the “Socialist” tag, and printed and posted at will.
Personally, I find the labeling of Obama and his fellow democrats as Socialists to be insulting to Socialism.
More and more I’ve come to see the infighting between the two ruling parties as a game of “good cop/bad cop”. The Republicans push an extreme agenda, too radical to ever be instituted, which drives half the electorate into hysteria. The Democrats then respond with right-wing policy that seems reasonable by comparison. They are the closers for the holders of wealth in this country and abroad. At various points in history and, no doubt in the future, you will see these roles reversed. However, the paradigm of the ruling class and the population at large remains the same.
In response to some of the comments:
For the true meaning of:
Anarchism, search using terms:
Anarchism wiki / Anarchism (Noam) Chomsky / Libertarian Socialism [(Noam) Chomsky]
Left-wing/Right-wing, search using terms:
French Revolution wiki / “Politics of France” wiki
As to those who complain of the artists rendering as rude, insulting, disgusting, or otherwise distasteful, I have but one question:
WHY SO SERIOUS ?
185. NinaK | 08.18.09
What is with all the hatred from the republican party members? Aren’t you guys the party of “Christians” and “God Lovers”? I don’t know what your churches teach you but it certainly does not teach you “The Ten Commandments”, that “God created all men (people) EQUAL”, that “God LOVES each and everyone because he created us ALL in HIS image”. Somewhere along the the line you, self-proclaiming Christians and self-proclaiming God lovers, have lost your way!! You are so full of hatred and evil spirit it is dizzying! You will have to answer to God for your deep and hateful hypocricy. God is a God of love; He is not hateful and mean-spirited. The Devil is hateful and mean-spirited and I am convinced you are his followers and not God’s.
186. Bobby | 08.18.09
Yep, you leftists can dish it out but can’t take any. I never supported Bush, or any of those around him, but if memory serves, how many posters did I see in different places where the left depicted Bush with a Hitler uniform and mustache. What goes around comes around. What makes Obama so special, if there are policies he has that people don’t agree with? He isn’t a dictator.
187. Paul Revere | 08.18.09
Best true likeness of Barack I have seen in a photo yet! It captures his true Fascist, Dictator, Global Elitist sympathizing, Puppett to Foreign Off-Shore Bankers Character and Soul!
This poster is the only true legitimate item I have found about Barry Soetoro, Barack Hussein Obama to date!
Time to clean house folks before the United states of America become a simile to Zimbabwe!
Help to “Audit The Fed” Get in touch with your Congressmen tell them to sponsor Bill HR1207 , Get in touch with your Senators tell them to sponsor S604 if they want your votes!
188. Adam | 08.19.09
I wonder how much the “this was racist white supremacist hate cartooning!” crowd are pretending not to eat their words, now that the ‘perp’ has been exposed as a Liberal Muslim?
At any rate, most people wouldn’t've minded being carricatured as Heath Ledger, who was a great-looking actor. I’m sure Hillary Clinton didn’t mind being lampooned as Marilyn Monroe.
189. Adam | 08.19.09
Oh, BTW, Justin–if I’D done the poster, I’d've replaced ’socialism’ with ‘Capitalist Tool’. You can’t call Microsoft, Google, the multinational pharmaceutical conglomerates, the media-telecom companies, Warren Buffet and George Soros ’socialist’ with a straight face…and they’re the ones who paid $700M to get him elected. Obama’s healthcare plan is not even remotely ’socialist’, in the sense of Canada’s system, or Britain’s NHS. Obamacare simply favours one sector of medical-financial capitalism (HMOs, drug companies, IT firms) over another (indemnity insurers).
190. Chris | 08.19.09
OOOOHH scary socialism!!! Some Americans really need to get out more. How truly terrible that some people think looking after each other in a compassionate society is a good thing.
Chris in UK (proud of our National Health Service)
191. Aynne Morison | 08.19.09
Interesting. He took the time to create this image but couldn’t be bothered to take the time to ‘vote’. As he said he ‘abstained’ because, well Obama wining in his state was a foregone conclusion.
Even if I was certain that my candidate would not win because of the public tenor, I have always voted my mind. To abstain is to give up without even a last gesture of defiance. I’d have much rather he had voted, put his vote where his mind is, make that statement, than to have such a small display of fairly useless mud flinging for others to stir more mud over.
Its sad that he put his effort there instead of in the ballot box.
192. rixt | 08.19.09
To quote an earlier poster, “Racism is Racism”. How true. If I don’t kowtow to every whim of Obama, then I am branded a racist. If I express doubts about this Obamacare scam, Pelosi says I’m unAmerican or a Nazi. Perhaps these liberal socialists will actually get the message that they have not been given a mandate to alter the very fabric of our Nation. I applaud the unnamed artist that added the tagline to the illustration. Legalize the Constitution. In November of 2010, yank the Congress out from under Obama like a cheap rug.
193. Beatriz | 08.19.09
A sad return to “black face.” We might have elected a black president, but this shows that America is NOT post-racial. Plus, if having health insurance for all means “socialism” then go for it. Who doesn’t want to covered when sick?
194. Cassy | 08.19.09
Eh. You really can’t get upset about this. The left had plenty of not so flattering pictures of Bush while he was in office. As an Obama supporter, I’m not concerned about this at all.
195. Jeremy | 08.19.09
Somehow Joker’s views as espoused in Dark Knight struck me as anarchic, which is far removed from socialism on the political views spectrum. It seems someone just wanted to use a shocking picture and they couldn’t resist using the insult of the day despite the false association. Reflects the ignorance of those who created it.
196. Joe the Plumber | 08.19.09
yeah my name isn’t joe, but how could I resist? I, for one, laugh at pretty much any political satire. I didn’t find this at all racist. In fact, the word race is not even mentioned in the article. Sure, it’s hinted at with the whole “noose” comment, but it’s not in the open. The comments were what did. Out of curiosity, I searched “rac” in this article, including the comments, and I found that race or racist or racism is mentioned around 50 times (with “rac” mentioned 74 times, ~24 times in “democracy” or another word). Around 45 of those times were from somebody that expressed malcontent with Obama, in most cases claiming that his defense is the race card. Just so you know, the amount of time the race card has been pulled is around 5, and some of them were sarcastic. Also, all instances of people referring Obama to God or the second coming are from people expressing dissent. This may all change from the time I wrote this, but this is fairly accurate for the time I wrote it. To me, this is just people being paranoid and blowing things completely out of proportion, as usual.
But, the one thing I did find offensive, and I’m not easily offended, was Geohar’s cool-aid comment (#155). Seriously? Cool-aid? I hate to sound biased even more, but people like you are the ones that enable the race card, idiot. I find your comments telling that you went through special-education in school. Were your parents proud when you got a 90 on the IQ test? I guess you thought it was an A, right? I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but it’s not a good score, in fact, it means that you’re below average, or at least by the statistics for my state.
By the way, C.A.R.S is a program that borders on socialism, and because of it, the automotive industry has had its first good news in a long time. Sure we may not be able to uncork the champaign yet, but it’s a good start. Maybe the seemingly little things like cash for clunkers are the ticket out. Yes, I did say little. $3 billion is chump change compared to our deficit.
Oh, and a lot of the things we enjoy today are socailistic, such as the postal service. People that are opposed to this idea simply from the knee jerk reaction are too much a throw back to the times of McCarthy and the communist scare. Get over it and move into the 21st century, will you? And if you refuse to do that, just be reminded of who got us out of the depression, and what his policies were called. The war is what really got us out, but for my friend, Geohar, I’ll say that it was FDR, and they called him a socialist too. My philosophy is whatever works… and deregulation failed miserably for 8 years. I’ve heard countless people say that republican is best for a country in economic growth, and democrat is good for recession.
Now I just sound hypocritical by continuing this argument. I’ll end saying that Alkhateeb was not conservative. He did not come up with the caption at the bottom. The poster is actually pretty funny when you haven’t read the comments saying it’s “gruesome.” It’s a pretty clever play on the Obama-Hope posters. Frankly, I hope to see more, so that the few who do pull the race card will be numb to it.
197. who cares | 08.19.09
so what so many pictures of high politicians go up on the web every day but this is so special why????????? no matter what it says its just a picture and a good 1 at that.
198. Matty C. | 08.19.09
Regardless of who made the original, and what his intentions are, the revised image has been appropriated by right leaning loonies who are looking at it through different eyes. If they had known they were colaborating with a Kucinich supporter would they have embraced the image with the same fervor? I doubt it. (It’s as if Franco supporters are looking at Picaso’s Guarnica and supporting it because it shows Spain’s military might. Then defending their viewpoint by saying, “Well, the artist isn’t a fascist, so we must be correct.)
I’ve never been an Obama supporter. By the very nature of the fact that he’s part of the DNC I knew before he had the nomination that his election wouldn’t mean anything to me (I have voted Nader three times, because he has been the only candidate on the ballot who has stood for the people- - I also support Kucinich, but he wasn’t really a ballot candidate). I saw the writing long ago that Obama would bend to the moneyed interests who give money to the DNC. So, yeah, he kind of is a Joker, but I think the minstrel look is going a little far (though I support the right to express one’s self, I don’t have to like the way it’s exercised- - I also wouldn’t support a KKK ad campaign, though they have every right to launch one).
Please people, let’s not muddy this debate any further. This is important stuff, and as long as we let the minority (Republicans), or the DNC, or television corporations lead the discussion we will continue to get what we’ve always had… bed decisions that are poorly executed, and that have no bearing to the plight of everyday citizens.
199. Fast Eddie | 08.19.09
The joker would be smart enough bail out the car companies for shares in GM and then then pass the CARS program to raise his stock prices.
Also smart enough to help you pay your Fannie or Freddie mortgage payments because they own them as well.
What we are saying is the less socialism the better:
These are all perfect examples of how the government can’t run things except for maybe the Public Library which seems decent.
Social Security - socialism?
Medicare - socialism?
Public Library (Government run)- socialism?
United Postal system - socialism?
US Treasury Dept. - socialism?
200. McEver | 08.19.09
Well, in my opinion, the joker image is completely fine. However, the “socialism” at the bottom is what makes it offensive. But, I fail to see the connection between the joker and socialism? Rather stupid to me.
201. Challenge | 08.19.09
It is amazing how the liberals use words like “stupid”, “idiotic” to describe the right wing, “red necks” aside, I would like to challenge the intelligencia of the left to a statistical accounting for the IQ’s and education of the Democratic constituency verses that of the Republican party. While a selected statistical account will produce a result, lets keep the accounting out of our left wing and Fabianist propaganda mills and keep it to the voter/man on the street
As far as all the cries to “help the poor” and those that protest as heartless, when was the last time you stood behind a “poor” person in line at the grocery store? The majority of food stamp receipients have made it a way of life instead of a helping hand and they eat better than the working middle class. They already get free medical and dental, while the taxpayers not only pick up the check for both their food and medicals, we also have to pay for our own. In the area in which I live, most of the receipients have never contributed to the system and few even speak English. These discrepancies need to be addressed before we go anywhere near expanding these handouts. What happened to the age old adage, charity begins at home. That doesn’t mean to bring in the lazy neighbors and feed them before you do your family. We need to rid ourselves of the leeches before we decry those that are tired of being anemic for the sake of others.
202. Average Joe | 08.19.09
“190. Chris | 08.19.09
OOOOHH scary socialism!!! Some Americans really need to get out more. How truly terrible that some people think looking after each other in a compassionate society is a good thing.
Chris in UK (proud of our National Health Service)”
Wonderful point, I’m a U.S. citizen and couldn’t agree more.
203. Mike Lee | 08.19.09
Anything which demeans and discredits a politician is, in my view, completely helpful. Whether a “Democrun” or “Repulicrat”, it’s high time we quit fawning over these people, falling down in worship. There is a “political class”, the politicians and their underlings, which are arrogant to the point of being decidedly dangerous to Liberty and Life.
While we’re at it, we need to put a few more of the “political class” in prison, too.
Mike
204. lance sjogren | 08.19.09
“A Black man in white face, that is in no way racist? We used to have a minstrel show at my middle school in the fifties, until people realized that white face was not funny. It doesn’t matter whether you support Obama or not it is racist.”
Please, spare us the phony outrage. There is no evidence the guy who did it was a racist. Grow up.
“All you people who are against socialized medicine: I assume that you are going to decline medicare, and social security when you reach 65. Also make sure that you take your parents off it, and start paying for their health care, and supporting their living habits. Otherwise you are a socialist!”
What an absolutely moronic comment. Various people disagree with certain policies of the government, but they are subject to those policies, and thus responsible for the obligations (e.g. taxes) those policies levy on them, as well as having the right to whatever benefits incur.
Your argument is somewhat similar to what some morons say about term limits. If a politician believes in term limits, some people claim they should unilaterally apply term limits to themselves.
They claim a politician is a hypocrite if he or she does not. But that is nonsense. It is not the same to advocate a different policy than one that currently exists versus relinquishing one’s right to function according to the policy that exists today.
Similar thing comes up with earmarks. Some politicians advocate the abolition of earmarks, but so long as they exist, they try their best to get their share of earmarks for their own constituents. There is no hypocrisy there.
But there are certainly many leftists seem to lack the intelligence to be able to comprehend this point.
And leftists complain about the lack of intelligence of right wingers!
205. Rick in Canada | 08.19.09
“190. Chris | 08.19.09
OOOOHH scary socialism!!! Some Americans really need to get out more. How truly terrible that some people think looking after each other in a compassionate society is a good thing. ”
Its not that I have a problem with charitable acts. I just think that I should get to pick my own charities with out having to give a large cut of that hard earned wealth to some government worker who then gets to fund HIS charities with my money.
Rick in Canada (and not so proud of our second rate costly socialist health care program)
206. Jim Mooney | 08.19.09
None of these jerk repugs even know what socialism is. Medicare, which takes only three cents of the healthcare dollar for administration, whereas greedy insuers who deny care take forty percent, is socialism. But would you want to take Medicare away from your parents and just let them die, when some rotten, corrupt insurers denies their care, or charges them so much they can’t afford to eat? Get real. Repugs are just stupid people who buy progaganda and slogans from rightwing radio hatemongers. They work against their own interests, since many of them have rotten medical coverage, or none. They’ll discover just how bad when they try going to an emergency room.
207. Dan | 08.19.09
Challenger-
Before challenging the intelligentsia to anything, please learn how to spell “intelligentsia” first.
It would appear that most of you are too dumb or lazy to even read the article and find out that the word “socialist” was added by someone other than Mr. Alkhateeb– certainly it was added to Alkhateeb’ poster by a right-wing, plagiarizing, nut-job conservative. Duh.
Because while the Obama “joker” poster by itself isn’t racist, and calling the man a “socialist” isn’t either, it IS just plain stupid and downright ignorant.
Abe Lincoln, who WAS the first Republican President after all, was also the first President to impose a Federal Income Tax. Did you fiscal conservative knuckle-draggers know that? I know it will break the heart of all you historically-challenged, right-wing ideologues out there, but old Abe turned out to be quite a tax-and-spender in fact. I’m sure you would all have tried to shout down at any opportunity, call him names, and maybe even shoot him yourselves.
But while Abe was using all that income tax money to win the war against the lowdown, dirt-eating, back-shooting, yellow-bellied, slave-driving Confederates, at the same time he also launched the Homestead Act, the Land Grant College program, the USDA, and built the Transcontinental Railroad. He spent a FORTUNE!! And all any of those big-spending, government-run, economic programs did was to prime the economic pump and position the United States in such a way that we would soon become the greatest power in the world, creating OPPORTUNITY so government of the people, by the people, and FOR the people should not perish from the Earth. And yes, in fact, Lincoln wss accused by many at the time of being a socialist. Especially by southern Democrats, who are all southern Republicans now after they all flip-flopped when LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Duh, people. It’s history. They taught history at your school, didn’t they?
Half of all human beings are below average intelligence. Unfortunately, it’s clear that this particular portion of the population is posting the majority of the comments on the thread above. And I’m quite sure not one of you goons hurling the “socialist” libel at Obama has a single clue about what socialism actually means other than what you hear on Fox News. But what difference does the actual truth and real book learning make anyway, right?
Please– for any of you with a shred of decency or honesty left, as a start, read this and begin your journey out of mental darkness:
Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One’s Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments
Justin Kruger and David Dunning
Cornell University
208. rixt | 08.19.09
To Joe the Plumber #196: The reference to Kool-Aid has absolutely nothing to do with race. “Drinking the Kool-Aid” is a reference to mindless obeisance to a tyrannical, malevolent leader; as demonstrated by the nine hundred nine poor brainwashed souls in Jonestown, Guyana in 1978. This is a perfect comparison to the acolytes of Obama, as they have obviously been similarly brainwashed by the (apparently) government-owned leftist media outlets.
To Chase Hunter, #171: Interesting that you should reference Bob Dylan. Dylan has stated many times that he never intended to write “anthems” for the left-leaning movement of 1960s youth. Dylan’s greatest influence was, of course, Woody Guthrie. Although named for Woodrow Wilson, note that Guthrie’s Depression-era protest “anthems” should be appreciated in the context of the period. Woody’s guitar carried the legend “This machine kills fascists”. The greatest American fascist of the period, was of, course, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Both Woodrow Wilson and FDR had lauded Benito Mussolini as some kind of political and financial genius. In other parts of the world, they just called it “the depression”, while in the United States of America, it was referred to as “The Great Depression”. FDR’s actions caused the economic downturn to last longer, and affect a greater number of people, in the U.S.A. than in other parts of the world. Like Obama (and the other great criminal gang, at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, led by Pelosi), both Wilson and FDR called themselves “progressives”. The National Socialist Party in Germany (later to be known as “Nazis”) as well as the Italian Fascists led by Mussolini, also called themselves “progressives”. Obama and his pernicious minions are now attempting to implement the very same tactics as FDR, apparently expecting different results. George Santayana probably said it best when he stated “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”.
209. rixt | 08.19.09
To Jim Mooney #206: I guess it all depends on just whose crystal ball you’re peering into, doesn’t it? Your 3% figure is calculated without accounting for the cost of the entire bureaucracy required to manage Medicare, not to mention advertising, marketing, and the use of the tax-collection apparatus to collect the “premiums” Remember, sir, a bureaucracy’s prime function is to perpetuate itself. They will certainly make all attempts possible to mislead, or simply lie, when reporting on what they cost you. On the other end, medical care provider’s costs are dramatically increased due to the clerical requirements of complying with the inevitable bureaucratic red tape. Now include in your equation the short- and slow-paying nature of Medicare claims. Your picture is not nearly as rosy as you portray it. Admittedly, the practitioner’s costs are similar when dealing with commercial entities. Nonetheless, as an American citizen in my mid-fifties who is insulin-dependant diabetic and has a chronic cardiac condition; I prefer the care I receive under private insurance over anything that the woefully inefficient U.S. government could ever provide. Keep your socialism, sucker. As far as going to an E-room is concerned, once they finish dealing with the parasitic illegal aliens, they might deign to see if they can provide tax-paying, working citizens with services. Then when they go broke from that merry-go-round, they’ll simply shut down, as has happened repeatedly in Southern California.
210. leonard williams | 08.20.09
I don’t see how anyone with at least a high school education can believe in this “birther” mess. Some people seem to have problems with being called a racist. Let’s be real, president Obama is half white, but the history of this country makes it nearly impossible to live as a white person.
There are some people of the white race I’m quite sure who would accept him, and make him feel loved, but there are many, like some of the people in this post who would rather love a dog than show love and acceptance to this president. He is aware of this. I can read this post and feel the hatred directed towards President Obama. The bigots are out in force, not unlike they were doing the reconstruction era of the 1870s.
They are emboldened by the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity, dobson and Beck. Having a Black president should be period of pride for America, and for most Americans I’m sure it is, but for the underbelly of this great country, something ugly is happening for all the world to see. President Obama campaigned with the promise of passing legislation that would make health care available to all Americans.
Now we have birthers, deathers, tea baggers, and people calling our president a nazi, socialist, hitler, while carrying concealed weapons where the president is visiting. The president has rolled up his sleeves, and is working hard each and every day on all the problems that confront us as a nation, yet we have a narrow minded few who are hell bent on pushing their racist agendas.
It’s time to get over the hatred. We may come to this country from different places, and by different means, but we’re all here now. We will only survive by living and working together, or perish by pulling a part.
211. Rick in Canada | 08.20.09
Justin Kruger and David Dunning
Cornell University
“Half of all human beings are below average intelligence. Unfortunately, it’s clear that this particular portion of the population is posting the majority of the comments on the thread above. And I’m quite sure not one of you goons hurling the “socialist” libel at Obama has a single clue about what socialism actually means other than what you hear on Fox News. But what difference does the actual truth and real book learning make anyway, right? ”
The most common definition of socialism is “government ownership and control of the means to production.” A socialist would be someone that advocates this. Obama wants to nationalize the healthcare industry. He has participated in nationalizing a large part of the banking and auto industries. And where he has not advocated the actual ownership of an industry, he as certainly advocated more regulation of industries so that would qualify for the “government control” part of socialism.I think Obama fits into this definition quite nicely.
I don’t watch Fox news and I have lived all of my life in the most socialist province in Canada so I do know a socialist when I see one.
I don’t care who added the socialist label to the poster because it is true.
Rick in Canada
212. alex in Long Beach | 08.20.09
There is a “flip-side” to the Joker: he is the guy who flips the Status Quo on it’s head, who is personally driven by his own inner struggles to challenge the powers that be and to over-whelm them and over-come those entrenched adversaries, inviting a controlled form of chaos to reign, at least for a while. Interesting alternative to fanatical conservative fascism and financial-Wall Street manipulated almost global economic totalitarianism (save for China, who wants to be the Boss of US) which is what many would say has been the case for the last 8 or more years in the US of A.
213. rixt | 08.20.09
I’m really getting fed up with being called a racist because I don’t get down on my knees and pray to the Obama. When will these small-minded liberals realize that our disdain for this administration has absolutely nothing to do with the color of the President’s skin, but everything to do with the color of his politics? Here’s a little thought exercise for you. Fly to Chicago (do this before the government takes over the airlines, though, because safety standards will then go straight down the toilet). Don’t fly into O’Hare, they built that out in the middle of nowhere so you can’t see the real Chicago; instead, fly into Midway. Now go East to the Dan Ryan Expressway and turn North. Keep watching out the right side of the car and notice the block after block, mile after mile, of those 15 or 20 story Section 8 warrens with burn scars drifting up from every 10th window. That, folks, is the Chicago Democrat’s vision for America. That’s what keeps them in power. The more dependant you are on the government, the happier you make them, because they now have all power over your life. Make no mistake about it, every one of those people in those cell blocks is a slave, just as surely as if they were sweating in a Mississippi cotton field 175 years ago. Some of those people are fourth-generation government slaves. Girls quit school at 14 so they can now have the babies that their moms can no longer bear, so the welfare checks don’t stop coming in. Is this the America you all want to live in?
214. rixt | 08.20.09
To Dan, #207: If you’d study history, real history, instead of that revisionist pap forced down the throats of our youth by the leftists in the NEA, you would know that Republicans have done far more to provide opportunities to minorities than Democrats ever have. Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” had nothing to do with promoting equality, and everything to do with perpetuating the inequality. LBJ redefined slavery in America, by creating an entire class of people who are wholly dependant on government handouts and contribute nothing to the GNP. Johnson was possibly the most corrupt American politician in the second half of the twentieth century. Study the history of his elections in Texas, they’ll remind you greatly of the shenanigans practiced by the Chicago Democratic Machine. If you go to the National Park adjacent to the LBJ Ranch in Texas, you’ll find a statue of the man. The statue points his hand toward the Northeast, toward Washington, District of Corruption; where all Americans are supposed to send everything they earn and get anything they need. Thomas Jefferson was absolutely correct: “A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have”. This Republic was founded on principles of self-dependance and self-determination. The current Administration fosters dependance on the state and subjugation of the will of the individual to the will of the state. Those are principles of Socialism.
215. LEONARD WILLIAMS | 08.20.09
To: Kruger and Dunning, I read your post and loved it!! Unfortunately, too many of our American citizens are suffering from a Palinish syndrome, or at least it seems that way. Keep the faith.
Leonard W.
216. rixt | 08.20.09
Kruger and Dunning may well be right. Obama certainly seems to gauge his competence far higher than the results of his actions would indicate. Then again, what would you expect from a politician who compared himself to Jesus Christ during his campaign for the Presidency?
217. bigEYE | 08.20.09
One of the most excellent things about this country is that we can criticize those in power. That wasn’t the case in merry old England. Rather than devolving into partisan name-calling, we should be celebrating that we can still make fun of the “king” regardless of party. That is amazing. Just try it in North Korea or Iran…
It makes me sad and embarrassed to see my fellow countrymen and -women treating one another with such disrespect, and I don’t mean the “art.” I mean the behavior on the Internet.
If we had to post our real names and email addresses in order to comment on a story, I imagine that some of the more infantile behavior might improve… THAT would be worthy of the Monitor name at the top of the page.
218. rixt | 08.20.09
No, that would be “Big Brother”, bigEYE. Obama tried that with the ’snitch line” at flag@whitehouse.gov. They had to shut it down after a couple of weeks because millions of Americans “snitched” on themselves because they had the courage of their convictions to tell the government that they are not willing to sacrifice their freedom of speech. Disrespect? This administration shows far greater disrespect for the citizenry than the citizenry shows for each other. Obama disrespects us when he calls for a “nanny state” because he judges us to be too stupid to make rational decisions for ourselves. He disrespects us when he outright lies and expects us to be too stupid to see through him. He further disrespects us when he calls for “transparency” and then hides his intentions behind doublespeak. I agree with you, it is indeed great that we still have these freedoms. Enjoy it while you can. The assault on the First Amendment (as well as other freedoms) has only just begun.
219. Jessie | 08.21.09
Everyone can slanderize the republicans all they want and draw cartoons of Bush all they want. As soon as Obama get cartooned all of a sudden it’s a full blown investigation and waste of time and money.
And for the record the reason the republican party lost the election was because they weren’t upholding the conservative ideals…they were becoming “soft” and acting liberal. For the people that refer to republicans as having small brains and being ignorant…JUST HOW DARE YOU!!! It is the democartic party that just loves to divide people and pit them against eachother. Whenever I try to force myself to watch CNN all I hear is how the diff categories of people (Blacks, Women, Latins ect.) are disgruntled and unhappy.
I agree with bigEYE that I am glad we live in a country with such freedom that we are allowed to disagree and poke fun at people in power. Not that I agree with disrespecting the president…both accounts I mentioned above with Bush and Obama were disrespectful; but I’m still glad we have that ability because once we lose that it’s a slippery slope down into socialism. And by the way what happened after those Joker Pics of Obama came out?…Haha see the correlation no one investigated the cartoonists who made fun of Bush but there is a full blown investigation for the Obama cartoonist.
220. Daniel Dalon | 08.21.09
I liked George Bush because I believe he was a complete Human being. Bush to me personifies how a normal human being should live his life. It was clear from the beginning when Bush inherited the Presidency, he had no plan of being a great leader, nor even a failed one. He merely wanted to be presido for 8 years. He was a president who wanted no enemies, wanted alot of friends, who just wanted to go to bed by 10pm and if possible wake up 10am. He was a leader who enjoyed his vacations and weekends at camp David. The American system of running things vis-a-vis the checks and balances has been designed to survive the most in-ept of leaders, so there was no reason why W would not have served his 8 years as a moderately successful pres and thereafter disappear in the relative obscurity of history…
But then 9-11 happened.
Of course at first W did not even realised the seriousness of 9-11, just as of course he later missed New Orleans…typical Bush. But then you now have a leader who had no plans of leading anyone suddenly bearing the heavy burdens of history. Bush had no choice but to strike out at the terrorist. That was not enough of course, he had to complete what he thought he father could not do…topple Saddam.
Of course Sadam and sons deserved all they got and the people of Iraq are actually better off in the long run without this dynasty, but it was not worth it to the America. A wiser US president would have instead protected US interest, made friends with a repentant Saddam, force Saddam to impose some phoney form of democracy, and Saddam would reward the Americans with large swats off oil fields and the Iraqis would still be subdued and oppressed. But of course, poor Bush, being an imagined man of honor would not accept such compromised, he thought he was better off finishing what his old man could not achieve.
The middle east is better place without Saddam.
Now to the question of Obama.
Some said he was not born in the US, well, so what? Suppose a pregnant American woman goes for a holiday in Brasil and the woman prematurely gives birth in Rio of her child, does that mean that that child will grow up not to aspire to be an American president as he has been born outside the US? A guy in the comments above even insisted that Obama’s place of birth should be investigated and thereafter impeached since he is already convinced that Obama is not an American…statements of a Wacko. I think the constitution is clear: Anyone not born a US citizen should not be presedent. Obama’s mother was a US citizen so Obama is a born US Citizen. Sadly to say in the Native Kenya that Obama’s father came from, were Obama’s mother from Kenya and his father were a US citizen Obama would not have been accepted as a Kenyan citizen, he would have been considered a white Foreigner and there was no way he could ever aspire to be a Kenyan president.
I think a lot of Obama haters are merely sour grapes who never expected a black man to be their president. Obama used to be called the skinny kid with funny name and big ears…I think they forgot to add “skin color”. Obama’s skin color reminds many of an Arab. And to many color haters, if there is one race they truly hate its the Arabs…not quite white, with an unaccetable religion, and with the capacity to compete against them for the same resources and, to mention, women.
While George B won the presidency because of his family background, Obama won neither because he was the brightest nor the most experienced, but because he was the most charismatic and least scandal tainted (Edwards J was similar charismatic, but camuoflagging a scandal). Obama is not going to perform miracles with either health care or the economy. I think the credits he will get is for not just sitting still while there is problem but attempting to do something no matter how ineffectual. Consider this: There was nothing George B nor any man in the world could have done to prevent New Orleans from happening, but after it happened Bush failed to seize credit for the variuos rescue efforts, instead he attended a well publisized fund-raising event. All he needed to do was publicly abandon fund-raising, rush to new orleans in the comfort and safety of his chopper and be photograghed with survivors in their tents. Of course his presence would have hindered some of the rescue efforts, but then the political benefits would have been enormous. And, never forget, that despised Bush attacked on Iraq, despise being a simple man that failed to deal with the pressures of office, in his 8 years in power the single event that destroyed Bush image beyond repair was New Orleans. I believe someone like Obama would not have missed the opportunity of New Orleans to emerge as a hero
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
Leave a Comment
We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. The comments feature is a forum to discuss the ideas in our stories. Constructive debate - even pointed disagreement - is welcome, but personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published.
Tip: Do not write a novel. Keep it short. We will not publish lengthy comments. Come up with your own statements. This is not a place to cut and paste an email you received. If we recognize it as such, we won't post it.
Please do not post any comments that are commercial in nature or that violate copyrights.
Finally, we will not publish any comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence.
1. Greg C | 08.18.09
Sad people. Get over it. We can be exposed to President Bush eating cats, or standing in front of nuclear clouds, or whatever else people like. But than someone paints Obama as the Joker, and oh’no. We must all be racist haters.