Something has been missing so far in this mess. And that something is intent.
Intent matters. A lot. It matters in the same way that intent spells the difference between manslaughter and murder.
If the NYP cartoonist or the editor who gave the green light on this intentionally meant to portray Obama as a Chimp, that is offensive.
But more to the point:
If they intentionally meant the Chimp to symbolize Obama, and then symbolically shot Obama, they could be arrested and prosecuted for inciting the assassination of the President. They can also be nailed on inciting a hate crime,
Big Difference. Big Deal.
Intent matters. A lot.