Today when I first saw the headlines and saw the cover I had the same "WTF" reaction that most people had. But then...
I watched two different programs with representatives from the New Yorker telling their side. At the very least I think we can all agree that their intentions were in the right place.
A few days ago I had a conversation with my mother-in-law, where we're staying until we get into our home. She told me, "the only problem I have with Obama is his ties to Islam." I stayed calm and educated her about all the lies and smears, most of which she had heard. She seemed receptive but her body language said otherwise. I got the impression that she was politely humoring me, and still questioned his background.
The statistics are astounding. It's shameful that such a huge percentage of our country is so easily duped into any convenient lie. Americans are proud. We don't like to be fooled, and yet, it's so easy I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Nothing is working. Our efforts on the blogs aren't working. The talking heads for the Democratic party aren't working. "Fight the smears" dot com isn't working.
I think we need this shake up. A huge media controversy that, in the end, puts the absurdity of the bogus smears front and center. When Congressman Joe Blow (D) goes on record and corrects the smears it's not sexy. Someone standing up and telling the TRUTH is booooriiiinggggg zzzzzz. But this IS sexy, and it finally gives the outrageousness of the lies the attention it deserves.
For far too long the pundits would casually mention the embarrassingly high number of Americans who believe all this crap. There has been absolutely no shock or outrage over it. They just say, oh well. It's politics as usual. The satirical cartoon is shocking and over the top, and that's the way it should be because the LIES are shocking and over the top.
I understand why people are offended on many fronts. But you need to look at it this way... the GOP machine has been offending Barack Obama (and thus, Americans) all this time with a free pass. It’s about God damned time people get offended.
So, though I'm likely the minority, well done New Yorker Magazine.