NY Post cartoonist under fire for portraying stimulus author as a dead chimp

[kpete]

NY Post cartoonist under fire for portraying stimulus author as a dead chimp.»

Today, the NY Post published a cartoon by Sean Delonas showing two police officers shooting a chimpanzee, in a reference to the recent incident in Connecticut where a pet chimp attacked a woman. In this cartoon, however, one of the policemen says, “They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill”:

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/02/18/nypost-chimp/



In a statement, the Rev. Al Sharpton questions the racism that appears to be in Delonas’s cartoon:

The cartoon in today’s New York Post is troubling at best given the historic racist attacks of African-Americans as being synonymous with monkeys. One has to question whether the cartoonist is making a less than casual reference to this when in the cartoon they have police saying after shooting a chimpanzee that “Now they will have to find someone else to write the stimulus bill.”

Being that the stimulus bill has been the first legislative victory of President Barack Obama (the first African American president) and has become synonymous with him it is not a reach to wonder are they inferring that a monkey wrote the last bill?

[bluestateguy]

1. A flagrant abuse of free speech

This must not be tolerated.

[Spazito]

6. Yeah, damn those free-speech-abusing protests about racism ....

I always find your posts.......interesting, to say the least.

[bluestateguy]

7. You do know that I kid around?

I intend to spend at least the next 12 months throwing back GOP talking points from the Bush years.

Sorry, if you didn't get it.

[Spazito]

11. My apologies!

I had wondered if that was your purpose but, in this instance, I forgot what I had wondered previously and re-acted more quickly than I should have. Thanks for confirming what you are doing and why. Again, my sincere apologies and please carry on!

[timtom]

74. Let's throw the light of reason on this debate

http://gawker.com/5155855/ten-masterpieces-from-sean-delona

This is pure hate.

[KittyWampus]

2. such a tasteless cartoon. And I say that as someone who dabbled in underground comix

long ago and far away.

I have to admit, the racist angle didn't occur to me right away.

At first I saw it as the "hundredth monkey" writing Shakespeare being linked up to poor Travis, a beloved pet, who was shot dead yesterday because of his innate wild tendencies.

[kpete]

4. i saw

bush, the chimp (first visual association for me)

anyway, this guy is a jerk:
In 2006 New York Post Publishes Second Anti-Gay Cartoon in Three Weeks

October 27, 2006

The New York Post does it again in its October 27 edition. Two days after the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that discrimination against same-sex couples violates that state's equal protection requirement, the New York Post published a cartoon by Sean Delonas depicting a man carrying a sheep wearing a bridal veil to a "New Jersey Marriage Licenses" window

http://www.glaad.org/action/write_now_detail.php?id=3924

[lame54]

3. What about the editor?

[Quantess]

5. But...George W. Bush didn't write the stimulus bill!

...drumroll...

Seriously, though, this is an extremely lame and unfunny cartoon at best. At worst, it's a racist joke. However it was intended, it falls flat.

[Zywiec]

8. Neither did Obama!!!!! n/t

[Romulox]

20. Quiet! You'll ruin the media fire storm with your "facts"!

:sarcasm:

[bdamomma]

63. and think there wouldn't be no stimulus bill if george didn't fuck up everything.

[SOS]

9. The year is 2003.

A chimpanzee has been shot.
A newspaper prints this cartoon with the caption:

“Now they will have to find someone else to write the Iraq War Resolution.”

Question for the scum at the The NY Post:
Still funny?

[T Wolf]

10. Advocating the murder of the President is supposed to be illegal, but I guess it only appliesl

to pukes.

Even when * was called a chimp, I do not recall any published cartoons urging his killing.

[jmg257]

12. Lost me. How is this advocating the murder of the president???

[T Wolf]

14. The pigs shot the stand-in for Pres. Obama, or am I looking at a different cartoon?

That was the first thing I noticed.

[seabeyond]

16. it is what it looks like to me. n/t

[jmg257]

18. Ahh - OK - I did not look at it that way. (as I know Obama did not write the bill).

[seabeyond]

26. purposely obtuse? of course you are excusing something outrageous

by finding an out.

you are well aware that everyone gives the bill to obama regardless of him actually sittin down and writing the damn things

that is about stupid

edit: left out a couple words

[jmg257]

28. What?

"you are well aware that everyone gives the bill regardless of him actually sittin down and writing the damn things"

What does this mean?

I will make it simple:

Did Obama write the bill? No.

Would "needing another stimulus bill writer" have anything to do with killing or shooting Obama, or camparing HIM to a monkey. No.

Move along.

[951-Riverside]

68. No matter how you try to twist it Obama did not author the bill.

You're getting upset over NOTHING.

[closeupready]

17. Oh, please. You can't be that ignorant.

Open your eyes.

[jmg257]

21. I did. Saw it as comparing the bill writers to having the intelligence of a monkey. Who wrote it?

Wasn't Obama, was it?

[closeupready]

22. You're blind, too?

:eyes:

[jmg257]

25. Cops...dead monkey... guns.. text... cars...sidewalk...

though I do wear reading glasses.

Nope, apparently not blind.


:woohoo:

[closeupready]

27. Okay. So you're eight years old then, right?

:rofl:

[jmg257]

29. Must be obtuse, as I don't get this either... Blind? 8 yrs old? Not following.

:crazy:

edited to add graphic representation of your line of "reasoning".

[closeupready]

34. Never mind. You are the only one playing dumb here, so it doesn't matter.

Have a nice day.

[jmg257]

42. Cheers! You too! nt

[Zodiak]

13. Isn't the Post a right wing rag?

Then they knew what they were doing when they published this cartoon. And, as usual, they were not subtle enough to disguise their racism.

Fucking disgusting that this shit is allowed to be published in a newspaper in the US.

[Quantess]

15. It's allowed in the US because of free speech.

But clearly, just because the newspaper can print it doesn't necessarily mean they should. The editorial judgment reflects poorly on the NY Post.

[Zodiak]

49. Sorry, when I mean allowed, I meant the editors allowing it

Of course they have the right to do this. But as you say, there is no reason they should.....it is unprofessional, divisive, hateful, and seemingly contrived.

[Quantess]

56. Sounds about right.

I would have been surprised if you really didn't know about freedom of speech in the USA. :hi:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

23. We have this thing called freedom of speech

Anyway, I LOVE the NY Post. It's pretty much just a tabloid and they have the most hysterical headlines. I'll never forget "Jacko the Wacko on his Backo!" after Michael Jackson collapsed somewhere.

[Zodiak]

48. This is not an issue of freedom of speech

Of course they have the right to post such bullshit racism, but it doesn't mean they should. It is fucking disgusting. And it is poor reflection on us as a culture when a semi-major newspaper puts something like this out an expects no one to bat an eye.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

50. I'm not saying that should do it, I'm just saying they have the right to

[timtom]

73. Don't know if you saw this or not

but definitely worth a look.

http://gawker.com/5155855/ten-masterpieces-from-sean-delonas

Freedom of speech?

[Romulox]

19. Someone might inform Al Sharpton that the President doesn't write legislation...

But I'm sure such minor facts will be of no interest...

[spanone]

30. maybe inform the feller who did the cartoon.

[Romulox]

32. So we just ASSUME he's a racist, and make up whichever facts necessary to support our conclusion?

Is it possible that cartoonist is also aware that the President doesn't write legislation?

[Seeking Serenity]

47. My crossword puzzle has many more WHITE squares than BLACK ones

ergo, we can easily conclude that the puzzle's creator is a racist since he obviously favors white over black.

See, it's not so difficult to find racism behind every tree and lurking behind every human action, as long as you know HOW to look.

[Lavender Brown]

52. The Times article indicates this cartoonist has a history of offensive work

He's pulled crap like this before.

[Chorophyll]

31. To the general public --

most of whom don't hang out on political discussion boards -- the stimulus bill belongs to Obama.

And the New York Post is a notoriously right-wing rag. They know exactly what they're doing here.

[Romulox]

33. I'm sorry, but I'd like something more substantial than third party misconceptions

if we're going to convict a man of being a racist in the court of public opinion...

[Chorophyll]

35. Look...

It's 2009. We have an African American president. This is a New York Post cartoon in which two white police officers have shot a chimp dead, with the implication that the chimp wrote the economic stimulus bill.

It's not difficult to read racism into this image, unless you've been living under a rock for 400 years.

[Romulox]

37. You've skipped a step: President Obama DID NOT WRITE THE STIMULUS BILL.

"It's not difficult to read racism into this image, unless you've been living under a rock for 400 years."

No, it's not difficult to "read racism into this image", but it is apparently difficult to justify doing so with any sort of logic. :shrug:

[Chorophyll]

39. You're being obtuse.

You know Obama didn't write it. Okay, you're a genius. But do you ever watch the local news on TV? They call it "Obama's Stimulus Bill." Again, most people identify this bill with Obama. Certainly readers of the NY Post do.

Do you seriously believe that editorials (whether cartoon, written or broadcast) are only based on FACT and never on sneaky implication? Does Rush Limbaugh not EXIST where you live?

[Romulox]

46. *I'm* being obtuse? I think you are projecting.

"You know Obama didn't write it. Okay, you're a genius. "

No, but I've seen Schoolhouse Rock a few times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ

[Chorophyll]

54. One more time: I know Obama didn't write the thing, okay?

Nevertheless, the public associates it with him, as many others besides myself have already pointed out. Bye!

[Romulox]

58. I'm sorry, but if it takes you two or three leaps of logic to brand something as "racist"

(And at least 2 of these leaps are based on misinformation and ignorance) then I think maybe you are stretching to see what you want to see (i.e. that all criticism of the present government must, by definition, be "racist".)

[sunnybrook]

61. The point is the perception of the general public

Do you think the road tour he has taken to small towns to get support for the stimulus package, which was then heralded as the big accomplishment of his young presidency in the media, do you really think that most people associate the chimp with congress, because in actual point of fact, Obama did not WRITE the bill, blah, blah, blah... I am talking about real world perceptions.

Besides that, do you really think the editors and cartoonists had no idea that some might associate this with Obama? I am sure they are blindsided by the reaction!

Another point is that there always is an underlying fear about Obama being shot, many people are very anxious about this subject, regarding our country's history and people like King, the Kennedys, etc....

Furthermore, OK this is not racist... Let me ask you this: Do you really think that this cartoon will not be the most popular thing to hit true racists, who will post it up in their body shops or wherever? Think about that: there was a bar reportedly taking bets on when he would be assassinated with a sign that said "Let's hope somebody wins!" They will want this in poster size! To deny this because you are a student of legislative procedure is a technicality. This is wrong on so many levels.

[Romulox]

65. OK. What makes you think that you have some unique insight into same?

"Do you think the road tour he has taken to small towns to get support for the stimulus package, which was then heralded as the big accomplishment of his young presidency in the media, do you really think that most people associate the chimp with congress, because in actual point of fact, Obama did not WRITE the bill, blah, blah, blah... I am talking about real world perceptions."

:shrug: I don't know. If everything has to be filtered through the perceptions of idiots, it's a tough call. I'd hope that most people who read a newspaper regularly know how a bill becomes a law, however. This is basic cultural literacy we're talking about.

"Furthermore, OK this is not racist... Let me ask you this: Do you really think that this cartoon will not be the most popular thing to hit true racists, who will post it up in their body shops or wherever?"

No. I think swastikas will continue to be more popular than this with true racists.

[sunnybrook]

66. most people who read a newspaper regularly?

OK, then we agree we are not talking about the majority of the American public. It is unfortunate that the literacy you refer to is deficient. This is however a reality

[Romulox]

67. Most people who saw the strip in its original context saw it in the paper.

At any rate, I said: "I'd hope that most people who read a newspaper regularly know how a bill becomes a law, however. "

That is not at all the same thing as saying "most people read a newspaper regularly".

[Lars39]

36. It's known as "Obama's Stimulus Plan".

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/us/politics/26talkshow.html?hp

[Romulox]

38. He didn't write it. nt

[Chorophyll]

40. He signed it.

Everyone associates it with him. Why so hot to deny even the possibility of racism?

[Romulox]

44. The cartoon didn't say a word about signing anything,.

"Why so hot to deny even the possibility of racism?"

Because I believe that the burden of proof lies with the person making the allegation. That's basic to the American system of justice and also basic to the notion of fair play.

[Chorophyll]

55. You're absolutely infuriating, Romulux.

It's an editorial cartoon. A good many people see it as racist. You don't; that's fine. I don't see anyone suggesting the cartoonist be lynched, so what's your problem?

[Romulox]

57. I think it's telling that you find a respectfully voiced difference of opinion "infuriating"

"It's an editorial cartoon. A good many people see it as racist. You don't; that's fine. I don't see anyone suggesting the cartoonist be lynched, so what's your problem?"

I don't have a problem. You're the one who is "infuriated" by my voicing a difference of opinion on a discussion board. Is it possible that this isn't about racism for you, but rather control of other's points of view? :hi:

[Chorophyll]

60. Yes. You've got me pegged.

Good day sir. :eyes:

[Romulox]

64. Agreed.

:silly:

[Lars39]

41. A distinction mostly overlooked by the media and watching public.

[Romulox]

45. So is this projecting? *I* didn't know that the President didn't write the bill

and *I* missed the news about the rampaging chimp being shot, so it hurts my ego to admit that someone else may have known this? :shrug:

[Name removed]

43. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sofa king]

24. And I blame George W. Bush!

Seriously, it's his fault, for making it acceptable to compare politicians to chimpanzees in the first place.

It's Bush's fault for resembling a deranged chimpanzee, both in appearance and in intellect, and in diligence, responsibility, planning, and overall competence. Hell, America would have been better served with that crazy-ass chimpanzee in charge, because the real chimp would have only seriously injured anyone who came near it, instead of killing a million innocent people.

Okay, so now the game changes because we have a President of a certain background, and now it's no longer cool to compare this particular President with less politically adept primates (except, of course, George W. Bush). But all the assholes out there are going to conveniently forget it at least once, just to get their little racist digs in.

Just remember that George W. Bush earned the comparison through his law-of-the-jungle philosophies--if he can be credited with even having such things--and his actions. Barack H. Obama will not earn it, and that's the difference.

[ismnotwasm]

51. What a fucking racist asshole

Or perhaps he's simply he's kissing fucking racist ass, or stirring up fucking whiny "I'm not a racist but" racist apologists.


The usual suspects.

[Raine]

53. DISGUSTING

it's so insulting and tasteless on so many levels. :argh:

[radfringe]

59. aside from the obvious racism as a first thought

my second thought was to change the caption to read "They'll have to find someone else to draw their cartoons"

[bdamomma]

62. this is full frontal assault on this President by the media whores

[Karenina]

70. BINGO!

[Redstone]

69. It's pure fucking racism, and anyone who says it's not is racist themself. Period.

Redstone

[Seeking Serenity]

75. Go pound sand.

[ZombieHorde]

76. What does that mean, "Go pound sand"?

And where did the saying come from?

[Seeking Serenity]

77. It's an expression of disdain, akin to "Go fly a kite."

It's American in origin, dating back, IIRC, to the 19th century. Heard more often in the midwest and midsouth than in other parts of the country.

Usual contemporary context is that the object of the disdain should do something more meaningful and important, like pounding sand (sarcasm), rather than engaging in the behaviour that lead to the disdain.

In the context of my usage here, that the poster who asserted that anyone who doesn't see the racism in the cartoon (presumably to the same degree as he sees it) is also a racist should go do somethng more important and meaningful, like pounding sand (or flying a kite, if you prefer). Overblown, overbroad, hyperbolic generalizations will usually elicit a similar response from me.

[ZombieHorde]

78. Wow, now it makes sense. Thanks for lesson. nt

[Seeking Serenity]

79. And you have a most wonderful rest of your day!

:hi:

[TWiley]

71. New Yor Post Contact Link ......... email your comments here:

http://www.nypost.com/contact/contactus.htm

It's the whole shebang. Go at it DU!

[TWiley]

72. Here is a copy of my first email to the Post

While I do support the principle of free speech, it has become obvious to me that corporate media will go to any length to promote fascism. The inclusion of the "dead monkey cartoon" in your publication is obviously racist and directly proves that it is the intention of your organization to support and promote the assissination of President Obama. It is my hope that Federal Agents will take your published threat seriously and begin a thourough investigation.

Please submit a list of those who advertise in your shoddy rag so an internet boycot can begin.

Bring back the fairness doctrine, and send Rupert Murdock back to the dark ages.

I sent it to: [e-mail]