Initially, Barack Obama called the cover “tasteless,” but his most recent comment, on Larry King Live, was an acknowledgment of the First Amendment and he essentially said that the satire fell on its face, but The New Yorker has its rights.
I’m not sure why this has ever been an issue. Literary magazines have always been involved in satire. Some magazines are nothing but satire. Others include satire in their daily mix. The best magazines use satire as a way to deliver an important message. The New Yorker cover was just making fun of stupid people who really believe that stuff about Obama. It’s point is to highlight the ignorance and blatant ridiculousness of a certain mindset. And Obama himself expressed some dismay, something I’d have expected from the unrefined McCain. But I’m glad the leading Democrat finally pulled his head out of his arse and saw the light. Now can all get back to taking things seriously.
