Murdoch apologizes for Chimp cartoon (even he knows what it was)

[Uzybone]

While some DUers remain in denial.

All the same, fuck Rupe.


http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/murdoch-apologizes-for-chimp-cartoon/?hp

"Here’s the full text of Mr. Murdoch’s stronger apology:

As the Chairman of the New York Post, I am ultimately responsible for what is printed in its pages. The buck stops with me.

Last week, we made a mistake. We ran a cartoon that offended many people. Today I want to personally apologize to any reader who felt offended, and even insulted.

Over the past couple of days, I have spoken to a number of people and I now better understand the hurt this cartoon has caused. At the same time, I have had conversations with Post editors about the situation and I can assure you — without a doubt — that the only intent of that cartoon was to mock a badly written piece of legislation. It was not meant to be racist, but unfortunately, it was interpreted by many as such.

We all hold the readers of the New York Post in high regard and I promise you that we will seek to be more attuned to the sensitivities of our community."

[berni_mccoy]

1. "it was interpreted by many as such."

[Uzybone]

2. Yeah, its your standard non-apology apology

but its much better than the "apology" the Post released.

[Beacool]

5. It's a fair assessment.

Not everyone thought that the dead chimp was meant to portray Obama.

:shrug:

[SunsetDreams]

7. Even if some didn't think it was meant to portray Obama,

the violence depicted in the cartoon is still wrong, no matter who it was aimed at.

[Beacool]

10. It was an asinine cartoon and not very funny,

but the signing of the stimulus bill and the dead chimp were the headlines of the day. This cartoonist always takes the day's headline and spins it into a political cartoon that usually skewers the Democrats (since it's for the RW NY Post).

Having seen many of his other toons before, I think that he probably would have submitted the same toon regardless of who was president. But, considering that the president is biracial, he and the paper should have known that it could be misinterpreted.

:eyes:

[Occam Bandage]

22. The violence was what actually happened. The chimp was shot dead. nt

[tekisui]

8. But anyone could see that would be the interpretation by many.

[Beacool]

12. Yes and they should have pulled it if nothing else to avoid misinterpretation.

On the other hand, do comedians and cartoonists have to walk on eggshells for the next 4 to 8 years? They never balked at making fun of Bush, Bill, Hillary, McCain, Palin, etc.; but when it comes to Obama they seem fearful to offend. Several articles have even been written on this subject.

:shrug:

[tekisui]

16. I think making fun of our elected leaders is a time honored

tradition, and one that will and should continue under Obama. Comedians and writers don't have to walk on eggshells, but they must be sensitive to making fun of Obama and NOT making fun of or using his race as the 'joke'.

[Beacool]

27. True, but so far they haven't figured out how to do it.

It seems that they are petrified of crossing some line and getting the reaction that the Post got. Interestingly enough, they never had those inhibitions with the first woman to almost win a presidential nomination. Hillary got skewered right, left and sideways. Most of it was quite sexist, but not many people batted an eyelash. Why is that? Is sexism so embedded in our society that it's perfectly acceptable to make fun of a female presidential candidate's butt, cleavage, ankles, age, clothes, voice ("shrill"), laughter ("cackle"), etc.? These were all comments made by the MSM, people who should have known better. And you know what was even worse? The total silence from the party leadership. Not a peep from Pelosi, Dean and the other big shots in the party.

Whatever........

x(

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. Says the person who likes the Obama sock monkey.

:shrug:

[Beacool]

13. I would have liked a Hillary sock monkey too.

I would probably have bought both of them. I like monkeys and have several stuffed ones that people have given me over the years. Heck, I even have a little Curious George hanging from my rear view mirror.

Sometimes a monkey is just a monkey...........

;)

PS, I already explained this to you before, but you insist on bringing it up at every opportunity.

:eyes:

[Raineyb]

17. I seriously doubt that they would've made a Hillary Clinton sock monkey. n/t

[Uzybone]

19. If they made a Hillary witch doll

Or a "you asked for it" black and blue doll. I'm sure that would have been fine too right?

Directed at the person who thinks an Obama monkey doll is just fine, not you.

[Beacool]

24. IF they made a witch doll?????

Where have you been all these years? There's a cottage industry of objects that are anti Bill and Hillary that have probably made some people wealthy. The latest item that was mass produced and sold thousands is the Hillary nutcracker. Also, there's a charming t-shirt with Obama and Hillary's pic on it that says "Bros before Hoes" that sold like hotcakes among certain groups.

Add to that the 60 + books written on Hillary, most of them filled with lies and innuendo.

So, been there, done that. Yawn........

:eyes:

[Uzybone]

25. Thats the point, its offensive, as is the Obama monkey

Witch doll = sexist

Monkey toy = racist

You understand it now don't you?

[Beacool]

26. Of course I get it.

My point was that the toy itself was cute and that it's a pity the negative connotation given to monkeys. For example, Vermont Teddy Bear had a charming presidential series of Hillary, Obama, McCain, Palin and Biden bears. I didn't hear a peep of complaint from anyone about them.

;-)

[KansDem]

3. Sounds like Lee Iacocca's "It was a dumb idea" statement after Chrysler was caught...

...dissconnecting the odometers of new cars so the managers could drive them for several weeks, then have the odometers reconnected and the cars sold as new.

And this, only a few years after the US taxpayer (and consumer) bailed them out!

CHRYSLER IS INDICTED OVER MILEAGE SHOWN ON SOME NEW CARS

Published: June 25, 1987

LEAD: The Chrysler Corporation was indicted today on charges of fraud for disconnecting the odometers on at least 60,000 cars used by its executives and then selling the cars as new, without the accumulated miles showing.

The Chrysler Corporation was indicted today on charges of fraud for disconnecting the odometers on at least 60,000 cars used by its executives and then selling the cars as new, without the accumulated miles showing.

Two Chrysler executives were also named in the indictment, handed up by a Federal grand jury in St. Louis.

Chrysler denied that it had done anything illegal and said the cars were part of a program to test quality control. It did not deny disconnecting the odometers, however, and said that in the future it would keep them connected so customers would be aware of the mileage.

--more--
NY Times

Yeah, sure, Lee...whatever...:eyes:

edited for spelling...

[SunsetDreams]

4. Even though I can't stand Murdoch, this is better than the Editor.

Although I realize you can mince words.

[AtomicKitten]

6. The NAACP has climbed up Murdoch's ass and this is the first time he's blinked.

Kudos to Julian Bond and Al Sharpton for leading the charge.

[quantass]

9. Murdoch had no choice since NYP would be branded a "racist" paper and membership would fall since...

who would want to be labeled a racist for being a subscriber to a racist paper. Murdoch did the right

[4lbs]

14. Can't a Repuke issue an ACTUAL apology? Is it against their DNA?

Hint for Repukes on an actual apology:

"I made a really huge mistake last week. I offended American citizens all across the nation with my stupid and banal attempt at humor. It is indefensible and inexcusable. I take full responsibility for it. In the future, I will make sure to consider the ramifications of my actions and how they will be perceived."

A TRUE apology requires that one verbally, figuratively, beat themselves up. Use words and phrases like "I was an idiot", "I was stupid", "There is no excuse for what I did", etc.

None of this "I'm sorry if you were offended" or "unfortunately, you misinterpreted things."

Remember Hugh Grant appearing on the Tonight Show after getting caught with the hooker? He said how stupid he was and that he truly screwed up. People accepted it and he was quickly back as an acting favorite.

President Obama quite plainly, "I screwed up!" regarding the Daschle appointment. Succinct, and very contrite. Then when he joked about it a few days later at the Lincoln honorary dinner, people laughed with him.

[Uncle Joe]

15. Offense was just one side of a two bladed sword, this cartoon also served as affirmation.

There are still ignorant, fearful people full of hate and racism living in America, to deny that is to deny gravity.

While on the one hand this cartoon cut those offended by it, it also served to subliminally reinforce or knight those sad people living their lives under the petty, destructive dogma of racism with a thinly disguised public depiction of perceived racism in action.

This is why I contend, cartoonist's conscious intention or not, this served the purpose of de facto racism at best and blatant racism at worst. I wouldn't be surprised to find this cartoon used as propaganda in some KKK, Aryan Nation, Skinhead etc. meeting.

It would be nice if Murdoch or the New York Post repudiated the subliminal or perceived message sent to those racists, instead of just half heartedly apologizing to the people offended.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Uzybone]

20. Thanks for the name calling

I disagree vehemently.

[Occam Bandage]

21. Er, his apology is pretty much "it wasn't racist, but it could be taken as such." nt

[lunatica]

23. The fact is many racists don't realize that's what they are

You don't have to have hatred in your heart to be a racist. All you have to do is think you're better and more deserving than others.

[goclark]

29. Well said ....

[Rashel]

28. Nice legacy for Black History month, Murdoch.

[Mr. Sparkle]

30. /me looks out the window

Hmmm, what to believe. Murdock apologizes for his lack of media oversight or a flying pig.

This is a toughie, i'm going to need some time to think about this!