Radical Chic and Mau-Mauing the Flacks

The New Yorker cover offers and interesting pair of images. Obama himself is presented in the muslim clothing he wore while visiting a muslim nation a while ago. Thus, his image was created from something real. Behind him is an image of Osama bin Laden, the terrorist he has vowed to capture. In a recent speech Obama stated the US should hunt him down no matter where he is. Obama admitted bin Laden was most likely in Pakistan and that we should go get him. In other words, invade Pakistan. That seems to contradict his position on Iraq, the country from which he wants to withdraw our military forces immediately. His desire to switch from one country to another suggests he will become the Wack-a-Mole president if elected. If bin Laden is living relatively safely in Pakistan now, his living conditions would change for the worse following a US invasion of a country that is nominally an ally. However, if we were to depart from Iraq, it appears likely bin Laden would consider moving there. With no American forces in Iraq to kill him, it seems as though Iraq would become the best place for him to go. But, Obama has pledged to capture or kill him. Thus, if bin Laden were to slip into Iraq, Obama would send troops back to Iraq in pursuit of him.

The other half of the New Yorker cover that depicts his wife as a machine-gun carrying revolutionary is certainly a more fictional image than that of Obama himself. Unless Michelle attended a costume party dressed like a 60's black radical female engaged in the violent overthrow of the US government, the only place she's appeared in those duds is in the minds of millions of Americans who believe the Inner Michelle is a radical. But based on Michelle's statement that she only recently felt pride in her country as well as the beliefs she expressed in her Senior Thesis at Princeton, it's easy to understand why many people picture her as a violent revolutionary. Moreover, she spent most of her years between college and the start of her husband's presidential campaign listening to and agreeing with Reverend Wright, a black radical who praises Louis Farrakhan and blames white America for bringing 9/11 upon the country. As if that weren't enough, her belief in his preachings is so deep that she had her children join her in the pews to learn about America from the Reverend.

Meanwhile, Obama is angry at the New Yorker for publishing the images of his wife and him. He's especially angry about the image of his wife. Thus, the true satire and humor in this situation reflects the unintended consequence of revealing some basic truths -- among them the truth that even the New Yorker understands how millions of Americans are able to recognize the radical characteristics of Mr. and Mrs. Obama. Undoubtedly David Remnick, editor of the New Yorker, woke up a day or two later and realized the truth. "Oh my god," he said early one recent morning, "they really are radicals. But I guess I knew that all along."

The cover of the New Yorker revealed the subliminal beliefs of the artist and the editors. The artist depicted the thoughts of many non-New Yorker readers too. But it is Obama's liberal supporters who love his lengthy tirades about what is wrong with America and Americans who realize, even if only subconsciously, that he views much of America with contempt and that he has a dictator's desire to wipe out what he despises. In other words, Obama and his wife are everything the New Yorker cover suggested, and much more, and much worse.


Obama calls criticism of wife 'infuriating'

WASHINGTON (AP) - What gets under Barack Obama's skin? Criticism of his wife, Michelle Obama.

In an interview with Glamour magazine, Obama said attacks on his wife are "infuriating." The likely Democratic presidential nominee blamed the conservative press for going after his wife as if she were the candidate.

"If they have a difference with me on policy, they should debate me. Not her," Obama told the magazine.

An Associated Press-Yahoo poll suggests Michelle Obama has higher favorable ratings than Cindy McCain, wife of presumptive Republican nominee John McCain. However, Michelle Obama's unfavorable ratings are also higher.

Michelle Obama came under fire in February when she said she was proud of her country for the first time in her adult life. She later clarified her remark, saying she has always been proud of her country and was particularly proud to see so many people involved in the political process.

Obama said the attacks are ironic because his wife is "the most quintessentially American woman I know."

Michelle Obama, 44, has worked as a lawyer and hospital executive. The couple has two daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.

The Internet has been a double-edged sword for the Obama campaign. While it's allowed them to organize supporters and raise millions of dollars, Obama said it's also provided a vehicle for rumors and myths to spread quickly.

"It's very hard to catch up," he said.