I know what I am. I am disgusted with the New York Post for publishing this racist garbage in the first place!

Absolutely ridiculous....a chimp was shot in connecticut...had nothing to do with assassination or racism...the monkey represented the monkeys in congress who wrote this bill...obama just signed it...

If African Americans see themselves as monkeys...God help them..

If they would just consider themselves Americans..instead of African Americans....they would stop segregating themselves..

I find it amusing that black opportunists see it as racist, yet no one else even made the connection that it was representing blacks.

Intelligent people saw it for what it was, an attack on the idiots (mostly white) that wrote Obama's stimulus package.

Put 500 monkeys in a room with a typewriter and eventually one will type Shakespeare, but in this case we got a scandalous package loaded with pork.

Grow up and quit whining about racism that isn't there.

Hallelujah!!!

There is an old saying that if you put 100 monkeys in a room with typewriters, after a while they might actually write a novel. It's an obvious knock on the bill that was written by Congress. And if anyone actually stopped and thought about it, which you are supposed to do with political cartoons, everyone would see that.

Bridget and Captain Marvelous have hit the nail on the head!! This is reminiscent of that scene from "The Apprentice" where Omarosa accuses the other contestent of being racist when she uses the term "The pot calling the kettle black". As ridiculous as that accusation was, I'm sure that there were people watching who agreed with her.

There is an old saying that if you put 100 monkeys in a room with typewriters, after a while they might actually write a novel. It's an obvious knock on the bill that was written by Congress. And if anyone actually stopped and thought about it, which you are supposed to do with political cartoons, everyone would see that.

There is an old saying that if you put 100 monkeys in a room with typewriters, after a while they might actually write a novel. It's an obvious knock on the bill that was written by Congress. And if anyone actually stopped and thought about it, which you are supposed to do with political cartoons, everyone would see that.

There is an old saying that if you put 100 monkeys in a room with typewriters, after a while they might actually write a novel. It's an obvious knock on the bill that was written by Congress. And if anyone actually stopped and thought about it, which you are supposed to do with political cartoons, everyone would see that.

"We" is his PAC that "We" will want money deposited into. It's called extortion and Sharpton has in nailed down.

I can't wait for the day that Al Sharpton finally becomes irrevelant to all the blacks in this country. The man is a racist.

You people are in denial. A SINGLE BLACK DEAD MONKEY is not a reference to Congress. Congress is made up of a lot of people.Most of them not black.

We have 1 black president, and cartoon might have well have said, "it feels good to shoot that n###ger president".

Anybody remember Howard Cosell, saying, "look at that little monkey run"?

I am so tired of Al Sharpton. If a reference to an animal is racist why reply with the lion analogy? Pure DUMB— — _

Bridget M

Absolutely ridiculous....a chimp was shot in connecticut...had nothing to do with assassination or racism...the monkey represented the monkeys in congress who wrote this bill...obama just signed it...

----------------------------------------------

a chimp was shot in connecticut...had nothing to do with assassination or racism...

Then why was cartoon trying to link chimp & bailout?

Hey str8talk - would it have been better if it was a brown monkey? Remember when they referred to our past president as a monkey? Was that racist? Get over the color of peoples skin. Are we not all equal? If so, grow a spine and move on.

Blacks have been compared to apes since the movie King Kong. Are you people dum, or just anti-anything sharpton. Al is WAY over the line most of the time, but on this...well, I hate to admit it, he's RIGHT.

If Obama was white, they could spin the cartoon to represent a "dumb" "leader". But Obama is not white, this can only point to him as the dead monkey.

I don't know which would be worse. Did the editors NOT see the link between a dead black monkey, and the president, and print in ignorance? Or did they see the possible conneciton, and print it, in spite of how it can be easliy taken as a racist attack?

I think this whole thing was blown out of proportion. It was highly inappropriate, yes, but I don't think it was racist.

Course that's what happens with free speech, some people just go too far.

it's time the rest of the nation go and demostrate together for our right to freedom of speech...the blacks monkeys got aways with this disgrace of the race card abuse, cause we the none black didn't show at the post to show our support for our right...

this is so offensive to every american...

racism is legal it's our rigth...it not agaist the law...

we the people need to unite and end this nonsense of the racist card..used to supress our opinions...and freedom of speech...

the blacks need to apoligize to the rest of us... if they think of themself as monkey well be it...their monkey...

Evolutionists keep trying to tell us that all humans developed from chimpanzees, not just one race of people. So why would this cartoon be racist?

I am not sure what the intention of the paper was... however, there were many comments regarding what should be done to Bush and Clinton before him... in that regard, I took offense then, now when comments like this come up, and even in this case. But such is Free speech... which I am exercising now.

why do we have a president who feels inferior to every one else...his the lead if he's inferior to the rest of us....that's not gonne be good new for any one...

wait the blacks are going to treat news vine for my comment they'll show up again...by the from door...... who will be able to speak from now on...??????

Only a racist would see racism in that cartoon. And, by George, Al did see it. Of course.

If anything, monkeys should be offended for being compared to Congress. I know I would be.

I didn't see the black asking for respect when clinton was made fun off every one thought it was funny....it suck having a black president if we can't even have a joke at his expense like all the other presidents...

america needs to walk infront of the court house to demostrate we want un end to this nonsense...we are all going down...equally...regarless of race...the economy sucks... no more favoritism to the blacks...

I am going to be the devil here and say to al sharpton stuff a sock in it. Why do people like sharpton or jackson have to make trouble. As always just my opinion.

Just a thunk, but why was nobody upset when former Pres. Bush was portrayed as a monkey on so many occassions? Why is nobody ever upset when a white person is portrayed negatively in a cartoon?

I do not believe that the cartoon was attempting to make a racist joke, it may have come across that way but I do not believe that was the intent. But if we are going to be in an uproar over this lets be fair and protect all races when they are portrayed negatively and protest all newspapers that do it. It is all or none.

As a white person I am pretty offended by the cartoon "Boondocks". The link is not an advertisement but more an example of a cartoon that will be happy to berate whites, and blacks for that matter, and the uproar over that is where?

http://boondockstv.com/

Bridget M.,

African- Americans have never seen themselves as monkeys. But have been depicted, and characterized as such since the days of slavery. Now, if you are ignorant to that fact, then you need to educate yourself. But don't blame the offended... for being offended. If I as an African-American male tell you, I have a problem with it, then there's a problem. It doesn't matter whether, or not you have a problem with it. I don't find it hard to believe that you could be ignorant enough not to know the connotation depicted in the cartoon, but I find it extremely hard to believe that the Post didn't know.

As for segregating ourselves...yeah we also enslaved ourselves. We also sold off our wives, and children to the highest bidder. And then after slavery ended, we came up with Jim Crow laws, so we could oppress ourselves. You know, so we couldn't own property, or attend the schools we wanted, or eat, shop, or live where we wanted, or vote and have a say in how we would be treated by our own government.

I'll stop considering myself African-American, and just American. When America stops considering me a black man, and considers me just a man.

"fightback"

if you are going to speak nonsense about the topic, the least you can do is ensure that your post is grammatically correct. what in Heaven's name are you attempting to say in your posts? hooked on phonics didn't work for you i see....shame

Randy,

You are correct regarding the "if i tell you I have a problem with it" statement. If you say you are offended then you are, who are we to tell you different.

Please undertand something though, you generalize using the term "America" as though we are all racist. I have been called a honky, a cracker, whitey, and so on by black people, I suppose that since I am called by these racist names all black people in America are racist? Generalizations dont work for either side, do they?

And you may want to hold up a moment on the statements about enslaving yourselves. Many of the Africans that were brought here on slave ships were not taken by force, many were sold to slave traders by the tribes in Africa. These slaves were the vanquished tribes that had been taken as slaves by the victors in battle. This is still something that goes in today in many parts of Africa and the Middle East.

I could not care less what your race is, I judge a person by their character not by their race. But please return the favor to those of us that do that for you?

fightback -

you head for the courthouse, we will all meet you there, um , later. Please save us a spot.

And just an fyi, you can still make a joke at his expense, just like any of the other presidents, he is not off limits, but jokes about anyones race are.

Jarhead In WI,

Point well taken. When I say "America", I mean America as a society. I stand by that. I do not mean however, that all Americans are racist. Racists come in all shades, and hues, this is true. And yes, some slaves were sold to Europeans by other Africans. But the thing many people miss when making this point, is that Africans had a totally different concept of slavery than their European counterparts. As for modern day slavery, it does exist in Africa, but is still a far cry from the slave trade that existed between countries doing slavery's peak.

I have always judged people as individuals, based on their character, and will continue to do so. But you need only to read many of the comments posted on this very site, to realize I state the obvious, when I say "America" as a society is racist.

Quote: "I find it amusing that black opportunists see it as racist, yet no one else even made the connection that it was representing blacks."

Well, I'm just an old white guy, but I saw the connection as soon as I saw the cartoon and have to say that only a moron would not. Now, as my father used to say if you don't think so, "either you think I'm awfully stupid, or you're awfully stupid, and either way we have a real problem." How stupid, at best, and racist at worst.

Sharpton is an A$$.

You know, I don't think it would have made any difference if the cartoonist depicted cops shooting a giraffe. They'd say giraffes are from africa so they must have meant Obama. RACISTS!!! Personally, I think sharpton and those like him hate whites and just look for things to use against us. And if you think this means I'm racist, just pull up a chair and I'll tell you a short story. I was in the Army. Career. I worked under a lot of soldiers who's skin color was black. I didn't consider that as a factor in my service to that soldier. I did the very best I could for him or her. There was a Sergean Major when I was in Hawaii, who was black, who I pretty much idolized. Whenever I was around him I thought, that's the kind of soldier I wanted to be. I respected and wanted to emulate him not because of his skin color but because of who he was. Because of what he did. How he lived. He was a true soldier.

I thought the cartoon was pretty funny, myself. I knew as soon as I saw it, thouh, that it was a dangerous cartoon. I knew many would link it to Obama. I also know that admitting this can be used against me. There would be those who'd say in my mind I understood this because people link blacks with monkeys. To that I say I'm aware of the historical significance of the link but if we truly want to be free of racism we have to allow the artist meant nothing of the sort. Sure, there are going to be dinosaurs out there who think it means just that. And I mean those who felt that the cartoon was racist and those who thought it was actually about Obama.

Sharpton and his ilk are living in the past. Look at today's youth. If ever there was a generation that didn't care about race, this has to be it. The only downside is today's youth, regardless of color, seem to emulate the worst aspects of our society.

rofl, is it just me being sleepy or does not that picture of the senator holding up the monkey cartoon look strikingly similar;)

MSBNC wake up, Obama didn't write the stimulus. And don't try to deny the angle of shot was set deliberalty to compare the monkey and the black senator holding it up. Race baters!

Why do blacks always think things are racist. NAACP needs to be sued for racism. People need to get over there hate for each other. I hate no one maybe stupid people. Its funny. No one screamed when they made fun of bush , or hillary. Give it a break

Sharpton has crawled out from beneath the rock again. This clown has no right to complain about rascism. Hes one of the biggest rascist in the land. So please Al go away to the land you came from and take your hipocracy with you. You give black people a black eye every time you open your mouth.

The NY Post is a junk paper, but this "cartoon" is beneath even them. Anyone that is amused by it is reprehensible, anyone that defends it is a racist.

This is the most absurd, over-blown, manufactured playing of the race-card I have ever seen, and the Post should never have apologized for an insult that was never there. The cartoonist did what cartoonists do - use a topical event or reference (the deranged chimp) to make a point - that he doesn't like the stimulus package ( put together by the proverbial 100 monkeys with typewriters or in this case a deranged chimp). To conclude that the chimp which looks like a chimp is Obama is a great leap and only possible if the beholder, him/herself, thinks Obama with his big ears looks like a chimp.

The Cartoonist's only mistake was not to recognize that Al Sharpton was "the 1,000-lb gorilla in the room." Mr. Sharpton should lighten up, get a sense of humour, lose the manufactured moral outrage, and think once or twice before exploiting non-existing situations to stay in the limelight. Is this the courage AG Holder was talking about in his "nation of cowards" remarks?

having completed a personal inventory, i know that perceptions are telling, but not always real. one can tell about one by their perceptions of satire. the real racists are the ones crying racism. that is all they do not garner attention. the post owes no apology. how can one apologize for another's insecurities and false perceptions. darwin made no distinctions in his theory that man evolved from apes, not to mention that mr. obama is as much white as black. his skin color is a matter of the dominant gene. grow-up people. Christ instructs us to be servants, not opportunists. if i am offended by satire, there is something wrong with my Spiritual condition.

Hopefully, what we will all see each other as is Americans before it is too late! For too long we have let those individuals and ideas from individuals that time and ways have passed shape our dialogue. We may not ever be friends with individuals that are different from us, but let's move beyond name-calling!

Bridget M

Very well put, I guess we should ask for European Americans put on census forms...

I guess the only thru American by blacks standard is the American Indian, They would be American Americans I guess.

The whole problem with all this is I know Blacks ,Jews,Indians,and so many other nationality and that don't referred to them selves as anything but Americans. These people all work hard and earn my respect as I have earned theirs. They don't agrees with this giveaway Obama is pushing because they have worked hard to feed there families without help for the Feds.... The only one crying poor me every time are the ones who want something for free. Want to help them get them educated so they can get a job. Problem again they don't want to..

Did everyone miss the part where the Post said this article was "exploited" by their longtime nemesis!

they blew it out of proportion!!!

I do not have an inferiority complex, I know who I am and what I am Not!!

Salem, anyone that honestly believes that this cartoon was about race is either a complete and utter moron or racist themselves. The junk paper is the New York Times; they're racist, socialist, and worst of all, just incredibly stupid. I thought the cartoon was funny and I find your remarks reprehensible.

It stinks of a stereotype for blacks if they think, even for a moment, of themselves in that light. I was taught when I was young, if you ignore the teasing, they'll go away and look for someone that takes it seriously.

It is a fact that as long as there are people like Sharpton and Jackson pulling the racial band wagon, this crap will go on forever!  Anymore, I just approach black people with extreme caution.  I'm worried that they might view how I speak to them or look at them might be misinterpreted as "racial"  And so the divide widens.  Guess it's just ment to be.  What a %$#&*&@*' shame.

I love newsvines like this. It allows me to weed out the racists. "Ignore this author" rocks.

They also remind me of the juvenile nature of racial discourse in this country.

What makes me laugh is these "spokesmen" or "spokespeople" "spokesperson-of-color" or what ever the politically correct term would be, who spout their own opinions on BEHALF or someone else!

Has Obama said anywhere or anytime that he felt the cartoon was a racist attack on himself?

(Deafening silence.)

Yeah, I didn't think so.

I guess we will see the PC whiners bellowing at the top of their lungs from now on whenever anyone criticizes anything about the Obama administration because any criticism whatsoever will just be thinly veiled racism? These “spokes-whiners” do more harm than good.

This has been a Dr. Zook post: "Just enough truth to be believable."

I think NPR got it right. Every one of these cartoons go through an editorial process. Going through that process, did someone, at any point, say "You know this could be offensive since we have a black president?"

If there was no such person, it's disturbing to think nobody at the NY Post is racially aware enough to see the problem. If there was such a concern, it's even more disturbing that this concern was ignored.

al sharpton didn't mean "lions" he meant "trouble making lairs!"

President Bush has been parodied as a monkey in many cartoons. Where is the outrage?? We have crackers, honkies, whitey, etc slang said every day. Do the white people get pissed about it??? No. This is truely a case that, if you are bothered by it, ignore it and it will go away.

P.S. Monkey was not on a porch. I believe that is the proper picture for you to get pissed about.

Firstly, I would like to state that Al Sharpton does not speak for all of the African-Americans in this country. Secondly, just because he doesn't speak for all of us doesn't mean that on an occasion or two we don't agree with him.

I would like to think with a President who is half African, that things would start to change in this country. However, with a cartoon depiction like the one in Wednesday's New York Post, this demonstrates that for each step forward, this country takes two step backwards. This saddens me greatly.

To address a few of the comments that I've seen posted so far on this board. African-Americans did not choose to identify themselves as such. Latino/Hispanic-American did not choose to identify themselves as such and so on. On every Federal, State or City form that you fill out in the USA, you are asked to identify yourself by "race". Which to me is completely non-sensical because regardless of color we all belong to the same race: Homo-sapiens.

There are still people who remember when "science" used differences to "racially" divide blacks from white American. When they often compared blacks to monkeys, chimpanzees, and gorillas. Where through their "experimentation" and "research" they discovered that blacks were not buoyant and were genitically predisposed to be fast runners. This is one reason why blacks are offended by the representation of a shot chimp with the comment of a stimulas bill. There are others reasons for me, like my best friend's father who told me about when he was in Junior High School. An acquaintance of his, a white girl was walking home alone and it was after dark. Mr. M, my friend's father, having been raised to be a proper southern gent, offered to walk her home because he was worried about her saftey. There was a patch of woods that she would have had to walk though alone. Upon nearly clearing the woods, a few good ol' boys saw this "couple" walking though the woods, got the wrong idea and proceeded to beat the tar out of Mr. M. The young lady in question, ended up racing home alone terrified, to get her father, who ended up stopping the beating and explaining what happend. The girls father then had to walk the young Mr. M home. All he was trying to was get this young lady to her front door. He's also told me stories about lynchings and other beatings he wittnessed during his childhood and teen years before his family moved to NYC.

I personally, have been the only black in meetings, having worked in higher managerial positions in several fortune 500 countries. I've even received the backward and condescending "complement" that I'm so articulate. I've often asked; compared to what? So far, no one has given me an answer, excepting a red face.

When I was ten and in elementary school (a catholic school, St Gregory the Great), I had a teacher who call my entire class, myself included..."a bunch of banana eating monkeys." I took such offense at this young age, I went into stealth mood, literally raced the nine blocks home. I woke my poor mother up who had just worked a twelve hour shift at the hospital and told her what happened.

Contrary to what others have stated here, I'd like to believe that our current President didn't just allow others to write this stimulas package and just sign off on it like some bobble-headed idiot. Being Harvard educated (and not having his family buy his way into or out of this school) I serious hope that President Obama has a brain cell or two to spark together in his attemps to assist the country out of this "depression".

Therefore, no matter how much sugar, honey, maple syrup or outright denial you put on it. When you have a dead chimp and our President is of African decent. You will cause outrage. Please for the love of God and country do not minimize the concerns of blacks and tell them that it was not racist because given black history in the USA, how else can we take it? How else MUST we take it? Because until you can know what it is like to sit in a class room in college or work at a company and have to work twice as hard to be considered just as good. You cannot tell blacks what to think or how to feel. This is something that white America can never understand because you will never have our experience. An Irish-American can alway change their last name, a Jewish-American can also hide their religion if they choose, or practice in secret if they wish. For blacks you cannot alter or hide the color of your skin. I don't believe that most of us would want to but until you can walk a mile in a man's/woman's shoes you cannot know thier life.

That's how Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the lot make their living, and a good living it is. These clowns make millions perpetuating racism and playing the victim. They even attacked Bill Cosby when he stated that African American's need take some responsibilty for their communities and their plight. FEAR MONGERS!

Why are people upset or surprised at this? The Post is a tabloid, heavy on sensation and light on journalism. That's why people read it (just like the infamous British tabloids). Sure, the cartoon is despicable, but it fits right in with the style of the Post.

Paggy @ 1.15: you said: Then why was cartoon trying to link chimp & bailout?

See the portion of Bridget's comment you quoted--therein lies the answer to your question.

Still think it's funny as he!!. Would the same demonstrators be so offended if BO was white? Not likely. I guess the difference is in how we see ourselves!!

Wilfred:

As usual, well said. I don't have a particular issue with the Post because it has always been little more than a tabloid. Had the WSJ done this, we would really have a problem on our hands. But the Post is known for instigating fights to boost sales.

Sorry to intervene in such nonsense. Just a note to all of you. Racism in a large part is caused by those who are foolish enough to believe in evolution. Evolution degrades people who are created by God to the level of animals with instincts. Hence the law survival of the fittest applies. Darwin has opened up a multitude of terrible ideas like abortion, euthinasia of old people, and bigotry. After all if people are not important and just animals why not do as we wish with them anything to further our own survival or will. The Bible states in 1Cor. 21-23 that man professing to be wise gave up his belief and faith in God and became a fool. Return to or come to know God and racism will cease to be a major problem. Instead I expect a flurry of hate for God and anyone who beleves in Him, to be posted here. Hence the phrase those who profess to be wise have become fools. Jesus Christ has opened up his arms to all of us no matter what the color.

Racism is a right in America, but that does not mean it speaks well of our evolution as a species. It is not hard for me to read the post of some that clearly see this as an apparition of sorts rather than a true reflection of the attitutude some whites still hold toward the worst of our base human attributes. Racism is bad even if the spotter is Al Sharpton. Al did not post this cartoon, nor did he call attention to it. The Post printed it knowing it would increase attention and possible circulation. If Al comes out against it the thought is some may in defense pick up a copy or subscribe. This is a ploy on the part of the marketing department and editors office to increase revenue by any means without regard to whom it hurts.

This same rag will no doubt receive money from that very stimulus bill and its drafters and chief proponent Obama. Murdoch will benefit from both the stimulus bill and the story. But let us not pretend we are not smart enough to understand the real purpose was to use racism as a catalyst to drive sales of an otherwise mediocre gossip rag.

Whether the Post meant to be racist or not, and I'll give them the benefit of the doubt here, they had to know how it could be taken. I work for a newspaper and we think long and hard about every cartoon, every word we use in headlines, etc. You have to. The Post was dumb here.

But for those of you who think racism is only in the minds of the blacks, you are delusional. Do you know how many people I heard, even in my nice middle class suburban neighborhood of a very blue state, say they wouldn't vote for an "N." I have seen many idiots on newsvine refer to Obama in extremely racist terms, including as a chimp.

There is only one thing to say. It was OBVIOUSLY racist, anyone who is INTELLIGENT enough to know american history KNOWS how images of monkeys and chimps were used to describe blacks up thru the 1960's!!! And if you don't know that you are a worthless ignorant moron who should just be taken out and horsewhipped until that fact sinks into your tiny litte brain. And anyone here defending this in any way is also A RACIST BIGOTED PIG OF A NAZI and should be horsewhipped to educate them in proper behavior and in the error of their ways.

How do they figure that comparing someone to a chimp is racist? Aren't we all very closely related to chimps? So if a white guy had been compared it be racist? Is this how Obama's whole presidency is going to be? Where we have to watch what we say like we're standing on egg shells. Maybe as a native american, I should start playing the racist card more often.

So SHARPTON prefer to be compared with the BLOND LION instead of a CHIMP?.

Hate to tell you---this is the year 2009 and we have a black----or is it mixed race-----president. Whites are also victims of racism----described as rednecks, trailer trash, crackers and what not. before you talk abot racism in someone else--look in the mirror. Blacks are some of the worst offenders too. if you don't believe this---ask why 97% of all blacks voted for Obumma----it wasn't because of his policies. Fox news asked people whether what they asked was a part of the policies of Obumma or Mc Cain and most agreed with the policies of Mc Cain. Sorry take care of your own problems before you tell me about mine.

There is a difference between veiled racism, and overt racism.

Let's not besmirch Howard Cosell, a man that didn't have a racist bone in his body. His kids, and later his grandkids, remember him fondly saying to them, 'Come here you little monkey.' ANYBODY!!!!! that calls Howard Cosell a racist doesn't have a clue and is just a racial baiter. The same for anyone that says Kelly Tilghman was racist for saying, 'Lynch him in a back alley huh?' when talking about everyone else on tour ganging up on Tiger Woods to slow him down.

I'm not going to say racism doesn't exist, it does, ON BOTH SIDES THOUGH!!! Being a minority doesn't give you a free pass to say what you want. Nor does it give you a free pity card to whine 'poor me'. Get off your butt and make something of yourself instead of blaming everyone but you.

That said....if Obama were all white (I don't see a glass as half full or half empty, I see it as half a glass) the cartoon would be a joke about how the author felt the stimulus bill was written by a monkey. But...since President Obama is bi-racial and a majority of 'blacks' identify with him as black, I see the cartoon as being written with a 'Wink wink, it's not racist but racists will get what we mean' attitude. That is veiled racism.

Political Correctness is alive and well.

So its OK to draw Bush as a monkey, but heaven forbid the same thing happens to Obama. With our current political representatives, are they really better than a 100 monkeys typing?

I am a older white man and when I saw this cartoon I said what are they thinking.
Wasn't Cosell fired when in the heat of the moment he was commenting on a great run by a football player said " look at that monkey run".
This cartoon was a deliberate insult aimed at president Obama and all who try to laugh or deflect this truth are blindly prejudice.

A chimp is not a monkey. It is an ape.

The difference between Bush and Obama is Bush has never experienced first hand his race referred to as a monkey, ape, chimp, or anything else inferior. I guarantee every black man or woman in this country has experienced this at one time or another. The reason racially derogatory terms do not have the same effect on whites is because we have vast control over every single power structure in America. Whether that be government, corporate, charitable organizations, non-profits, universities, media, every center of power in this country is controlled, in large part, by whites. So why would a white person feel threatened by a slam against the race? Being white, by definition, removes our right to determine for minorities what they should find offensive.

Randy,

You are correct regarding the slavery issue, my intent was not to downplay it in any way or to shift blame, if I did I apologize.

I will however have to disagree with you about American society being racist, I do not feel that it is. And that statement is for all races regarding one another. I equate racism to the cold sore on the beautiful woman's lip. You know she is beautiful, and you want to be able to take in all of her beauty but your eyes keep getting drawn back to that damn cold sore and after a while it is hard to see the beauty in her, all you can see is the cold sore on the lip. In America, and that includes the dolts on this thread that want to make racist statements, case in point "fightback", you have predominantly anti-racist comments but the ones from the true racists that are either deleted or on their way stick out, much more than the ones that abhor racism.

I am so sick and tired of the Black agenda. I hate groups that through there business in my face all of the time.

We have a Black president we have Politacal leaders who are black. When will MLK's dream be realized? When Can we get on with life?
As an Natrural American/ American Indian I could carry a grudge if I wanted. A big grudge. But Know one in this 50 years has had anything to do with the issues back then. So I dont understand the issue, get over it!

If a Black person has issues why dont the put some blame on the Spanish?

I serve with the soldiers in the Army. Black, White, Brown all colors and yes we joke with each other we are not PC. and in 7 years of WAR, we have not had one complaint.

We are just troopers of differant historical origin But of all the same nationality (American) We ar not African American Native american etc. We need to wake up and look towards the future and say forget the past. None of us were areound during the slave era nor the indian wars.

What's racist about it? Everyone knows Nancy Pelosi put the stimulus package together. And, no, people should not have been kept as slaves. And, no, their own countrymen should not have hunted them down and sold them as slaves. Let's at least put the blame on everyone involved.

Sorry to all of you who don't find this offensive. I'm white and I find it disgusting. I can certainly understand how blacks would find this racist. It was a poorly thought out cartoon - or - it did just what the cartoonist wanted to do. I'm not sure which. But, this cartoon should never have been published. Period.

Folks, to be fair for some individuals the issue of "race" and "racism" will always shape the way they think. Here is a good illustration. When the story of Naydia Suleman (the Octumom) first broke there was no mention of her race. As a result, many of the comments on this newsvine was littered with racist overtones against blacks, Hispancis and even Muslims (some felt she was from Iraq). As soon as her race was revealed, people were still angry, but the tone shifted from "black welfare queen" to that of simply a "welfare queen."

If race is no longer an issue in the U.S., why was race a prominent part of the conversation at the outset but disappeared once her identity was known? Simply speaking, the race of the mother should not have been an issue to begin with; she should have been judged by her actions not her race. It was only after her white race was revealed that she began to be judged by her actions.

The point is, and I am not saying this is the case with this cartoon drawing, when people poked fun at whites, let's say former President Bush, they are poking fun at HIS actions. However, when it comes to blacks, the fun seems to shft towards an entire race. I welcome your rebuttal.

How dare the Post say anything anti Government. I guess they have not learned anything yet. Race I think not. But a lie works. Why deal with the truth.

The Post is a right-wing rag just as Dumbaugh is a rightwing windbag. They are insidious and I will never buy that paper!

I've seen several other cartoons from Mr. Delonas. The use of a chimp was intentional. He routinely uses inflammatory imagery in his cartoons, and he knows exactly what he's doing. The Post has used this man before and knew full well what they were doing.

If you just look at his portfolio, there should be no doubt. The Post will be history in the not too distant future.

In Post 1.52 Schwannamin says, "Every one of these cartoons go through an editorial process. Going through that process, did someone, at any point, say "You know this could be offensive since we have a black president?" If there was no such person, it's disturbing to think nobody at the NY Post is racially aware enough to see the problem. If there was such a concern, it's even more disturbing that this concern was ignored.”

It's disturbing to me that in a free country, with freedom of speech and a free press, that someone should think it's a good idea that any speech should be removed from a newspaper, just in case in might possibly offend someone. What do you recommend Schwannamin? A government appointed censor at each and every newspaper who decides what is appropriate speech or editorial comment and what is not?

I have yet to see anything, anywhere that says that Obama was offended by this cartoon. All I have seen so far are comments by others saying how a portion of the American population should be or must be offended by the cartoon.

This is political correctness at its height of stupidity and evil.

Political correctness is all about control of the speech and thoughts of others. It is nothing to do with decency or morals or manners. The politically correct will interpret any speech that they do not themselves like and seek to ban it because it offends them. The most laughable aspect of this sort of attempt at social control is that the censorship is demanded on the excuse that such speech offends not themselves but other people!!!

This has been a Dr. Zook post: "Just enough truth to be believable."

Tiamamia....a beautiful post you wrote (1.55). Thank you.

When I opened the NY Post on Wednesday morning on the train, I looked at the cartoon and automatically thought "Wow, I'm wondering if anyone is going to say anything about this." By later in the day I had people coming into my office to report the hype.

I have given this cartoon a lot of thought and am willing to admit that it's very possible Mr. Delonge didn't write it with any malicious intent. However, there is a team of people that approved the cartoon, post it on the page, etc., and someone at the paper must have seen the possibility of this offending someone. So is it racism or complete stupidty? Regardless of the answer, I'm done with the Post.

The Post was always viewed as just one notch above the National Inquirer. I don't understand why people waste their money on The Post.

I'll tell you why I did (it's a very good question!):

When I look at the selection of papers in the morning before I get on my train, I tend to get the one that I will be able to read the quickest, as I do not have enough time in my work day to read an entire INTELLIGENT paper. The Post is made up of words that babies understand. I can read it from cover-to-cover (except for sports, which I could care less about) within a half-hour to 40 minutes. If I had more time in the day, I'd get The Times.

St8talk, a lot of people characterized Bush as a monkey are they calling him black?? You have it all wrong. This is connecting an incident that happend recently with a chimp, they are saying that the chimp wrote the bill because it was terribly written. Obama didn't write the bill.

Zook:

I'm sure you won't read this, but here goes. I posted several things on this topic. I have never said there should be any gov't intervention whatsoever in this matter. I have never posted such a thing here, nor will I.

At the end of the day the Post is asking to be taken seriously, I presume. And part of that being taken seriously thing requires staying in business. For a periodical to stay in business in the extremely diverse and huge market like New York, they have to be sensitive to the needs of their viewership. If Al Sharpton wants to boycott NY Post, it's his right. I imagine you don't propose a gov't agency to shut him up. It is also the right of any of Sharpton's followers to boycott the Post as well as the Post's primary advertisers. If enough take this route, the Post disappears. The way I understand it the Post is in financial troubles as is. So from a purely business standpoint, it's really spectacularly stupid to run a cartoon like this. And from a moral standpoint, I can say I'm one of thousands that will encourage anyone I know to not buy the newspaper, as loosely as it can be called that.

Schwannamin:

I did read your comments above. I do understand your viewpoint. I think you missed my main points.

The bottom line is that there is NOTHING that one can say that will not offend someone. I can write an article that praises puppies, apple pie and motherhood and someone will be annoyed at my opinions because puppies are known to pee on the carpet, apple pie makes one fat and motherhood causes over-population!

As soon as you start removing everything from any speech that might offend someone, you will inevitably have nothing left to say, because anything you say will inevitably offend someone, guaranteed. The only way to have a paper that never offends anyone is for the State to decide what is acceptable and not acceptable and to enforce those standards with penalties for their violation. This called dictatorship. It is the ONLY way it can be done.

If you don’t want to read the New York Post, that’s fine by me and probably fine by the Post. I think I read the Post once on an airplane about 15 years ago, so I won’t miss it if it goes out of business. I saw the cartoon when this latest tempest in a teapot began and couldn’t see anything racist about it.

The thing that amuses me is people like you who read covert messages of racism into a communication that was nothing of the sort. For those that cannot figure these things out for themselves: The current US government fashion for “stimulus bills” began during George W. Bush’s administration; Bush was a white man. The idea was agreed to by the majority of US representatives who are predominantly white. Bills are usually written by teams of lawyers not by the sitting President. So a cartoon which suggests that the author of such a “stimulus bill” was a chimpanzee would be directed at a white majority of representatives or the lawyers who drafted the stimulus bill not at the current President Obama; who is, by the way, half white and half black but of course in the racist USA since his skin is dark, he is considered black.

So the cartoon was actually mocking American federal politicians in general and not the current US President specifically but of course the politically correct will skew logic any which way that pleases them, if it advances their agenda and fools who cannot see the obvious and think for themselves will swallow PC nonsense because they are the salivating, lap dogs that they are.

As I said earlier: Political correctness is all about control of the speech and thoughts of others; it is nothing to do with decency or morals or manners.

I personally agree with Evelyn Beatrice Hall when she wrote, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Once upon a time that was the attitude of most Americans as well. The Politically Correct have unfortunately changed that attitude to, “I disagree with what you say, so I will now try to shut you up any way I can, even if it means using infantile, specious logic to accuse you of saying something which you never said.”

And once again: If this cartoon was so offensive to Barack Obama, why has he not stepped forward to comment? Could it possibly be that he is intelligent enough to understand, as anyone not gullible enough to be deceived by foolish propaganda can see, that the cartoon was not intended as a personal insult to him?

This has been a Dr. Zook post: "Just enough truth to be believable."

So, monkeys are essentially taboo as long as Obama is in office, right? I wonder how that serves the cause of equality, or non-racism if you prefer. It seems to me that all of this controversy is doing just the opposite of what those who were offended seem to want. I don't know if I'm wording my concern right but it seems more like the effect wil be to reinforce the image of monkeys and blacks being the same. Maybe a better way to put it is to ask: aren't we taking wrongs from the past and dragging them into the present? Sure, we still have neanderthals from that era who still think that way but doesn't Obama prove that, in general, we are moving beyond our past and into a different future?

To be honest, racism (which is practiced by all colors) will never go entirely away. In spite of that, I think we're doing pretty good. I think we're not there yet, but we've made some progress. I think if we took a minority from a hundred years ago and dropped him into today's world he'd be amazed.

Is this what we've come to? Now that we have a black man who is president,and deserves as much respect as any other before him,we are no longer allowed our little jokes? If someone is going to hold a public position,that comes with lots of feelings,you'd better be ready to your share of puns. Unfortunately some do not use caution and let their emotions portray them as evil. How about looking at some of the other issues this episode brings to mind.

If President Obama were white,he wouldn't have been elected. If he were a black Republican,he wouldn't have been elected. Exactly when does one amendment over-rule another? Does the 1st have more than the 2nd? Is the 15th more important than the 1st? If we are to have our ways,an open mind must be able to accept that people have rights to their opinions,and all opinions are subject to how one is perceived as right,or wrong.

Meanwhile,the poor woman who was assaulted is going thru terribly painful operations,could be disfigured for life,and you're worried about some cartoon hurting some tender feelings? I think monkeys have come alot further than man ever will,whatever his race.

MSNBC is going to do everything they can to escalate this into something it isn't. But I never look to MSNBC for printing the truth.

Less Respect for the NY Post for apologizing. I swear it seems like I have been seeing Bush compared to a monkey for the better part of the last eight years. Probably just because he is black though. Wait, half black. Maybe. Or maybe because his bill was full of pork for lobbyists. Exactly what it isn't supposed to be. It seems obvious that the monkey in the case would be the authors of the bill. Certainly isn't Obama. He had me questioning if he even read it to begin with.

the blacks should take only less then half the insult cause Obama is half white and other races so maybe less then half the offense there... Obama is not black his muslim... or a madd..like most every one else...

the blacks think of themselves as monkeys, other wise the wouldn't be so offended...

I have some very close Jewish friends and some of the best Jewish jokes come from them..You know why, They a secure with themselves.. And no I'm not Jewish I'm southern Baptish....So what is the blacks problem?

Ebookout, One problem is most (not all) whites are so self centered they feel it their right to measure, indeed, judge the opinion of others. What gives you are any white person the right to imply you know how I feel and what should or should not offend me? In other words 'who made you the great determiner of what I find offensive. Another thing, maybe you have lived in some far distant galaxy, but it was white people who referred to black as 'monkey,junglebunny and so forth, so when it comes back at you, you want to claim now such a position is baseless. Instead of 'what's blacks problem', how about pondering whites problem with associating contemporary media with what was started by them anyway.

I have read about this in several places, not just MSNBC.

Just sayin. You are posting a comment to a thread that has the most replies of any in a month and you see no connection? Your very post implies you understand to a degree something was amiss.

This is an adult forum and we do not expect those not of age and/or awareness to see what is obvious to the rest of the adult world. The cartoon directly referenced the very stimulus package Obama is responsible for signing and to whom much of it will be credited to him if it works or fails.

If someone came to your home and asked if the lady of the house is home you could safely assume they are refering to your wife even though they did not mention her by name they inferred wife in the "term lady of the house."

This is the difference between reading and comprehension. You read the story but failed to comprehend as did the rest of the country. Not all believe racism is wrong, but they admit the story was full of racism and at best implied violence toward our president or congress which is wrong.

If the Post wanted to portray Congress as having the collective brains of a chimp, then all they had to do was put the word "congress" on the chimp. Cartoonists do that kind of labeling all the time.

You're right Barbara. And Delonge put labels on people in his cartoons all the time.

Chuckie2000, I guess they changed the title and removed the Obama reference because I was wrong, huh?

No, the fact is, prejudice is a 2 way street. Because this cartoon was in a conservative publication it is just a forgone conclusion that the artist meant it to be racist. Here are the facts:

1. A chimp that had attacked a woman was shot dead by police.

2. The "infinite monkey theorem" contends that given a typewriter and an infinite amount of time, a monkey will surely at random come up with any given text, for instance, Shakespeare's Hamlet or the 2009 Stimulus package. This theory dates back possibly as far as the early 1900s, although there is no real concrete evidence as to who to attribute it to as far as I know.

3. Nancy Pelosi penned the stimulus package. Congress penned the stimulus package. Take your pick. Regardless, Barack Obama did not "write" the bill. He signed it. The cartoon clearly refers to the chimp as having "written" the stimulus bill.

4. The chimp is black because, well, the chimp that was gunned down was, um, black.

People need to grow up and not be offended over every little thing they here. My son was discussing with me the other day (prior to the cartoon) why black kids at his school refer to one another with the "N" word when its such an offensive term. Wouldn't we rather eradicate it from our language altogether than glorify it as acceptable street slang among certain segments of society?

The hatred and the division is what keeps us corralled up and under control. If we all ever decided to put aside our differences, work together for the common good and confront the real issues instead of creating issues out of thin air, we could save this country and possibly this planet.

Looking for the best in everyone, no matter what, can change the universe.

To ohplease----oh please your ass! It's real easy to talk if you were not the one offended.

If African Americans see themselves as monkeys...God help them..

If they would just consider themselves Americans..instead of African Americans....they would stop segregating themselves..

This was not racist....it wasnt funny either....but it wasnt racist...It's sad they we have a bunch of monkeys writing our stimulus plan....thats what this said to NON racist people...

fedupst, that's the difference between you and me. I don't look for reasons to get offended. If something particularly egregious does offend me, I try to look at why it upsets me and usually it comes back to a sense of fear or inferiority. Do you feel fearful or inferior? If so, that is in your heart. But don't project your personal conflicts and issues on to me or anyone else.

I will say this, if the monkey were wearing a t-shirt that said Obama, I'd be right there with you in being offended for him. But anyone who follows news and can think for themselves can see it was directed at Congress and that porkulus bill and had nothing to do with Obama, who didn't right the bill at all.

If you insist on being offended, do it for the poor taste the paper showed in regard to a tragic situation but don't feign outrage over something that isn't even there. You cheapen real racism when you make such a fuss over a non-issue.

That trash was racist. People need to wake up and stop disrespecting human beings here in this world.

As a white american, I say that crap was racist it was a low blow towards Obama.

I agree with you. If the people who feel that this cartoon wasn't racist, had experienced racism and had to deal with a history of this sterotype, then maybe they would be more understanding. Likewise, living in the South, I don't appreciate any white person calling me a "girl" either.

So its okay for you to call me a girl, or to use your slang...but if a white person uses it they are racist....the rules you make up for who is racist is nuts...for this country to not see race as an issue you need to not get offended so easily...my 7 year old daughter went to school in Memphis TN...she is white...her best friends were all black and she hung around with them non-stop....in the process she picked up some of the verbage that they used to talk...so is she a racist...she doesn't even know understand what being a racist is and can not imagine anyone treating her friends different...so when she grows up and happens to use that verbage is she then a racist...where does the nonsense end...cultures, styles, foods, traditions mix....that is what makes America beautiful...stop getting lost in the nonsense of a word like "girl" I know the parents of my daughters friends all thought she was adorable when she used it...and kept inviting her over....that is true progress.

Wow, until reading this - I had no idea that the word "girl" could ever be taken as racist! This whole crying racism thing has been out of hand for a long time. It is beyond ridiculous. I am not racist. I think everyone should be treated equally. That goes for whites being able to hold a Miss White America, and have a Caucasian American College Fund, scholorships available to White Americans only, the list goes on and on.... But when it is the African-American that holds these events, etc... I don't hear the white people crying racism and holding marches and whatnot. The African-Americans cry racism over anything that they can possibly misconstrue into being racist. It is beyond assinine.

Whites have been holding Miss White America forever and didn't allow blacks, whites have had their institutions and colleges forever and didn't allow blacks and only gave out white scholarships, white america has been america forever and of course you couldn't possibly understand what the color of your skin has done for you...entitled. Blacks have had to fight for what they have accomplished every step of the way. But you wouldn't know that would you, since you haven't had to walk in their shoes....so you just need to try and study and educate yourself and find out why. When people say stuff like...white people don't have this, don't have that.....well if you had included black they wouldn't have had to start these things.

Obama is a liar and fraud just like the rest of them. His stimulus package has more pork in it then a southern BBQ. There is money for the development of a private beach in Honolulu. Amusement parks more troops to iraq. Oh yea, Did he not promise to get the troops out of Iraq.cant do that if you are sending more. His whole cabinet has committed crimes, Tax evasion, excepting money from foreign national for running for office. Get over it we don't hate him for his color we hate him because he is a fraud.

TiedTexTaxpayer

If you wanted to offend Obama it should have shown a puppy dog with congress petting it.

Oh, please!- I'm not about to defend Sharpton for anything since the Brawley hoax, which cost a good local cop his career. But the Post is and always has been a typical Murdoch piece of crap. If you can't see that the cartoonist's aim was to offend, you're blind. Even if wasn't racism that fueled the cartoon, it was just a cheap shot on a sophomoric level, and it just wasn't funny. Free speech, though, I guess.

I wasn't offended, they weren't talking about me...I'm not a monkey, I'm a human being.

What a load! I'm Irish American. My family immigrated to this country through Ellis Island. The Irish were treated every bit as bad or worse than blacks, so don't tell me about "if you ever experienced racism" crap. I suppose we Irish should demonstrate and protest every time we see a box of Lucky Charms or a crusty depiction of a Leprechaun! Blacks segregate themselves and bring shame and humiliation to their own culture by whining every time the hand isn't in their favor. Man up Sharpton, Jackson and the like. Stop whipping your own people into frenzied militants, or would that take away all your self importance.

(Oh Please stated: ......."I can't believe the Post apologized. The only people who saw that as racist were projecting their own racist feelings onto it. It's ironic that Eric Holder gave his 'cowards' race rant the same day this cartoon was published. He wants to know why people don't talk about race more and this demonstrates exactly why. There's always someone just waiting to grasp at something they can be offended by and grandstand with it. Yes Al and Jesse, I'm talking about you.")

Neither al or jesse drew or posted this cartoon. The Post did this for circulation and may have very well Paid al or jesse or both to do their part and give it wings. Racism exist and it is our right but that does not make it a right thing, just a white thing. Racist hate exposure like a roach hates light. shine some light on your own reasons for not caring. Some felt sorry for tim mcviegh even thought he killed over a hundred innocent citizens. I am sure someone mourned the deaths of the 9/11 terrorist and defended their actions as a heroic stance against our imperialist nation, just as you have decided to stand up for this cartoon............good job and kudo's to you.

Keith---I'd like to ask you how you know what white people presume? Are you white? The very fact that you're making presumptiions tells me that you're the racist, not those whites that you talk about. You can't know if whites are victims of discrimination or not---they don't go on rampages and burn, loot and destroy when they don't get their own way, nor does it create some sensational story on page one for the LIberal press to sell papers, and lastly----no nes program would think of it as worthy of it's time.. Having experienced it myself, I can assure you that it does happen. The trouble is that it's always hidden or swept under the rug.

I think anyone is open game to ridicule, and that EVERYONEshould be poked fun at now and then. It actually may lead to people lightening up a bit. I think the cartoon was stupid; I didnt put 2+2 together to think it was racist UNTIL the liberal media got a hold of it, then it became a National topic. Sharpton has a sharp tounge and sometimes he needs to bite it and just SHUT UP. He really can make matters worse sometime. Listen people, racism is ALWAYS going to exist, regardless of outcry, laws, or what have you. It is a shame, but that is human nature. Hey, I am white, how come there is NO college fund for me, like the NAACP has for blacks? How come there is NO 'White History Month'; no 'Miss White America' beauty pagent; no 'White Entertainment Television'; no 'Affirmative Action' for whites; no 'Race Card' for college entry. You want to talk about prejudice and racism, well, there you have it. How about we make everyone equal? What a novel idea! You know, I am proud to be white...oh sorry...that statement is RACIST. But if I was black, then I'd be proud to be black too...because I like who I am and the color of my skin DOES NOT MATTER. But that statement is NOT racist. Let's be equal and abolish ALL items that are particular to ONE race. No more NAACP, double standards and the like!! Equality needs to previal for all...black, white, brown, etc!

What has my color "entitled" me to? How about an uncomfortable feeling when riding the bus through Inglewood? Nothing like being the only white guy on the bus. How about trying to believe that there was enough kindness in others not to get revenge for whatever reason? For some reason people thought I had extra money. (hint:if I had extra cash,I wouldn't be on the bus!) But because I'm white it means I'm rich? Hardly. If anything,I'm as poor as the rest. If anything,people are quick to assume things about others. And once that gets into their mind,no one has a chance to show who they really are.

I think that Geico dropped the caveman campaign. Thank God for that. Give me the gecko anyday.
Nancy Pelosi is actually an alien from Pluto. Can't you tell? Her face is certainly not of this earth. Couldn't be.

sorry, total typo. Not "to defend criticisms", I mean to counterattack criticisms of Obama.*

The only shame in this entire situation is the the paper issued an apology when no mistakes were made. We're setting a scary precedent when the media feels the need to apologize for not only editorial cartoons, but skewed and incorrect outside interpretations of editorial cartoons.

This cartoon was disrespectful. This country is going to hell in a hand basket because of what has happened for the last 8 years. Now people want to put the blame on Obama pushing the bill try to help this country.

amen

Tiedtextaxpayer and (Barney)Frank 824124: Eight years of unqualified adults signing contracts they had absolutely no business signing? That's beyond politics. I'm not paying for them and will fight to the death for my right not to pay other people's mortgages.

There were a number of Bush cartoons portrayed as a monkey. His face was actually attached. Here there was no connection with Obama, more the monkeys who wrote the legislation. "Legislative - legislate or write: Congress"; Executive - enforce/sign into law - President ; and Judicial - Judge, validate: Court.

Well, Bush never had a gun pointed at him and was actually portrayed as being shot in the chest with blood oozing out..

Denise ,I would believe you would be in a lot of trouble if they put Bush or any official ,or Obama name on the Monkey because this would indicate they wanted them dead...That is not what they intented.....Don't read more into it then is there..

Actually Denise, there was a MOVIE made that depicted the assasination of President Bush. It was called "The Death of a President" (look it up on IMDB.com)and was made using a lot of real tape recordings of Bush throughout his presidency. Is that in good taste, or is it funny because it's Bush.

For the record I think the cartoon, while in bad taste considering the racial climate we live in, was directed at EVERYONE involved in passing the Stimulus Bill. Would it have been better if the cartoon had 500 dead monkeys to indicate all in congress, maybe some albino monkeys to represent the white part of congress. Here's an idea, maybe monkeys are generally thought of as brown, wait a minute, it is a BLACK and white newspaper. I can see how people can make the connection, some people equate monkeys and african americans and then you see stimulus and a dead monkey, but would anyone have cared if that @$$ Al Sharpton hadn't started yelling racism? If no one in the media said a thing about this cartoon would you still make that same connection? Maybe, if you are looking for racism.

The right bankrupted the country you bone head. It's funny the pot always calls the kettle black! Left, Right, Liberal, Conservative THEY ALL do things people don't like. NONE of them are perfect including Obama. This is about people being STUPID!

Our government bankrupted us, whether Republican or Democrat. We the sheeple are to blame for not standing up, for not making the government fear the will of the people. We have been taught that the government rules us no matter what the Constitution says. Monkey in a cartoon? Who cares? Get to the real picture people! Take back what is ours!

Congress is bankrupting the country .. period...But I agree with your last statement..

Daniel - I think you mean Pelosi, ...glad I'm not the only one who thought she wrote it.....

Sorry, I guess I was thinking about a Polecat, they both cause a stink wherever they go.

MotorCity Rock - I'm LMAO, that is just how it goes.

It said sign the bill not write>

dee, no it said WRITE the bill...go back and read before you post.

I agree, to use the chimp from the tragety in CT says more about the paper than anything. Talk about being in poor taste.

Yes, exactly the point; the cartoon wasn't funny & the attempted use of the dead chimp as some sort of political symbol just didn't work. The story of the chimp was a personal tragedy (on many levels) that had zero connection to the bailout.

How would people feel if the cartoonist, in an attempt to depict the bailout as an out-of-control disaster, had instead used the image of a jet crashed into a house (also a recent news item that is on the minds of New York newspaper readers)?

Wouldn't that be criticized (and rightly so) for being insensitive & tasteless?

I see the same problem with the use of the chimp. And it has nothing to do with racism.

So now we have to apologize to all chimpanzees, right?

BWG-421110,ToeTagger

Agree it is in poor taste

Who said it was a chimpanzee! Might have been a white guy in a monkey suit. I see such almost every day near an apartment complex. White, brown, black, or what ever in black monkey suits trying to get potential renter's attention. Now are they looking for black renters only??????? I think not?

How in the hell do you expect people like Al Sharpton to make a living if they cant stir this kind of $&!% up at every opportunity. Surely you don't expect a man of his standing to get a real job like all of the people he siphons off of.

An antonym! It is not your character but the color of your skin. Calling some innocent event , "racist", will get you big bucks, if you are black.

Ooops. I meant the Post.

Except for I have seen political cartoonist use monkeys to portray politician's several times...so does that mean that no one can use the monkey for any sort of representation while Obama is President...because you assume it has racial undertones....I've called politicians monkeys for years....We all use words everyday that can be taken for several definitions...do we truly need to censor ourselves for the next four years because Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson will step out and scream race....that is just bananas!

Monkeys everywhere are offended at being compared to Congress. I would not get near one for a few weeks.

true talk about ciminal monkeys...disrepectful...and arrogant... I live in a community of monkeys they are every where...making noises all night...yea I am a monkey too...

Kathy, first of all it wasn't the Times, it was the Post! What article were you reading? Secondly, put a little humor back in your life and see this for what it is. Satire! Chavez doesn't like satire about him. Saddam Hussien didn't like satire about him. Is the O man heading us toward dictatorship where you can't say anything negative about the anointed one? Please!!

I don't know if the surprisingly large legion of racist cartoon defenders are themselves racist. But those who do defend it or see nothing wrong with it are at the least painfully ignorant. Throughout America's history, blacks have been portrayed as monkeys. Throughout this last presidential campaign, the President has been portrayed as a monkey by racists. Those of you who think that the New York Post cartoon is benign need to take a look at this:

http://www.zimbio.com/Sarah+Palin/articles/2180/RACIST+MAN+DISPLAYS+BARACK+OBAMA+MONKEY+DOLL

or this:

http://blog.newsarama.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10006/racist.jpg

or this:

http://separate-equal.net/main/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/cgobama.jpg

or this:

http://aquilogy.blat.co.za/files/resize_media.jpg

or this:

http://www.flystylelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/michelle-obama-ape.jpg

or this:

http://scottmcdaniel.org/a/did-you-know-that-black-people-look-like-monkeys

or the thousands of other images, statements and other bile available on the web through a simple search exercise.

The anti-protest, pro-cartoon responses to the article come down to:

1) Al Sharpton is the racist - Which, even if true, doesn't make the cartoon itself any less racist

2) Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are opportunists - Which only means the NYPost has provided an opportunity by publishing a racist cartoon

3) MSNBC is just stirring up racial resentment - Thats what Bull Connor said about media covering his brutal response to civil rights protesters and its a classic refuge of racists everywhere

4) Congress wrote the bill - Every news outlet I have seen has dubbed the stimulus bill as "The Obama Stimulus Package". Not the Pelosi Package. Not the congressional package. Not the Ried package.

All of these are obfuscations that are at best tangential to the central issue. The New York Post portrayed the President of the United States as a monkey. The New York Post knows the history of New York police shooting unarmed black men. An unarmed Sean Bell was shot 50 times by police. Guinean immigrant Amadou Diallo was shot 41 times though he was unarmed as well. Anyone not making these painfully obvious connections is guilty of willful stupidity at best.

There is no doubt that the New York Post owes a heartfelt apology. There are some pathetic trolls on this message board that owe apologies as well - if not for racism, at the very least for self-serving ignorance.

Dwillie,

Looks like you have done your research but let me ask you one thing. When Condoleeza Rice was depicted as a monkey, a dominatrix and a lap dog did Al and Jessie come to her defense? There were many cartoons in very bad racial taste depicting her negatively with no room for interpretation, it was obvious. Um No maybe because she worked for a Republican President. So they are not so upset about the treatment of black people. They are only upset when it benefits their agenda. And if you do not know what that is then you my friend are blind. And white people are the victims of crimes from not only citizens but police as well. It really is equal opportunity for all here! The only difference is when a crime as heinous as the dragging death of black man (which should never happen to any human being) is done by whites it is a national story but when a black person commits heinous crimes against a white person it may make the local news but rarely is it a national event. If you need examples of this I would be glad to provide them. Another thing is when a local news station does report on these crimes rarely do they mention the persons race. Unless of course it was a white on black crime. So come on now who perpetuates racism in this country and what do they have to benefit for keeping it alive?

Great post Nastia

Agree!

Well said and a wonderful and truthful example of the possibilities, and missed opportunities, the American experiment was and is all about. It just could not have been said better. Can you imagine how exposing this kind of story and imagery could change the lives of our young children in schools during the day instead of telling them how to put a condom on a banana? You nailed it...

I guess this thread justifies Attorney General Holders' contention that we are a Country of cowards when it comes to talking to one another about race. Let me put it to you this way: Generally, no one has a problem with what they already have. Blacks and others already have color so they are not worried about it. The race card was invented by, and contantly used by people who needed to feel superior to, and in control of, other races of people. The hatred and ignorance spewed here is one of the reasons the Country is in the pitiful shape it is in. Rock on down to the bottom America: Rome awaits you!

The race card has scared white congress "witless" for the past 50 to 60 years. But I doubt that it has accomplished much good in the main stream of this cointry. If anything it has increased isolation of blacks from whites -albeit maybe not so apparent in the day light.

excellent point !

Is it still okay to hate Bush????

Or just bad to hate Obama???

I knew the Jesus card would be played soon. Grow up! It was a political cartoon! They are SUPPOSED to belittle, mock, and prod. It's all in good fun, and intended to make people look at their actions and LEARN. Or perhaps at least mull things over. Jesus belongs in church, not in political discussions.

I have one Statement :

Your comment about" Jesus only belonging in Church not in Political Discussion" is the reason why this Nation/World is in the trouble it is in today. NO, I am not a Bible thumper/ shove down your throat Christian, but I have my Opinions. Jesus belongs in every aspect of your life, every Minute of every day.... I Hope that one day it will not matter to anyone what the color of our skin , It is who you are as a person...

The Cartoon can be seen as racist, Especially if you are African American, But you see I am not.. I am a Caucasian American. I have No idea how they Feel about they're History , I was not raised in an environment where I was told story about my ancestors and what they had to go through to get the rights that should have been given to them Freely ( because they are HUMAN BEINGS MADE BY OUR GOD).

Look at the Chinese, the Irish, the Germans, the Jews, the Japanese. All persecuted at one time or another. BUT THEY GOT OVER IT!! Peddle your 'poor black people' somwhere else.

rainman, well spoken. Enough of this racism crap. It's a worn out innuendo and unproductive.

They are probably too afraid of stepping over some imaginary line and being called a racist...it is nuts anymore.

we elected a president just so we weren't called racist....God help us now...

another civil war is coming if we don't do nothing about all this nonsense...

Maybe Charles Manson and his "helter skelter" race war theories aren't so crazy and off-base after all. The rag knew what it was doing when it printed that cartoon. I bet the people from the middle east are happy that blacks are back on the front burner instead of them.

FIREBALL1947,

iNTERESTING, because that has been a name I have used before 1947.

Yeah, what does that guy really do except use photo ops --- biggest sham of all is Sharpton. Get a real job....

I'm glad there's people out there that big Al is always looking for PR

The few black friends I have that I would consider CLOSE friends can't stand Sharpton.