In general, we as a nation have become hyper-sensitive to “things which may offend.” If it’s condescending for me to think we could all work on being a little less high-strung and a little more mellow, then I guess I’m condescending.

But that’s not the point of this post which is addressing those who, unlike you, DO thinks the cover will persuade people that Obama is a terrorist. That was, in fact, the dominant reaction. (Although, I have to question, what IS offensive about the image if you don’t think it will cause a negative effect? If you’re offended by a potential president being portrayed so negatively, how do you feel about the hordes of vicious portrayals of George Bush over the years? Do those offend you too? If so, I’d say you’re possessed of a admirable consistency.)

In The New Yorker case, Obama had a chance to defuse this from the start but instead of taking the high road, he and his campaign chose to take offense. His supporters piled on and the result has made the Obama campaign look as if they think most Americans are too stupid to understand the intent of a satirical cover.

And for the record, I never said anyone was too stupid to know it’s a joke. My beef is they overreacted when they knew dang well it was satirical.