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In politics, it's sometimes it's hard to find the line between legitimate criticism and immoral or unfair attacks. For example, the Starr report toilet paper that my aunty gave me a few years back might not have been the most adult or reasonable critique of Bill Clinton's famed detractor; ditto the John Kerry and George Bush wipes offered by the same company. In a political climate where one man's lipstick-bedecked pit bull is another man's prettified porker, it's pretty clear that taste, morality, and dignity often depend upon where one is sitting.The recent unveiling of Obama Waffles is a good case in point. The basic message is that Obama "waffles," much like John Kerry, who is also featured on the package. While I don't necessarily agree with this assessment, I have to admit that the statement is fair game within the context of a political souvenir. The same goes for a cartoon of Michelle Obama saying "For the first time in my life, I'm proud of an American waffle." Given her earlier foot-in-mouth gaffes, this is both reasonable and somewhat funny.
What is neither amusing nor fair is the box's depiction of Obama dressed as a Muslim and its statement that the container should be oriented toward Mecca. Similarly, the drawing of Obama clad in a serape and sombrero, erasing the border on a recipe card seems like a general-purpose critique of the Democratic party, not a fair attack on Barack Obama. Both images play on the lowest standards of racism and xenophobia, and both are particularly tasteless when applied to this particular candidate.
Regardless of your politics, illegitimate attacks have to leave a bad taste in your mouth. With that in mind, can I offer you a bottle of John McCain Viagra? It will keep your poll numbers up AND give you an economic stimulus!
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9-18-2008 @9:20AM Unknown said... Is that the actual box? Because I do not think that a white shirt qualifies as Muslim garb.
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9-18-2008 @9:34AM Bruce Watson said... That's the front. Click on the link "Obama Waffles" link to see more pictures, including the one of him in Muslim garb.
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9-18-2008 @12:18PM Chris said... OK - while I'm not accusing the writer of being intentionally biased, this post contains some false implications, including:
1) "In a political climate where one man's lipstick-bedecked pit bull is another man's prettified porker"
The idea that Obama did call Palin a pig has been absolutely proven to be a LIE perpetuated by the McCain campaign:
http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/706/
2) "the drawing of Obama clad in a serape and sombrero, erasing the border on a recipe card seems like a general-purpose critique of the Democratic party"
So the Democratic party wants to erase the border with Mexico? I wasn't aware of this - source?
FYI - anyone who sits in a place where this blatantly offensive, racist and immature item is tasteful, moral and/or dignified need to get up and take a walk in the real world.
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9-18-2008 @12:27PM Bruce Watson said... Chris-
Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to write a piece on this that was at least somewhat unbiased? In point of fact, I failed miserably: comments like "Both images play on the lowest standards of racism and xenophobia, and both are particularly tasteless when applied to this particular candidate" are far too indicative of a politically biased position. The same, by the way, goes for the little jab at McCain that I used to close the post.
I fully expected to get an attack from the right -- to be perfectly honest, I probably deserved it -- but an attack from the left was, frankly, ridiculous. The liberal tendency to ideologically police its members is not particularly constructive and plays directly into the hands of the right. You might want to try dialing up the irony and turning down the outrage.
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9-18-2008 @12:56PM Mart said... Two points: First, if you want to diminish the reputation of Slashfood continue to post politically-themed, potentially provocative stuff like this. You'll reap what you sow and get nothing but flame wars in the comments.
Second, instead, take an example of how to write a good post for the blog from Jonathan Forrester, whose articles are substantive, informative and show a passion for food and drink, like the people - who bother to come to Slashfood to read, enjoy and learn.
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9-18-2008 @7:15PM badfrog said... As a 9/11 conservative who will vote McCain-Palin, this box is unacceptable and indefensible. I'm glad the officials had the foresite to yank it and it's purveyor from the voter summit as soon as it was brought to their attention. First Amendment or not, how anyone can imagine that this sort of ugliness is remotely acceptable is beyond me.
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9-18-2008 @4:13PM Jeanne Watson said... I am absolutely sickend that a "Christian Organization - Focus on the Family" thinks that this is okay. The religious right scares me anyway,and apparently with good reason. I would like to know this is different than something the Ku Klux Klan would find amusing. Shame, Shame, Shame
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9-18-2008 @9:32PM Patrick said... Badfrog-
While I do disagree with your choice of candidate, and frankly have found the term '9/11 Conservative' ridiculous since its conception, at least you're levelheaded enough to realize how childish, offensive, and slanderous something like this is. But please understand that these were being sold, with advertising banners flying, for a good two to three days before anyone thought to stop them.
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9-19-2008 @2:59PM CactusHeart said... "So the Democratic party wants to erase the border with Mexico? I wasn't aware of this - source?"
Actually BOTH majority poltical parties (repub. and 'crat) are interested in erasing the Mexican border...In fact, Bush recently signed the 'go ahead' for it...it's appaling how many people DON'T know about this agenda, as it's so close to happening I can feel it's breath down my neck. It's gonna render our constitution (and even our CURRENCY, the U.S. DOLLAR) obsolete...if it hasn't already now that Bush has signed the agreement. Source? Anywhere BUT mainstream media/news! Simply run a search for "north american union" and TRY not to lose your lunch over what you'll find.... And if you haven't had a heart attack after that, type up "La Raza" or "reconquistadors" and you'll see this country's got it's own version of Palestenian extremists right in our own backyard (in some cases...literally in your own backyard....mowing your lawn, cleaning your pool, etc.) Has nothing to do with racism or xenophobia, that approach "if you don't agree with us, if you don't like it, you're racist" is a clever tactic to coerce you into agreement...Works damn well as far as I can see...
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9-23-2008 @8:16PM oklahomakitty said... Obama Waffles offensive? Why? Because of a small picture on top with a headdress of an Arab and a red arrow pointing "toward Mecca"? The fact is Obama comes from a Muslim background, his name is Arabic, and is actually pronounced the same as Mohammed's white horse that ascended into heaven at the same time his rider did.(sure:) This is actually discussed or it was discussed on BHO's web page and could have been removed by now along with other interesting tidbits. He did attend Muslim schools, of course that doesn't make him a practicing Muslim, but can anyone tell me what his thesis is about? Can anyone tell me about his senate records in Illinois? How about his time spent at ACORN? Or being tutored by Sal Alinksy? Or his listening raptly to the teachings of William Ayers while attending fundraisers at WA's home? Or let's not forget the pastor he listened to for twenty years.........twenty years, twenty years, wow that is two decades, lots can happen in twenty years! This is a free country thank God (oops did I offend?) and the guys who baked up this idea are good guys. These guys would lay down their lives for any of you all. I know them and I'm just like them. In addition James Dobson is a lovely man and has a lovely family. It is amazing that anyone is "afraid" of these folks. Laughable actually! What a silly ruse saying that one should fear Christians. Shame, shame. Quit using good people as an excuse to hate. It is very unbecoming.
Livin and Lovin Life Large in the heartland
Oklahomakitty
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10-08-2008 @8:47PM the one said... wow, just another ignorant campaigning angle.
paid2chill.com
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10-12-2008 @12:06AM Brie said... Slashfood has just lost a long time fan. I am offended that the writer did not understand the position of Michelle Obama and decided to label parts of her commentary as "gaffes"...
perhaps this entire article is a huge blunder in and of itself....
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10-12-2008 @12:15AM Bruce Watson said... Brie-
I'm sorry that this post upset you as much as it did. While I am a huge fan of Michelle Obama, I considered, and continue to consider her statement about her lack of pride in America to be an exceedingly impolitic tactical blunder. Regardless of her intention, her execution left a lot to be desired and it continues to haunt her husband.
More to the point, I think that it's imperative that all of us, liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, all develop a slightly thicker skin and a little more willingness to laugh at ourselves. While "Obama Waffles" cross the line between acceptable humor and unreasonable attack, that line DOES exist, and our unwillingness to laugh about the shortcomings and foibles of our respective candidates is one of the major problems with our current political climate.
I hope that you will reconsider your self-imposed exile from Slashfood. Even if you don't, I hope that you will find a comfort level with political humor and the give-and-take of political discussion. If we are incapable of acknowledging our own blinders, weaknesses, and prejudices, how can we ever hope to help other people come to terms with theirs?
Thank you for your comment.
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