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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!