By mb

May 21, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

To portray any public official in a scope’s cross-hairs shows poor judgement. The first amendment protects freedom of the press therefore poor judgement is allowed in our free society.

By ATLDawgy

May 21, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

The Roswell Beacon is correct to assert that Obama is in danger running for president and being so close compared to say Jesse Jackson. However, the cover is in poor taste considering the climate of the topic of terrorism in our country today. How many papers would get away with showing cover images of structures like the White House, Golden Gate Bridge, Sears Tower, a school, a church, etc, about to be impacted by a commercial airplane? Mass murder of innocent civilians and the assassination of an individual who could be the next US president are both forms of terroism. If we are so up in arms about our national security to fight a war on terror half way around the planet, why is it acceptable to view domestic terrorism in such trivial light as to publish such a disturbing cover? Once again, the prospect of assassination is a reality and I do not fault the Roswell Beacon for publishing the article. I just question the taste of the cover.

By woa

May 21, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

Whats going on with GA? Is this the message we want to send out to the rest of the country? Enough already!!!

By Trunk Monkey

May 21, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

What’s next? Using a picture of Obama surrounded by Klansmen to illustrate an article on how white the sheets are at the hotels he stays at? Maybe pictures of Obama with a noose around his neck for an article on legislating industrial hemp farming?

Thanks to that doofus last week portraying Obama as a monkey, and now this…is it any wonder that everybody believes that Georgia is the homeland of red-necks and racists?!

By Me

May 21, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

They know it is incendiary. That is why they did it. It is offensive, but there are people who feel that way about him simply beccause of his race. Hopefully, hope will outshine darkness, and as a country we can take a huge step towards being the country we could be.

By MAK

May 21, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

I’m not surprised at all by this cover photograph. Let’s all be real about this folks. Obama’s soon-to-be nomination is bringing the worst out in these neanderthals. They have been so poisoned and indoctrinated by their own lies and ill-conceived notions of superiority that they cannot bare to think that “one of them” could become president. This is just the beginning folks - get ready to revisit the 60’s and prior.

Here’s the irony though….if they are successful at assasinating this man, it will only empower those whom they long to oppress…this is NOT the 1960’s. Killing Obama would not be a good thing for these idiots. But they are too stupid and blinded to know that. Tis’ a pitty.

By Mike

May 21, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

Unbelievable. There is good journalism, and then there is this. I am a fairly conservative, McCain-leaning voter, but, come on. Did these editors actually respond to inquiries on this with a straight face? Irresponsible at best, stupid and scary at worst.

By NWA

May 21, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

I am sure folks are going to cry ‘freedom of press’ but the image is in very poor judgement. It is amazing that so many people are against Obama because of his skin color. Well this is Georgia…so if you really enjoy $4 a gallon, a bad economy, and young Americans killed in Iraq, then the GOP wants your vote!

By Born In America

May 21, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

This photo is very, very, very distasteful to say the least. To even suggest this as ‘art’ with ANY candidate; let alone anyone else is unpatriotic, inhumane and incredible embarrassment to our country. Would the party responsible for publishing this cover consider it ‘art’ if their father, brother or son were portrayed in such manner? I think not!!!!! Come on people lets rise above the hatred and come together as a people and a nation

By tracher

May 21, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Not only is the cover in poor judgement but the publisher’s comment that they will not be swayed by “liberal bloggery” is even more offensive. As if only liberals would be offended by such an image or by racism. Poor judgement all around.

By Gandalf, the Grey

May 21, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

No

By Bob K.

May 21, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Obama needs to get a grip on reality. He himself belongs to a supremacist group and that being his church in Chicago. I listened to a couple of those sermins and there is nothing but race tension and America hate in the ones I listened to. His wife also said she is ashamed of this country so he shouldn’t be such a wimp and get over it.

By Toni

May 21, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

In one of the finest hours in our country’s history of having the potential for a Black man or a Woman to become President, we are also reminded of how racist our country can be. Many have made “jokes” about the possiblity of assassination of Sen. Obama when it’s only a cover up for their true feelings. People call it a joke to say what they really feel and have it get passed over. No one could actually come right out and say it, so they use a joke as an excuse. Mike Huckabee should be ashamed of himself. Is anyone talking about Hillary Clinton or John McCain possibly being assassinated? NO! Then it’s clear it’s an issue of race. Racists don’t want to be called racist and hide like cowards behind “jokes”. For as far as our country has come, it still hasn’t come far enough. For people who don’t experience blatant racism, they can’t understand what it’s like to be hated simply for the color of your skin no matter how intelligent you are, or what a good person you are, or how much you do to help others, racists will only think you’re inferior to them and how dare you think you can do anything or be better than they are. As the old saying goes, “Out of the heart, the mouth speaks”. Mike Huckabee’s “joke” wasn’t a joke and neither is this cover story. We don’t need to add fuel to the fire. Sen. Obama knows anything worth having is worth fighting for. Martin Luther King did and died for it. It’s a sad time when we have to face the reality that racism didn’t go away, it just hid in the shadows. For all the people on blogs everywhere who keep asking why people keep making it a race issue? Maybe now you have proof that it exists and it wasn’t the Black man that brought it up! Sen. Obama, keep pressing on. It is worth fighting for and I pray that God protects you from the evil of men who seek to put you down rather than lift themselves up.

By Just Curious

May 21, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

If Obama’s supporters cannot handle the media attacks against him now, how are they going to react if he is elected? The attacks then will be relentless, especially if he flounders.

By Fulton

May 21, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Sadly, the cover reflects the views that many still cling to. So when people say slavery’s over, racism doesn’t exist, get over it; this is a wake up check for you, America.

We (as a society) still have a long way to go before this Great Lady can realize her full potential…

By XTC

May 21, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

Is this what it is going to be like if Obama is elected. Are there going to be constant cries of racism every time he is attacked or something doesn’t go his way? I think the white community is ready for a black president…it’s the black community I am not so sure of.

By tracher

May 21, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

Bob K. you really know how to twist information to fit your narrow-minded values. You imply that racism is okay only if it’s not black on white. How about I sum up a man like you in your few comments, just as you summed up Rev. Wright. You sound like a racist, too. There, done deal. Why don’t you stop being a wimp and get over it? And actually read an article from start to finish - you might find the facts rather than your opinions.

By Cactus

May 21, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

PC is running wild when it comes to the Obamas.

By sharon

May 21, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

From now until November we are going to see “certain people” at their worst so we might as well get use to it. This is small compared to what’s ahead.I look around the world and I see some progress, but then I look in my home state (Georgia) and I see how far we have to go. The young and the educated are moving us in the right direction towards healing racial divides. We need more people like the young white male that graduated from Morehouse College over the weekend.

By Lauren

May 21, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

I am increasingly ashamed of the south. We are truly the butthole of this country.

By rptrcub

May 21, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

OK, if the Beacon stands by its story, why won’t it keep it up online on its Web site? It’s got the rest of the archives there. I had to trudge…through… YUUUCK… white supremacist message boards to find the article in its entirety! I’d like to read the article before getting my panties in a twist over this.

By Bigjohn

May 21, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

What if the cover showed George Bush? What kind of uproar would there be? NONE! The cover is provocative in order to get people to read the article. The DailyKOS never likes anything critical or appearing critical of a leftwing liberal.

By sharon

May 21, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

Bob K, what the hell are you talking about? Let me guess, you must be a member of the KKK. I bet you keep the sheet in the truck of your car. First of all you need to go back to school because your spelling and grammar is deplorable. Secondly, his wife never said she is ashamed of this country. You need to think for yourself and stop being a puppet.

By Jeff

May 21, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

This is in such poor taste and so un-American. What the hell??? How shameful that any publication would even suggest something so sinister. Here we have a top candidate to be our next president, whether you like him or not, and this paper puts him in the crosshairs of a rifle? This should cause outrage amongst all Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Independents, indeed ALL Americans. There are already enough nut cases out there with devious minds that we don’t need newspapers creating more.

By Steve-O

May 21, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Making jokes about killing a man running for president is not acceptable (Huckabee). Making racist t-shirts about any man is not acceptable (Mr. Norman) and portraying anyone in politics as the target of a gunman is dangerous and stupid (Roswell rag). No wonder people sees the south as being full of hateful racists— WE ARE!!! BTW Bob K, Michelle Obama never said she was ashamed of this country— she said “For the fist time in my adult life I am REALLY proud of my country”. That “really” part gets edited out when Fox News and other right wing media outlets play that. Why? Because “really” means that for the first time she was extremely proud, not that it was the first time she was proud at all and it certainly does not mean she was ashamed. Big difference. But you right wingers are afraid of the truth so you edit things to sound how you want them to. Liars! Racist pigs!

By Trunk Monkey

May 21, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Bob K. - you should really get out more often.

Mrs. Obama did not say “she is ashamed of this country”. That’s a distortion of what she actually said. It’s in the same pattern as turning a public grade school in Indonesia into a “madrassa”, or the whisper campaign that painted Obama, a long-time Christian Methodist, as a closet muslim.

and btw - ANY group that fancies itself better than another (for whatever reason) could be called a “supremecist group” which, I suppose, would include all christian churches and the entire Republican party.

By Peter

May 21, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

( sadly ) The article topic might be one of the reasons Hillery is staying in campaign mode.

By John

May 21, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

I believe this was a totally inappropriate cover. Each of us is entitled to vote for the candidate we feel is the best for our country, but rational discourse has been sadly lacking in this country, and the reported reaction of white supremecists groups or other radical right wing groups make that vividly clear. I believe that newspapers are one of the best sources to inform an electorate about issues that matter, and for the paper to very literally make anyone, but especially a political candidate, a target, shows an appalling lack of judgment. I personally feel that Obama is the candidate best able to attempt to lead our country out of its divisiveness, but anyone who doesn’t agree with me has the right to support the candidate of his choice. Unfortunately, some define support for one’s choice as the deliberate attack on an opponent’s morals, family, faith, and even his life. This is not democracy. I do not believe the newspaper intended to encourage such an attack, but by publishing such a picture, you have given aid and comfort to some of the worst enemies of democracy.

By John

May 21, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

My gosh you people complain about EVERYTHING!!! Who cares about the stupid shirt in Marietta? Who cares about the picture in the Roswell paper? Obama will never win anyway.

By Alvin

May 21, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Bob K you need to get a grip.You probaly are defending this picture, because the fist thing you talk about is a sermon Obama’s preacher made and his wife. If you had listen to the wholeconversation with his wife you might of gotten a clearer picture of what she was say. the Obamas by your account could do no right.If he walk on water you would say he could not swim.SAD

By Daedalus

May 21, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Another day, another black eye for Goergia.

In Cobb County they sell t-shirts likening Obama to a monkey; in Roswell its putting his picture in a set of cross-hairs in a cheap stunt to sell papers. When people use the first amendment to complain — the paper’s right-wing-nut editor calls it ‘liberal thuggery.’

It reminds me of the classic joke about Georgia — what’s the quickest way to get to Alabama from Little Five Points? Answer: Twenty miles in any direction, once you are outside 285 its all Alabama.

Well, Alabamians, you are welcome to Cobb County and Roswell any time you like, oh, and take Gwinnett with you as well. Its a package deal.

By Gary

May 21, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Roswell Beacon shut down and rightfully so. Bad, tasteless,threating, redneck, and boorish. I am aware that anyone can print anything but people don’t have to read such. Don’t support this racism. I’m sure the Secret Service will be all over this. People for the most part are resistant to change.

By Pocahantas

May 21, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Folks… You might not agree with his policy but Obama is a human being just like me and you. He is also a husband and a father. This cover is offensive and done in poor taste. I’m glad that he is running for the President of the U.S. We need change…

By Jim

May 21, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

This is the problem an Obama candidacy presents. Anything that portrays Obama in a negative or slightly controversial light is going to be labeled “racist” and “insensitive”. The article was not racist. I bet all the complainers didn’t even read it. Isn’t it ironic how these same liberals have no problems with artists who desecrate Jesus in their art work? Americans don’t want to spend the next four years apologizing for every transgression committed against black people in the last 200 years.

By Supe

May 21, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

I didn’t even think anything of it until I saw this story in the paper. The longer this campaign continues, it seems either we are not politically correct enough or mr Barack has feelings which are easily hurt. Newsflash, if you are a public figure, you are going to live under a microscope, people are going to say ugly things about you, you are going to be satired, poked fun at, prodded, it’s just the territory. If you don’t want that life style, then don’t pursue that career. If you want that career, then quit whining, and quit doing something so easy, so childish as immediately playing the race card. Obama addressed the race issue early on and that should have been the end of it. Race is race, heritage is heritage. Mr. Barack is the first black man in US history actually running for the office of President. Should he be proud of his race or should he be transparent in color so as to represent us all? What a quandry…

By StiffUpperLip

May 21, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Just Curious, do you think it is really appropriate to make attacks based on possible assassination scenarios? That is not about the issues. If people were talking and joking about killing Bush you guys would be up in arms. I thing it should be pointed out that as much as liberals hate Bush we have never discussed, on any level, killing him. We have not made jokes about it, we have not mocked up photos of it, etc… We know that would be inappropriate. Why don’t you guys know the same thing. Where is your humanity? You can’t just joke about killing a man and then say “stop being so whiney” This is serious people. You guys are nothing but overgrown playground bullies. You push people down and kick sand in their faces and then say “stop being a wimp” Well, why don’t you guys stop acting like a KKK lynch mob. You need to be aware that is how you come off. When the rest of the country gets wind of this, and they will, no one will want to do business in the south.

By PERRY

May 21, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

It is irresponsible, but it is true a lot of people do not like the idea of a black President, especially, unfortunately, some white Southerners. No one should be put in cross hairs like that; it would probably encourage some “nut” out there. These kind of things, including the “monkey” T-shirt from the bar in Roswell make us in Georgia look like ignorant prejudiced fools to the rest of the country.

By A Thought

May 21, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

The cover was in poor taste, however, maybe is was used to draw attention to the article on the inside. As a Black American, the thought had crossed many minds in our community as we face racism each and every day.

By E.Lamar

May 21, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

I have not seen the cover,but from the discription it sounds racist.Are we ever going to get over the stupidity that our society and the media just seem to gravitate to?Why not send a message to this paper and just don’t buy it.Hit them where it hurts,the pocket.

By Let the truth be known

May 21, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

It ain’t about people attacking Obama or liberals not being able to take the heat, this was an act of poor judgement. Period! They knew what they were doing with that cover. No one deserves that.

It’s good to read that the majority on here have sense to know that this was wrong and not tell people to get over it. For all the others, you get over it!! If it were your wife’s face behind that scope (black or white), you wouldn’t be saying that.

And yes, I’m conservative.

By Earl

May 21, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Obama sat in a church for 20 years and heard a foul mouth, racist, wannabe pastor hurl incendiary anti-white, anti-Amercian remarks over and over again, so what’s the difference here? Rev. Wrights words could have easily invoked one of clueless flock to pick up a gun and kill a white guy, any white guy. What’s the difference here?

By Gary

May 21, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Poorly done and maybe even a capitol crime. As for the church, the message is a message rooted as always in hatred not love as some would have you believe. The Western church is not Eastern religion but born out of repression. The century should speak paradigms and the masses accept change.

By Frankie

May 21, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

I have been disappointed in this country do you want to come after me…bting it!!!! White folk want to act as though racism has been extinguished. It has not…Racism is alive in the US.

Show me a picture of anywhite presidential candidate since 1789 in a photo with cross hairs or dipicteda as a monkey.

WAKE UP America…racism exist.

I understand White America. You are scared of the fact that the Good ole boy system is waivering and coming to and end (albeit slowly). You are wooried that a black man has the potential to run this country and remove the BS that has lead this country over the last 220 years…yeah that it all it has been 220 years since the 1st president was elected. Racism esixted then and is still present today. All these patriotic americans condoning these acts of racism, suggest that you are unamerican. You want to say that this photo is freedom of speech let something happen to our next president and watch this country go into revolution…OBAMA ‘08 and ‘12 scary ain’t it….

By RCH

May 21, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Isn’t it odd that when other politicians, especially President Bush are portrayed negatively in cartoon and print nothing is ever said. Where is the outrage then?

By MM

May 21, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

The monkey T-Shirt and showing his picture in a rifle’s cross hairs is offensive. Mr. Obama has a law degree from Harvard and is a Senator of this country. The people who are portraying him in this light are uneducated and envious of his success. How can a black man be better then I am? They must put him down in order for them to feel better about themselves. Simple as that!

By Sick of the AJC

May 21, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

The AJC puts up these blogs to stir up more contraversy on the lines of racism. Stop it AJC! The country is already in an uproar and we don’t need papers like “you” making it worse. I will be glad when this mess is over so that we can go on and focus on more important issues. Stop putting these blogs on the front page to get hits.

“Was the cover appropriate given the topic or too incendiary?”

I think the AJC staff already knows the answer to that question! Geez :(

By kharruss

May 21, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

In the African-American community, there has been a long-held notion that Senator Obama is a greater target for assisnation by certain segments of society. For this publication to sensationalize this is egregious. For it to come from Georgia is, unfortunately, not surprising. There are still, in this day and age, many who subscribe and succumb to hate and intolerance of those not like them. As an African-American woman who grew up in Tennesse in the early sixties, I am thankful for those who have changed the face of the south. Roswell and Cobb county, come on board.

By SAR

May 21, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

Toni, black man is not Black man or woman is not Woman unless at the beginning of a sentence. Calm down sweetheart, it’s not that deep. Relax…take a deep breath.

By David

May 21, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

To “just curious”, I think Obama and his supporters have handled the attacks aginst him pretty well thus far and will continue to do so. the sad part is that it appears that from this point forward the attacks will become more focused on issues other than the political. For the rest of you folks out there, what kind of uproar would you think there would be if Ebony Magazine put out an issue with John McCain on the cover in cross hair?

By def

May 21, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

It seems to me that way too many people in this country are too thin skinned. If you don’t like it, don’t look at it, don’t listen to it and don’t read it. This country is full of people with bad poor taste and bad judgement.

By daniel

May 21, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

Funny (but tiresome) how sensitive the looneys become when it’s their guy caught in the cross hairs… or the monkey shirt.

Check out these from the “Kill Bush” crowd (http://michellemalkin.com/2006/08/31/assassination-chic/) and then tell me where all the righteous indignation and outrage was when these stories hit the news. (Could it be that you never really saw them in the news?)

And then there’s this comment from KY governor and democratic superdelegate Steve Beshear of KY: “When I mention that Democrats are problem solvers, I can think of only one Republican who can be a problem solver — that is Vice President Dick Cheney if he would just take George on a hunting trip.” Of course, that was just a joke (sorta like Huckabee’s unfunny remark), so I’m sure that doesn’t count to you Lefties keeping score.

Gonna be an entertaining six months.

By Dave

May 21, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

First it is a joke by preacher and Repblican candidate Mike Huckabee at the NRA meeting about Obama ducking because he is afraid of being shot now a newspaper prints a target with his picture on it. We all know there are nuts out there who might try to kill a president. I guess the death of a Democratic president John Kennedy or his brother Robert’s death while running for president were not enough blood to some. I may not like Bush, but I would never do anything to encourage people to kill him. Just what we need in America is a race war if some nut is encouraged to kill Obama. I guess I don’t understand it when people like Pat Robertson pray for the death of supreme court justices or actions like these. What happened to the real Christians who view killing as a sin. Some will call it a joke I guess I find nothing funny about it.

By Lauren

May 21, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

Actually, if this were about Bush or any person who has been President or is running for President or IS President there would be an uproar!! Why? Because this is illegal. You cannot make any kind of threat or threatening image about someone in that office or running for that office. I just finished reporting this rag and the AJC to the Secret Service and they seemed to agree with me that it is illegal and deserves their attention. I predict the publisher of this magazine will be getting a visit from the Feds.

By gttim

May 21, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

Yeah, the first amendment says they can print the cover, but the first amendment also allows people to contact their advertisers to complain and ask them to stop spending their advertising dollars with them. So the Roswell Beacon should not have any problem with “liberal blogger thuggery.” Since they appear to be complaining about it, the Roswell Beacon should probably research a story on hypocrisy.

I will have to check this rag out, and be sure not to patronize any of their advertisers. My first amendment rights allow me to contact them and tell them why I will not be patronizing their businesses.

By sharon

May 21, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

XTC are you kidding me? Have you been paying attention to exit polls in Pennsylvannia, Kentucky and Indiana where “Clinton Supporters” (translation: older and uneducated whites) say race played a very important role in how they voted and that they would vote for McCain over Obama or stay home if he is the nominee? Please, get you head out of the sand.

By britt

May 21, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

HORRIBLE….what was the thought process behind that cover and who ultimately thought it would be a good idea? There was tasteless and uncouth!

By Pierce Randall

May 21, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

It’s a bad cover decision. I’m not convinced that says vert much bad about the paper’s intentions in this matter, though, or their ability to handle the issue. They’re guilty of letting the interests of provocation get ahead of them. That’s the danger of having “responsibly provocative” as a tag line. Maybe they should pick up “responsible reporting” instead.

By Bubba from Buckhead

May 21, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

Ditto MAK* The nut cases will try to justify their freedom of speach. When this has been their tactics all along. Tar and feather 2008! If they can’t beat you then they take you out to the woodshed. Delusional America is their home with old victorian homes, blue eyes, blonde hair, shirts tucked in, and bobby socks. Everything is perfect and prestine in Whitemerica. Fortunately that’s not reality. Live in reality! Stop fooling yourself that you’ve been given some authority over other cultures.

By michelle

May 21, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

man some people just can’t get it right, can they?

mrs. obama did NOT say she was ashamed of america. huge difference in what she did say: “for the first time in my adult life i am really proud of my country.” way to twist those words, bob!

and i’m sure barack obama has not even heard about this cover (well perhaps by now he has since dailykos is involved), but no one from his camp has addressed it, so how is this him being a wimp or not being prepared for criticism in the future??

portraying ANY public figure in crosshairs suggesting assassination, much less a presidential candidate, is shameful to say the least. kudos to holiday inn for pulling advertisements, who’s next?

anyone want to join me in burning my copy of the roswell beacon? what are the public burning laws in GA and can we do it in front of their building? :)

By GaLiberal

May 21, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

I reside in NF and get the Beacon Rethuglicon-controlled yellow rag. The cover is just telling the story; that white, redneck, racist, terrorists want to kill Obama. I found the cover to be a great selling point and I read the article. I usually don’t read the the Beacon (and all the other NF Rethuglicon-controlled yellow rags). I do put them to good use for my dog to pee and crap on however.

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And the Beacon and the other NF Rethuglicon-controlled rags are living proof.

By Chess

May 21, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

I just sent an email to editor to complain. This information is available on their web pag.

jfredericks@beaconcast.com

By Hey Just Curious

May 21, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Where are you guys now. Bush is flushing the country down the oil well. Making out with billions in the bank, while the economy is being controlled by the Yen. Sooner or later Saudis will own all of New York and DC. Where are you clowns now. Why don’t we see republicans screaming now. Hypocrites!

By Georgia Born

May 21, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Considering the significance of the current presidential race it is not surprising to see this type of media portrayal. Let’s face it, no matter what spin you put on it, racism still exists in the United States. While many can speak to their individual convictions, systemic practices still stack against minorities in this country. If it were not the case, then there would be equal sentencing for equal crime, less wage disparity, equal access to healthcare, and more positive media portrayals of minorities. The mere thought of a Black man leading the most powerful country in the free world is a challenge to our androcentric society. The photo was radical and in very poor judgement, but we can at least appreciate their honesty.

By Shay

May 21, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

For all my friends in Roswell, I will warn them not to read your magazine or anything associated w/ you. All Americans, including Mr. Obama, know the danger he faces from racists and the politicans that are simply trying to keep a non-white from holding the highest office.

By grace

May 21, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

How shameful to put something like that in the paper. Why don’t you try the same thing with Bush And Cheney…..

By cory

May 21, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

For those who think that if George Bush was the target in a scope that there would be no investigation you are sadly mistaken. The topic of White Fright with a picture of Obama in a scope brings out the feel of an assasination attempt and that is unacceptable.

By Steve

May 21, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

So let me get this straight .. it’s ok to show comic satire depicting Cheney shooting Bush, or Osama beheading Bush, or CNN showing video footage of a sniper shooting an American soldier in a tank, but if someone does something that inflames Democrats, then it’s in poor-taste?

You liberal hypocrits need to look at what you have done and supported over the last few years before throwing stones and demanding things to be shut down.

Was this cover in poor taste? Yes, as were all those cases I mentioned above as well. No one should find any of that stuff funny, yet I never heard any major backlash from the AJC, nor any reports at all on those issues. The point is, you can’t simply decide to not say anything about one thing, or defend it, just because it fits your views, and then turn around and talk down about something that doesn’t fit your views.

By Edward

May 21, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

While I do feel this “newspaper” has the right to publish what they will, it is incredibly ignorant of them to print such an inflammatory cover. What is worse, however, is for them to deny they meant it to be exactly as it has been portrayed. Just like that tshirt in Cobb County was meant to be racist and the owner of that bar knew full well it was racist and why it is racist before he sold the first one, yet he denies knowing that. Has lying become so commonplace?

By joyce

May 21, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

I will not be voting for Obama, but am appalled at the newspaper for putting this horror on their cover. Suppose it encourages some ignorant creep to try something? If Obama is elected he will be our president and the representative of this country and should be defended and supported by us all. Enough of the past century prejudices. Justice for all is just that; no more denying an ambitious individual only because of color. He is not my choice because of his inexperience in world affairs.

By Bobbi

May 21, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

I think it is some of White America being exactly what and who they have always been. It does not suprise me,unfortunately. It is, what it is.Prdjudice! It has not gone away, it has only gone underground and the fact the Mr. Obama is a serious opponent, makes the ignorant likes of racist, rear their ignorant heads. We should have expected this. I hope the rest of American pays attention. This is NOT who all of White America is. It’s too bad they get so much press. If I were White and in America, I would be embarrassed. The world thinks this is the majority. I am optomistic, that this is the minority. I pray I’m right.

By OReally

May 21, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

I will tell you what..

These fools can make their little T-shirts, magazine covers etc. But you let something physically happen to Obama and WATCH what happens in this country.

This isn’t 1968.

By cole

May 21, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

As controversial as it is, it is the truth and the truth hurts especially when one is slapped in the face with it.

By RW-(the original)

May 21, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

And yet when the movie Death of a President came out depicting the assassination of President Bush, the AJC thought it was wonderful.

I think both that movie and the Roswell depiction are in poor tastes, but I guess that’s because I’m not a hypocrite that works for the Atlanta paper.

By Silence Dogood

May 21, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Seriously people, it only takes one of these fanatics to take out Obama, that’s the unfortunate truth. Tasteless or not, the cover accurately portrays the threat that the article conveys…

By Truth in Roswell

May 21, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

The cover was in very poor taste, but then again, what did you expect out of that rag, The Beacon. In conservative Roswell, it is viewed as not news but one long opinion-piece. And what’s worse, the Roswell City Council chose this fish wrapper to publish official city notices — I call it the “Failing Newspaper Bailout Act”. That paper has been championed by one council member and he seems to be having his way.

No the cover was not in good taste but what did you expect from a pig but a grunt…

By Pitiful

May 21, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

“Well, if they do it to us, then why can’t we do it back?”

“If this were the other way around, it would be o.k.”

Some of you “adults” sound like my 8 & 10 year old fighting. Some of you make it seem like black people who have a disdain for whites are the majority. You don’t realize that the Marta girl, Mike Vick, Jesse & Al are just as hated in our communities as they are in yours! We don’t WANT those people to be representatives of us. Why in the heck do we need reps with you anyway? When I look at the bigwig CEO’s who lie, cheat, and steal, I don’t think all white men are liars, cheaters, and thieves.

Give the t**-for-tat a rest. The first thing you do when you see a black person arrested or acting like an a$$ is say “See there?! They act like animals” or “THEY don’t act civilized”. But what about us that DO act civilized and don’t have a record?? We DO exist, you know! I don’t judge my neighbors by the actions of Pamela Anderson and Britany Spears! Because that would be what?… say it together now… STUPID!!

By James

May 21, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

You forget were you are! You are in the deeeeep south land of the Klan, ropes and the good ole boys’ network. Outside of I-285 and we (black folks) are fair game.

It’s amazing the how white people forget the war is over and Jim Crow failed.

Best remedy to counter stupidity is via education and building of wealth for the long haul. This election cycle will get a whole lot worse that this.

By Harry S.

May 21, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

I have lived in Cobb County most of my life, but the overt racism we are seeing now has increased in the last 25 years. The republicans, beginning with Ronald Reagan, have made it acceptable. They motivate their base and recruit new followers with hate and fear. Sure, they use code words in public like welfare queens, illegal immigrants, urban youth or Islamofascist, but I think we all know what it means.

These people are no longer conservatives, just typical republicans. Today, I heard a part-time preacher tell one of his followers he was glad Ted Kennedy had a brain tumor. He added he hoped he would suffer; just wishing the man dead was not enough. How can anyone who hates so much consider himself a Christian?

Where is Obama’s Secret Service detail? The cover of that publican would be considered a threat if the same picture was of Bush. Presidential candidates are supposed to have the same protection.

By robert

May 22, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

this is a great entry.