Politicians act like little girls

The New Yorker released its newest magazine today and the cover has created quite the controversy. The artist and the magazine say they were just incorporating all of the rumors about Obama and his wife into one piece of satire, but Obama isn't okay with that explanation. McCain immediately condemned the magazine--I'm sure he thought it was hilarious--playing the political game the way he has to. Did the New Yorker cross the line? When it comes to satire and humor, are the restrictions greater when dealing with an African American? I don't think the picture is out of line; the only reason it has provoked outrage is because its depicting a black man and woman in a demeaning light--that and it's related to an election. President Bush gets mocked in ways as bad or worse regularly and neither the White House, the Obama camp, nor anyone else condemns such political satire. Why should this instance be treated any differently? The fact that Obama is venturing where no other black man has in American politics shouldn't spare him from the same type of treatment that any other politician faces, and his response is disappointing. For supposedly running a different type of campaign and practicing a different kind of politics, his response is sadly typical. The freedom to make fun of politicians is part of what makes America different than much of the world, and as a contender to lead our country, Obama should say he respects the 1st amendment and move forward.