by Mark Silva
The New York Post may have been somewhat equivocal in its printed apology for the cartoon about the author of the economic stimulus picturing a dead chimpanzee.
But the Post's publisher, Rupert Murdoch, pulled no punches in apologizing today for a cartoon that raised complaints of racism in the portrayal of the president.
"Today I want to personally apologize to any reader who felt offended, and even insulted," Murdoch said in a written statement.
"I can assure you -- without a doubt -- that the only intent of that cartoon was to mock a badly written piece of legislation,'' said Murdoch, chairman and CEO of News Corp., which owns the New York tabloid.
"It was not meant to be racist, but unfortunately, it was interpreted by many as such,'' Murdoch said. "We all hold the readers of the New York Post in high regard, and I promise you that we will seek to be more attuned to the sensitivities of our community."
The cartoon by Sean Delonas, published the day after President Barack Obama signed the $787-billion economic stimulus act, alluded to the attack of a Connecticut woman by a chimp, which was shot by police after the mauling. One of the officers is pictured saying: "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill."
Following an outcry by protestors complaining of racial stereotyping and slur in the cartoon, the Post's editors printed an apology for offending anyone -- except those looking for any excuse to attack the paper.
Murdoch's own apology is a lot more inclusive.
(Rupert Murdoch, chairman and CEO of News Corp., pictured above at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January. Photo by Adrian Moser / Bloomberg News)
Comments
Poor little ol' Rupert, his Repukelican propaganda empire is crumbling right before his very eyes.
You know what they say Rupert - Karma is a b***h.
Posted by: Hulk Smash! | February 24, 2009 3:45 PM
Yes, but sales of the Post are up among rednecks, Rupert isn't all that unhappy I suppose.
Posted by: Flo | February 24, 2009 4:53 PM
Hulk Smash in your rush to jump on the race baitors band wagon you should know how govt works...Obama didn't author the stimulus bill ... it is not his job. Rather that is the role of congress.. so if likening the jaw droppingly stupid Nancy 'stretch' Pelosi and equally dull-witted Harry Reid to chimps is considered racist then count me in...
Posted by: Allen | February 24, 2009 4:55 PM
Allen, the time to "rationalize" the cartoon was last week. It's offensive. It's not funny. Deal with it.
Posted by: rupert | February 24, 2009 5:41 PM
Rather that is the role of congress.. so if likening the jaw droppingly stupid Nancy 'stretch' Pelosi and equally dull-witted Harry Reid to chimps is considered racist then count me in...
Posted by: Allen | February 24, 2009 4:55 PM
...
Hmmm....so it's ok to trash (pretend to kill) a female (Pelosi) member of congress?
You Repugs are in the minority for a reason - you're idiots.
Posted by: Hector | February 24, 2009 5:47 PM
Flo,
Is Django a redneck?
Posted by: Django - N Exile somewhere in/around the 30th Parallel | February 24, 2009 7:19 PM
I don't know, Django; you don't seem like a redneck to me, based on my limited knowledge of you. Why do you ask?
Posted by: Flo | February 24, 2009 7:54 PM
Dingo, yes, you are a redneck. It surely must be red with all that sun beating on you down there as you chase the hot latinas. I also think the sun has not only cooked your red skin, but the skull behind it as well.....but that is another topic. LOL!
Posted by: Xcellentform | February 24, 2009 8:46 PM
Django, if you're a gringo who says "y'all," saw the racial element of the cartoon AND you laughed your a** off at it-- there's a good chance you are.
If so, we'll check your pickup for a gun rack.
Posted by: rupert | February 24, 2009 8:47 PM
This is the new world we live in; when your crime is not what you do, but how someone else decides to percieve what you did. The crime here is that someone elese decided to be offended. Of course this also has to be someone in a "protected" group.
Were was Al Sharpton when cartoons showed Bush as a monkey? Why didn't that Offend Al Sharpton?
Even if the intent of this cartoonist was to insult Obama, what happened to freedom of speech? Why was it OK to insult BUsh but now it is not Ok to do so to Obama?
This is the new world order. You can insult Bush, Cheney, McCain, Palin, christainity, or jews; just be certain you do not offend Obama, african Americans, gays, aithiest or Islam!
Posted by: Heather | February 24, 2009 9:28 PM
Flo,
Thanx. Just wanted to get your opinion. I'm conservative but that doesn't keep me from liking my fellow humans in an altruistic kind of way. I like your sharp wit.
Excellentform,
Thanx too. I just fell in love with the pretty Latina on 'Bones', while waiting for your (our) president to appear. WHO is that p.L.
Rupert,
No Truck, No Rack, and YOU sometimes make me laugh. Pogo sez "Don't take life too seriously, it is in NO ways permanent".
Django has to check the M box in the "Just What The Heck Are You" section on the form. M as in Mongrel ~ Creek/Seminole dad. Mostly. Creole mother. Mostly. More like my dad, but have to go with the M. Democrats they both were, but I just can't afford it.
Am listening to the president. No popping veins. No x-ray eyes. No smoky ears. This is a great country. Peace u guyz.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | February 24, 2009 9:42 PM