Local Newspaper Compares Obamas To "Sanford & Son"

SMITHTOWN, N.Y. (WPIX) - Photos of President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle that surfaced in a Republican newspaper last week have caused a flurry of controversy on Long Island.

The pictures featured in the weekly Smithtown Messenger, created by Phillip Sciarello, features "before and after" photos of six presidents and their wives, starting with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and continuing on to the Obamas.

One picture of President Obama and his wife Michelle show the couple hugging, while the second depicted the 1970's show "Sanford and Son" where Sanford's sister-in-law Aunt Esther, played by LaWanda Page, had her fists up facing comedian Redd Foxx.

Many critics have dubbed the illustration "racist" and "despicable," which has prompted many Democrats to call for the Smithtown Messenger to be stripped of county legal ads.

NAACP Regional president Tracy Edwards comment on photo spread, telling PIX 11 News, "It's despicable. It's disrespectful. If is was meant as satire, it clearly missed the mark."

However, Sciarello called the criticism "completely wrong" and said they were meant as "political sattire."

The publication issued a statement to PIX 11 News that will also appear as a retraction slated to appear in Thursday's publication.

"The publisher of the Smithtown Messenger regret any offense taken by our readers at the photographic political satire depicting the current and past presidents on the editorial page in the April 29th, 2010 issue. While we have grave disagreement with the policies of the current Administration, we hold the office of President of the United States in great respect."

http://www.wpix.com/news/local/wpix-president-pictures-controversy,0,5160702.story

I find it interesting how people that have no idea what satire is are the first to start claiming it when they get called on their bullshit.

And it's to be expected. The racist asshats of America have been emboldened by the GOP. I'm sick of this shit.

:eyes:

It seems to be something about race equaling class. If that's not racist, I don't know what is.

of the comparisons are the actual people. Only with the Obamas is the After a TV sit com. How could they have intended this to be offensive?

The paper has absolutely no class and deserves nothing more than to be used as birdcage liner.

to stupid and racist to understand. Actually, the understand quite well.

The Obama's are still in office, hence there is no after photo to post, because there is no after yet. To me the reference to Sanford and Son is just stupid. It has little to do with anything.

as excuse now that they're busted.

It's more stupid than anything and says more about the smithtown paper than it does about the Obamas.

Assholes.

racist prigs?

The classic non-apology apology.

I'm sure we all remember when the Messenger ran "before" and "after" pictures of the Bush family: The inauguration photo on the left (before), and the Beverly Hillbillies on the right. No? Well, it would have just been a joke. You know? Joking about the Bush family's hick roots and ersatz folksiness? For to have a ha-ha and then it's over?

"Its publisher, Phil Sciarillo, ran unsuccessfully on the GOP ticket in 2004 for a seat on the State Assembly."

http://www.northshoresun.com/news/news-profile.php?Subcategory_ID=89&ID=545

:puke:

pond scum. :puke:

Disgusting, for sure. I sent it back to everyone on the list and said anyone that thought that was funny should be ashamed. Never heard another word.

were not really flattering for any of the other Democrats either, but putting the Sanford picture in for the president is despicable. One thing that is clear is that they keep sinking to new depths. Just when I think they can't go any lower they come up with something else.

Norman Lear based both Sanford & Son and All In The Family on BBC shows that intentionally exploited racial stereotypes for humor. Both shows in the US did the same. I heard Caroll O'Connor in an interview a few years before his death. He enjoyed playing Archie but took on the roll because it was actually poking fun at ignorant bigots. He was saddened to learn that the character was becoming a folk hero because it was totally the opposite of his own beliefs.

Red Foxx played the black equivalent of Archie with the same ignorant bigotry. His son (forget his name), curiously, played the same basic roll as Meathead, arguing with him about his prejudices.

Unless the creator of this "cartoon" had never seen Sanford & Son and didn't bother to research it, there's no way the use of the image could be taken as anything other than a racial dig, specifically with respect to race/poverty.