"Curious George" Obama Shirt Causes Uproar

Book's Publisher Threatens Lawsuit Over Georgia Bar Owner's T-Shirt Sale

(AP)  The publisher of the popular children book's series "Curious George" is considering legal action against a Georgia bar owner for selling T-shirts that link Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to the inquisitive monkey.

Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is upset with Mike Norman, owner of a Marietta, Ga., bar, for selling the shirts which show Curious George peeling a banana with "Obama in '08" printed beneath the image.

"Houghton Mifflin Harcourt did not nor would we ever authorize or approve this use of the Curious George character, which we find offensive and utterly out of keeping with the values Curious George represents," said Richard Blake, the company's spokesman. "We are monitoring the situation and weighing all of our options."

Norman, who began selling the shirts in late April, has said they are not meant to be racist. He said he thinks the Illinois senator and the character "look so much alike."

Bill Nigut, southeast regional director for the Anti-Defamation League, said Norman is being disingenuous.

"He can pretend he doesn't understand what the message of that T-shirt is, but he knows full well that's an offensive and demeaning stereotype used to insult African-Americans," Nigut said. He called on citizens not to buy the T-shirts, but stopped short of calling for a boycott of Norman's business or denying him to speak out.

"His speech is protected, but that doesn't mean that it's appropriate and that doesn't mean it's not hateful," Nigut said.

On Tuesday, about a dozen people gathered outside the bar to object to the T-shirt. The protesters said the shirts are racist and they wanted Norman, to stop selling them.

Nigut said he was not surprised to hear that some in the community might have bought the shirt.

"To say that there are a few people in the community who are eager to have that ... I wouldn't deny that," Nigut said, adding that some could've purchased a shirt as a souvenir of the controversy. "But does it reflect what the vast majority of Cobb County residents believe in? I don't think that for a second."

[omaar-101]

The Funny thing about You Behind the ''Key Board Racist''....

1. You don`t realize you are ''Primates''

2. That means, that you are Admitting to be related by Blood, to the great Apes....

3. Thats Gorillas, Orangutans & Chimpanzees ...

4. You are also Admitting, that only a Few Chromozones, Seperate YOU, from these Great Apes & Monkeys !!

5. Scientist say, that if YOUR BLOOD matches any of the Great Apes Bloodm Mentioned Above, that it can used to Save Your Life !!


6. Primates & Humans are Interchangeable Words...OK

7. Have you ever SEEN the Pale (Body) Skin of a Gorilla ? You Need to... WATCH PBS MORE

8. Black Peoples HAIR is Coarse, Wooly & Thick, like a Sheep or lambs Hair...

9. Note: A Gorilla`s HAIR is Straight, Smoothe & Silky, like a Horse`s Hair or a Caucasian Persons HAIR...Fact

10. I Bet, Some of YOU RACIST here, think a Polar Bear is White based on his White Fur....

WRONG...


HIS SKIN IS BLACK...THE POLAR BEAR`S SKIN IS BLACK !

SOME YOU POLAR PRESERVATIONIST, WILL STOP FUNDING THE PROTECTION OF THE POLAR BEAR, AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES, NOW THAT YOU KNOW THESE FACTS..WATCH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICS AND ANIMAL PLANET..YOU LOW LIFES.

[popstom1]

ahahahahahahahahahhahahah

[popstom1]

Georgia small town America strikes back you tought
thay like obama hahahahhahahaha

[marymansour]

What hideous racism. I hope Houghton Mifflin Harcourt does sue. Racism is alive and well among all the unwashed and uneducated. It''s alive in all the states to some degree.

[zavatchen]

What about the T-shirt that reads "Vote for a Bro (O''Bama) not a Wo(Hillary)"?

[zavatchen]

What about the T-shirt that reads "Vote for a Bro (O''''Bama) not a Ho(Hillary)"?

[jack3213]

RACISM WILL NOT END ANYTIME SOON -AT THIS RATE. REALTY IS- THAT IT WON''T EVER END. SORRY BUT ELECTING A BLACK MAN JUST BECAUSE OF HIS COLOR WHO IS VERY INEXPERIANCED IS NOT THE ANSWER. HIRING CLINTON WHO IS NOT QUALIFIED- A WOMAN -BECAUSE OF HER GENDER- IS CERTAINLY NOT THE ANSWER EITHER. YOU WANT CAHNGE? DO WHAT IS RIGHT-VOTE MCCAIN.

[jack3213]

RACISM WILL NOT END ANYTIME SOON -AT THIS RATE. REALTY IS- THAT IT WON''''T EVER END. SORRY BUT ELECTING A BLACK MAN JUST BECAUSE OF HIS COLOR WHO IS VERY INEXPERIANCED IS NOT THE ANSWER. HIRING CLINTON WHO IS NOT QUALIFIED- A WOMAN -BECAUSE OF HER GENDER- IS CERTAINLY NOT THE ANSWER EITHER. YOU WANT CHANGE? DO WHAT IS RIGHT-VOTE MCCAIN. BUT FIRST GET OVER THAT HE IS A REPUBLICAN THEN UNDERSTAND HE IS MOST EXPERIANCED AND QUALIFIED.

[neenga]

"What about the T-shirt that reads ''Vote for a Bro (O''''''''Bama) not a Ho(Hillary)''?"

Good point. What''s good for the goose is good for the gander. Get over it, EVERYONE.

[ladyephesus1]

People are SAD!

[cmp271]

This is just too insane to comment. Obama with his big ears, and wide mouth looks like Curious George. How ironic, the name of the monkey is Curious George, and what George do we know but George Bush, who also resembles the monkey! Now should George Bush object to this, check out his ears in the cartoons about him. Look familiar? Obama is pandering to the blacks.

What if he got in, would it be open field day on blacks discriminating against whites. How many lawsuits would there be of discrimination-thousands more than there are now. White America does not need a black racist for President!!!

Check out www.Adversity.net

[larysinclair]

It is an amazing likeness,....

[parrot123-2009]

YOU WANT CAHNGE? DO WHAT IS RIGHT-VOTE MCCAIN.
Posted by jack3213 at 11:54 AM : May 15, 2008

He couldn''t even spell the word CHANGE in this post. Good Luck, Cheers!

[jack3213]

Hye Parrott- If the best you can do is mock my spelling perhaps your ignorance is more apparent.

[jack3213]

I want a T shirt!!! I want many T shirts!!! Lets all get T Shirts!!! Over OBama- Clueless Clinton

[far_point200]

Hmmm.... Oh someone needs to sue Obama for insulting that poor monkey and for impersonating a presidential canidate!

[zerato-2009]

Jack 3213 rascism will never end until you, larry sincalir and far point are dead. YOu all seem to want to keep it alive.

[SevynNina]

This is not good for the goose or the gander. This is disgusting just as all the hateful and nasty comments are that pertain to Hillary. Shame on everyone that promotes this garbage.

[engymass2]

You know its funny.... Did you see the gut thats making these shirts !!! I would much rather have my sister date
"King Kong" than this "greasy gut", "non-bath taking", "filthy", "father molesting daughter looking", "pig raping", "just released from prison looking", NAZI TRASH
!!! And he''s got the ''nerve'' to make fun of a decent animal like a monkey !!!

[engymass2]

You know its funny.... Did you see the guy thats making these shirts !!! I would much rather have my sister date
"King Kong" than this "greasy gut", "non-bath taking", "filthy", "father molesting daughter looking", "pig raping", "just released from prison looking", MAGGOT !!! And he''s got the ''nerve'' to make fun of a decent animal like a monkey !!! I think I will promote this shirt: Quit "Hating" on Obama ...08 !!! He''s "by far" the smartest of the candidates...!!!

[engymass2]

You know its funny.... Did you see the guy thats making these shirts !!! I would much rather have my sister date
"King Kong" than this "greasy gut", "non-bath taking", "filthy", "father molesting daughter looking", "pig raping", "just released from prison looking", MAGGOT !!! And he''s got the ''nerve'' to make fun of a decent animal like a monkey !!! I think I will promote this shirt: Quit "Hating" on Obama ...08 !!! He''s "by far" the smartest of the candidates...!!!

[popstom1]

he don''t care he makeing ton''s

[engymass2]

And I hope the company that owns the "Curious George" rights sues the filth off of him !!! Which they are planning on doing.....

[popstom1]

public domaine for a bout 20 years now or they would
have by now

[marlenemn]

The real whtite South (and other white haters) comes out. The South would not vote for Jesus Christ, if he were running %u2013 because Jesus was NOT white (before you suggest otherwise %u2013 just look at the people who live in Jerusalem now)

[marlenemn]

The real South (and other losers) comes out. The South would not vote for Jesus Christ, if he were running, because Jesus was NOT white (before you suggest otherwise, just look at the people who live in Jerusalem now)

[dmgenet]

A cowardly racist. Who''d of guessed?

[rudy654-2009]

Racists are so stupid!

[rudy654-2009]

Now watch Limbaugh make his lap dog and token African American Snerdly come out and say that he doesn''t find this to be racism.

[obamasgranny]

I bet he doesn''t go to a racist church. He just see''s the incredible likeness and if you don''t you''re an idiot! Don''t deny it!

Curious George 08,...he''s got more b-lls than Obama!

[johngress]

You will have to excuse me if I am a bit confused, but is"nt Curious George over in Israel, sticking his foot in his mouth again at the Knesset.
The dumb, ignorant redneck who created this T shirt needs to get the right name on it....BUSH. This guy probably gets off repeatedly watching the Ned Beatty rape scene in Deliverance. Then again, he probably voted for the chimp.

[obamasgranny]

I feel bad for Obama,...What are the chances that you would grow up to look like a cartoon character?

[flreason]

bet he doesn''''t go to a racist church. He just see''''s the incredible likeness and if you don''''t you''''re an idiot! Don''''t deny it!
Posted by OBAMASGRANNY

If he goes to church at all, I''d be willing to bet blacks aren''t welcome there. Quit trying to rationalize what is clearly an ugly act of racist marketing intended to appeal to bigots. Your history of offensive remarks clearly doesn''t qualify you as an unprejudiced arbiter of cultural sensitivity.

[omaar-101]

The Funny thing about You Behind the ''''Key Board Racist''''....

1. You don`t realize you are ''''Primates''''

2. That means, that you are Admitting to be related by Blood, to the great Apes....

3. Thats Gorillas, Orangutans & Chimpanzees ...

4. You are also Admitting, that only a Few Chromozones, Seperate YOU, from these Great Apes & Monkeys !!

5. Scientist say, that if YOUR BLOOD matches any of the Great Apes Bloodm Mentioned Above, that it can used to Save Your Life !!


6. Primates & Humans are Interchangeable Words...OK

7. Have you ever SEEN the Pale (Body) Skin of a Gorilla ? You Need to... WATCH PBS MORE

8. Black Peoples HAIR is Coarse, Wooly & Thick, like a Sheep or lambs Hair...

9. Note: A Gorilla`s HAIR is Straight, Smoothe & Silky, like a Horse`s Hair or a Caucasian Persons HAIR...Fact

10. I Bet, Some of YOU RACIST here, think a Polar Bear is White based on his White Fur....

WRONG...


HIS SKIN IS BLACK...THE POLAR BEAR`S SKIN IS BLACK !

SOME YOU POLAR PRESERVATIONIST, WILL STOP FUNDING THE PROTECTION OF THE POLAR BEAR, AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES, NOW THAT YOU KNOW THESE FACTS..WATCH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICS AND ANIMAL PLANET..YOU LOW LIFES.

[omaar-101]

The Funny thing about You Behind the ''Key Board Racist''....

1. You don`t realize you are ''Primates''

2. That means, that you are Admitting to be related by Blood, to the Great Apes....

3. Thats Gorillas, Orangutans & Chimpanzees ...

4. You are also Admitting, that only a Few Chromozones, Seperate YOU, from these Great Apes & Monkeys !!

5. Scientist say, that if YOUR BLOOD matches any of the Great Apes Bloodm Mentioned Above, that it can used to Save Your Life !!


6. Primates & Humans are Interchangeable Words...OK

7. Have you ever SEEN the Pale (Body) Skin of a Gorilla ?

You Need to... WATCH PBS MORE

8. Black People`s HAIR is Coarse, Wooly & Thick, like a Sheep or Lambs Hair...

9. Note: A Gorilla`s HAIR is Black, Straight, Smoothe & Silky, like a Horse`s Hair or a Caucasian Persons HAIR...Fact

10. I Bet, Some of YOU RACIST here, think a Polar Bear is White based on his White Fur....

WRONG...


HIS SKIN IS BLACK...THE POLAR BEAR`S SKIN IS BLACK !

SOME YOU POLAR PRESERVATIONIST, WILL STOP FUNDING THE PROTECTION OF THE POLAR BEAR, AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES, NOW THAT YOU KNOW THESE FACTS..WATCH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICS AND ANIMAL PLANET..YOU LOW LIFES.

[omaar-101]

The Funny thing about You Behind the ''Key Board Racist''....

1. You don`t realize you are ''Primates''

2. That means, that you are Admitting to be related by Blood, to the Great Apes....

3. Thats Gorillas, Orangutans & Chimpanzees ...

4. You are also Admitting, that only a Few Chromozones, Seperate YOU, from these Great Apes & Monkeys !!

5. Scientist say, that if YOUR BLOOD matches any of the Great Apes Bloodm Mentioned Above, that it can used to Save Your Life !!


6. Primates & Humans are Interchangeable Words...OK

7. Have you ever SEEN the Pale (Body) Skin of a Gorilla ?

You Need to... WATCH PBS MORE

8. Black People`s HAIR is Coarse, Wooly & Thick, like a Sheep or Lambs Hair...

9. Note: A Gorilla`s HAIR is Black, Straight, Smoothe & Silky, like a Horse`s Hair or a Caucasian Persons HAIR...Fact

10. I Bet, Some of YOU RACIST here, think a Polar Bear is White based on his White Fur....

WRONG...


THE POLAR BEARS SKIN IS BLACK...

THE POLAR BEAR IS THE ONLY TRUE BLACK BEAR !!

SOME OF YOU POLAR PRESERVATIONIST, WILL STOP FUNDING THE PROTECTION OF THE POLAR BEAR, AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES, NOW THAT YOU KNOW THESE FACTS..

WATCH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICS AND ANIMAL PLANET..YOU LOW LIFES.

[deacon20081]

Talk about resembling a cartoon character, look at Georgeie Bush and Alfred from Mad Magazine!

[taddles-2009]

"I feel bad for Obama,...What are the chances that you would grow up to look like a cartoon character?

Posted by OBAMASGRANNY at 08:25 PM : May 15, 2008"


What were the chances that Bush would grow up looking like Alfred E. Newman?

[truthyness]

I''m sure White Male Sexist love Obama right now.

Maybe Uncle Tom...er, Barack, will bend over for them too.

[abmitus]

Mike Norman,

You are an a$$hole amd you mother raised an idiot.

[kraftykraut]

Omaar-101, why did you leave off the bonobos? Did they somehow cease to exist? And how did polar bears enter the discussion? Should I mention something about black carpenter ants now?

[rumboogie3]

This is a no-win dicusssion. Everyone knows that you can''t change an uneducated, perverted, redneck racist. Picture this--a tall big white man with a somewhat broad noseand heavy lips, thick hair all over his body, chest and back, down his arms and legs. Now who looks like a primate.

[kraftykraut]

rumboogie3, thanks for the self portrait of yourself.

[omaar-101]

The Funny thing about You Behind the ''Key Board Racist''....


1. You don`t seem to Realize you are ''Primates''

2. That means, that you are Admitting to being Related by Blood, to the Great Apes....

3. Thats Gorillas, Orangutans & Chimpanzees ...

4. You are also Admitting, that only a Few (Chromozones), Seperate YOU, from these Great Apes !!


5. Scientist say, that if YOUR BLOOD matches the Blood of any Great Ape Mentioned Above, that it can used to Save Your Life !!


6. Primates & Humans are Interchangeable Words...OK

7. Have you ever SEEN the Shaven Pale Skin (Body) of a Gorilla ?

You Need to... WATCH PBS MORE


8. Black People`s HAIR is Coarse, Wooly & Thick, like a Sheep or Lambs Hair...

9. Note: A Gorilla`s HAIR is Black, Straight, Smoothe & Silky, like a Horse`s Hair or a Caucasian Persons HAIR...Fact

10. I Bet, Some of YOU RACIST here, think a Polar Bear is White based on his White Fur....

WRONG...


THE POLAR BEARS SKIN IS BLACK...

THE POLAR BEAR IS THE ONLY TRUE BLACK BEAR !!

SOME OF YOU POLAR PRESERVATIONIST, WILL STOP FUNDING THE PROTECTION OF THE POLAR BEAR, AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES, NOW THAT YOU KNOW THESE FACTS..

WATCH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICS AND ANIMAL PLANET..YOU LOW LIFES.

[omaar-101]

Posted by Un-Krafty Kraut:

The Point of the Polar Bear, is an Example, to Expose, how You Racist, Look at Anything Percieved as ''White'' like the Polar Bear or even a *** White Feathered Swan and use this in some Distorted Racist Way, as in the Curious George T-Shirt Episode in Georgia.

Rush Limbaugh and one of his call in Listener`s started this Nonsense...Weeks Ago

Limbaugh, said he did`nt know anything about the ''Curious George'' Charector or Book...

Bull Spit and that has lead to this...Nonsense

[kraftykraut]

Umiak-101

My goodness somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed. That poor polar bear you shot into a discussion with Curious George was quite humerous. And still no mention of the Bonobos.... how pathetic. Why didn''t you mention anything about a Sasquatch or something while you''re at it as well. Are they black or white anyway? I''ll leave that up to you since you''re such a primate specialist.

[grammawhamma]

But Curious George is cute.....

[broncfan1661]

The shirt is definitly racist. I do think however that it is just an example of white backlash for the Obama campaign playing the race card from almost the beginning.
When they falsely accused President Clinton before the South Carolina primary and it worked so well there, they have played it ever since.
Make the white voter feel guilty so they have to vote for the black candidate to prove they are not prejudiced. And of course make the blacks think the Clintons are racist and they all must vote for the brother.
And now some white voters are getting wise to this, as witnessed in recent primary voting. I think it will futher manifest itself in November unfortunately. The democrats seem to always find a way to shoot themselves in the foot.