"Curious George" Obama Shirt Causes Uproar
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."
© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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."
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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.
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.
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
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.
You are an a$$hole amd you mother raised an idiot.
Maybe Uncle Tom...er, Barack, will bend over for them too.