MARIETTA, Ga., May 15, 2008

"Curious George" Obama Shirt Causes Uproar

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

  • Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.,chats with voters in front of a polling place in Indianapolis, Tuesday, May 6, 2008.

    Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.,chats with voters in front of a polling place in Indianapolis, Tuesday, May 6, 2008.  (AP)

  • Photo Essay Barack Obama

    A look at the life and meteoric rise of the president-elect.

(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."


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Add a Comment See all 48 Comments
by broncfan1661 May 18, 2008 1:13 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by grammawhamma May 17, 2008 11:40 PM EDT
But Curious George is cute.....
Reply to this comment
by kraftykraut May 16, 2008 11:52 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by omaar-101 May 16, 2008 1:00 PM EDT
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
Reply to this comment
by omaar-101 May 16, 2008 11:51 AM EDT
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.

Reply to this comment
by kraftykraut May 16, 2008 9:54 AM EDT
rumboogie3, thanks for the self portrait of yourself.
Reply to this comment
by rumboogie3 May 16, 2008 7:02 AM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by kraftykraut May 16, 2008 6:04 AM EDT
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?
Reply to this comment
by abmitus May 16, 2008 5:42 AM EDT
Mike Norman,

You are an a$$hole amd you mother raised an idiot.
Reply to this comment
by truthyness May 16, 2008 5:03 AM EDT
I''m sure White Male Sexist love Obama right now.

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

Reply to this comment
by taddles-2009 May 16, 2008 4:55 AM EDT
"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?
Reply to this comment
by deacon20081 May 16, 2008 4:01 AM EDT
Talk about resembling a cartoon character, look at Georgeie Bush and Alfred from Mad Magazine!
Reply to this comment
by omaar-101 May 16, 2008 2:15 AM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by omaar-101 May 16, 2008 2:12 AM EDT
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.


Reply to this comment
by omaar-101 May 16, 2008 2:11 AM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by flreason May 16, 2008 12:03 AM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by obamasgranny May 15, 2008 11:25 PM EDT
I feel bad for Obama,...What are the chances that you would grow up to look like a cartoon character?
Reply to this comment
by johngress May 15, 2008 11:13 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by obamasgranny May 15, 2008 10:58 PM EDT
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!
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 May 15, 2008 10:13 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
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