http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/opinion/16dowd.html?_r=1&th=&oref=slogin&emc=th&pagewanted=print

To the editor:

Maureen Dowd (Op-Ed, 7/16) has equated a private mocking reported
conversation (with small print circulation) to the uncaptioned New
Yorker cover -- supposedly a cartoon parody of right-wing Obama
Swift Boat accusatory falsehoods. Because there was no explanatory
caption, the cover was blasted by right-wing news sources as a New
Yorker complaint about Obama. Whether the intent of the cover was
parody, its effect has been to amplify the very right-wing falsehoods
that the cartoon was meant to belittle. Had Oliphant's penguin made a
comment in the corner, or a comment bubble by the Obamas in the cartoon
made fun of the picture ("Rush, are we done posing for your picture,
now? Can we start the interview?"), there would not have been the room
for right wing political terrorists to alter its meaning.

Ben Burrows
406 Shoemaker Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027
215-266-2029