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An appalling cover illustration of Obama in sniper crosshairs!
No, this isn't stormfront or some lunatic fringe NRA site, this is a newspaper in north Georgia with a circulation of about 65,000. The photo shows Obama with a crosshairs centered on his heart as if looking through a rifle scope.
As fearlessly as they "defend" their fear mongering piece it is noteworthy the online edition has had its frontpage changed while the article is still there. I encourage you to email the editor and express your displeasure at this incendiary piece of KKK masturbation material."Good, bad or ugly, we tell the truth," he said.
Fredericks and senior editor Tim Altork said there was little
internal debate over the appropriateness of the imagery, though they
were aware it was likely to create a stir.
"We knew we were on the provocative edge," Altork said. "But it's a very fair piece, a smart piece."
The article was pitched and reported by veteran freelance journalist
Alan Sverdlik, who said he was curious how law enforcement agencies
were handling the increased number of threats lodged against Obama by
white supremacist groups, some of whom are based around north Fulton.
Sverdlik said Tuesday he had not seen the cover and had no input in its
development.
The Beacon's publisher said the art "projected the story," one which
he believes serves a valuable public interest: "We're hoping federal
law enforcement takes notice."
So far, however, the content inside has been obscured by the furor over its illustration.
"Their slogan is 'responsibly provocative,'" wrote Miami teacher Rian Fike. "This is irresponsibly inflammatory.
Comments (7)
I respectfully disagree. The image of Obama in the crosshairs, while very disturbing, is meant to be just that. It is an apt illustration of the story's content, which examines the rising level of tension and vitriol among white supremacists about Obama's candidacy. Not a pretty picture, but it accompanies a very responsibly reported piece. If it spurs more oversight of Georgia's 42 supremacist cells, great.
May 21, 2008 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's questionable. I understand your point, but if they didn't run this past the Secret Service first for an opinion, they should've.
May 21, 2008 9:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
No. I don't think so. I read the article. There is thinly veiled pandering to the supremacists there in the "Daddy and Kimberly" story weaving through. Particularly in the final quote. That's a hook, a catchy rhyme that sticks in the head. You take that away with you.
May 22, 2008 12:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
That paper comes to my home, and I sent the following email:
Messrs Fredericks & Altark:
You newspaper is delivered faithfully to our home on Wednesdays. We appreciate the local news and events that you carry.
However, the cover picture in this week's copy is very disturbing. To see the photograph of Senator Obama within the short hairs of a gun, was not only distasteful, but may offer suggestions to those who inhabit the fringe of sanity who may think it is a good idea to have him there while pulling the trigger. I know violence is almost an acceptable part of our culture, but to suggest that the assignation of the very first African American potential president chills civil discourse. The idea of how far we have come as a society in bridging the divide between the races, may be severely damaged by the idea the image presents.
I suggest that in your next issue of the paper, you publish an apology to the African American community, and explain within it that you did not think of the possible ramifications of such an image.
I deeply respect you right to not do so, and by choosing that option you may fall into the category of those who are fermenting further racial division at a time when the entire nation is seeking to heal such division.
Respectfully:
This is the reply from the publisher:
Our cover depicted the seriousness of our related story, and we hope the attention it has gotten will keep the Senator safer.
We printed a plethora of local letters in this weeks issue and we understand how our cover illustration could be miss-construed.
All the best, John
May 21, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Contact them:
editorial: taltork@beaconcast.com
publisher: jfredericks@beaconcast.com
editor@beaconcast.com Joe Levine
May 21, 2008 10:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think its good that you are bothered by it. You SHOULD be, and they better be taking it VERY seriously. As should everyone.
As far as agreeing or disagreeing I dont feel either way about the image....its the fact that I think they PROBABLY did it as a publicity stunt that gets under my skin. Either way, that paper will go into the History with Barack Obama more than likely.
I also think it is over the top, and they could have gotten the same message out in a better way. But fuck em really. It isn't like I personally havent been thinking about this very same subject, ALLLL the time, actually.
May 21, 2008 11:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Distasteful? Absolutely. However, context is everything. If this were some super liberal rag (and I do love the super liberal rags), and the article were about the horror of the NRA, and the threat of White Power groups, there would be little uproar.
Imagine the words "Bay Area Guardian" at the top, and no one would mind.
May 22, 2008 1:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
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