Sorting out the facts in Obama-Joker 'socialist' posters around L.A.

[depakid]

Los Angeles residents voted for Barack Obama is large numbers last November (69% compared to 29% for John McCain). So it's somewhat surprising that a controversy over a public critique of the president would start on the streets of L.A.

But that's what happened today. Details are sketchy, but there is apparently at least one street poster in L.A. showing the president as the "Joker" character with white face, red lipstick with the word "socialist" under it.

There has been a lot of commentary on the poster but little detail about where it is and who put it up.

According to KTLA News, Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable President Earl Ofari Hutchinson is calling the depiction politically mean-spirited and dangerous. Hutchinson is challenging the group to come forward.

American Thinker claims the posters "are spreading across" the city and has a photo of one on a freeway onramp. Says the site: "It is starting. Open mockery of Barack Obama, as disillusionment sets in with the man, his policies, and the phony image of a race-healing, brilliant, scholarly, middle-of-the-roader."

Bloggers found that first reports of the poster in L.A. http://bedlammagazine.com/06news/mystery-obamajoker-poster-appears-la">surfaced in April. -- so it's unclear why it became such a Web sensation today.

In any case, now there are photos of the post http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/08/01/obama-joker-poster-popping-los-angeles">in Atlanta.

[Drunken Irishman]

1. Couldn't this be considered graffit and thus illegal?

[depakid]

2. It's actually sort of a time honored deal in LA (illegal, but largely "tolerated")

and it cuts both ways:



That's Jesse Helms.

[Drunken Irishman]

4. Yeah, but that's clever...

This one is lame.

Firstly, why the Joker?

Secondly, why does it say socialism? Obama isn't a socialist.

Thirdly, why are the two together? Was the Joker a socialist?

[Salviati]

5. Yeah, it's a fine visual, but there's no depth to it...

All show and no substance, so it's actually a perfect illustration of what's wrong with the republican party.

[depakid]

6. I know- it's pretty pathetic

But then, so were the comments about health care reform under an article in today's Oregonian. Hollering all about socialism- which of course, neither the plan- nor the Obama administration's policies have much to do with.

It's a center- right agenda, for crissakes!

[JuniperLea]

3. I'll be driving across downtown in about half an hour...

Will keep my eyes open. I was the first in my neighborhood to notice the "Hope" posters here... there are a few spots that just beg for posters.

I'll report back if I find anything.

I see the "Where's The Birth Certificate" WND billboard on my way home too... it scares me that I may be traveling the path of fools every day! LOL!