Not sure how to term this ('reverse parody/satire') or if it's a valid criticism (comments?) but in thinking about what's misguided/ineffective in the cartoon, it occurred to me that the parody attempted here is 'backwards' from the 'norm' in such efforts, to wit:

In the typical political cartoon, things are EXAGGERATED because of and to emphasize their TRUTH. Small features that are subtle are blown out of proportion to call attention thereto, to highlight, so that the attention that ought to be focused on them (in the artist's opinion) may be so done more easily.

In the NYer cover, the REVERSE has been attempted. EXAGGERATION of something FALSE. (Many falsities, mixed with, as one commentator noted on last nights News Hour, a truth -- the fist bump -- which just adds confusion, but that isn't my issue here.) The exaggeration of something false is why this cartoon is rather unique and has provoked an unusual and widespread response.

It's clunky to get one's head around. When I first saw it, I thought, "How could they have!?" It appeared to be damaging propaganda, typical of the right wing machine. Only slowly did my mind adapt to this unusual use of parody, different -- the reverse -- from the normal process of satire to exaggerate to reveal subtle truth.

And I object to the reference to the "ignorant masses" in the Press Box column, the intent thereof being to criticize anyone who would draw distinctions between the ability of various individuals to deconstruct the cartoon at issue. This criticism is ... something false.

It's true that people have different sets of skills. Not all are literary critics. Not all are college educated. Not all can build a cabinet or install a water main. Different people, different skills. Your skill set -- and perhaps the compensation you derive thereby -- don't make you BETTER. Just different. (And -- as an aside -- best served by the TRUTH in politics, regardless of who you are.) We aren't all the same, and we all don't have the same ability to interpret this cartoon. To argue otherwise is ignorant, ignoring the facts of American life/culture and the Right's adoption of propaganda-as-policy in their political messages and activism.

The NYer editors forgot this, in their over-clever haste to release what they knew would be a provocative cover. MANY who see this cover won't have the time/tools/desire to deconstruct it. It will simply reinforce something they picked up somewhere from the Right's propaganda machine. Believe me, the Republican Establishment is smiling behind their hands at this cartoon. The NYer has given them a gift. Images are powerful, and stick in the head.

In the future, let's stick to the tried formula of exaggerating TRUTH for effect, rather than exaggerating LIES in a misguided and clunky attempt to imply their falsity. The later is too easily confused with the former by too many Americans. And thus the NYer defeats and damages the very purpose it endeavored to pursue.

Homba