Breakfast of chumps
In addition to featuring an abbreviated Who's Who of prominent conservatives, last weekend's Values Voters Summit at the Hilton Washington offered aisles of conservative merchandise -- including a box of waffle mix that now sits on my desk in The Times' D.C. Bureau. I didn't purchase "Obama's Waffles" out of ideological solidarity or even a fondness for waffles. Rather, I wanted proof that the Values Voters had undervalued good taste. Not becuse the purveyors of the waffle mix took swipes at Obama on the box -- I admit to chuckling over the slogan "Change you can taste" -- but because of the gag product's echo of a "real" African-American purveyor of breakfast food.
I'm referring, of course, to Aunt Jemima. (Obama/Jemima -- get it?) The African-American icon for pancake and waffle mix and, later, syrup, is regarded as a beloved figure by her manufacturers. But she makes some consumers uneasy because she evokes black domestics of a bygone era. Recognizing that fact, Quaker Oats in 1989 gave her a makeover, putting her on a diet, removing her headband, and adorning her with pearl earrings and a lace collar. (This may have been overcompensation; who wears pearl earrings while preparing waffles? It's like putting Uncle Ben in a top hat and tails.) Even with her new look, however, Jemima as even a satirical role model for Obama is abysmally insensitive if not insulting.
That was recognized even by the sponsor of the summit, FRCAction, the legislative arm of the Family Research Council. In a statement issued the day after I bought my box of Obama's Waffles, FRCAction conceded that the product represented "an attempt at parody that crosses the line into coarseness and bias." When the waffles were brough to the attention of FRC officials, the statement said, "they were removed and the exhibit was dismantled by the vendor at our insistence. It is our responsibility to fully vet materials that are offered at any event we cosponsor, but we are deeply dismayed that this vendor violated the spirit, message and tone of our event in such an offensive manner." At least they didn't waffle.
Photos of the Obama Waffles box courtesy of AP Photo/Evan Vucci.
What is truly horrifying to me is that the Waffle creators, Bob DeMoss and Mark Whitlock, once worked at Focus on the Family; DeMoss:has co-authored a book with Tim LaHaye. See Whitlock's own website:
http://whitlockportfolio.blogspot.com/2007/09/letter-of-reference-from-bob-demoss.html
Posted by: Morris | September 15, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Yes--I guess those Family Values folks must've skipped that commandment about "Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor." I guess sometimes it gets lost between those other commandments about abortion and homosexuality.
Seriously though...it's hard to know what to say about such a classy display of conservative Christian values. I also find it funny that they don't see the irony of condemning Obama for both his Christian preacher AND what they consider his secret Muslim soul. I mean--come on guys--which is it?
Posted by: Sarah | September 16, 2008 at 10:41 AM
This awful joke is 100% proof that the Republicans and McCain supporters are racist. You don't see Obama supporters making fun of McCain's race, his age yes. If your supporting McCain your supporting racism.
Posted by: frank | September 16, 2008 at 11:35 AM
This says it all ! ! Obama is a slimeball
Posted by: Mario P. Hepp | September 16, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Horrifying? False witness? Racist?
I am a firm believer that expressing contempt for another's belief is much better done in words and waffle boxes than with Columbine style shootings. Imagine if those kids used words instead of actions to express their thoughts. Go free speech.
I don't see how one could possibly see this as racist, if Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, or any other canidate had the same record as Obama, they would have their face on a box of waffle mix. Simply by making the statement that all republicans are 100% racist, you are asserting that you are superior to said republicans and thus prejudice against these folks and in turn becoming what you say you detest. Join the haters.
For everyone else, taking the statements on the box of waffle mix is like taking the stories out of a national inquirer magazine and hailing it as the opinion of all newspapers. I do not think that Obama is a slimeball, I think that he is a respectable candidate who does not have any moral grounds or absolute truth to base decisions on.
Posted by: BIngonation | September 16, 2008 at 09:24 PM
The type of material appearing on the "waffle" box is an index into the fear and lack of focus the Republican Party and their Focus on the Family cohorts are harboring. Only cynics and losers attempt to sway the vote by such lowdown garbage. Calling themselves "Christian" and dealing in such dirty politics just demonstrates further how really worried this group is about their "glamor" candidate and Bush/McCain. Sleazy and ill conceived ,yes. "Christian" no.
Take your waffles and eat them all up just as you will have to do with your words and "strategy," come November.
Jesus would be ashamed of you people.
Posted by: Namaste | September 17, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Horrifying?? What word will you use when next you encounter something which truly is horrifying?
This is not horrifying, at worst it was bad taste. But guess what, taste isn't legislated in this country. Perhaps if more people like BO are elected it might be, but we are not there yet.
For those of you that think it's OK to make fun of John McCain because of his age, you need to think again.
1. In the 2006 election 46% of registered voters age 18-24 voted. Aged 65 and over...69%
2. BO has been steadily losing support among 65+ voters, most likely because of the slams against McCain's age.
Ageism is as pathetic and insidious as racism. The next time you hear somebody (or yourself say) "he's just a scary old man" insert the word black for old and see how it sounds to you. Agism and racism derive from the same stupid ideology.
Posted by: Ken | September 17, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Wow! Yeah this is just great!!! That's good Chrisitan values for ya! Way to go Dobson and his men!!! Really show us how to be a good ole' Christian!!! Pregnant teens, racist tactics, lying, this is great and Christ would love it!!!
Posted by: Robinson | September 17, 2008 at 09:52 AM
ok come on folks...after 9/11 how could anyone in their right mind want to have a "President Obama"...? Are there not any true americans out there anymore???
Posted by: Toni | September 17, 2008 at 12:40 PM
It's called political satire, people. Have you ever seen a caricature before? Obama has thick lips, so the cartoonist accentuates that feature.
Some of you may remember that John Kerry was similarly lampooned with waffles and flip flops. He was even photoshopped onto a box of pancakes wearing Arafat's head dress. Was that racist?
When did we turn into a nation of whiners?
Posted by: GotALife | September 17, 2008 at 02:53 PM
This is racism at its best and some of you idiots actually have the nerve to call it a parody or that it is humorous. Shame on all of you.
Posted by: kalimah samiullah | September 17, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Is it parody though? When does something go from parody to over the line? Can things go over the line? Honestly I don't think people who make fun of Obama on his appearance or a religion he doesn't profess to practice understand how Racist they sound.
Barrack Obama is black there for comparing him to a monkey, a servant in the kitchen making food for the master, or asserting that he's a Muslim because he wore a foreign nations traditional dress is racist and untrue. It is. Some of you may want to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask if McCain was portrayed as an "original Baby killer" from Vietnam or if he was on a box of crackers if that would be over the line. But of course that's different right he's your man kinda like Palin is your woman and lipstick on a pig makes you cry about sexism.
Posted by: cale | September 18, 2008 at 09:19 AM
[Tony: "ok come on folks...after 9/11 how could anyone in their right mind want to have a "President Obama"...? Are there not any true americans out there anymore???"}
You're kidding me, right?!
This nation was intiially established by British immigrants, who robbed true Native Americans of their land and sent them off on a Trail of Tears, while importing slave labor from Africa to build this country. Then, more immigrants came in from Europe and eventuallly everywhere else in the world, to build this country into what it is today. Where do you fit in this equation to make a comment like that?
Your ignorance couldn't be more apparent.
Posted by: Charles | September 18, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Please this is so typical of the Religious Fundamentalists in this country. They are truly the most hypocritical of all of God's Creatures.
This is pure Racism at its strongest.
If there truly is a God, the creators of this will face Kharma unlike that they have ever faced!
Hypocrites - plain and simple!
Posted by: Dan | September 18, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Way to go Focus on the Family! I have been a follower of Dobson and now I can proudly say I will never ever have respect for the organization again. Christians - we all need to write and even protest Focus on the Family and the Value group. You have crossed the line!!!!!!
Disgusting...
Posted by: Hannah Dell | September 18, 2008 at 10:30 AM
GotALife obviously you were never the victim of hate and discrimination. You most likely were the bully instead of the victim of bullying.
How sad that you would find nothing wrong about a blatant racist attack.
Your screen name should read INeed2GetALife!
Posted by: Dan | September 18, 2008 at 10:31 AM
LOL... I am sure it was just meant for humor. Funny how nobody does Barack humor. They should of included a teleprompter. I think it is a hilarious spoof. Wasn't he Muslim at one? Isn't he black? Hasn't he waffled on isssues? You can "Put lipstick on a pig" but it is still a waffeling reformed muslim who waffles. They had to make him black.....because he is black...get over it.
Posted by: Sarah | September 18, 2008 at 10:36 AM
On the back of the box, Obama is depicted in stereotypical Mexican dress, including a sombrero, above a recipe for "Open Border Fiesta Waffles" that says it can serve "4 or more illegal aliens." The recipe includes a tip: "While waiting for these zesty treats to invade your home, why not learn a foreign language?"
im surprised no one has brought this up yet im really offended by this! So now Christians are against abortion sex and Mexicans WTF
Posted by: april | September 18, 2008 at 10:37 AM
how can u even defend this. that in it self is racist
Posted by: Mike | September 18, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Focus on the Family made me ashamed to admit I am a Christian, now they make me ashamed to be white.
I imagine this display will make a lot of people vote - but not for McCain.
Racism is alive and well. Us whte "gals" over 50, that are supposingly going to decide this election, remember all to well the number of people black and white that died during the civil rights marches of the 60s so African-Americans had the right to vote.
Posted by: J. | September 18, 2008 at 11:35 AM
At the very least, these waffles should be considered tasteless, and I'm not talking about flavor.
Posted by: CK | September 18, 2008 at 11:52 AM
THINLY VEILED RACISM is RACISM nonetheless..... this and the disgusting little ditty "BARACK THE MAGIC NEGRO LIVES IN D.C." played repeatedly by RUSH LIMBAUGH are PROOF POSITIVE what is going on over on the CONSERVATIVE side of this election and people need to be aware of it much more than they are.
It's VILE and DISGUSTING and I'm very tired of the song and dance that 'they' all do when someone points it out and then how 'they' say it's DEMOCRATS that have introduced RACE into it and all of the other ridiculous things 'they' say including LADY de ROTHSCHILD having the ARROGANCE to join the bandwagon of those calling SENATOR OBAMA an ELITIST!
Posted by: Bellinda Myrick-Barnett | September 18, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Posted by: BIngonation
You are breaking the 9th Commandment with you postings.
You must now go and write a check to your "values" leader Pat Robertson.
He will pray from you directly from his couch.
Only then will you be able to enter the pearly gates of heaven. The reverend Falwell will be waiting there for you.
Posted by: slamkitty | September 18, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Oh, these right winged people and their “American Values.” Where do they all come from? They take a man who asks us, sincerely and ever so articulately, to join him in a spirit of “Yes We Can” to make our government more responsible to the needs of common people and they plop a caricature of him on a cardboard box with big thick lips and popped out eyes and a mile wide smile Aunt Jemima style. Then to make the waffles even more inviting for those who like such disheartening putdowns, they dress him in a sombrero, on the back and an Arab-like headdress on the top. And in the process they insult millions of black people and Latino people and muslims who spend a lifetime weighted down with such ill-willed stereotypes.
If Obama Waffles are “the ultimate political souvenir” and was so well received at a conservative political forum then what families are the Focus on the Family Action, who co-sponsored the forum, focusing on? Not mine. Not the Gonzalezes who live across the street from me. Not the family of my muslim friend, a “community organizer,” who has spent years in my community helping young people renounce violence and work to better their neighborhoods. The Family Research Council knows the answer to my question.Wake up America. These people don’t mean anybody well but themselves
.
Posted by: Ernie McCray | September 18, 2008 at 11:53 AM
This is political satire pure and simple. If anyone cares to remember the landmark case of Larry Flynt vs Jerry Falwell. Political satire in this nation is as old as the nation. There was scathing satire about our first president and will be as long as free speech exists. Calling something racist is a cowardly attempt to ban speech or print without having a cogent argument as to the reason it should be banned. Equality for all goes both ways and just because you wish only for the positive does not mean you are sheilded from the negative. If Barack Obama is truly offended by this type of speech he should consider a career change. Whomever is president will be called much worse by far many more, We have much larger issues to decide than if a box of waffle mix is offensive. Our govenment is no longer responsive to the peoples needs and is wholly owned by big corporations. We are invaded on a daily basis by people who flout our laws and this is what we concern ourselves with? Our economy is in shambles and we argue this, my fellow Americans, it is time to focus on the important issues and stop being sidetracked by these bread and circus type distractions.
Posted by: Charles G. | September 18, 2008 at 12:51 PM