DISQUS

Joey · 1 year ago

So are all the carricatures of Bush as a monkey racist too? Because there are literally THOUSANDS of them out there. It seems to me that viewing a Bush-monkey doll and thinking it's ok and then seeing an Obama-monkey and judging it as rascist is a problem of the perceiver's own conditioning.

Joseph · 1 year ago

I'll remove the contact info from the comments if David J Lawson the Realtor writes me back to verify that he's not the same guy selling the dolls.

Until then, it stays up.

The address, Mr. Lawson, is:

Joseph@Plunderbund.com

soonergrunt · 1 year ago

Thank Teh Google
http://www.davidjlawson.com/
From Open Secrets:
LAWSON, DAVID J MR
PARK CITY,UT 84060 PRUDENTIAL UTAH REAL ESTATE/REALTOR 3/31/07 $2,300 Romney, Mitt (R)

[ NOTE: the author of this comment is now pretty sure this is not the same guy selling the dolls ]

Dan Someone · 1 year ago

According to opensecrets.com, a David J. Lawson of Park City, Utah donated $2,300 to Mitt Romney in March of 2007. It's not far from West Jordan; both are in the SLC metropolitan area.

Draw your own conclusions.

zapada · 1 year ago

Looks like he's also a real estate agent in Park City, UT. Isn't Park City pretty liberal? Hmmm, wonder if news of this could hurt business?

Lawson Real Estate Team

cornbread · 1 year ago

i wonder if that's the sort of thing that The Prudential Insurance Company would want to be associated with or have its affiliates be engaged in.

gravitybear · 1 year ago

If you are a contract manufacturer and someone approaches you with a design for a SOCKMONKEY doll of a BLACK presidential candidate, the correct response is to say, "Thanks, but we'll take a pass on this one."
Sheesh.

Ryan · 1 year ago

Weirdly, the lengthy product description on the web site does not have a mocking or derogatory tone. In fact it sounds pretty pro-Obama. It says he (the doll) is:

born and raised in the United States of America

Which, you know, is directly contrary to what the haters are saying about Obama the man, and also refers to him as:

this future President

Is it remotely possible the makers of this are pro-Obama but just ridiculously tone deaf?

Robert P. · 1 year ago

Might I suggest that everyone do as I have done and ask the local paper whether or not this is something the people of Park City support?

http://www.parkrecord.com/

Email the Editor.
Nan Chalat-Noaker editor@parkrecord.com

Jill · 1 year ago

Like I wrote Joseph yesterday afternoon, people are going to want to say, "Oh! That's not racist! Where's your sense of humor!?" just like they said that about sexist crap. Or they will say, "you think THAT'S racist?? You should see THIS!" Or, like Matt Stoller did on HuffPo, people will say, "Stop whining about the sexism against Clinton - here's a story of REAL sexism that you should worry about!"

Do not let anyone else define for you what you believe to be sexist or racist. You can't be a little pregnant, sexist or racist.

It's wrong, just plain wrong.

You call it out every, single, time. Sexism or racism. Period.

Joseph · 1 year ago

#1: I also looked up the campaign finance record - but the address doesn't match the business registration address.

I emailed the real estate agent- didn't hear back though.

If I don't hear back from him, I guess I'll do another post with that info as well.

Joseph · 1 year ago

I agree Jill, but I don't think ANYONE is going to say that portraying Obama as a monkey in a suit is not racist.

Matter · 1 year ago

Some further googling:
http://www.lawsonrealestateteam.com/meetteam.html
Meet Mr. Lawson!
Call Mr. Lawson: XXX-XXX-XXXX
(How thoughtful of him to provide a toll-free number.)

[ NOTE: I was asked to remove this phone number by the author of the comment. ]

Matter · 1 year ago

Another update: I called and spoke to Marilyn, who was very nice and helpful. She indicated that David Lawson was out at a meeting, and would be back in the afternoon. I asked if she could confirm or deny if Mr. Lawson was responsible for the site (I described it to her and gave her the address.) "Is this a joke?" She asked. She went on to say she couldn't imagine it, and denied that he was responsible. I explained that it appeared he was responsible for the site, and asked again if she knew about it. She denied it.

Jill · 1 year ago

Joseph - I've already seen comments on the other blogs tracking this that call it "cute."

Probably the same folks who loved the Hillary Nutcracker, Joseph. Seriously. You have no idea how far people will go to claim something's a joke - think Ann Coulter calling John Edwards a faggot and then saying it was a joke.

Jill · 1 year ago

George Allen defending macaca as not being a slur. The Columbus policewomen saying that their youtubes about Jews was just the facts.

Joseph - people go to extremes to defend what they want to say is okay when others, you, me or anyone else, wants to call it out. You've seen it happen to me - maybe you even agreed. And I refused to say "it's unpleasant but it happens" or "oh yeah - how could I not find that funny or cute or fill in the blank."

This is why you don't play the hierarchy of oppression games or judge when others say things are sexist or racist by saying it's not sexist or racist ENOUGH.

There's no such thing as "enough" because it just "is."

Peter VE · 1 year ago

I wonder if Prudential Real Estate, whose fine logo is at the bottom of the Lawson Agency web site, thinks an Obama monkey is racist?

Just sayin'

robert p. · 1 year ago

Just heard from local paper that the guy that was linked to this is not the right guy. Same name, different person. .

Snowe · 1 year ago

I emailed Park City newspaper and apparently the David J. Lawson at the real estate place is not the same guy; Park City is 45 miles away from West Jordan.

KCinDC · 1 year ago

Calm down, people. David Lawson is a pretty common name. We don't want to get worked up like a wingnut mob and harass some innocent guy.

Windsonged · 1 year ago

Sorry, you can't compare Bush and Obama. There is a history of referring to black people as monkeys, pointing out that their characteristics are ape-ish, etc. Calling a black person a monkey has long been a racial slur. This is different and I'm sick of people trying to say that what happened to some white guy is as bad as continuing and promoting systematic and systemic racism.

Jay · 1 month ago

There is nothing racist about referring to obama as a monkey when they did the same thing about former president Bush. When will black people stop this crap about everything is racist. Don't be mad now since obama is getting the same type of treatment that other presidents got that u were not willing to deem as racist!

Eric · 1 month ago

Jay, STFU and read the comment thread before you comment. This has been addressed already.

Heather · 1 year ago

I would have to agree with Ryan, comment #11, that these people are just tone deaf. If you are not from Utah, you will not know about the West Jordan State Senator, Chris Buttars, who in this last legislative session made a comment regarding an education bill he did not like. MOST Utahns felt his comment was a bit racist. Buttars, and many of his WJ citizens, however, did not find it racist at all. He is up for re-election and won the primary last month.

The comment? A colleague called the education bill an "ugly baby bill" to which Buttars elaborated by adding "This baby is black. It's a dark ugly thing,"

While I find both the Obama doll and Buttars comment a bit racist, welcome to West Jordan, Utah, where the majority of the conservative LDS population are a bit out of touch with the real world.

Jim · 1 year ago

I live in Park City, and while West Jordan is 45 minutes away, it's interesting that the website is registered to David J. and Elizabeth Lawson. The David J. Lawson who is a realtor here lives in the Park City area, and there is a separate address for an Elizabeth Lawson (divorced perhaps?). The SockObama website lists the West Jordan address as a PO Box. It's quite a coincidence that there would be a David J. and an Elizabeth Lawson in Park City, which is still not that far from West Jordan. There is a Brandon Lawson living in West Jordan, but that's it.

hysperia · 1 year ago

This "doll" is atrocious and I'm glad you've posted on it. But until millions of them are being sold on Amazon and at airports, like the Hillary "nutcracker", I don't think it's yet appropriate to compare. I also think you've misrepresented the argument made by those who were offended by the misogyny surrounding the Clinton candidacy. While there may have been people who said racism is dead and sexism is alive, I can't say that I heard that. What I heard was, if this was an issue of racism, rather than sexism, there would be outrage. As there is here. And rightly so.

snowe · 1 year ago

The realtor David J. Lawson emailed me back too, very puzzled as to how he was linked to this. He even told me his wife's name; it isn't Elizabeth. The style of his writing was much different than the email posted from David and Elizabeth Lawson of the site, so I'd be very surprised if he was lying about his non-involvement with the site. I emailed a couple of SLC newspapers, so perhaps one of them will investigate.

snowe · 1 year ago

"This “doll” is atrocious and I’m glad you’ve posted on it. But until millions of them are being sold on Amazon and at airports, like the Hillary “nutcracker”, I don’t think it’s yet appropriate to compare."

I am an ardent feminist, but I do think the monkey doll is just as troublesome, if not more so. Yes, the Hillary nutcracker was crude and sexist, but it is not part of a long tradition of dehumanizing imagery used to justify slavery and segregation.

Senator Clinton was not the one who had to get Secret Service protection earlier than any other presidential candidate.

hysperia · 1 year ago

Hi snowe. The thing is, I did say I think the doll is atrocious. It is racist. No, I don't think it's more atrocious than the Hillary nutcracker, which is part of a universal and almost ahistorical line of images used to dehumanize and demonize women in ways that has led to their oppression and to violence against them.
I guess I responded the way I did because I'm tired of people minimizing sexism. In responding, I in now way meant to minimmize racism. They are both absolutely appalling and I have posted on this horrible doll.

soonergrunt · 1 year ago

It's starting to look like Mr. Lawson, the realtor in Park City is NOT the same guy as the owner of the doll company. He's a republican, but that's not particularly surprising for an affluent community in Utah, nor is it evidence of anything other than bad taste in politics. So I don't think he should catch any hell about this, and I offer him my sincere apologies.

dirtgirl · 1 year ago

maybe someone should edit this post and remove the poor realtor's personal information and phone numbers.

Rob · 1 year ago

Joseph, please do edit the comments to remove the personal information of the realtor (maybe just put "[removed by moderator]"?) -- friendly fire casualties aren't good.

Lee Burl · 1 year ago

Geeze...how long before they start tossing about the N word?

Joseph · 1 year ago

I just got an email. It turns out that the real estate agent in Park City, Utah IS NOT the guy selling these dolls.

But I'll give a Plunderbund t-shirt to the person who can dig up some info about the Lawsons who live in West Jordan, UT and who are selling these racist dolls.

Hal · 1 year ago

SockObama is ridiculous, even from Utah. I can’t see this as anything other than an attempt to both cash in on Obama mania AND send a subliminal racist message. As white as Utah is, there is no way that anyone could be so completely tone deaf. It's not just two people involved in creating such a product; what about the designer, prototype maker (sewer), suppliers, manufacturer, market research?!? (they claim that they did...) and remain innocently ignorant of the racist iconography this product represents.

Utah is one of the most conservative and REPUBLICAN places in the country (we are liberals living in Utah county). See the post above from a fellow Utah resident (27 Heather) about Chris Buttars. While your at it do a google search on Gail Ruzicka of the Eagle Forum or read the letters to the editor on almost any day in the Provo Herald (harkthehearald.com) for more Utah wingnut stuff....

But, Utah is also a great place to live so in many ways. Any way...can I recommend to anyone that contacted the wrong David Lawson please email him an apology.

Here is some genuine Barack boosterism to counter balance this craven move. My wife has been working her heart out for the Obama campaign in the west and has just been elected as a national delegate from Utah to the Democratic National Convention for Barack Obama. She is a sculptor and has created Barack Obama pendants and key chains to help raise money for her trip to Denver (she is also donating a portion of the proceeds to the Obama campaign). Please check out her Website: appleday.com.

Icono · 1 year ago

I'm laughing my ass off at all these wankers who think their email tantrums are going to change something. The persons responsible for this knew the reaction it would get. Go flail yourself around over something that actually matters.

LOL · 1 year ago

good work gumshoes, harassing innocent people.

Julian · 1 year ago

I sent this to some friends. Here's what we thought:
I read all the excerpts of comments and tried rationalizing it as much as I could . In the 'for the doll' reasoning, I took into account that George Bush has also been caricatured as a monkey and that criticizing, making caricatures of, and making fun of people in politics should be a fundamental right. In the 'against the doll' reasoning, I took into account the historical racial slur of portraying blacks as monkeys. Using rationale, I couldn't come to any conclusions. My gut reaction is that it's racist. That's all I can say. What do you think?

---------------

Tough call. I see what you said and thought of that but it's a cute sock monkey! If I wasn't aware of the "monkey slur" this would be completely harmless as nothing about the actual monkey evokes malicious intent. The monkey has become a corupted image much in the way the swashika actually was intended as a good luck symbol. A case of interpretation but the sad fact is we can't enjoy its just a just cute sick monkey just as Obama can't be just a qualified Presidential Candidate.

Bea · 1 year ago

Oh, my god! I cannot believe the stink everyone is making about this doll. Who said only black people evolved from apes? Evolutionists believe all mankind did and Christians believe that black people started out white and were cursed with black skin at the tower of Babel - proving that millions of people believe in stupidity. Obama is long and lurpy and really does resemble a sock doll...sorry, it's not about race - it's about frame.

John · 1 year ago

Please do tell...what are you planning to do when you find these people? Is violence or threats of violence any less disgusting than racism? I'm disgusted for each one of you.

snowe · 1 year ago

The Deseret News in SLC has a short article up today.

Joseph · 1 year ago

And in typical MSM style, the Deseret News gave no credit to Plunderbund for breaking the story.

snowe · 1 year ago

You think the MSM will admit that blogs got there first? I was hoping that they would have been able to get an interview with the Lawsons, but they didn't find out anything new that we didn't already know.

Joseph · 1 year ago

It turns out not all news outlets are the same.

KCPW gave us the link.

Ron Moore · 1 year ago

I bought one so I can stuff it like a piniata and let my black nephew beat it with a baseball bat on his birthday. It will give him a better understanding of how to really deal with a racist.

Abe · 1 year ago

Ha HA its funny because he's a nigger.

Whatever · 1 year ago

Where is your outrage at the Hillary Nutcracker? If you didn't complain about that, don't complain about an Obama Monkey Doll.

william hedger · 1 year ago

How do I get a sock Obama doll??? Bill

Gordy. · 1 year ago

What's funny (sad) is how liberals don't support the first amendment.
The monkey, I mean oBama doesn't support the second either. And has little respect for the USA constitution in general.

Homer · 1 year ago

Monkeys are cute!

mark H · 1 year ago

NO BIG DEAL ! This is what we can expect from Liberals antime someone makes a comment or parody of Obama. Pull the race card and call out racist.

Don't recall this anger from the left when similar parodies of Bush were made.

I think a better doll for Obama would just be an EMPTY SUIT. with a push button that says his entire vocabulary. Change, Change we can believe in, Change Now , Change Change, Change.... I'm a Marxist....BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

This Idiot would destroy this country if elected and you morons are all upset over a doll.

mark H · 1 year ago

Whats with the Black Fist in front of Plunderbund. VERY RACIST... Is the Obama Campaign part of the Black Panther Movement ?

none of your business · 1 year ago

What Crap! You all can have Bush dolls putting him down and everything but wow....not Obama. He is the messiah to you. You are the racists.
Where can I but a dozen?.

David · 1 year ago

First, shame on you all for putting up people's personal information on your site. That is truly troublesome. Second, you all make me almost embarrased to be a democrat. Think about how you all are acting. You all sound like a bunch of crazed birds on steroids. Act like adults and quite calling everyone who doesn't agree with us racist....it's getting REALLY OLD!!!

Jim · 1 year ago

Joseph, here is there address:

David J. and Elizabeth A. Lawson
aka Elizabeth A Sluis
8821 Deep Creek Dr
West Jordan, UT 84088-3325

Free Plunderbund shirt? :-)

The Dude · 1 year ago

I'm offended at people not respecting our flag code. Do liberals care? No, they piss on the flag code, they piss on the flag, and they'd piss on me if they could. Would you guys argue they are just as bad? I doubt it.

Where am I going with this? YOU ALL ARE THE PROBLEM! I wear ball caps on Sunday to the inlaws house, I wear jeans to nice restaurants, to some people this is offensive and rude, to others it's just a lifestyle. You cannot make everyone happy. To Jill, the frequent poster thinking she is incredibly rational on this topic saying things like racism is in the eye of the beholder. You know, that's great, but so what? I find people like you offensive. People like you have no skin, you have no backbone, and you're "kind" are destroying this great country. People do not need to like everyone. It is not possible, but you're approach is to tell everyone it's OK to hate and slander the people you do not agree with. Where does this leave us? It leaves us with you being the very same as the people you are calling racist. I could give a crap if someone sells a doll that looks like a monkey, but I do care that so many Americans think it's their job to tear everyone else apart like you are doing. You're the bad apple and stop pointing that finger all over the place until you point it squarely at yourself first.

Chris · 1 year ago

That monkey's simply adorable, just like those charming guys who paint their faces with shoe-polish and sing and dance!

Jill · 1 year ago

Yo #62 Dude - yeah - I see what you mean - because you're, like, you know, posting here anonymously. I can see just how strong your convictions are - esp. that part about not tearing other people apart. Very believable given this comment of yours.

For the record, I've never posted here but I do comment. And I leave my name and my blog's url and you can google me and find my email. So if you have something to tell me, please do.

You wrote, "People like you have no skin, you have no backbone, and you’re “kind” are destroying this great country. "

Which kind would that be - the Ohio kind, woman-kind, Jewish kind, blogging kind, empatheitc kind? What exactly?

Please also detail the destruction I leave in my wake: "You’re the bad apple and stop pointing that finger all over the place until you point it squarely at yourself first."

Like I said, I see how brave you are by giving yourself a nice stereotyped pseudonym - The Dude - very original. And how proud you are of your stances, given that anonymity you're protecting.

I think I'll keep the chip on my shoulder about the writing I do and the beliefs I have, thanks.

Dee · 1 year ago

Is anyone out there really suprised by the marketing of this doll. The reality..... this is a racist nation. Always has been and always will be. Ignorance will abide forever. This is just the begining. In the near future everyone is going to see just how little this country has really changed. America's true face will be shown. Better get some thick skin.

Matt · 1 year ago

This is awsome...where do I get one? Somebody needs to make a black version doll of Karl Marx and call it Obama Marx also, because Obama is a marxist and enemy of our constitution.

Patricia · 1 year ago

I do not find the Obama sock monkey the least bit offensive. In fact, I wish the company was still manufacturing them as I would like to purchase the toy.

ted · 1 year ago

Where was ur outrage when all the Bush Chimp dolls came out? Not a word. Typical liberal hypocritical nonsense. ps the doll should be insulted to be named after hussein

Peggy · 1 year ago

Binkley Toys made the decision to do business with these people so fax them at 905-312-4655 and let them know how you really feel.

Joseph · 1 year ago

you’re “kind” ?

Thank you. I also think I am kind.

DeeWite · 1 year ago

Thank you SO MUCH for rooting out this mockery of our future president! These redneck swine make me SO furious the way they have to mock such an absolutely wonderful man of the people who is doing so much to give his race a good image. Why can't we all just treat each other with love and respect. I would like to see them die!

Dee · 1 year ago

The marketing of this doll is the nature of the beast.

Capital G · 1 year ago

Oh please. How many of you have referred to Bush as a monkey or seen/heard the comparison and did not express outrage?

Reap what you have sown.

The Obamonkey is not immune from the very same attacks launched at President Bush.

He will be called a monkey.

He will be called Hitler.

He will be accused of everything under the sun just as you have done to President Bush.

Shut up and take it.

216Skillz · 1 year ago

It's unfortunate that this came about. More than unfortunate it's just plain sad. I'm willing to go a step further and think that these people thought they were doing something nice but the question still remain as to why they picked a monkey? I'm glad they did the right thing and discontinued the product but why not make something people can be proud of? Oh, I forgot maybe that one wouldn't sell as well in Utah.

Dee Brown · 1 year ago

he is cute, I'ld buy a thousand if i had the money

Ron Moore · 1 year ago

I am soooo disappointed. I bought one ASAFP once they were available and now have been given a refund via paypal for my purchase with a note attached stating that thesockobama company is sorry it has offended anyone and has stopped production of this toy. Ruined my whole day.

Eric · 1 year ago

@80: glad to disappoint! ;-)

DeeWite · 1 year ago

This whole "chat" is just further proof of the country's descent into "Al Sharpton Amerika" where asses bray loudly about small things . Calling a black guy a monkey in a suit is nothing new and is not particularly harmful, except in the target's own mind. It is a very low class, cheap insult. What I find extremely distressing is O'Bama's spiritual advisor publicly shrieking "God Damn America, God Damn America, etc." from his pulpit and O'Bama's utter lack of condemnation. Any candidate not sheltered by this double standard of "fairness" would have instantly become "WHO" and been seeking some new goal in life.

Jessica · 1 year ago

What do people expect? It's Utah for God's sake. These people didn't even allow blacks into the Mormon "church" until 1978!!

McCain · 1 year ago

Hey Ryan; Joey! You are insulting everyone's intelligence with your comments. It would be like selling a doll of any previous presidential candidate wearing a white pointy hood. Let me ask you this! If they were to sell a white doll with a pointy hood, but the hood didn't have a emblem on it would you still have the same opinion.

Sheila Bridgeforth · 1 year ago

As a representative of Prudential Real Estate, I can affirm without doubt that our sales professional David Larson has not made the racially insensitive comments or postings being discussed online. We value diversity at Prudential and regret this unfortunate case of mistaken identity.

Sheila Bridgeforth
VP, Global Communications
Prudential

Amhed · 1 year ago

For fuck sake people, its a doll! Get over it. Thge people harrassing inocent people by the namesake of mr Lawson should be sued for harrassment, idiots. Even if it has rascist intent, ignore it! Youve brought more exposure towards it now.
Ever thought it could be a PR stunt for a certain canditate shrugging off rascist views?!

Sheila · 1 year ago

Please take down the address and website of David Lawson of Park City. This guy is still receiving hundreds of emails and death threats. Simply saying he is not the same guy is not enough! Soonergrunt, you are an idiot. There must be dozens of David J Lawsons in the Salt Lake area.

M. M. · 1 year ago

The sock monkey is probably one of the most nostalgic stuffed animals and has been around for decades and decades. The most traditional sock monkey is white and grey, but they come in all shades.

But apparently slapping a suit on it with an Obama pin suddenly makes it racist?

Come on people... It's not racist. The guy's pro-Obama, obviously, and it's a beloved children's toy outside of its political context.

It's not like it hasn't been done (that is, the recreation of prominent figures into children's toys) over and over and over again before, just this time the person happens to be black, and it happens to be a sock monkey.

Even if it has some racial undertones (which is laughable to think of for me), and I'm incredibly ignorant, it's still not that bad.

Heck, the only reason anybody is even focusing on it at all is because, subconsciously, they're hyper-aware of the fact that Obama is not Caucasian and they're trying too hard to do the "right thing" and end up overcompensating. If Obama was white, and a sock monkey came out of the white Obama, no one...NO ONE... would have a kanipschitz about it.

Makes you wonder.

Eric · 1 year ago

@89: anonymous comments originating from South Jordan, Utah.

Makes you wonder.

Joseph · 1 year ago

"If Obama was white, and a sock monkey came out of the white Obama, no one…NO ONE… would have a kanipschitz about it."

You are correct. Because there isn't a long history of a majority dehumanizing white people by comparing them to monkeys.

Do have aspergers or something, dude?

Seriously.

Or are you just so fucking dense that you don't understand that there are some very basic rules to getting along in modern society.

Regarding race, these include:

* not using the word nigger

* not making nooses and hanging them in the locker of your black co-workers

* not dressing up in black face to sing minstrel songs

* not burning crosses on your black neighbor's lawn

and

* not making monkey dolls that look like our first black president

Lady Jackson · 1 year ago

I think that it's pitiful and sad that ppl still live in racist hateful ways..In cases like this you can only feel sorry for them, pray for them and kill them with kindness..They will be judged..What they're doing will come back on them with the one who holds all power! It's just ignorant! They don't know any better... :)

Robin · 1 year ago

I am offended by the use of a sock monkey to depict Barack Obama. Once again mpre proof that people will do anything for money.

The fact that George Bush has been depicted as a monkey and called a smirking chimp is not a racist statement though tasteless. Depicting Obama or any Black person as a monkey is a view many racists have voiced for decades.

maggie · 1 year ago

what about a sock obama that is not in the image of a monkey? i make lots of sock creatures and put them on my blog. they are made to look like monkeys...just sock creatures.

maggie · 1 year ago

let's try this again...i meant to say, that my sock creatures are NOT made to look like monkeys.

Misty · 1 year ago

Please refrain from generalizing and stereotyping all of Utah for ONE senators comment, whom SOME Utahns chose to re-elect which is assumed that he was doing something good in the senate or he wouldn't have been re-elected. And I dont think the monkey is an issue of race unless you make it a racial issue. While I could definitely see how some people could think it racist, what has Obama said about it? I highly doubt he was extremely offended. That's like someone making a pale girl monkey doll and calling it Hillary and having it offend feminists and it being called racial. If you are seeing everything through race-driven eyes, then yes. If the color of the monkey was the first thing you noticed and shocked you than alot of things must shock you. I dont think this toy was made to be offensive in any way but if for some reason you take it that way, at least leave Utahns as a whole seperate from this issue. We didn't all vote to make an Obama sock monkey. We aren't all racist or home-schooled. If you have never lived here, you don't know what Utah is like. Just realize that there ARE much bigger problems in the world.

Simon Cabron · 1 year ago

"So are all the carricatures of Bush as a monkey racist too? Because there are literally THOUSANDS of them out there. It seems to me that viewing a Bush-monkey doll and thinking it’s ok and then seeing an Obama-monkey and judging it as rascist is a problem of the perceiver’s own conditioning."

To Joey: To answer your question, if no one else did so far, no, monkey "carricatures" of Bush are not racist. This is because "monkey" is not a historically racist term used to describe white people, however, it is/has been used in a racially degrading context towards African Americans. Though, if you happen to come across a cartoon of Bush as a saltine, then I'd be totally with you on that, br0!

Blavis · 1 year ago

This country has gotten so sensative about everything. What happened to just being Americans? In this century no one should be offended anymore about the color of their skin. The only people we hur are our kids growning up in a society who feels the "N" word is offensive but still carries on about the color of one's skin. We should have gotten over this years ago. Look at Mexico's cartoon character Memine. We have lost a lot of our culture and histoey and stories because of over sensative individuals who want to keep hate alive.

Tom S · 1 year ago

Much as I find this doll offensive I have to say that I think it is really lame that you published a man's name and address as its possible manufacturer before you had any idea of his guilt or innocence.

Reading the thread it's clear that you exposed this man - who you now say is innocent - to substantial harassment and public embarrassment. You should be pretty ashamed of yourself.

Joseph · 1 year ago

I only published the names of the people who were responsible.

Someone posted a comment with the wrong information - which I also had but didn't post because I couldn't verify it.

I have edited the comments and updated the original post to avoid any confusion.

Vickie G · 1 year ago

I have a very conservative friend who doesn't understand the offensive nature of the Obama doll. I asked him if he would be offended if they created a Neanderthal doll for John McCain. He said that would be offensive, but he still wouldn't acknowledge the offensive nature of the Obama doll. Go Figure.

Forrest L. Horn, Sr. · 1 year ago

People use to complain vigorously that "we never have a choice" when election time rolled around. Now we have a "choice" and people are complaining that it's divisive. Abe was right, you can't please all of the people all of the time. The Obama Sock Monkey was obviously a mistake, and any dolt should have known that it would have been offensive, but continuing to raise hell about it accomplishes nothing.

blackdawg · 1 year ago

I think it's a funny depiction of obama! I don't see what is racist about it at all. What do people find offensive about this cute little doll! All democrats should get behind this little monkey since there buying everything else he's selling. blackdawg

Eric · 1 year ago

@103: Everyone welcome blackdawg. Our racist fuck friend from St. Louis, MO who arrived at Plunderbund after doing a search for "Obama Funny Monkey" at Publisher's Clearing House!

Hi blackdawg!

Joseph · 1 year ago

Vickie- it's hard to come up with a counter example to the obama-as-monkey doll because we don't have a history of dehumanizing old white men.

I like the Neanderthal example - but it doesn't come close to being offensive unless you are a Neanderthal or have Neanderthal-like tendencies.

We certainly could make fun of his age by creating a doll wearing a Depends full of crap or maybe a doll with a limp dick holding a bottle of viagra- it's offensive, sure, but still, it's not the same thing.

NewHampshireHatesObama · 1 year ago

OH piffle! Racist my BUTT! I think it's cute and funny, and yes, HE IS DEFINITELY A PUPPET of the CFR, the UN and the communists.

Kim · 1 year ago

I wonder whats next maybe a Golliwog version of Obama? Pathetic and sad really. -kim

Marcey · 1 year ago

Why does this doll resemble a monkey? Is it because Obama is a black man? Soooooo racist!!!!

Trace · 1 year ago

I would just like to say that I was born and raised in Utah and yes the majority of LDS people are very racist. When I was a little girl I was not allowed to play with their children because I was not mormon. I am spanish and they would tell their children not to play with the dirty mexican. It is not as bad as it was back then however I work with a lot of LDS people and they are very racist but they try not to show it now. It is part of their religious upbringing. When I saw the obama doll I couldnt believe the nerve of them however I wouldnt be surprised if they are mormon!!

Becca · 1 year ago

Racism is an infection just like HIV
It eventually kills the soul, just like HIV eventually kills the body. Their is no winner in racism or being a racist. You are a common denominator of your own insecurities, self-hatred and tumoil.
Your to be pitied instead of hated.

Tom · 1 year ago

Is this racist also? Is one allowed but not the other?
http://www.bushorchimp.com/index.html

SJtR · 1 year ago

Theres a John McCain sock puppet on the site too but no one complains about that. No one cries and whines about a Johnny Sock puppet sold there. That is just as demeaning. To only focus on the obama sock puppet and not say one word about the McCain puppet makes you nothing less then a racist hypocrite!

Shelley in Utah · 1 year ago

Okay, you people are idiots. (esp. Dan Someone) Park City is no where near West Jordan. It's the equivalent of saying Beverly Hills is near South Central. So get a clue, the couple who made these are white trash low lifes. Leave the guy in Park City alone.

Vickie · 1 year ago

Some people just don't understand the extreme offensiveness of this doll. For years the black community has been compared to apes/monkeys to show their inferiority, to "put them in their place" and to make sure they understand they are beneath the white man. Their is no comparable doll that could be created for McCain that could compare to the racist bigotry of this doll!

J-Dog · 1 year ago

I'd only be offended if the McCain puppet comes with a jar of Metamucil and a colostomy bag!

rudy · 1 year ago

Holy Toledo, here comes a real Obama toy!
Captain Obama is the first Barack Obama Superhero Toy!
Captain Obama is the one toy to lead them all!
http://www.CaptainObama.com
Captain Obama is a superhero with extraordinary powers and unprecedented idealism dedicated to hope, freedom, and change for the American people.
Captain Obama fights crooked businessmen and politicians, demolishes run-down tenements, keeps a moral code of conduct and protects the American way.
This toy has just been revealed at San Diego Comic Con 2008 and is sold exclusively at ImagineGate Toys. http://www.ImagineGate.com

The Man · 1 year ago

Obama. The legislator who has never written a single noteworthy piece of legislation or reform, but likes to write his memoirs after accomplishing nothing other than becoming a cult of personality. An empty suit at best. Bring on the debates

red dog · 1 year ago

It's better than making one of a jackass, to me that would be more appropriate

Justin Bailey · 1 year ago

I'm not an OBama-facist. I think we should say whatever we want about this guy. For instance... unqualified over-his-head not my president.

Becca · 1 year ago

The doll is a racist semble. You would think by now in the twenty first century and all the problems our race the white race has created to be honest you would do something more contructive. Most of us do not think in such a narrow minded way.
Shame on you.

illnigma · 1 year ago

The shit is racist point blank.
what do a lot of white people call black people? monkeys. put it like this, if you took a picture of mcaine and slightly changed his photo to a actual cracker, and sold it as a doll in a huge saltine cracker box. well thats racist aswell. i would love to see that. white people would go crazy. im not racist at all, an i feel like no one should be either....fuck who ever made this doll! go get that "illnigma" mixtape october 25th 2008..... www.myspace.com/illnigma1

Andre V · 1 year ago

During Bush's presidency, Americans went an extra mile comparing him to a chimp. Google "bush" next to "chimp" and you'll see that I'm right. I don't recall anybody saying a word about racism back then. So, why is it racist to compare Obama to a monkey? Maybe it's time to stop kissing every black ass out there and become EQUAL as this country claims to be all about?

Nicole Jenkins · 1 year ago

No

sam · 1 year ago

I don't see this as racist. It's a monkey ment to look like Obama. I mean look they made monkey dolls of bush. If they put Macain on a polar baer would that be claimed as racist?
No of course not it's only racist to you becuase the monkry has brown fur . You know Obama himself has proavly seen this monkey doll Has he raised a big stink about it ? No he has not you want to know why makeing a plushie of someone as a animal has nothing to do with race. It's just a doll monkey aren't black white or hispanic or whatever monkeys have no race they just have brown fur. so just please build a bridge and get over it whats done is done you can't change it now. if it bothers you that bad then waste all you hipocritical ignerence finding out what every freakin toy store is releaseing and complain before it's released okay! (I did not mean to sound so rude so sorry bout that)

Vickie · 1 year ago

Dear Sam: Have you never heard small-minded people compare Africans, African-Americans, etc. as monkeys or apes (implying they are less intelligent than whites)? That would be where the racist nature of this doll comes from. So pick another type of doll to use as your Obama doll, and most people won't have a problem with it.

Chris · 1 year ago

The intention of the Obama sock-monkey doll may not have been racist, but there is a history of Jim Crow era cartoons portraying African-Americans with exaggerated simian-like features. There are plenty of examples at the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

eggi541 · 11 months ago

When are people going to stop assuming something is racist. I guess it won't happen until we stop having to fill out what race we are on forms. I am sick and tired of people assuming that someone is racist by a word they might use or something someone makes and by the way there is a McCain monkey as well, so were they actually being racist or just doing what was on their agenda, so making an assumtion that it is racist you might want to educate yourself.
http://www.sockpoliticians.com/

eggi541 · 11 months ago

When are people going to stop assuming something is racist. I guess it won't happen until we stop having to fill out what race we are on forms. I am sick and tired of people assuming that someone is racist by a word they might use or something someone makes and by the way there is a McCain monkey as well, so were they actually being racist or just doing what was on their agenda, so making an assumption that it is racist you might want to educate yourself.
http://www.sockpoliticians.com/

illnigma · 11 months ago

you sound stupid as hell...how the fuck is it not racist? why coldnt it be a moose or a penguin? what do rascist people call black people? monkeys you fucking dumb ass. stop acting like its not racist, when you in ya heart no damn well it is...illnigma mixtape january 20th...

Joseph · 11 months ago

Ah! so you made a McCain monkey too. So it's obviously not racist now?

That's like saying "I call straight people faggots too. Obviously I'm not a homophobic asshat"

Nick · 11 months ago

After years of seeing things like ... http://www.jcnot4me.com/images/Bush-monkey.gif and http://willtoexist.com/images/bush_monkey3.jpg , clearly anyone implying that a president is a looks like a monkey is racist?

If a white guy with big ears and a big smile can be parodied to look like a chimp, gorilla, or monkey ... why does everyone get their panties all in a bunch when a black man is treated in exactly the same manner?

There's real racism around out there, yet it makes it harder to do anything about it when seemingly the only incidences that get any attention are essentially non-issues. Nooses on Halloween aren't racist, they're scary, but every year there seems to be somebody who gets a whole lot of flack for being a racist pig because of their Halloween decorations.

Subject of the USSA · 11 months ago

Yeah you guys should be so proud, last I checked this was America or is that gone already. It's a monkey doll, who gives a crap. Leave them alone and I hope if you harass this company they sue your ignorant liberal asses. Didn't see the uproar over the George Bush dolls made the past eight years.

Grow up.

tangotango · 11 months ago

In my experience, blacks are more racist than whites.

While we are on race; does anyone think a white man with Obama's exact same life story and experience would be our president?

Gimme a break on the racist monkey. If it's it's OK for Bush, it's OK for Obama.

Eric · 11 months ago

To all those hangers on from July who are making the "they compared Bush to a monkey" argument listen up. We shouldn't have to say this all again (read the damned comment thread BEFORE commenting):

“If Obama was white, and a sock monkey came out of the white Obama, no one…NO ONE… would have a kanipschitz about it.”

You are correct. Because there isn’t a long history of a majority dehumanizing white people by comparing them to monkeys.

Do have aspergers or something, dude?

Seriously.

Or are you just so fucking dense that you don’t understand that there are some very basic rules to getting along in modern society.

Regarding race, these include:

* not using the word nigger

* not making nooses and hanging them in the locker of your black co-workers

* not dressing up in black face to sing minstrel songs

* not burning crosses on your black neighbor’s lawn

and

* not making monkey dolls that look like our first black president

...additionally. AGAIN. Bush is being compared to a monkey because the argument is he is stupid (with ample evidence). That is not what motivates someone to portray Obama as a monkey - unless they too were pretty stupid.

Jon · 10 months ago

So is the McCain Monkey doll that they sell with the Obama Doll racist too? What about showing Bush faces and matching monkey faces next to it?

Eric · 10 months ago

Thanks for stopping by Jon. Nice reading comprehension, too. LOL. Look up!

Cybergeezer · 10 months ago

I have an Obama voodoo doll that has one pin for every day he has been in office; How long does it take to work?

Eric · 10 months ago

probably about as long as it takes you to find a clue...

Eric · 10 months ago

http://www.aprilwinchell.com/media/audio/OBAMA_...

Sooner · 10 months ago

Someone needs to grow some thicker skin.

If the past 8 years have taught us anything, it's that DISSENT IS PATRIOTIC!

Shalonda · 9 months ago

I feel its discraced to this country to sell such a thing I mean its 2009 and you all still are racist people and dolls should be banned. I see nobody making a doll of the former president bush it's okay I guess it's still some haters it always will be.

God'sComingSoon · 9 months ago

Eric, you're simply one word *Awesoome* don't you guys realize that this is what the government wants. They want to look down and laugh at us while we taunt and destroy ourselves with the pitiful hate that we all feed on. I'm Jamaican, which basically would be describe as African American, right? or Jamaican American? haha. Anyways, yet i still don't hate Jessica for the racist comments that she have posted. Why? because she's still trapped in a cage with no bars. you should feel pity and sorry for her. don't bash her its not necessary. If you bash on her, shes just dragging you down with her. Just tell her...*Jessica everything is okay. O.O

Bill · 6 months ago

That doll doesn't look like Obama, Curious George does.

Joseph · 6 months ago

And I'm sure you look like horse's ass, Bill.

Which might explain why you wear the white hood.

miko · 5 months ago

yes its racist (monkeydoll)and only a racist wouldnt think so, grow up world we are all the same

i.p.freely@earthlink.net · 2 months ago

Sorry for the late comment but just wanted to add something here for your enlighten readers.

Freedom of speech is something we all value. Even the most heinous and despicable form of speech is still protected by the constitution. Whether it's burning of the flag or selling racist dolls, the Freedom of Speech cannot be denied because it offends you.

So to harasse one person for expressing his or her belief, is not what this country is about. You don't like what other people have to say, ignore it.

Trying to suppress someone's right to express their freedom is worst kind of oppression.

Jgent · 1 month ago

Calling bush a monkey and calling a real monkey a monkey?Get real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Eric · 1 month ago

Hi JGent, Tony, or whoever. Fuck off, eh?

Send hate mail to: tony50@bellsouth.net

DS · 1 month ago

So, all the sudden sock monkeys are racist because we have a black president?

Jon · 1 month ago

It's a sock puppet. A childs toy just made to look like the president. They do have one that's a white Biden Monkey. Is that one racist against white people being monkeys? I think you looking at it as a racist object makes you racist, Joseph. Is it not racist to celebrate Obama as the first BLACK president. Yes it is. Because you look at him and celebrate his victory because of his skin color. Not because of the man he is or what he does with the country. Not everything has to be racist. Can't people stop bitching and quit saying everything is racist.

Mary Jo · 1 week ago

It most certainly does NOT look like the president, it looks like a monkey. But they are selling it as the president. It is sickening.

Ben · 1 week ago

Looks like they are for sale again! Going to get one for our upcoming white elephant Christmas party, should be a BIG hit!

Eric · 1 week ago

It's a free racist country...especially down there in Georgia.

Adrienne · 1 week ago

Hey,
FYI, it is not ok to portray anyone as a monkey, and it is especially not OK to portray a black person as a monkey.
Why? For four hundered years and counting, someone has painted me and my friends like we are less than human beings. That we are scary, dangerous, radical, UN American and need to be controlled and or stopped, (jailed, shot etc.). Lots of folks benefit from these characterizations. This monkey portrayal is one more in a series of reinforcements for institutional and individual racism. Not calling it for what it is again says it is AOK to be disrespectful, mean nasty, cruel. Words and pictures do matter.
thanx

margotdarby · 1 week ago

People have painted me and my friends as monkeys too, for hundreds and millions of years, but you don't see me complaining. No sir. My friend Bethany actually looks like an orangutan, so she should talk, haha! I don't care if you make a sock monkey out of me, just so long as I get some of the proceeds. I once went as a gorilla on Hallowe'en. I am completely befuddled about all this false sensitivity about monkeyness. You didn't see the younger President Bush whining when Max Gefiltefisch said he looked like a chimpanzee. Obviously he knew what he was doing. Likewise for Obama. You don't get to be head of Acorn looking like a monkey unless you do so intentionally. Pass the biscuits, Pappy!

Adrienne · 1 week ago

Hey,
As i said before, it is not ok to paint anyone as a monkey.

margotdarby · 1 week ago

No offense taken.

Adrienne · 1 week ago

Sorry, Eric,
I was not directing my comments at you. I liked what you said. I clicked wrong.
thanx

Eric · 1 week ago

No problem. Thanks for your comment. Well taken and you are absolutely right!