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Post Apologizes for Cartoon

Paper apologizes, to some, over cartoon many called racist

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 19, 2009 10:43 PM CST

(Newser) – The New York Post has apologized—to almost everyone—for the editorial cartoon that sparked protests and accusations of racism. "It was meant to mock an ineptly written federal stimulus bill," an editorial says, acknowledging that the cartoon chimp was taken by some as a racist depiction of Barack Obama. "This most certainly was not its intent," the Post writes.

"To those who were offended by the image, we apologize. However, there are some in the media and in public life who have had differences with the Post in the past—and they see the incident as an opportunity for payback," the editorial continues. "To them, no apology is due. Sometimes a cartoon is just a cartoon—even as the opportunists seek to make it something else."

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This cartoon image provided by the New York Post appeared in the Post's Page Six Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009. T (AP Photo/New York Post)

Brooklyn city council member Letitia James speaks out as State Senator Eric Adams stands in front of the New York Post building holding a cartoon that appeared in the Post Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

New York State Senator Eric Adams stands in front of the New York Post building holding a cartoon that ran in the Post Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

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Sometimes a cartoon is just a cartoon—even as the opportunists seek to make it something else. - New York Post editorial

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Post Apologizes for Cartoon