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Chicagoan 'Fesses Up to 'Joker' Poster

But Firas Alkhateeb isn't behind 'socialism' campaign

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 18, 2009 1:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – A 20-year-old college student from Chicago is the artist behind the now-famous image of Barack Obama as Heath Ledger’s Joker, the Los Angeles Times reports. Firas Alkhateeb made the image using Photoshop and Time magazine’s Obama cover when he was bored one day during winter break. It attracted over 20,000 views on his Flickr page, and was spotted by his still-anonymous collaborator, who added the “socialism” diss before posting it around LA and other cities.

Alkhateeb criticizes President Obama, and cautions against indulging in “hero worship.” But he doesn't agree with the dig condemning Obama's "socialism." It "doesn't make any sense to me at all," he said. "To accuse him of being a socialist is really immature. First of all, who said being a socialist is evil?"

The Obama/Joker poster.

What, here too? (©quinn.anya)

Obama/Joker poster plastered on a wall.

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Chicagoan 'Fesses Up to 'Joker' Poster

But Firas Alkhateeb isn't behind 'socialism' campaign

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Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

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Chicagoan 'Fesses Up to 'Joker' Poster

But Firas Alkhateeb isn't behind 'socialism' campaign

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • socialism • Photoshop • Heath Ledger • the Joker • Obama administration • President Obama

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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What is Newser?