Like any artist who has lost creative control of a project, Firas Alkhateeb, the man responsible for the infamous Obama Joker posters, has stepped forward to set the record straight. The Palestinian-American artist says the viral spread of the image recently in Los Angeles depicting President Obama as the Joker from 'The Dark Knight' was unintentional.
He asserts that he never added the word socialism to his initial creation. ...
Alkhateeb said in an interview with a Chicago ABC News affiliate:
Despite Alkhateeb's admonishment of how the poster was interpreted, it doesn't change the fact that his creation will be one of the most iconic and divisive posters in American history."I would like President Obama to know that I didn't intend for any of this to happen and, of course, we're all Americans, and we're all rooting for him and we're all hoping he does a great job."
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President Obama Pictures
A Uighur protester wears a rubber mask of President Barack Obama during a demonstration in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, July 12, 2009. The demonstration in downtown Tokyo Sunday ended peacefully with Japanese protesters calling on China to end the violence in Xinjiang, where at least 184 people have died in rioting. Those demonstrators waved blue flags with white crescents representing what they call "East Turkestan," their name for the region from where they come. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
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U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama return to Washington with their daughters Malia (L) and Sasha off Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base July 12, 2009, following their visit to Russia, Italy and Ghana. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES POLITICS)
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US President Barack Obama, alongside daughter Malia descends the steps of Air Force One after arriving at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, July 12, 2009. Obama returned from a week long trip abroad that included stops in Russia, Italy and Ghana. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama, alongside First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia descend the steps of Air Force One after arriving at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, July 12, 2009. Obama returned from a week long trip abroad that included stops in Russia, Italy and Ghana. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama, second right, first lady Michelle Obama, second left, and their daughters Malia , left, and Sasha, right, arrive at the White House from Ghana, early Sunday, July 12, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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President Barack Obama walks down the stairs with his daughters Malia, Sasha and firts lady Michelle Obama from Air Force One upon their arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Sunday July 12, 2009, returning from their trip to Europe and Africa.(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave before boarding Air Force One after they participated in a departure ceremony at the airport in Accra, Ghana, Saturday, July 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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WASHINGTON - JULY 12: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama (L), First Lady Michelle Obama (R) and daughters Sasha (2ndL) and Malia (2ndR) exit Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House July 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama and the first family returned home to the White House in the early morning after a trip overseas to Russia, Europe, Africa and a G-8 meeting. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski-Pool/Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama greets audience members as he participate in a departure ceremony at the airport in Accra, Ghana, Saturday, July 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
AP
President Barack Obama greets the crowd at a departure ceremony at the airport in Accra, Ghana, Saturday, July 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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Comments: (14)
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By: rasil on 8/21/2009 10:50AM
Regardless of what this artist says about the additions, this piece of garbage clearly depicts what is in the heart of this person. What he seems to forget is that he is a Palestinian in America and is viewed the same way by white Americans and Jews and is hated even more so by them. Poor soul chose to show his dark side, thought it would be accepted and consequently was exposed. Hope this was a life lesson. Further, if he thought that his statement was accepted...think again. You are Palestinian.
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By: Dark and Lovely on 8/21/2009 3:54PM
Well, I hope they save enough paint and hate for the second fours years of his 8 year term! Obama 2012! Letting our haters be our motivators.
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By: deb on 8/21/2009 8:46PM
amen girl, amen !
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By: Ruby Peterkin on 8/22/2009 10:44AM
By doing this kind of art, shows how much disrespect he have for our president, yes I said our president we the people elected him. He should go back to his country.
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By: Rene on 8/22/2009 11:49AM
Now he wants to say he meant no disrespect? Well what was he trying to convey with this type of poster? Your displaying the President of the U.S. as the JOKER! He's full of it! He needs to take that story back with him to his own country! Right now he looks like an IDIOT!
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By: Rene on 8/22/2009 11:51AM
Dark and Lovely...You said it right! Brush them haters off!
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By: BH on 8/22/2009 4:40PM
Obama is a freaking clown. I wish he was a magician so he could disappear.
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By: stare k on 8/22/2009 7:16PM
COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMLPAIN, THAT IS ALL U LL DO.
CLEAN UP YOUR OWN HOUSE FRIST.YES YOU ALL DO NOT LIKE FOREIGN PEOPLE I HAVE WORKED SIDE/ SIDE WITH YOU ALL , AND HEARD U LL TALK ABOUT THEM .
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By: meechie on 8/22/2009 10:59PM
the artis is a racist in his art work.this is how he feels about president obama. you express yourself in your art work.
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By: BUTTA!! on 8/22/2009 11:19PM
IF YUO DIDNT KNO NOW YUO SEE RACISM IN FACT STILL EXIST!! NOT IN EVERYONE BUT INDEFINETLY MOST!!
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