The Politics of Fear?

The satirical cover on the current issue of the New Yorker magazine raises some serious questions. Does the cartoon confirm the rumors that Barack Obama is a Muslim or does it dispel them? Does this cartoon further the politics of fear that has been played on the American public since the 9/11 attacks? Even though it is a satire, is there a line that needs to be drawn as to how far a satire can go? Will the American people see it cartoon as a satire or will they take it literally? How will this image affect Obama's political future and his presidential campaign? Should there be limits on the freedom of expression and speech?