My wife called me from work first thing yesterday morning to ask if I'd received the latest issue of The New Yorker - "The one with the really bad cover."

Since she's in the printing business, I thought that perhaps there was something wrong with the print job. She often relates the inside scoop on someone's skin tone being too sallow, or whatever.

As it turns out, she was talking about the now infamous "terrorist dap" cover of the July 21st issue. The title of the drawing (by illustrator Barry Blitt) is "The Politics of Fear" and it depicts a turbaned Barack Obama and a machine-gun toting Michelle Obama standing in the Oval Office engaged in a fist bump, as a portrait of Osama Bin Laden keeps vigil from above the cozy fireplace (in which burns an American Flag).

Of course, people in the Obama camp expressed the sort of outrage and vitriol that we've already witnessed too many times (and from all sides) during the 2008 campaign. There's even a campaign on The Point asking people to cancel their subscriptions.

I am an Obama supporter, and I have been known to launch into a vicious diatribe against any poor bastard who emails me material about Senator Obama that is deceitful, or that I consider to be hateful, inflammatory or bigoted. Senders of images depicting him as a terrorist in a turban have been particular targets for my rage.

So, why would I support The New Yorker in this matter?

To put it bluntly, we need to get a freaking grip, people. We need to draw the distinction between satire and hatred. The illustration in question clearly is poking fun at all of the idiots on Fox News and elsewhere who originally described the Obamas' fist bump onstage in Iowa as a "terrorist insignia" and at the morons who were suspicious because of it (and at all of those who are wary of Obama because of his race, his unusual name, etc.).

This magazine cover is not the problem. This magazine cover shines a light on the problem.

Besides all that, I don't believe that I am alone in being weary to death of the endless whining this campaign season from all quarters. Someone calls Hillary a "monster?" Outrage! Fire her! Someone calls Michelle Obama "baby mama?" Outrage! Demand an apology! Someone refers to McCain as having a "senior moment?" Outrage! J'accuse!

Enough, already.

Those of us who support the good Senator from Illinois ought to focus our energies on the real issues of the day. They are substantial and they are legion. We ought to insist on Senator Obama being shown the respect and decency he deserves and that which is shown to others who are in high office or are seeking it. We ought to insist that the truth be told, but we ought also to keep some perspective and a sense of good humor.

I will be sharing this New Yorker cover with everyone I know, and pointing out how ridiculous and petty and ignorant are the fears that it depicts. It seems to me to be instructive (and yes, humorous) satire.