Read it and weep

Think that Bermuda's government is the only one with a tendency to over-react to satire? Think again.

According to the New York Times, now the White House is trying to stop The Onion from using the presidential seal in its parody of the President's weekly radio address.

"It has come to my attention that The Onion is using the presidential seal on its Web site," Grant M. Dixton, associate counsel to the president, wrote to The Onion...

Citing the United States Code, Mr. Dixton wrote that the seal "is not to be used in connection with commercial ventures or products in any way that suggests presidential support or endorsement."

In response, The Onion pointed out that its newsletter and website are free and that its readers are well aware that it is a joke. "It is inconceivable that anyone would think that, by using the seal, The Onion intends to 'convey... sponsorship or approval' by the president," a lawyer for the publication replied.

"I'm surprised the president deems it wise to spend taxpayer money for his lawyer to write letters to The Onion," wrote editor-in-chief Scott Dikkers. He suggested that the money be used for tax breaks for satirists instead.

Comments

[Nicolette on 25.10.05 at 19:02]

And Bush was diagnosed earlier this year as a paranoid megalomaniac

http://www.unknownnews.net/insanity061704.html

so at least now we know what's wrong with "P".

[silencedogood on 26.10.05 at 11:29]

I love the onion, but I don't see anything wrong with that request. I'm sure any company whose logo was being used would make a similar request.

[silencedogood on 26.10.05 at 11:31]

I forgot to mention that I think there is a law saying satire or parodies can use something like the seal or a corporate logo if they alter it by 20%. So the onion can just change the seal by putting a "W" or the eagle, etc. and continue to use it.

[John on 27.10.05 at 22:49]

Sounds a bit like the flag-burning hoopla in Congress a while back. The government should have other priorities, even *if* what the Onion is doing isn't kosher.