Apparently they have removed it now- well, according to the Guardian but other news sources are still reporting the same as the Beeb.

Did you see it? It was horrible. But life (and people) can be horrible.

Yep, just seen it over on Popbitch.

Which kind of defeats the object of removing it.

I agreed with google's original stance, as awful as the pic is I don't think google should be in the business of censoring stuff that might offend our sensibilities.  I guess they've given in to pressure.

Clearly they've caved in to the pressure
I do find it disturbing though that other people should decide what I'm allowed to see.

Didn't see the pic, so cannot comment on it.
However, censorship of the internet is a slippery slope

Yep I agree.

It was very ugly - basically someone had photoshopped her to look like a monkey.
But people of all races have their pics doctored on the web, or in cartoons. I think it's putting us on a slippery slope to ban one pic, because who can then say we shouldn't ban all the others?

I'm of a different opinion, Google is a service provider paid for by thousands of companies, and I think it is their responsibility to act upon complaints for images or news coverage which shows up on priority search on their site, and the image is clearly of racist intent. For me, it's no different to a newspaper printing offensive images or stories. I think they had a moral obligation if not to remove the image, to at least ensured it did not show up as a high priority listing. (which is doesn't, I had to go fishing quite a bit).

That's just plain nasty.

Yet.....there are plenty of 'dubious' sites on the web that I remain blissfully unaware of, but  I still don't believe in going down the censorship path

I believe the reason it showed up first was because a fuss had already been made about it and therefore loads of people went looking for it. Google can't really be blamed for that. The person who created the image, however...

I understood that they hadn't removed it, and that it was just removed from the site which had been coming up on Google. They said that they had just put up an apology to anyone offended by it.

I'm not searching for it, as this will send it up the rankings again.

I haven't seen it.  I don't see why it is racist, though, as I've seen loads of people photoshopped as apes/pigs/donkeys, etc.  I guess I'd have to see it to get it.

Thanks, Blizzie - I didn't know it was the originating site that had removed it. Does make me wonder what sort of reaction they were expecting though!

I thought it WAS stupid and ugly and offensive.  And it wasn't even a good 'caricature' or whatever it's supposed to be.  It was pathetic.  Whoever decided to do this needs to get a life.  


PIC WAS HERE, but I removed it so as not to cause any offence   Please just PM me if you wish to see it and I will send you the tinypic link. 

I'd like to see the context first.

Here's George W being compared to a chimp because of what he looks like and because of some of his expressions.  Luckily, he's white so it's not racist in this case.

Ooo, controversal! 

Oh dear. I was hoping no-one would do that.

http://www.bushorchimp.com/

Well in my opinion it is much more offensive towards Michelle, because 'some' people (rude racist people,) call black people 'monkeys,' so clearly it is more offensive to imply that a black person looks like an ape or monkey.  in my opinion anyway.

Do what?

They would if China told 'em to.

They do censor their contents to comply with the law or laws.

Hey, here's the original

That's better Daniel.  Thank you.  The 'paintshopped' one is just ghastly.

Still wondering what Demantoid meant when she said 'I was hoping no-one would do that.'  She hasn't answered yet.  Therefore I can only make an assumption.


I am assuming that she means she was hoping no-one would post the pic, as her post came almost directly after I posted it. 


All I can say to that is; if you were hoping no-one would post the pic, why start the thread??  Why start a thread about the pic if you didn't want anyone to post it?     Surely it must have been obvious that SOMEone would post the pic, especially when a number of people were saying they hadn't seen it.


No offence intended Demantoid: I am just a bit puzzled. 

So, if someone starts a thread about anything distasteful, you'll automatically post a pic of it? I know it's your right, I just didn't think anyone would. Not going to have a row about it, though.

Technically, it's about censorship not the specific context anyway.

I'm not answering on behalf of Deman, but yeah I was surprised when you posted it.  All the papers I've seen (online) and news outlets have been reporting on the story without showing the pic.  I don't think the pic itself was the main thrust of what Deman wanted to debate, I think it was google's decision she wanted to talk about...just my opinion.

OK, as I said,  no offence intended....  Shall I take it off then?

Not unless you want to - I am NOT censoring you!

Well yes I may post a pic of whatever someone is on about.  Depends what it is.  Just surprised that you started the thread and then were shocked that someone posted a pic of what you were on about. 


I just would have thought that someone would have posted it eventually.  Just surprised that you're surprised.  if someone else had posted it, I wouldn't have cared.  Many people said they hadnt seen it so I posted it.

Our posts keep crossing LOL

I don't mind deleting it, if the consensus on here is that I should move it, what do you guys think?

I've seen worse caricatures of Gordon Brown.

I'm glad I've seen it now, actually.

Leccy is right - I was really talking about whether or not Google should censor its site, rather than "look at this pic, isn't it horrible?" Which we all agree it is. Ah well..

Thanx frosty, i hadnt seen it and doubted a google search would show it.

Some people are just plain nasty eh? Hope she hasnt been hurt too much by it, she seems like a nice lady.

As for google i'm with those who think it's iffy ground, i hope this isnt the start of more/bigger censorship, imo if something is truly awful i feel its down to the site/server hosts to intervene not google dont see why they have been elected the internet police (Sorry for my spelling today its terrible!)

Oh OK, sorry for any misunderstanding Demantoid.  As i said, if the consensus on here is to move it, I don't mind.

To offset the M.O. picture, check out these adorable little bears!  Awww!