When you're good enough for a Pulitzer, but not the App Store

First of all, the cartoons aren't that fantastic. There are far better.

Second, no matter how simplistic the cartoon, politics is politics, and Apple would do well to stay as far away from politics, religion, and sex, as possible. All of that is on the web and it doesn't need to flow through an Apple branded conduit.

In all fairness to the on the ding dong remark... I tend to chose words that most suit those that are responding. You blasted me for something I was never saying, something a 10 year old would do.

Sadly you still miss my point, I understand you think, "that despite their politics, they were being even handed in the App Store when it came to the applications themselves." I'm not talking about the App store I'm talking BIGGER! Look outside your narrow-minded box.

I fully understand Apple has their right to endorse their views... blah blah blah, whatever and I don't really care. Comparing Fox to Apple.... Really..... I wont bother explaining why thats an ill analogy.

Look, I love Apple products, I own everything Apple, and I want Apple to be successful because I believe their the best. I don't care that Apple is ran by granola eating, bleeding heart gay liberals, BUT the moment they choose to promote their polital ideals they then remove themselves from doing what they do best. Apple makes a point to disassociate themselves with those who oppose their ideals.

And please don't insult me by saying Apple + banning porn = conservative stance sunshine and lolly pops families forever bull crap. So according to your logic and analogies you used would mean MSMBC + no pron links = conservative stance... sorry not happening. I can't find a kid over 10 who doesn't have at least an iTouch. Perhaps allowing porn more accessable to a kid via Apple just might taint their image just a little! I don't know why your commenting on Gay couples and porn, it has zero relevance.

- And in response to why I continue to buy Apple products is because they make the best product in it's class. Does everyone believe that... no.... But Apple's approach of pushing the best while pushing their liberal bull crap will not get them to the top, if anything it dissassociates them with what they're the best at. Wouldn't it be silly to neglect a friend out of ideological differences?? I'm sure you as a social liberal believes in being intellectually honest... right?

-Again.... I know your going to say that Apple has that right and I understand, but I think all you Apple lovers would be surprised what would happened if they chose to remain neutral and focused on being the best rather than liberal!

Sent from my iPad ;)

@Nathan78: Ding dong? You seriously just called me "Ding Dong"? How old are you? 10?

Sadly, you miss my point. I never said that Apple was not a company with a liberal ideology. I simply pointed out that despite their politics, they were being even handed in the App Store when it came to the applications themselves. You basically stated in no uncertain terms that Apple would never ban an application which made fun of George W, which is untrue and insinuates that they push their liberal agenda through the App Store.

Apple has a right, as does any for profit organization, to express and endorse their political views. It does not mean that they aren't fair and balanced when it comes to the application approval process. Would you say that since FOX News leans to the right that they AREN'T fair and balanced when it comes to their news reporting?

I would also point out that Apple has also taken a very conservative stance in the fact that they refuse to carry pornographic applications in their Store as well. Steve Jobs took a very stick stance on the iPhone not being a device to promote pornography. Sounds like Apple, who endorses gay marriage, also endorses family values. So maybe it's possible to have an attitude that allowing same sex couples to marry doesn't really degrade family values. Maybe there are same sex couples who have children but still have the moral turpitude not to want their kids to be bombarded with porn on their iPhones.

And obviously, Apples stance on gay marriage and other liberal ideals don't seem to bother you enough to NOT purchase Apple products, so why cry about their politics and then put your money in their pockets to help fund them?

For the record, I am fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I believe that free people have the right to live their lives as they please as long as it's not at the expense of my earnings.

SO basically, what you're saying is that you don't care if they temporarily block someone from the App Store if they are liberal, as long as they continue to always block the conservatives?!? Glad to see you have no respect for the concepts of free speech and civil public discourse. Even with a closed platform, Apple censoring content based on ideology is counter to the acceptable norms of western society. Even if it's not illegal, it clearly is immoral and unethical in the 21st century west, and eventually they will alienate both content creators (developers) and their consumers if they don't wise up.

Apple has asked Fiore to resubmit the app:

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/04/16/cartoonist-apple-backs-down-after-denying-iphone-app/

@Nathan78: I have scoured the App Store and can't fine one "Bush Bashing" app. Did you find something I missed or just making up facts to make your argument?

I am a conservative myself, but I don't like it when others make generalizations and falsify facts to try and make a point. It makes the conservative party look stupid and unable to argue our case on the merits alone.

Palin does a good enough job of making conservatives look stupid without your help.

Now you all can't seriously think that Apple would ban a political satire app against George W. Bush would you? Lets face it, Apple runs off the backs of bleeding heart granola eating liberals, who will in no way shape of form allow for their kind to potentially be criticized. I love Apple but this kind of bull crap bugs me!

Sent from my iMaxi

Also, something else that most people forget about the first amendment is that it give a person the right to speak but not the right to be heard.

The creator has "spoken" with the very creation of the app, but Apple is not bound by the first amendment to provide him the platform to be heard. If this were the case, newspapers would have to publish EVERY letter to the editor that was submitted and not just those that they choose. Again, you had the right to speak by writing the letter but are not guaranteed the right to be heard by forcing anyone to publish it.

The bottom line is that you can talk all you want but we don't have to listen.

So it's ok for Steve to hawk the book of a drunken negligent homicidal lunatic in the ipad keynote, but making fun of politicians in the app store is verbotten?

Pulitzers use to mean something, back in the day when reporters were not corrupt leftist scum. Who gives a shit if the stupid cartoonist is an app? Not me.