In the name of satirical humor two demeaning images of Senator Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have been published by "far left-liberal" media outlets since May. In one illustration (to the right) the artist draws what is easily construed as nothing other than a sexually exploitative violent image of Mrs. Obama; and in the other illustration the artist sketches what is clearly a religiously and politically offensive caricature of the couple, and also an offense to Christians and Muslims.

The first (above photo) vulgarity appeared in May on DailyKos, a five-year old liberal-progressive blog. BBN received the illustration then, but did not run it so not to give it any attention. We're only posting it now to illustrate a disturbing pattern coming out of progressive and liberal media when it comes to satirizing Senator Obama and his wife. It is a pattern others in the race for the White House have not been subjected to.

The second illustration (left) appeared this week on the cover of The New Yorker, an 83-year old weekly magazine known to lean left-center, and thought to be representative of the "elite" liberal media.

This is not about censorship. Even with the protection of the First Amendment (Free Speech) and an appreciation for artistic expression it is hard to see the humor in this imagery called satire. Instead, what is seen is a race to the bottomless pit of vulgarity --the race between the far left (liberal-progressive), and far right (neo conservative) media.

These images could have easily come out of the FOX News Network or the equally extreme conservative, National Review . The one difference being FOX and NR would not hide behind the protection of satirical humor.

In a check to find similar illustrations of former presidents and presidential candidates -and their spouses - we were hard pressed to find any - not George H. W. and Barbara Bush; George W. and Laura Bush ; Bill and Hillary Clinton; John and Cindy McCain, or any other president or candidate and his/her spouse.

This is a gentle, kind word to the far-left (progressive) media and even those who play in the comfort zone of the "elite-liberal-center": keeping up with the far-rabid right is a no-win race to the bottom of vulgarity.