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Google Won't Remove Distorted Michelle Obama Image From Search Engine
LATimes ^ | November 24th 2009

Posted on 11/24/2009 8:15:47 PM PST by Steelfish

Google Won't Remove Distorted Michelle Obama Image From Search Engine

November 24, 2009

A crudely altered photograph of Michelle Obama, which often comes up as the first result on a Google image search of her name, will not be removed from the company's search process despite protests that the depiction is racist and repugnant.

"It's offensive to many people, but that alone is not a reason to remove it from our search index," Google spokesman Scott Rubin said. "We have, in general, a bias toward free speech."

The image, which depicts the first lady as having monkey-like features, is posted on a blog called "Hot Girls" without explanation. The blog post also contains several legitimate photographs of Michelle Obama. (The image is also posted on other sites that get high spots.)

Although Google won't alter the search result process that places the offending image in top spots, the company placed a house advertisement above it with the headline, "Offensive Search Results." Clicking on the ad takes the user to a statement that says, "We assure you that the views expressed by such sites are not in any way endorsed by Google."

The statement apologizes "if you've had an upsetting experience using Google," but it states that a site is not removed from its process unless the content is illegal or violates the company's webmaster guidelines. Rubin said there was nothing in the guidelines that deals with this kind of imagery.

Google has posted similar statements in rare instances, most notably in 2004 when searches on "Jew" resulted in the top spot going to a virulently anti-Semitic site. Rubin said the statement is sometimes used in situations when there are "offensive search results on an innocuous query."

(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Society
KEYWORDS: distorted; flotusmichelle; parody
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To: Steelfish

THAT’S HORRIBLE!!

How dare someone equate a public official with what appears to be some sort of smirking chimpanzee...!!!

it must be evil Republicans because democraps would never do that...


21 posted on 11/24/2009 8:36:18 PM PST by Mr. K (Deathly afraid my typos become a freeper catchphrase...I'm series!)
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To: nmh

WHO asked or it to be removed?

Of course, WH operatives, rabid feminists, NARAL, SEIU, ACORN, MoveOn and Soros....ad infinitum.

I think ancient-drive may have gotten the pic in question.


22 posted on 11/24/2009 8:51:53 PM PST by Steelfish
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To: SERKIT

This pic can no longer be found on google last I checked.


23 posted on 11/24/2009 8:56:03 PM PST by Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!
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To: Steelfish
"We have, in general, a bias toward free speech"

... in countries other than China.

24 posted on 11/24/2009 8:57:25 PM PST by eclecticEel (The Most High rules in the kingdom of men ... and sets over it the basest of men.)
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To: null and void

OK- I think the award for the referenced pic goes to Null and Void and runner-up is Ancient Drive.


25 posted on 11/24/2009 8:57:45 PM PST by Steelfish
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To: fhayek

My point as well. The MSM automatically labels the pic racist but it is not; it is a ugly depiction parody of a Michelle Obama pic


26 posted on 11/24/2009 8:58:11 PM PST by Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!
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To: Ancient Drive

She looks like a corpse, much like her husband’s political future.


27 posted on 11/24/2009 9:00:42 PM PST by TypeZoNegative (Pro life & Vegan because I respect all life, Republican because our enemies don't respect ours.)
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To: SERKIT

I’m almost embarrassed to laugh, but that’s funny!


28 posted on 11/24/2009 9:01:16 PM PST by Sunshine Sister
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To: Ancient Drive
Heavily airbrushed is what the MSM want to see in their marxist queen.


29 posted on 11/24/2009 9:01:45 PM PST by Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I don’t see what they are talking about.


30 posted on 11/24/2009 9:06:29 PM PST by goseminoles
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To: fhayek

31 posted on 11/24/2009 9:07:33 PM PST by Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I thought that pic was Nancy Pelosi...hmmmm


32 posted on 11/24/2009 9:16:19 PM PST by BlessingsofLiberty (Obama, YOU LIE!!)
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To: Steelfish

Oh for shame......

Maybe Google can get around to removing those distorted pics and images of Bush. If Bush’s distorted images are good enough to grace Google, be assured, Michelle’s are no freakin’ exception, unless of course, those seeking their removal throw the lame race card and even then, I would tell them to read sign language.


33 posted on 11/24/2009 9:16:28 PM PST by cranked
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To: shibumi

This is the first time I’ve seen a picture of either daughter, she’s cute. Mom...not so much.


34 posted on 11/24/2009 9:20:23 PM PST by tiki (True Christians will not deliberately slander or misrepresent others or their beliefs)
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To: fhayek

You don’t understand, that picture isn’t racist cuz Bush is white.

What’s the problem anyway, most liberals think we evolved from apes?


35 posted on 11/24/2009 9:22:10 PM PST by tiki (True Christians will not deliberately slander or misrepresent others or their beliefs)
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To: Steelfish

Poor Michelle. People doing the google imagine search are sitting in front of their monitors, peering at the previews, to try to determine which one is distorted and which one is really her.


36 posted on 11/24/2009 9:26:45 PM PST by Brugmansian
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To: tiki

Kinda makes you wonder, doesn’t it?


37 posted on 11/24/2009 9:33:08 PM PST by shibumi (" ..... then we will fight in the shade.")
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To: All

38 posted on 11/24/2009 10:08:58 PM PST by Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!
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To: tiki
I guess I am a racist because I think this is tacky as all out white trash hell.


39 posted on 11/24/2009 10:14:23 PM PST by Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!
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To: mojitojoe

I used your gif.


40 posted on 11/24/2009 10:15:09 PM PST by Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!
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