Barack Obama is a Muslim married to a terrorist

No, that headline is simply nonsense but it reflects the cover of the New Yorker; the cartoon cover that hit newsstands Monday, titled "The Politics of Fear" is a real problem.

The cartoon depicts Barack Obama wearing traditional Muslim garb - sandals, robe and turban - and his wife, Michelle - dressed in camouflage, combat boots and an assault rifle strapped over her shoulder - standing in the Oval Office. The couple is bumping fists in front of a fireplace in which an American flag is burning. Over the mantel hangs a portrait of Osama bin Laden.

Now, why is the cartoon a problem? After all it is meant to lampoon some ravings on the far right. (But the response might be many a truth is told in humour -- and how many will get the joke?).

Because it really does give credibility to extraordinarily silly stories about Obama. The man is likely the next American President and he will be a perfectly ordinary President. He comes from immigrants but is about as mainstream American as can be.

And that's a good thing. Despite some comments I have great faith in America and Americans. They lead the world and have been (well, since 1812) good neighbors for Canada (imagine if we bordered on, say, Venezuela).

We need to recognize that Obama is going to be a slightly left of centre, solid middle of the road President (yes, I preferred Hillary but that battle's over).