Chia Obama crosses the line from funny to offensive. Blecch!

Global Obamamania reached the bottom of the ladder with the Chia Obama. It's not funny. It's a racist, stupid ploy. Drugstore.com is selling them. Bad decision.

Remember High school? There was always one kid who went over the line when everyone was fooling around. One jerk who'd get into ugly territory and wonder why other people were appalled. That's person grew up, and invented the Obama chia pet.

I don't have a problem with people making money on Obama souvenirs. Lots of people are really happy about the new administration, including me. People feel like they're getting a little piece of history when they buy something with Obama's picture on it. I bought t-shirts, stickers, and buttons with Obama's picture on them.

My new custom t-shirt company for pet lovers, Pawfun.com, got in on the Obama fever by letting people super-impose a photo of their pet into an Obama family photo and send it as a free e-card that's gone viral. We gave a lot of people a laugh and a souvenir, and thousands of pet lovers are still sending them.

Enterprising entrepreneurs worldwide are selling - and people are snapping up - Obama throw blankets, t-shirts, Barack Obama flip flops, Yes We Can underwear, and lots of other wacky goods. But funny, silly or serious, those aren't racist, or mean. The Obama chia pet is. FAIL.

If Chia Obama is offensive, how do you react to the sex toys?

please, spare me your histrionics and holier than thou PC B.S. The marketplace will decide and satire is fairplay for EVERYONE!

Wondering if Rush Limbaugh is behind the product launch.

What's racist about it? Just because the plant that grows resembles nappy hair which Obama and most blacks do have? How is that racist? For all you know blacks could own the company that produces these things.

I understand the reasons for some to think this may be racist, however; this to me is not. I think it is in good faith that the company decide to launch this. I am not speaking for everyone, just me.

I'm not sure the Chia Obama is racist. I immediately chuckled at what a Chia Clinton would look like, not to mention a Chia Lincoln with growing beard. I think having a black president does make some people filter things differently, which I respect. I also think we have to be a little careful not to assume the worst when we filter what could be an unintentional slight.

I'm over Obama. He loves the bank. He is fair game, now that he has sold us out. Take it as it comes, when you sell out the American people, they will make fun of you. Ask GWB, he'll tell you all about it.

I understand the reasons for some to think this may be racist, however; this to me is not. I personally would not like selling such things.

This product most definitely is insensitive at best, racist at worst. We have in this country a legacy of disdainful, hateful even hostile mocking of certain groups we feel we can pick on. It makes us feel superior at other's expense. Minstrel products and black face shows were just some examples. Rasicism just institutionalizes that convention with money or power. Intentionally or not, this product is just such a throwback. I didn't see white-president Chias; I didn't see monkey charicatures of them in the Wall street Journal either. It's easy to think it's just innocent jesting when you haven't been the subject of an ugly legacy. It's a little like telling the neighborhood "fat" kid to stop being so sensitive, just accept and get over the constant fat jokes.

Personally I LOVE this item. How is it any worse than any of the anti-Bush items that were and still are for sale? Is it not acceptable to make fun of obama (lower case on purpose) because he's black? I'm buying as many of these as I can. I think they're hilarious. Racist, no. Funny, YES. I have nothing against him because of his color, I simply think he is a worthless human being and unfit to be President.

How on Earth is this racist?? Honestly, this is oversensitivity at is worst. Do we have an African American President? Yes.
Is there demand out there for his likeness on products? yes.
Have there been famous Chia Presidents before? yes.
Do African Americans have nappy hair? yes.

That last question is the kicker because it goes to the heart of this. It's almost as if the people complaining don't want this acknowledged. And I suppose it goes to the entire PC belief that "we're all the same". No we are not. African Americans have almost universal nappy hair. Asians have almost universal straight black hair etc. etc. it's as if acknowledging our obvious differences sets people off and gets them to start making assertions of "racism".

So are we to solve this by not making Obama products on account of him being black and because once upon a time in this country there were "mammy" and lawn jokey" imagery and products out there? Are we to solve this by putting straight hair on all black dolls?