No butts about it, irony can be pretty ironic.
A Chicago radio host who tried to trademark the phrase "It's an Obamanation" in connection with the presidential campaign of Barack Obama has not only been turned down for being "offensive," the federal government mysteriously sent him "disgusting" sexual photos and text as part of its rejection.
"I can't get over it," said Cisco Cotto, co-host of the morning show on WIND-AM. "I don't get it. I almost had to do a double-take."
It all started a few months ago when Cotto and his co-host, John Howell, were thinking about ways to raise money for local charities. They noticed national media giving plenty of attention to Sen. Barack Obama, D- Ill., so they brainstormed possible slogans. They finally agreed on "It's an Obamanation," and created a patriotic-looking logo with the word "nation" consisting of an American flag.
"I didn't mean this to be mean toward Obama," Cisco told WND. "If you like Obama, you can use it, or if you don't like Obama, you can use it."
The application was made in the name of Cotto's wife, Anna, and on Feb. 6, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office sent a notice of refusal "because the proposed mark consists or comprises matter that may disparage or bring into contempt or disrepute Barack Obama. Consumers reasonably would understand that the 'Obama' in 'Obamanation' refers to the disparaged party. A reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities would consider this reference offensive or objectionable."
According to the correspondence, the trademark examining attorney handling the application was Karen K. Bush, who included a dictionary definition of the word "abomination" – a cause of abhorrence or disgust – and number of screenshots of websites as background material to justify her decision.
Strangely though, while Bush rejected the "Obamanation" slogan for being "offensive or objectionable," she also attached a screenshot that absolutely stunned Cotto.
"It is a Wikipedia entry for a pretty disgusting, unorthodox sexual device," said Cotto, struggling to find a way to politely describe what he received. "I was at work, and my jaw dropped open. I literally screamed for my co-workers. They freaked out just as I did."
He says the first thing that crossed his mind was, "Why in the world is this [graphic material] in here?"
Radio host Cisco Cotto of Chicago's WIND-AM |
"Either she likes Barack Obama, and that was a little thumbing of the nose, or she doesn't like him, and was letting us know what she thinks. Or, perhaps she was doing some personal things on a government computer, and while multi-tasking, she didn't realize what she was doing, and was sloppy with a copy and paste."
Cotto shared the information with a friend of his, who noted, "I now know more about my bum than I ever wanted to know."
Cotto says he had trouble explaining to his wife what was included in the rejection notice, and even more trouble trying to describe it on his morning radio program, aware of Federal Communications Commission regulations.
"I would have been fined by the FCC if I explained what the federal government sent us in e-mail. I am not risking losing my job over this. If it were a dildo, you could say 'marital aide.' This is not a device you'd find in the average bedroom."
Cotto subsequently wrote the government seeking an explanation, but has not received any response. No one from the Patent and Trademark Office responded to WND requests for comment.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. |
Despite the whole sordid affair, Cotto and WIND Radio are not letting the trademark refusal hinder their efforts to raise money for charity, as they've set up a website selling clothing, cups, buttons and stickers all emblazoned with the "Obamanation" slogan.
When it comes to Cotto's personal view on Obama, he believes the media are not doing their jobs explaining the stances of not only Obama, but other candidates as well.
"He hasn't really done a whole lot. He is just their phenomenon, he's a media darling. We're not hearing where he stands on the issues. It's all about how he woos crowds."
Editor's note: WIND Radio has posted the complete federal refusal on its website, with a link to the graphic, sexual screenshot from Wikipedia.com. Viewer discretion is strongly advised, as some of the images and text may be disturbing to readers of all ages.
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