# Does this Rolling Stone magazine cover offend you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 17, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774 "2013-07-17T18:10:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/21 "2013-07-17T19:28:51Z")
Not offended - I don’t read that magazine anyway. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Made\_French\_Toast\_For\_You](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/858c86/32.png) [@I\_Made\_French\_Toast\_For\_You](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Made_French_Toast_For_You)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/22 "2013-07-17T19:33:56Z")
The cover of Rolling Stone is associated with certain ideas and characteristics that the front pages of The New York Times, Time magazine, The Atlantic, and other news publications are not. Words like **rock star** , **celebrity** , **money** , **fame** , **power** , and **popularity** spring to mind. Putting a suspected terrorist on the cover immediately associates these words with him. They know this; we know this. It’s tacky and gauche. That being said, if Rolling Stone had done it in an intelligent manner (satirically, perhaps, or playing up the “terrorist as celebrity” angle as it pertains to US politics and media), then I could see it as a smart and thought-provoking choice. Maybe that was their intent (I haven’t read the article), but it’s more likely they did it for money and buzz. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/23 "2013-07-17T19:38:29Z")
The pure greed and insensitivity of Rolling Stones publishers is quickly backfiring. The victims of the bombing are just now being fitted with prosthetics and this magazine glamorizes the sack of shit that set off the bombs right next to kids? The article itself is journalism and I respect that. Making the cover of Rolling Stone is an iconic Pop Culture achievement. Theres a song _The Cover of Rolling Stone_. They just honored this guy? I signed the petition today. I’m done reading Rolling Stone. > [@](#): > > The news of Rolling Stone’s cover article last night prompted immediate outrage on Twitter, with a flood of remarks such as: “Rolling stone (expletive) you,” “I’ll be canceling my subscription. Big difference between edgy, and crossing line of decency,” and “Wow. Rolling Stone should be ashamed of themselves for this. Absolutely terrible cover.” > > Today, a “Boycott Rolling Stone” Facebook page had more than 57,000 “likes” less than 24 hours after it was created. > > Experts said the magazine’s decision to put Tsarnaev on the cover is a gamble that could help sales of the magazine — or that could backfire. > > “The sad truth is it will move magazines,” said Chris Colbert, chairman of the Boston advertising firm Holland Mark. “But loyal readers who feel it’s supposed to be a music magazine will react negatively. Why are they sensationalizing this tragedy? Others may pick Rolling Stone up for the first time because of a sick curiosity about people who do these things.” > > - See more at: [http://bostonherald.com/business/media\_marketing/2013/07/cvs\_tedeschi\_boycott\_rolling\_stone\_over\_tsarnaev\_cover#sthash.67GNpCSW.dpuf](http://bostonherald.com/business/media_marketing/2013/07/cvs_tedeschi_boycott_rolling_stone_over_tsarnaev_cover#sthash.67GNpCSW.dpuf) ---
**Author:** ![stoplight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@stoplight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stoplight)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/24 "2013-07-17T19:39:50Z")
attention grab… would have preferred his brother’s headstone instead… ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/25 "2013-07-17T19:41:12Z")
Doesn’t look like a rock star to me or that they tried to pose him as one. He does look like a nice kid, shame he isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/26 "2013-07-17T19:44:56Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The pure greed and insensitivity of Rolling Stones publishers is quickly backfiring. Yeah, the cover of their magazine is one of the biggest topics of discussion in the news today. That’s definitely not what they wanted! For the record, it’s a photo he took of himself and the New York Times ran it above the fold months ago. This is a preposterous thing to get bent out of shape over. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/27 "2013-07-17T19:45:10Z")
What, are you afraid someone’s going to think, “Gee, I thought he was a no-good scoundrel but he was on the cover of Rolling Stone, you say? Huh, he must be awesome, I’ll see if I can friend him on facebook.”? ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/28 "2013-07-17T19:45:19Z")
[Another thread already going on over here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=696805) ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/29 "2013-07-17T19:46:14Z")
:rolleyes: There should be a law that criminals have to be ugly. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/30 "2013-07-17T19:48:00Z")
The most iconic magazine of my youth sells out and no one cares? [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-Ux3-a9RE1Q/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgXihPMA8=&rs=AOn4CLCB6lAm_Bd7BwSFmHLeoR6Iy4us5w "Cover Of The Rolling Stone-Dr.Hook") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ux3-a9RE1Q) You didn’t make it in music and pop culture until you made the cover. I guess _Mother Earth_ will accept advertising from Dow Chemical next. They pay well too. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/31 "2013-07-17T19:48:27Z")
Relevant… [Dr. Hook’s “Cover of The Rolling Stone.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ux3-a9RE1Q) > [@](#): > > Now it’s all decided to blow our minds > But our minds won’t really be blown > Like the blow that’ll gitcha when you get your picture > On the cover of the Rollin’ Stone ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/32 "2013-07-17T19:49:27Z")
Lost opportunity to recycle _He’s hot. He’s sexy. And he’s (as good as) dead._ ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/33 "2013-07-17T19:51:18Z")
> [@Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](#): > > Yes this is the first time _Rolling Stone_ has done a cover stroy about some horrible, non-music-related person. [Oh wait.](http://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/images/music/2004/galleries/1970-rolling-stone-covers/rs61-charles-manson-97/500x595/22516_lg.jpg) This is the first thing I thought of when I saw the cover in question. I’m not offended by either cover. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/34 "2013-07-17T19:51:33Z")
I guess I’m mistaken but I thought Rolling Stone was a magazine about **MUSIC**. I’m not sure if I’m “offended”…but I’m certainly disgusted. As a runner who is currently training for a marathon, and who knows the feeling of joy and accomplishment when crossing a finish line that so many people were horrifically robbed of that day in Boston - which is the Holy Grail of running - I don’t want to see that twisted piece of shit’s picture anywhere, let alone glamourized on the cover of a famous glossy magazine. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/35 "2013-07-17T19:53:59Z")
> [@Soylent\_Juicy](#): > > I guess I’m mistaken but I thought Rolling Stone was a magazine about **MUSIC**. They’ve long done in-depth political stories. From wiki: > [@](#): > > Rolling Stone is an American magazine published every two weeks and focused on music, politics, and popular culture. In 1967, Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco, California, by Jann Wenner – who is still the magazine’s chief editor – and music critic, Ralph J. Gleason. > > Rolling Stone was known for its musical coverage and for political reporting by the enigmatic and controversial gonzo journalist, Hunter S. Thompson. In the 1990s, the magazine changed its format to appeal to a younger readership interested in youth-oriented television shows, film actors, and popular music. This led to criticism that the magazine was emphasizing style over substance.[2] > > In recent years, the magazine has resumed its traditional mix of content, including in-depth political stories. It also has expanded content to include acclaimed coverage of financial and banking issues. As a result, the magazine has seen its circulation increase and its reporters invited as experts to network television programs of note. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/36 "2013-07-17T19:55:53Z")
I don’t even understand what I’d be offended about. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/37 "2013-07-17T19:55:56Z")
Disgusted. Sickened. Another Corporate sellout. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/38 "2013-07-17T19:57:16Z")
> [@Soylent\_Juicy](#): > > I guess I’m mistaken but I thought Rolling Stone was a magazine about **MUSIC**. > > I’m not sure if I’m “offended”…but I’m certainly disgusted. As a runner who is currently training for a marathon, and who knows the feeling of joy and accomplishment when crossing a finish line that so many people were horrifically robbed of that day in Boston - which is the Holy Grail of running - I don’t want to see that twisted piece of shit’s picture anywhere, let alone glamourized on the cover of a famous glossy magazine. I said it was about as offensive as a casually racist cab driver, for the reason above. I don’t have that level of visceral disgust but I can see how people close to the issue really could. And Rolling Stone knew that. I mean, c’mon. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/39 "2013-07-17T20:00:07Z")
> [@Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](#): > > Yes this is the first time _Rolling Stone_ has done a cover stroy about some horrible, non-music-related person. [Oh wait.](http://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/images/music/2004/galleries/1970-rolling-stone-covers/rs61-charles-manson-97/500x595/22516_lg.jpg) Ah, but Manson wasn’t swarthy and good looking, instead still looking like a nutter. Tsaraev on the other hand looks like he’s on the cover to plug his latest album. Why not his mugshot? Or a victim of his act? (Those are rhetorical questions on behalf of those finding outrage, as I’m not offended myself either beyond rolling eyes at an obvious publicity stunt - takes a lot to make me cry) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774/40 "2013-07-17T20:03:16Z")
Yeah, “offended” isn’t the right word - giving someone who is probably a murdering terrorist a big cover and all this attention is not a good idea. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-rolling-stone-magazine-cover-offend-you/663774.md?page=3)