"Not all NEA supported stuff is trash. Government support of the arts will always be controversial..."True, but this is a political maelstrom issue NOT based on money, but principle.
ANY support of the NEA was sure to bring Dubya more than a migraine -- and how could he NOT know this would p*ss off an already riled up constituency??
The logic defies common sense.
What you might miss, is that there is a political upside to Bush getting the red meat cultural warriors upset from time to time. You can take that to the bank. Pat Buchanan where are you? Bush wants to pistol whip you.