The Buzz: It's easy to get a handle on this art issue

Sacramento Bee ^ | 7/25/5 | Kevin Yamamura

[SmithL]

The thing about protest art is that, well, sometimes it leads to protest.

State Attorney General Bill Lockyer, a Democrat, has come under fire for hosting an art exhibit in the Department of Justice cafeteria that includes a painting of the flag-adorned United States being flushed down a toilet with the phrase "T'anks to Mr. Bush!"

"Lockyer is just going out of his way to offend a lot of people who don't think America should be floating in a toilet," said California Republican Party spokeswoman Karen Hanretty.

Further enraging conservatives, "T'anks" is the work of Stephen Pearcy, best known for hanging a dummy of a soldier on his Land Park home this year with a sign stating, "Bush Lied. I Died." With little fanfare, Pearcy also has a replica of the dummy on display at the Sacramento County Law Library.

Hanretty and KTKZ talk-radio host Eric Hogue have led the charge in attacking Lockyer's decision to host the exhibit. Meanwhile, the blog Conservative Schooler started an online petition to remove "T'anks." And "Move America Forward" has organized an "I Love America" counter exhibit for Thursday.

The Department of Justice exhibit is run by the nonprofit California Lawyers for the Arts and co-hosted by Lockyer and the California Arts Council. Hanretty said Pearcy's art has no place in a public building.

But Lockyer spokesman Nathan Barankin said, "It's promoting a healthy discussion, which is constructive."

[SmithL]

Lockyer's showing his true colors.

[sportutegrl]

Why does no one jump through hoops when patriotic Americans are 'offended'. Let someone see a ten commandments in a park, a Santa Clause in a Christmas display, and everyone jumps up to remove the offending object. Yet citizens of the United States, apparently have to get used to having their country and flag depicted in a toilet, as we aren't allowed to be offended. Besides, this isn't art. It is crudely drawn, childish, and a pathetic attempt at bathroom humor with the most simplistic concept ever. If this is art, California should demand it's money back.

[layman]

I think Stephen Pearcy has elected to concentrate on controversial subject matter to distract viewers from the fact that he has no talent as an artist. I have a nine year old grand daughter who can do better ... much better.

[q_an_a]

hope that thousands of people hear and see this Art Show. I want the head of the Calif. DemoRAT party to be "having a healthy discussion" about American values and that this display is one he is proud to represent. This display will add two more US Senate seats and maybe change a couple of seats in places like Modesto from left to right.

[backtothestreets]

Conservatives befuddle me sometimes. This is one of those times. Do conservatives believe freedom of speech is relegated to liberals only? If not, why haven't they exercised their constitutional right to free speech by placing placards on the table critical of the message of the painting and Lockyer himself? Would Lockyer dare take the position free speech is only for those people he approves.

Here's a perfect opportunity to show a conversely different position, and conservatives won't grab it. What's going on?

[calcowgirl]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1449657/posts
Pro-American Art Counters Attorney General's Profane Anti-American Display (CA)

“I LOVE AMERICA” ART EXHIBIT
To counter anti-American art Featured at Attorney General’s Office

Pro-American Art Exhibit & Rally
Downtown Sacramento, 13th & I Streets - Thursday, July 28 3:30 – 10:00 PM

[jonascord]

I suppose dressing in skin tight black, talking with a phony German accent, shotgunning Pearcy and calling it "Performance Art" and applied for a Federal grant is a no-no...

[backtothestreets]

Thanks calcowgirl. This is fine and good, but I want someone with daily access to this cafeteria to start leaving placards right on the table beneath this painting. It's free speech isn't it? The table placards need not be large or expensive. Anyone with a computer and printer could do this.

[calcowgirl]

...someone with daily access to this cafeteria ...

Can't help you out there.

... leaving placards right on the table beneath this painting.

Not a bad idea, but Lockyer's team would probably claim you to have a permit or arrest you for littering.

[Shazolene]

Stickers. Right on the 'artwork'.

[backtothestreets]

"Not a bad idea, but Lockyer's team would probably claim you to have a permit or arrest you for littering."

Not to mention the media would jump all over such a story since they live for stories of conflict, and know how to broaden conflicts.  Would anyone in Lockyer's office dare call the exercise of a dissenting opinion littering?

BTW, I'm nowhere close enough to visit this display, but wondered if any of the other artworks had a pro-American theme.  Does anyone know?

[backtothestreets]

Stickers could be construed as damaging the artwork, and bring a charge of destruction of property. I'd use nothing permanent. That could fuel their side and would be counter productive.

[FierceDraka]

Conservatives befuddle me sometimes. This is one of those times. Do conservatives believe freedom of speech is relegated to liberals only? - snip -

For us, it's not about freedom of speech. It's about one thing, and one thing only: REVENGE

The moonbats, anti-Americans, and leftist academic filth have been given free reign to trash us, our country, and our values for a long, long time now.

They impose "speech codes", force their communist agenda through the courts, and viciously attack anyone who dares to publicly disagree with their vile, totalitarian positions.

And then they cry "freedom of speech" when anyone dares to hold them accountable for the damage they do.

Well, we're sick of it. We're completely fed up with their bull$h*t, and we're not taking it lying down anymore.

Many of us are to the point where we will take any opportunity we get to make those b4st4rds howl, and a public display in a public place by a public official of hateful, anti-American "art" (that was payed for with public funds, no less), is a prefect opportunity to shame and embarrass our enemies.

And yes, I regard them as enemies. America is embroiled in a "cold" civil war in which the victors will determine whether we and our children will live in a free, Constitutional republic, or in a totalitarian nightmare of Soviet-style tyranny.

[Shazbot29]

"Free Speech" has a context. This is a government office and should be apolitical.

If taxpayers dollars are involved, then I should personally have a say in what is appropriate (although actually zero taxpayers dollars should ever go to "art.")

In general, you say it, you subsidize it, have at it. You want to put a toilet with the US flag in it, do it on YOUR property and YOUR dime. Don't shove it down MY throat.

[skr]

But Lockyer spokesman Nathan Barankin said, "It's promoting a healthy discussion, which is constructive."

Discussion is healthy when there's a salient point being made. That's not the case here however, in which insults do not equate to constructive criticism.

[backtothestreets]

Hi Shazbot29. You are absolutely correct government buildings should be apolitical.

[backtothestreets]

FierceDraka, don't let revenge blind you. The problems must be addressed, fought, and defeated, but it must be done with clear minds to obtain the best results.