Posted on 01/28/2002 6:14:04 AM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Fed up with having his picture taken during events in the Justice Department's Great Hall in front of semi-nude statues, Attorney General John Ashcroft has reportedly ordered massive draperies to conceal the offending figures -- which have been displayed since the 1930s!
The draperies were installed last week at a cost of just over $8,000, reports ABCNEWS.com's Beverley Lumpkin.
At the center of the controversy: two enormous and stylized but largely naked aluminum statues.
The female figure represents the Spirit of Justice; the male on the right is the Majesty of Justice. The male is clad in only a cloth draped over his essential parts; the female wears a sort of toga-style garment, but one breast is entirely exposed.
Last November, during a press conference announcing new challenges of fighting terrorism, Ashcroft was photographed with the naked breast right over his shoulder!
The snap ran in major papers.
Developing...
It's the only 'politically correct' thing to do. Can't offend the 'fundamentalist Islamics' who might be viewing the press conferences re 'Johnny bin Walker'.
Cultural tolerance and diversity. Everyone seems to think Ashcroft has a personal interest rather than a national interest driving the action. Could everyone have missed that John Walker will be in 'civil' court? With a greater than usual Islamic audience?
Assuming the next press conference will be about the 'fundamentalist Islamic American' John Walker, I believe that AG Ashcroft is being sensitive to the 'cultural diversity' in America. And, covering up the statues is being sensitive to those cultures in America that do take offense at the 'unclothed human form'.
And, it's a blessing to be in the 'cool' part of His plan, is my personal take. ~32 years now in the 'Perfect Love Plan', Laz. It's ALL good.
One of the first things that happened to me when I was born was that someone slapped some clothes on me. Clothing--that's one of the things that separates the civilized from the uncivilized. (Oh, and by the way, don't be purposely stupid. I had to be taught that nakedness was a shame. Something that separates me from the uncivilized, I guess.)
'Liberty(instead of Washington) Crossing the Delaware' would have 'doomed' us be servants of King George.
Who cares? If some religious group -- Christian, Islamic, Elvis-worshippers, whatever -- is offended at the statues, then that's something for them to deal with. The statues are not obscene in the least.
By some standards, not all.
When I say that, I am actually being kind. Some people . . . George Bush . . . rise to the occasion magnificently. Some people . . . Cheney . . . have always BEEN on top of the intellectual/leadership world. Some overrated people . . . Powell . . . are down about on the level that I have long expected. And Ashcroft is definitely not the man that Meese (horror of horrors), [even] John Mitchell, or Bobby Kennedy were. Mr. Ashcroft is either not bright or is evil. I can see no other characteristic to explain his actions (well, fear combined with not being bright and having a job bigger than he is).
Only on the good days *grin*
Dont tell me, you just let him out of his room yesterday :)
Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and other Muslim countries require nearly head-to-toe clothing, especially for women. Remember the Taliban's burqua requirement?
Now think of the friendly and relaxing atmosphere of a European sauna, a nudist resort, or a nude beach. (don't knock 'em until you tried them!)
Guess which scenario has the most civilized people? (Hint: it's not the repressive and prudish Islamic countries!)
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