[joinedafterattack]

The communications director for the National Endowment for the Arts is no longer in his job amid a flap over suggestions he suggested artists work to further President Obama's legislative agenda.

A conservative artist writing on the site Big Hollywood first complained that the official, later identified as Yosi Sargent, had been on a conference call with artists aimed at furthering President Obama's legislative agenda -- a bit of a no-no for the agency, which does its best to stay apolitical.

The agency, for now, is keeping it utterly cryptic: Sargent is "currently an employee," said spokeswoman Sally Gifford, who said she couldn't comment on whether he is communications director. She also read a statement defending the conference call:

On August tenth, the National Endowment for the Arts participated in a call with arts organizations to inform them of the president's call to national service. The White House office of public engagement also participated in the call, which provided information on how the Corporation for National and Community Service can assist groups interested in sponsoring service projects or having their members volunteer on other projects. This call was not a means to promote any legislative agenda and any suggestions to that end are simply false. The NEA regularly does outreach to various organizations to inform of the work we are doing and the resources available to them.

Huffington Post's Ryan Grim reported that Sergant had been "asked to resign," and played it as another scalp -- like Van Jones' -- for Glenn Beck.

UPDATE: Senator John Cornyn had also pressed the White House on the issue in a letter Tuesday.

In truth, Sergant and Jones have something else in common: Both are outsiders from Washington's careful culture and Sergant, who had worked with the artist Shepherd Fairey and organized the Obama campaign's artist arm. Though the details aren't entirely clear, the NEA would typically steer clear of pushing the White House's legislative agenda.

[IrishCatholic]

bookmark.

[wolfcreek]

WHO’S NEXT!!

[mojitojoe]

Tip of the iceberg Arianna, just wait until Sunstein and Jarrett get outed. You ain’t seen nothing yet. Then the big Kahuna.... OBONGO!

[Linda Frances]

Glen,

Go for the gold and get Obama, Nanzi & dirty Harry out.

[keats5]

Beck is chipping away at that iceburg.

If the MSM was doing its job, this government would be a lot more functional. Look at the effect this one honest investigative reporter has.

[blam]

"A bit of a no-no for the agency, which does its best to stay apolitical."

Does its best not getting caught advancing the liberal agenda.

[TheStickman]

This weasel is still working in the NEA so I don’t see much to get excited about. Another weasel has moved in to take the slot so nothing has really been gained that I can see.

[kcvl]

NEA communications director Yosi Sargent (bearded guy), a promoter of Shepard Fairey's famous Hope poster.

Yosi Sargent, dedicated Obama supporter who worked for the Obama campaign.

Yosi Sargent worked with the artist Shepherd Fairey and organized the Obama campaign's artist arm.

[eleni121]

End all government subsidies to the arts. And I mean all arts. Government has no business inserting itself in artistic creation. That is what Nazis and Bolsheviks do.

This is how stupid it gets. In the Netherlands the Dutch government actually buys the art of any artist who cannot sell it elsewhere. There are huge warehouse where mold-infested paintings lie festering in piles and stacks.

[Cacique]

The irony is that artists should prize independence and individualism rather than conformity. Socialism is every opposite of that. Artists were at the forefront of dissidence in the Soviet Union and other communist regimes. In the west they are usefull tools of the regime.

[Oldpuppymax]

“In truth, Sergant and Jones have something else in common: Both are outsiders from Washington’s careful culture...”

So, Ben, you’re suggesting that these two communist, America hating thugs were simply “unused” to Washington’s ways and therefore too apt to reveal their true beliefs?? Just about what I would expect from the Politico.

[maggief]

Just scraping the surface.

More to come ...

[DoughtyOne]

Glen Beck:   

Obama:         Zero

[BP2]

"Judge me by the people with whom I surround myself"
Barack Obama, Oct 15, 2008 Presidential debate

[rvoitier]

[MattinNJ]

“Tailgunner Glenn”?

[dangerdoc]

bump

[A. Patriot]

Obama probably wanted the NEA to produce this type of “art”:

http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/posters2.htm

[GeronL]

A new job opening for Van Jones?

[OpeEdMunkey]

"...and played it as another scalp -- like Van Jones' -- for Glenn Beck."

Okay. Works for me.