JUSTICE COVERS 'NUDE' STATUES

DRUDGE ^ | 01/28/02

[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...

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

GEEZE SOMEONE HAS BEEN LISTENING TO GLENN BECK LMAO

[Dane]

What I was attempting to say, I'd rather have someone that doesn't do stupid things then to have one that does and have people scrambling to make excuses for them.

Personally I don't think that AG Ashcroft's decision to cover up the staues denying the liberal photogrphers a chance to embarass him, "a stupid decision".

Sure he is going to take the heat, but he is stopping further indignity at the hands of the liberal press to future AG's.

You may think this an act of "Nazism", but I beleive the acts of the liberal photogrphers to embarass Ashcroft are more akin to Goebbel's principles, IMO.

[Lazamataz]

What is wrong with being "Puritan?!" Some of us have learned that modesty is a good thing. Some of us have learned that "nakedness" is a shame, and the only time it is appropriate is when a man and a woman are married and they become one flesh. Some of us don't need to see private body parts or consider it art.

So I take it you won't be traveling to Firenza to see Michaelangelo's "David". Pity. I was awed by this masterpiece.

He's got a really tiny wee, by the way.

WARNING: Major hooter action following! Look away! Bernini's APOLLO AND DAPHNE coming!!! AAAAUUUUGGGGHHHHHH!!!! BREASTS!!!!!!!! RUN AWAY!!!!!

(This was one of my favorite sculptures. The Rape of Proserpina was astounding, as well -- but you'll never see it. To you, it's porn. Here's an example of the detail. Remember, this is STONE, not a painting or a photograph:)

[sweetliberty]

"Would you rather have him spend $100,000 for a new podium and electrical system?"

Can you say "extension cords?" Us ordinary people have been using them for years. Amazing technology for $10 - 15. A bargain at twice the price.

[Lazamataz]

I posted some totally obscene porn for The Grim Freeper (talk about a name that works). Scroll down....

[Dane]

Dane, I never, ever used the word Nazi in this thread, you pegged the wrong person, I'd ask you for an apology, but you would never admit defeat, even in the face of unimpeachable proof.

Uh CS, I didn't see you condemn Dr. Doom's pictures comparing Ashcroft to a "JBT" in this silly thread either.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

"Hey how about some nudies of Janet Reno? "

OH! Thanks SO much for the visual. Gad!

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Is this greek to you?

[Dane]

Uh Laz your pictures in reply #371 have no point. This is about Ashcroft not wanting to be photographed in front of that statue. He hasn't had the statue removed or blown up.

You all can get all upset over the most esoteric stuff.

[Chess]

"Seriously, I am not a prude by any means, but I do not understand the mentality of someone who goes through all the work and trouble of creating a statue, and then deliberately decides to make it naked. Why? You have to wonder what is going on in such a mind. Do they secretly get off knowing that it will be in a very public place and that children will be viewing it? You seriously have to wonder these things. I can't even begin to understand."

Look at the sentence that I bolded in your post.

Do you honestly think that this work of art is harmful to children? The human body is not "dirty" and unfit to be viewed. I do not think viewing a female breast would have any harmful effect on a child. Their minds are not dirty, they are innocent. Adults cause the problem by making children think that they should be ashamed of the human body.

[Lazamataz]

Uh Laz your pictures in reply #371 have no point.

It has a point in the context of the message The Grim Freeper posted. As often happens in threads, the topic drifted a little.

But the PORN, the PORN I posted....OH the HUMANITY....

[Mamzelle]

(snicker)--my goodness, modesty survives! I don't really blame him for being annoyed at the camera angles. But, WHY does a figleaf have to cost $8K?

[Dane]

Oh, so if I don't comment on someone else's comment, I am guilty by association?

IMHO, yes. You didn't condemn Dr. Doom's flame bait. You probably thought it was funny. Anyway taking a cue and quote from your in reply #356 of this thread,

I will call a spade a spade.(central scrutiniser's reply #356)

[TwakeIDFins]

He is an embarrassment to the administration and the sooner he is gone the better...

I find the covering of the statues funny, but Ashcroft is a brilliant man. The liberals dreaded his going into the AG role, because they know how he can spin like a meister, and has an uncanny ability to use time to gradually bring his issues to the fore in a positive light.

You may have that exactly right. During his confirmation time, the NY Times ran a profile of him, in which they quoted a liberal Missouri elected official (a judge) saying "he's the most clever politician I've ever met."

He may have had something of a deal working with the Dub: "If you don't contest the Carnehan election, I'll appoint you AG when (and if) I win." This would, among other things, allow the Republicans to focus on the important prize, and spare Ashcroft the pain of a difficult fight.

This story is funny, but I'm not entirely believing it until another source, other than Drudge, surfaces.