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...

[RedBloodedAmerican]

They used silicone back then?

[Boner1]

[BikerNYC]

He looks like he's saying, "I'd just like to get my hands on one this big."

[FreePaul]

The 2nd amendment will be settled for conservatives by the end of 3.5 years. Mark my words.

I certainly hope you are correct on this. I am afraid that his accomplishments will be discredited if he comes off as a buffoon with the kind of foolishness he is showing about these statues. He can't stand in front of a nude statue but he can put up with a "J. Edgar Hoover" building in his department.

[Prodigal Daughter]

Why doesn't he just stand elsewhere? I'm sure he didn't just find out that we have mythological idols in the government buildings.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Was the Mona Lisa a nude?

[Dane]

Here is the picture,

[dead]

Some hot chicks are painted on the walls of caves in Lascaux, France.

A few filthy communists must have painted them 13,000 years ago, boobs and all.

[ex-Texan]

I saw the photo over at Drudge. The 'offending' statue is a sea green 1930's art deco piece with her arms raised.

I personally do not like the image but there is no reason to cover it simply because it makes for strange photo ops. Since this 'flap up,' no doubt every photographer in the world will be aiming at her green breasts rather than Ashcroft.

So why it it necessary to hold press conferences in that precise location next to the statute?

[beowolf]

Next, they will want to paint swimming suits on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Wait for a thread entitled "Vatican Promotes Nudity".

[FreePaul]

Was the Mona Lisa a nude?

I don't know. I've never seen a statue of her.

[Disgruntled_Voter]

In the Classical tradition, Justice is depicted with one breast (the left one, I think) exposed to indicate honesty (that she has nothing to hide). She's also traditionally depicted as blind.

This is a pretty stupid move that just reinforces the view of Ashcroft as a petty, puritan egoist.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

What if the person depicted had been a lesbian or a black? Who would that upset and how?

[southern rock]

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.

[sneakypete]

He has shown no interest in doing anything about corruption in high government offices except continuing the cover up.

He is following orders,just like Janet Reno did. Blame him for not resigning,but blame Bubba Bush for giving the orders.

[texson66]

Ashcroft is head of the DOJ. If he wants curtains over the statues, it's his call. (Nude or not, those statues are ugly anyway!) Kwitjurbellyackin!

[Lazamataz]

Was the Mona Lisa a nude?

No. Was the statue "David"?

[sneakypete]

....should we order glasses?

Not until Ashcroft starts growing hair in his palms.