Bush painting provokes furor in Montreal (WTC protruding from Bush's zipper)

Toronto Star ^ | March 12, 2003

[gitmo]

MONTREAL (CP) - A painting showing the World Trade Center towers protruding from U.S. President George W. Bush's trousers was torn down and later restored at an art festival today at Concordia University. The painting was defaced and torn down by irate students before being restored later today.

The painting depicts Bush wearing a cowboy hat, with the twin towers extending from his unzipped pants.

Concordia student Ari Daniel called the painting a disgrace to the university on Wednesday. Daniel said it made light of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed almost 3,000 and destroyed the New York City office towers.

"They're basically laughing at all the people who died, and they're saying it's okay," said Daniel.

Artist Allison Moore denied she was trivializing the Sept. 11 deaths, but acknowledged she was excited by all the discussion her painting created.

"That give and take, and that exchange of opinions, is very important," said Moore.

"I couldn't ask for anything better."

Moore said she was disappointed her work was defaced, but said the vandalism was part of the dialogue her piece was intended to generate.

Concordia has become a major flash point for debates and skirmishes over international issues in the last 18 months.

Pro-Palestinian protesters forced the cancellation of a scheduled speech last September by former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Concordia's downtown campus.

Windows were smashed and several people were arrested after the demonstrators clashed with riot police.

Emily Pearlman, organizer of this week's art festival, said the controversial painting of Bush has sparked a political debate at Concordia.

"People have now taken it to a different level in terms of yelling and screaming about different events that aren't necessarily related to the piece," said Pearlman.

The painting is scheduled to remain on display at Concordia until Friday.

[gitmo]

The painting was defaced and torn down by irate students before being restored later today.

Canadian students! All right, y'all!

[sweetliberty]

What losers. No doubt about their connection with the French is there?

[zencycler]

Clinton's legacy ... everything is now a phallic symbol

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Bush painting

[seams2me]

[Artist Allison Moore denied she was trivializing the Sept. 11 deaths, but acknowledged she was excited by all the discussion her painting created.

"That give and take, and that exchange of opinions, is very important," said Moore.

"I couldn't ask for anything better."]

Here's a little 'give and take' and an 'exchange of opinions' for Ms. Moore:

You are a complete moron. Please STAY in Canada.

[TADSLOS]

Artist Allison Moore denied she was trivializing the Sept. 11 deaths, but acknowledged she was excited by all the discussion her painting created.

I've got some excitement for you down here in Texas, come and get it!

[teletech]

Canada must be SOOO proud of that Province! What a pathetic bunch!

[apeman81]

It SO cute! The far left just can’t help but embarrass itself openly and often. The twin towers protruding form the open zipper of Pres. Bush! What a STUPID image! These clowns just love to make themselves look petty and foolish.
Maybe we can make an image of FDR bathing in Pearl Harbor with a hard-on and protest WWII. Why not?

[egarvue]

Just a note to everyone: Concordia University in Montreal has absolutely nothing to do with the Concordia University system run by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod here in the states. As an alum of Concordia University Wisconsin, I can say right now that if this kind of crap was going on at my university, we would have kicked the crap out of this student and hung them from the goalposts.

[applemac_g4]

Good to know; there are some salt of the earth types over there in the Missouri Synod.

[deJaz]

I am a Canadian and like yourself loves my country,but what these morons(students)did is discusting.They deserve to be kicked out of school.I am totally sorry for what these nit wits did.I myself have the highest regards for President Bush.God Bless America

[NJJ]

It's time to seal our northern borders and put Ms. Allison Moore on a "watch list" to make sure she never sets foot in our country.

[teletech]

I am a Canadian and like yourself loves my country,but what these morons(students)did is discusting.They deserve to be kicked out of school.I am totally sorry for what these nit wits did.I myself have the highest regards for President Bush.God Bless America

Hold your head high and be proud of who you are and where you live and remember stupidity knows no borders, its EVERYWHERE. I'm sure President Bush isn't bothered by what a few "kids" do at some college in Canada or here in the US.

[gitmo]

I nominate Ms Moore to be a human shield in Bagdhad.