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Title: An Artist Protests Obama’s Abuse of the Constitution (Video)
Source:
National Review
URL Source: http://www.nationalreview.com/artic ... -raises-his-brush-brian-bolduc
Published: Sep 19, 2010
Author: Brian Bolduc
Post Date: 2010-09-19 12:31:01 by Murron
Keywords: None
Views: 151087
Comments: 144
An Artist Protests Obama’s Abuse of the Constitution (Video) Author: Brian Bolduc Artist & Narrator: Jon McNaughton A man, crestfallen, is sitting on a bench in front of the White House, contemplating his country’s future. At his feet lie the causes of his distress: tattered dollars, representing a weak currency, and scraps of paper, symbolizing an abused Constitution. Behind and around him stand the 43 presidents of the United States, most of whom are outraged. One of them, James Madison, reaches pitifully for the ground, trying to collect the shards of American greatness. Unfortunately, he can’t retrieve our founding document from the dust, for it’s beneath the foot of Barack Obama. The title of this portrait is “The Forgotten Man,” and its creator is Jon McNaughton, a 42-year-old artist from Spanish Fork, Utah. McNaughton unveiled the piece last Tuesday with a video describing its origin and a website explaining its meaning. “For a long time, I didn’t know if I wanted to paint this picture, because I worried that it might be too controversial,” McNaughton intones in the video. Now, however, he’s courting controversy. The Forgotten Man A husband and father of six, McNaughton graduated in 1993 from Brigham Young University, where he studied art and design. Today, he runs the McNaughton Fine Art Company, which offers mostly landscapes and Biblical images for retail. McNaughton models his work after the French Barbizon Impressionists, artists in the mid–19th century who painted scenes from the countryside in subtle shades. That said, there’s nothing subtle about his latest creation. McNaughton first conceived of the portrait after Obamacare became law in March. “I was just frustrated with what was happening with Obama and the out-of-control spending,” he tells NRO. “As an artist, I thought this was a way to get my message out.” What is that message? “I wondered, ‘If the presidents of the past could speak to us today, what would they say to us?’” McNaughton explains. Clearly, they would oppose the unprecedented expansion of government. Yet the focus of the painting is the forgotten man — the ordinary American. “If that man doesn’t get off his bench and try to change what’s going on in our country . . . we’re on the verge of bankruptcy. That was the point I wanted to make,” he says. On McNaughton’s website, you can move your cursor over the faces in the painting and read an idiosyncratic summation of each president’s tenure. Yes, each of them. For instance, George Washington, who’s front and center, “instituted the First Bank of the United States in 1791.” But even Rutherford B. Hayes, who’s in the nosebleed section, gets a blurb for increasing “the government’s supply of gold.” Working twelve-hour days, McNaughton spent five months researching the portrait, reading everything from Wikipedia to history books. “I tried to focus on the fiscal spending of these different presidents and how it has to do with the devaluing of the dollar,” he notes. “I didn’t go into civil rights or war.” His educational forays led him to some unconventional conclusions. For example, McNaughton criticizes the Founders for their fiscal profligacy. “Our founding fathers weren’t adept at managing debt either,” he writes on the website. “In 1791, the national debt was a mere $75 million. But that is equivalent to $5.2 trillion in 2008 dollars.” To be fair to the Founders, though, a revolutionary war is kind of expensive. Despite McNaughton’s good faith, the Left will censure him, and he knows it. He did his first overtly political portrait last October. Entitled “One Nation under God,” it shows Jesus Christ holding the Constitution while surrounded by figures from American history. The painting drove liberals bonkers. Comedian Bill Maher dubbed it “‘Where’s Waldo’ for wing nuts.” “I did go to the Huffington Post to see what they said,” McNaughton reports. “They reminded me of a junior-high-school locker room. They all want to outdo each other with the grossest comment they can think of.” Still, McNaughton thinks the opposition to this painting will be different. Whereas for the previous portrait, a viewer can accept Christ’s authority only on faith, in this one, “the facts are the facts. The people who trash the painting say, ‘Oh, it’s just another right-wing Republican.’ But I don’t feel my position is very threatened. I feel that the truth is just behind me.” If people object to the portrayal of Obama stepping on the Constitution, McNaughton reasons, he’ll tell them everything Obama’s done to deserve being characterized that way. McNaughton knows his political background makes him a target. A former state delegate for the Utah Republican party, he now considers himself an independent. He left the GOP because of George W. Bush, who “ruined the Republican party.” Accordingly, in the portrait, Bush eyes the suffering man from afar — distant in location and in feeling. But McNaughton also knows he’s got a hit. He’s already sold several prints, and his video has racked up over 170,000 views on YouTube. His video for “One Nation under God” — after spending almost a year online — has garnered more than 3 million views. At the rate “The Forgotten Man” is going, he expects it to surpass its predecessor in popularity. “They’re quite the conversation pieces. People will have one hanging in their house and people will come in and there’s so much to talk about,” McNaughton says. In “The Forgotten Man,” McNaughton groups the presidents into two categories: those who oppose Obama’s actions, such as Washington and Madison, and those who support them, such as Franklin Roosevelt and Bill Clinton. Viewers routinely object to the placement of their favorites in either category. “It’s fun to have people talk about it,” he says. He hopes to keep them talking. McNaughton just started a third portrait, which he plans to release by the end of the year. This one will be more religious in tone — at least, more religious than “The Forgotten Man” — though he hints that “I’ve got one painting [in mind] that might be affected depending on whether Obama runs for reelection.” Whether or not Obama runs, McNaughton’s art has ensured that his message won’t be ignored. ONE NATION UNDER GOD 
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#104. To: A K A Stone (#78)
I have answered your question on the other thread just today. Look at #233... Stone, I think I know where you are on the abortion issue. Why I questioned it was because Murron thought that you and she were on the same page and that abortion in cases of rape or incest were understandable "exemptions" to the anti-abortion stance. But, as she noted, Stone should speak for himself. And I asked you to do just that. You didn't. You went into a fencing match with me instead, deciding that you had to set parameters before you would answer. It was all about setting me up for a fall, and I don't play those games. I simply wanted a non-dramatic discussion and since Murron thought that the two of you were on the same page, I wanted to see confirmation, because I doubted it. From what I remember from previous, unrelated posts, Stone, you believe that abortion, in any instance, is wrong--even in cases of rape or incest. I know there's a philosophical battle here--whose rights should be supreme...the rape/incest victim's or the cells that will quickly form into a human life. It's a fencing match. I believe you would base yours on "absolutes" (a sperm has hit egg) and I would base mine on "conditions" (has the egg implanted into the uterus [which is the standard definition of pregnancy since many fertilized eggs pass out of a woman's system]...how far along is the development, etc.). Abortion is a tough subject and, if we're insightful enough it makes us look at our own underpinnings and compassion. How many of us have really had honest "sex" talks with our kids? Do we know what they're doing and thinking about? Do we listen or do we just offer up "lectures"? How many of us have adopted kids from pregnant teenagers? How many of us have adopted kids from pregnant teenagers who were raped by a family member? How many of us have adopted kids from girls who thought so little of themselves that they became addicted to substances--and so did their babies? These, too, are tough questions. Where are the answers? Stone, I'm so grateful to the people who taught me about personal responsibility and self-esteem (thinking well enough of myself that I didn't fall for some horny guy's line) and for access to birth control when I made the decision to become sexually active. I do make a contribution in that arena--as best I can. So, here we are, Stone. I haven't exactly answered your question and you haven't exactly answered mine. You can ban will or whatever; it's your choice, it's your site. I think I have a "reasonable" point of view to be considered, but perhaps you do not. It's your choice. In total, I respect your right as the owner of this site, and I honor my own right to free speech. As a parting note, I will say that I have been reasonably respectful (I am a Southern lass) along the way.
I'm going to ask you some serious questions in the near future. About my dog. Not tonight. She's 15. I've got to focus on what's important in my life.
Don't you even think about leaving.
I'm sorry, Murron, since I mentioned you I meant to include you in the posting list. It wasn't a slight (since, geez, I didn't post anymore else, either), but simply the ferocity of typing. Please forgive me.
Think nothin of it...I didn't think that at all, but you owe me a drink...&;-)
"I really wanna care. I wanna feel somethin'. Let me dig a little deeper:. No, My give-a-damn's busted"~ Messina Jo Dee
I don't want to...but it may be forced upon me. And, golly, I so would like to share reviews with you about "Secretariat" the movie. I still think that anyone who is going through a bad day--or bad stretch--should watch Secretariat in the Belmont. It has to make you think that "all things are possible."
We could make a hot bartender quite happy...
Our colt won Labor Day weekend. His grand dad is Seattle Slew. It was his sixth start. I have a picture, so it is all worth it.
I can't get to the races like I used to, but we have OTB here...but my everyday joy is to go outside and watch the 5 horses, two (awesome) mules, and a colt (stallion), from my front porch....a little piece of heaven.
"I really wanna care. I wanna feel somethin'. Let me dig a little deeper:. No, My give-a-damn's busted"~ Messina Jo Dee
My dog is worth whatever she costs me.
Post the frickin' picture... Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! (I believe the number 5 is good luck in Japanese culture, right, Meguro?)
Secretariat had a big heart, literally. So did Native Diver.
I'm not liking what I'm reading my friend. Godspeed and prayers.
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
Brian this is for stone, going to use this posting scar to address him. Ping him of you would please, thank you. I just read a letter from Neil at 4UM. I asked if you, Stone could of killed the posting screen and caused that disgusting pop-up, he said no, so I have to give you the benefit of doubt on this point. He noted spyware could cause this, and though I'm careful; that certainly might be the case. Suffice it to say though, the deletions and bullying; your total lake of empathy and consideration for anyone not of your political stripe breeds this distrust and dislike. I am done with you here. I of course will hound and eviscerate you at 4UM, but you asked for it, pal. There is no chance for any thing less then this as things stand with your total lack of consideration and bully tactics. I hope you eventually grow up. Good luck and health to you and yours anyway. I just give as good as I get, I am sorry you went too far this time. But that is how it goes.
Don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you.
It is about clarity.
I'm not going to ban you. Don't worry about it. Have a good day. I would like to finish that conversation someday if you are interested.
We don't need 10 articles saying whatever her name is is a witch. They are all out of context smear articles anyway.
Take care, old buddy. I hope you drop by every once in a while.
Ditto.
Very well then. It is your forum.
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
I just read a letter from Neil at 4UM. I asked if you, Stone could of killed the posting screen and caused that disgusting pop-up, he said no, so I have to give you the benefit of doubt on this point. He noted spyware could cause this, and though I'm careful; that certainly might be the case. Suffice it to say though, the deletions and bullying; your total lake of empathy and consideration for anyone not of your political stripe breeds this distrust and dislike. I am done with you here. I of course will hound and eviscerate you at 4UM, but you asked for it, pal. There is no chance for any thing less then this as things stand with your total lack of consideration and bully tactics. I hope you eventually grow up. Good luck and health to you and yours anyway. I just give as good as I get, I am sorry you went too far this time. But that is how it goes. A request was made to ping you, stone, to this message.
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
By the way. I left at least one witch article up there and 98 percent of your other articles.
More so in Chinese culture than Japanese, really. The luckiness is associated with the five elements (water, wood, fire, earth and metal) in Chinese philosophy, and in turn was historically associated with the Emperor of China. For example, the Tiananmen gate, being the main thoroughfare to the Forbidden City, has five arches. But a lot of what exists in Japanese culture today originated in China, so I'm sure some of the older, more traditional Japanese may consider 5 a lucky number too. For example, the five elements appear in the Japanese days of the week from Tuesday - Saturday. Tue (fire day/ 79;32;85;), Wed (water day/00;32;85;), Thu (wood day/08;32;85;), Fri (metal day/u29;32;85;), Sat (earth day/ß03;32;85;) Argg... site still doesn't support kanji.
Thanks.
More than anything, it was good to hear from you. I do thank you for the information. I went to college with someone who was of Japanese lineage. We and some mutual friends would get together (pool our starving college student dollars) and make a traditional Japanese meal--about once a year (geez, we were poor). I remember something about how there must be five ingredients in the nori rolled sushi. (I really like nori.) His family had been here for a long time before WWII, yet his grandmother spent time incarcerated in a horse stall at a California racetrack before they took her off to an internment camp. It took him a long time before he felt comfortable talking to our small circle of friends about this saga. I was shocked. Somehow, that bit of history got left out of our history books. Anyway, I hope you're fine and I'm so sorry about DADT. I hope for the future.
Are you still hanging around here?
I saw something about that on one of the horse racing channels in the past year. I don't remember which race track they were highlighting. I found this:
What the fuck do you care. You still being the forum(s) grand 'suck-ass'?
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
Doing fine, thanks. Don't worry about DADT. We will prevail in the end. At any rate, I have no intention of ever joining the military, so it doesn't matter too much to me. :-)
Don't mention it.
BUMP
BUMP
Well, [war's] got to do something for attention, his multiple personalities aren't speaking to him any more, and his imaginary friends keep finding excuses not to come over. (Murron)
Please point out on this thread where a) I deflected and did not address the point and b) where you offered anything substantive. Thanks.
I like your optimism; I strive for the same. Frankly, I am struggling at the moment. The death of Tyler Clementi has affected me--just as the murder of Matthew Shepard did. I won't go into great detail, but when I was younger and more vulnerable (and living in an alcoholic family), I reached a sort of pivotal point...a breaking point. But two people, peers, reached out to me and pulled me back. Later I learned that they were both gay. So what? To me now, it's like saying they were both brunettes. What matters is their heart, their willingness to be a "mensch." I hope and pray that, at some point, empathy and compassion will be the norm and not the exception.
So do I, but if people here and at LP are any indication, we have a long way to go. And there was yet another savage anti-gay attack in NYC.
Same here.
With my heart of heart, I'm hoping we are marathoners.
Some us anyway. As for the rest, I hope they don't have stamina to continue.
Why don't you go back to that one thread. And answer the question. Then I will finish answering yours. You will get an answer.
#105. To: mininggold (#101)
#106. To: Suzanne (#104)
As a parting note, I will say that I have been reasonably respectful (I am a Southern lass) along the way.
#107. To: Murron (#104)
#108. To: Suzanne (#107)
I'm sorry, Murron, since I mentioned you I meant to include you in the posting list. It wasn't a slight (since, geez, I didn't post anymore else, either), but simply the ferocity of typing. Please forgive me.
#109. To: Fred Mertz (#106)
Don't you even think about leaving.
#110. To: Murron (#108)
Think nothin of it...I didn't think that at all, but you owe me a drink...&;-)
#111. To: Suzanne (#109)
#112. To: Suzanne, Fred Mertz (#109)
I still think that anyone who is going through a bad day--or bad stretch--should watch Secretariat in the Belmont
#113. To: Murron (#112)
#114. To: Fred Mertz, meguro (#111)
I have a picture, so it is all worth it.
#115. To: Suzanne (#109)
I still think that anyone who is going through a bad day--or bad stretch--should watch Secretariat in the Belmont. It has to make you think that "all things are possible."
#116. To: Fred Mertz (#113)
My dog is worth whatever she costs me.
#117. To: Fred Mertz, Murron, All (#113)
My dog is worth whatever she costs me.
#118. To: Brian S (#116)
(Edited)
#119. To: Ferret Mike, Brian S, skippy, dwarf, whiningskag, jerx, gopher, liberal parasites (#118)
#120. To: Ferret Mike (#118)
I am done with you here.
#121. To: Suzanne (#104)
It was all about setting me up for a fall,
#122. To: Suzanne (#104)
#123. To: Brian S (#40)
#124. To: Ferret Mike (#118)
I am done with you here. I of course will hound and eviscerate you at 4UM, but you asked for it, pal.
#125. To: Fred Mertz, Ferret Mike (#124)
Take care, old buddy. I hope you drop by every once in a while.
#126. To: A K A Stone (#123)
We don't need 10 articles saying whatever her name is is a witch.
#127. To: Ferret Mike, A K A Stone (#118)
Brian this is for stone, going to use this posting scar to address him. Ping him of you would please, thank you.
#128. To: Brian S (#126)
#129. To: Suzanne, Fred Mertz (#114)
(Edited)
(I believe the number 5 is good luck in Japanese culture, right, Meguro?)
#130. To: meguro (#129)
#131. To: meguro (#129)
But a lot of what exists in Japanese culture today originated in China, so I'm sure some of the older, more traditional Japanese may consider 5 a lucky number too.
#132. To: Brian S (#126)
Very well then. It is your forum.
#133. To: Suzanne (#131)
His family had been here for a long time before WWII, yet his grandmother spent time incarcerated in a horse stall at a California racetrack before they took her off to an internment camp.
The WCCA [Wartime Civil Control Agency] Assembly Centers were temporary facilities that were first set up in horse racing tracks, fairgrounds and other large public meeting places to assemble and organize internees before they were transported to WRA Relocation Centers by truck, bus or train.
#134. To: Fred Mertz (#132)
Are you still hanging around here?
#135. To: Suzanne (#131)
Anyway, I hope you're fine and I'm so sorry about DADT. I hope for the future.
#136. To: Fred Mertz (#130)
Thanks.
#137. To: Rudgear (#37)
#138. To: war (#137)
#139. To: Rudgear (#138)
#140. To: meguro (#135)
Doing fine, thanks. Don't worry about DADT. We will prevail in the end. At any rate, I have no intention of ever joining the military, so it doesn't matter too much to me. :-)
#141. To: Suzanne (#140)
I hope and pray that, at some point, empathy and compassion will be the norm and not the exception.
#142. To: Suzanne (#131)
I was shocked. Somehow, that bit of history got left out of our history books.
#143. To: meguro (#141)
we have a long way to go
#144. To: Suzanne (#143)
To: meguro we have a long way to go With my heart of heart, I'm hoping we are marathoners.
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