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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: 151252
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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#43. To: Skip Intro, AKA Stone, Brian S, mininggold, Ferret Mike, War, All (#41)
Stone, it appears the crybaby forum rejects need a hug!
You keep insulting me. Sometimes that seems to be your only purpose here. From now on I will probably delete posts like that.
Circumstance doesn't move christ. Faith does.
Jesus said, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ I really am sick to death of people wearing Christ on their sleeve while being so unwilling to have a modicum of compassion for the ill that would translate into assuring that they have access to medical care. Oh ARE you now?? I'm sick to death of Atheist-Socialists claiming to be Bible scholars and willing to steal from others to "prove" their own "compassion." You know NOTHING of "Christian Compassion" and charity you flaming phony jackass. Now go open up your purse and donate 60% of your net wealth and back up your own personal "compassion," Santa Marx. No? Not willing to?? No sh*t.
We don't hate you and your sick ilk, war. We pity you and your diseased minds.
And that's...Jesus' fault, huh?
Wait a minute... Suzanne = Liberal/Leftist = LIE. Gee, another SHOCK!!
To fret about it? Not much "fretting" on the part of socialists like you when the "solution" is THEFT. Any "solution" besides theft, Santa Marx? (that is besides blaming Christians who oppose more confiscatory taxation, and of whom ALREADY provide MORE charity to any group in the world by Light Years) Oh that's right...It's to STEAL from others...to pay for those (including Illegal Invaders) who already STEAL from American taxpayers. That's called DOUBLE-THEFT. Hey - heard of these three quaint commandments?: THOU SHALT NOT STEAL THOU SHALT NOT LIE THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR'S GOODS All three are A-OK with you and your ilk.
Get a load of this LOAD.
"You are such a lying, deliberately obfuscating asshole. I am really sick of assholes on the left deliberately misrepresenting Christ and communism. Well said. War and his system is why this country and world bite.
WE will decide what's "bullsh*t," Bullsh*tter.
He talks the Christian line, but he does not walk the walk. He's had far more patience and "tolerance" than me. The Leftist provocateurs, commies, and chronic liars have had plenty of opportunity to exchange ideas with honesty and courtesy. But they don't and won't. NOT seeing that, are you? Btw, you are judging Stone and his Christian faith, Mike. Really. Nice touch with the Muslim "stereotype" crack.
Jettison this Azzhole. He's useless. And he would cry when locked-out. THAT moment should be "amusing."
This world is full of religious intolerance, and the Christian contingent certainly has it's share of cultural jihadists. You've just accomplished "scary crazy" in a nanosecond. What crap you people engage in. Look at 'the Order,' a group of behind the scenes fundies that work to pass laws throwing people in prison or kill them if they are not Norman Rockwell portrait grade heterosexuals. Or the Ted Haggard sort of talk trash about gays and then get meth up the rear with the help of his male masseuse. And that indicts Christians OR "Fundies," Michael? Or is it a two-fer for you? Geez, you're inner-whacko is in 6th gear. When they are wrong they need to be called on their B.S no matter who they are organizationally. I'm calling you out, pal. And I don't GAS if you're an "independently organized" lone wolf...(or lone weasel in your case.)
Romans 13:5-7 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Notice MiningGilbey's OCD with Christian posters, "ziofundism" (that a new one you loon?) and taking ANYONE to task while invoking the name of Jesus Christ? Your sense of ethics stand on the watery residue a pile of fresh leftist-laid diarrhea. YOU?? MININGGOLD of ALL people... calling ANYONE out on ethics....Bwaaahaaa!!! If it's possible to rate the three lowest-rated unethical garbage here, YOU are on the very bottom warranting ZERO respect. far below even the reptilian War and dopey Abu.
YOU - as a Marxist - can subvert the context of the Bible to suit your weaselly needs ALL you want. Do NOT dictate "honor", "respect," and "conscience" to ME or anyone else here. Your past and present moral standing and Leftist situational ethics gives you minimal credibility.
Hey Stone - you've been very tolerant with these liars and creepy drunks. But MG's gotta go.
Can't you find a forum that will welcome your Leftist drivel, "ziofundie" paranoia and hate, and Joo-sniping? What's that? 4um won't take your garbage either? Advice: DON'T bring your trash over to LP.
You have nothing to worry about, Asbestos Crotch. You're writing your own ticket - NOT Christ.
"There is no doubt in my mind that you know nothing of Jesus." Can't make this up.
"I really wanna care. I wanna feel somethin'. Let me dig a little deeper:. No, My give-a-damn's busted"~ Messina Jo Dee
Nice post...And the bonus is that it'll make the above pingees - ALL OF THEM - cringe, hurl, or melt like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Good! Then I did what I set out to do....
"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 really wanna care. I wanna feel somethin'. Let me dig a little deeper:. No, My give-a-damn's busted"~ Messina Jo Dee
I'm on the verge of being banned (yeah, I'm a real danger to this site), but I will say, this: I'm NOT crigning at the verses. Instead, I'm righteous angry at insurance companies who only want to insure healthy people and the hell with anyone else--and to the politicians who support this unsustainable system. I am righteous angry at companies (like Massey and BP) who cut corners on safety and cost people's lives, but who donate heavily to candidates who want regulations lowered or eliminated. I'm righteous angry at my country being controlled by corporate interests that still think "greed is good."
Instead, I'm righteous angry at insurance companies who only want to insure healthy people and the hell with anyone else--and to the politicians who support this unsustainable system. I am righteous angry at companies (like Massey and BP) who cut corners on safety and cost people's lives, but who donate heavily to candidates who want regulations lowered or eliminated. I'm righteous angry at my country being controlled by corporate interests that still think "greed is good." Well, good for you, we do have quite a bit in common, just not how we should go about getting it. I just hope you understand someday Suzanne, that anything of yourself you give to the feds to control, you'll never get it back, you may not suffer, but your future generations will, and I'll just bet they'll not thank you for the chains they'll be wearin... My ancestors didn't have gubmint handouts, free housing, special interest groups, food stamps...ect, they were dirt poor, and they survived without the feds messin in every aspect of their lives, from cradle to grave....and so can I, and I am possitive I am not alone.
"I really wanna care. I wanna feel somethin'. Let me dig a little deeper:. No, My give-a-damn's busted"~ Messina Jo Dee
Isn't that exactly what you're doing? Do NOT dictate "honor", "respect," and "conscience" to ME or anyone else here. I quoted the Bible to you. Why does that get your panties all in a twist? Next, the writer seems to think that the obligation Scripture imposes upon us to help each other is purely voluntary. Well, according to Ezekiel, the failure of Sodom to hear the cry of the needy was hardly treated by God as a thing to be taken as purely voluntary. Likewise, the Parable of the Barns shows God taking very seriously the farmers failure to see that his blessings were given to be a blessing to others. We have already noted the Great Judgment of Matthew 25, again, God seemed pretty judgmental to those unwilling to care for those on the margins. The writer's thesis about voluntarism simply will not pass biblical muster.
I had answered, but as I finished the post, it vanished and I got a pornographic image, as Stone is playing games. He'll delete the post anyway. Have a nice Sunday Libe, and Stone, see ya, I wouldn't want to be ya.
You are such a lying, deliberately obfuscating asshole. I am really sick of assholes on the left deliberately misrepresenting Christ and communism. He misrepresents everything. His name tells you what he wants, on this forum. war is a complete piece of shit. I wouldn't piss on his face, if he were on fire. He'll get what's coming to him, sooner or later. As my mother-in-law says, "God watches."
The current members of the "You're a worthless sack of shit" list includes WAR, calcon, e_type_jack-off, mad-dog (more like rabidly stupid), ibluafartsky and the fascism-shill no gnu taxes (aka 400 bucks, happyfunball, 50yardline, etc, etc.) If you're on the list, don't bother writing, 'cause you're a waste of flesh.
My ancestors didn't have gubmint handouts, free housing, special interest groups, food stamps...ect, they were dirt poor, and they survived without the feds messin in every aspect of their lives, from cradle to grave....and so can I, and I am possitive I am not alone. As I said, at any moment I will be banned; I have been told. If that happens, best wishes. So, with my departure imminent, here goes: I went to college because of the GI Bill; that was a deal I struck with the feds and they didn't take it back and, goodness knows, they don't control my thoughts. Instead, it was a win-win. I now earn more money and pay more taxes than I would of if stuck in pink-collar hell. Oh, and, yeah, two years I even qualified for a Pell Grant (another government program; and I have repaid the amount of the Pell Grant over and over through taxes, and to this day, I remain grateful to that program—and I like the changes that Obama has brought to that program [cutting out the middle man who simply tacked on fees]). As for debt, generally I'm opposed to it. I want young people--starting from elementary school--to be taught how to make good choices with money and the evils of credit cards. (I want Ben Stein to teach this kind of class.) That being said, there are times when people have to go into debt. If the only thing standing between you and a job interview is an interview outfit, then I'd say "buy the damn suit" preferably from a consignment store (and, just in case Stone is monitoring, that's one of the very few times [if any] that I've used profanity on his site). I don't like government debt much, either. I didn't like it that GWB waged two unfunded wars (debt to be repaid in the future). Combine that with simultaneous tax cuts and it's like an individual running up a huge credit card tab while donating lots to charity--or to a mistress. It doesn't add up. I didn't like it when the financial industry was deregulated (and both Democrats and Republicans are on the hook for that one--although the Republicans were really pushing it along). We were already in trouble and the housing bubble put us at the very brink. I still don't see Republicans and even Tea Partiers talking about how deregulation catapulted us toward disaster. Even Ben Stein has said that for decades now, Wall Street investors have behaved like wild, out of control fraternity boys drunk on money and power. Yet, I see many Tea Party candidates saying that we should end Social Security--just so we can trust those Wall Street frat boys with our precious retirement dollars. The fact that we haven't fallen into a full-blown depression amazes me (although we're still fragile). And, if the Tea Party is so upset about fiscal irresponsibility, where was it when George W. went on a drunken sailor's spending spree? Where? Am I content with everything that Obama has done? Certainly not, but I will say I think he's trying to keep us out of a depression. Are we going to be in debt a long time, YES. George W. started us on that path and we are going to be on it for a while, just like a person who has run up a credit card bill to insane amounts is going to face a long repayment period. Has Obama made it all better? Certainly not, but it's been such a short time. I am more than willing to consider other options if I heard actual IDEAS--not platitudes like "Do You Love Your Freedom." I want ideas...boring, dull, but meticulously thought-out ideas on these major issues. What is the Republican plan to bring back jobs, deal with what had been an unsustainable health care system, and end the war in Afghanistan? What is the Tea Party approach to these same topics? I want specifics! Oh, and since I'm on the verge of banning, let me just say (because I know it will really make some people angry), my father belonged to a union. Because he belonged to a union, we got to live a few blocks away from a ghetto. I got a decent public school education and the ghetto kids got crap. And, for a final nail in my coffin, I never had an abortion because I got information and actual birth control (the pill) from PLANNED PARENTHOOD.
That's an improvement over your normal posts, jerx.
I never had an abortion because I got information and actual birth control (the pill) from PLANNED PARENTHOOD. By whom? Should we be grateful?
Advice: DON'T bring your trash over to LP. Why, has it become a CHRINO for Borderlines site too? LOLOL
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.
My dad did too.
So did my dad, and my grandfather hired his employees from the union hall.
Bull. God is the Alpha and the Omega. He doesn't need faith. He demands it from others. Want the passages that prove it?
Stoners posting porn now? I think I'll notify the Palin campaign of the antics done in her name.
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Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestStone keeps busy keeping the site "pure". Why not try posting articles with "nigger", "darkie", and "Obama" in the title? Those always pass the Stone test.
#44. To: mininggold (#26)
#45. To: war (#35)
There is no doubt in my mind that you know nothing of Jesus.
#46. To: war, Murron (#1)
Jesus was a healer. Would He say "tough shit" to someone who needed health care? Would He state that people should be healed by any means necessary?
#47. To: war (#1)
Why do Christians hate sick people?
#48. To: Suzanne (#2)
Apparently, it's absolutely wrong, wrong, wrong that kids with pre-existing conditions can now get health coverage. It ain't fittin'...It just ain't fittin'
#49. To: Murron, Suzanne (#3)
You really should educate yourself to the alternatives to BIG BROTHER stepping in and taking over Suzanne, no one, especially me, wants to see any child turned down for for healthcare, yourr argument sucks, and it's a lie.
#50. To: war, Murron (#4)
What is your solution?
#51. To: war, Suzanne, Murron (#6)
They'll never get it.
#52. To: Rudgear, war (#8)
To War:
#53. To: A K A Stone, Abu el Blowhole (#18)
Jeeze, man, ease up. That's bullshit.
#54. To: Ferret Mike, war, A K A Stone (#20)
He's quick to be judgmental and narrow minded. When he speaks, he sounds as intolerant and cruel as his stereotype he believes resembles the average Muslim in the world.
#55. To: Abu el Banat, A K A Stone (#21)
Anyhoo, do whatever you like. It is amusing to me at least.
#56. To: Ferret Mike, A K A Stone (#25)
(Edited)
He goes zero to scary crazy in 1.1 seconds.
#57. To: Liberator (#50)
#58. To: mininggold, A K A Stone, all (#26)
Stone the good 'Christian' deleted my truthful post about his Ziofundism and lack of following Jesus's teachings as shown by his behaviors. It's not like it's not here for everyone to see.
#59. To: lucysmom (#57)
(Edited)
#60. To: mininggold, A K A Stone (#28)
(Edited)
It seems rather obvious he has accepted Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot rather than Christ.
#61. To: mininggold (#29)
These types always need to have someone to beat up on. Always
#62. To: war, Rudgear (#37)
Jesus is going to send me to hell because I want the sick healed?
#63. To: war, A K A Stone (#35)
War ( Atheist, Communist, Christian-hater, Conservative-loather, fiscal confiscateur, provocateur, delusionalist, synthetic intellectual, pro-abortionist, liar) to Stone:
#64. To: All, mininggold, Ferret Mike, war, Brian S, Skip Inrto, Suzanne, Abu el Banat (#0)
"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".
#65. To: Murron (#64)
#66. To: Liberator (#65)
ALL OF THEM - cringe, hurl, or melt like the Wicked Witch of the West.
#67. To: All, mininggold, Ferret Mike, war, Brian S, Skip Inrto, Suzanne, Abu el Banat (#64)
(Edited)
#68. To: Murron (#66)
ALL OF THEM - cringe, hurl, or melt like the Wicked Witch of the West. Good! Then I did what I set out to do....
#69. To: Suzanne (#68)
I'm on the verge of being banned (yeah, I'm a real danger to this site), but I will say, this: I'm NOT crigning at the verses.
#70. To: Liberator (#59)
YOU - as a Marxist - can subvert the context of the Bible to suit your weaselly needs ALL you want.
#71. To: Liberator (#56)
#72. To: Rudgear (#8)
To: war
Mad dog gets
"calibrated..."
#73. To: A K A Stone (#14)
(Edited)
#74. To: Murron, war, Fred Mertz, liberator, Skip Intro, Ferret Mike, lucysmom, Abu el Banat, A K A Stone (#69)
I just hope you understand someday Suzanne, that anything of yourself you give to the feds to control, you'll never get it back, you may not suffer, but your future generations will, and I'll just bet they'll not thank you for the chains they'll be wearin...
#75. To: Fred Mertz (#73)
#76. To: Suzanne (#74)
As I said, at any moment I will be banned; I have been told.
#77. To: Liberator (#61)
(Edited)
Can't you find a forum that will welcome your Leftist drivel, "ziofundie" paranoia and hate, and Joo-sniping? What's that? 4um won't take your garbage either?
#78. To: Suzanne (#74)
#79. To: Suzanne (#74)
Oh, and since I'm on the verge of banning, let me just say (because I know it will really make some people angry), my father belonged to a union.
#80. To: Fred Mertz, Suzanne (#79)
#81. To: A K A Stone (#45)
#82. To: Ferret Mike (#71)
He'll delete the post anyway. Have a nice Sunday Libe, and Stone, see ya, I wouldn't want to be ya.
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