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Politics : Actual left/right wing discussion -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: average joe who wrote (432)	9/8/2006 5:17:59 PM
From: one_less	Respond to of 10087

You have no sympathy for the poor li'l lambs n piggies?

To: average joe who wrote (432)	9/8/2006 5:48:51 PM
From: one_less	Respond to of 10087

So don't we just sell them on the hoof now and ship them up to you. Gotchyer band saw sharpened yet?

To: average joe who wrote (432)	9/8/2006 7:55:11 PM
From: one_less	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10087

Insane Man Elected to Congress How many times have you said to yourself that a specific politician is "nuts", "crazy" or "insane"? Many of us have done so at least a few times in our life. At least in one case, this label was entirely correct. Charles A. Boutelle was a Representative of Congress for the state of Maine and had been for sixteen years. In the 1900 election, he won by 10,000 votes though at the time he was a resident of an insane asylum, clouded in intellect and uncertain in speech. He had even been there when the convention nominated him to run for Representative again. The opposition, the Democratic Party, filed a claim that to elect an insane man to Congress was unconstitutional to no avail. Sentiment was behind the Maine Republicans in the matter. Their viewpoint was that Mr. Boutelle had served them long and faithfully. Further, he was poor and they could afford to stand behind him. Others feel that he would never take his seat in Congress again. However, the Republicans of his district expressed that his empty chair in the House of Representatives should stand for their loyalty in mute testimony.

To: average joe who wrote (432)	9/12/2006 5:06:39 PM
From: one_less	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10087

art Cows: good, bad or a moo-t point? By Kyle MacMillan Of cows and critics. Since their first appearance in Chicago in 1999, boldly painted bovine sculptures have inevitably provoked clashes between the populist interests of the public and the high-minded ideals of critics and others in the art world. While there has been almost nothing in the way of harsh words in Colorado, a similar collision of values can be found with the presentation through Oct. 20 of CowParade Denver under the auspices of CowParade Holdings Corp. of West Hartford, Conn. On view in downtown, Cherry Creek and Stapleton are 100 life-size molded fiberglass cows decorated by area artists and sponsored by a range of local corporations and organizations, as Denver joins 40 or so other cities across the world that have hosted similar projects. The organizers make no bones about their intentions. The event's website states plainly, "CowParade is not meant to be high art, however. It is first and foremost a public art exhibit that is accessible to everyone." But, of course, there's the rub. In a spirit of fair play and in keeping with the democratic spirit of CowParade, here's a look at both the pros and cons of these creations. But it shouldn't be too hard to see where my loyalties truly lie. Hey, I've got nothing against cows, but I'm an art critic, after all. Pros 1. No one can deny the wide appeal of these bovine sculptures or the excitement they have sparked. They're cute. They're fun. They're accessible. Like all public art, the works are not hidden away in some art museum but situated outdoors in heavily traveled areas where they can easily be seen and enjoyed by people as they go about their daily lives. 2. An argument can be made that, like the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, the CowParade might attract people who otherwise might not pay much if any attention to art. Even if the sculptures are not "high arts" as the event's publicity materials readily acknowledge, surely it's better that people experience it rather than no art at all. And, perhaps, a few people who are enthused by these pieces might seek out other kinds of art elsewhere - perhaps even pay a visit to the Denver Art Museum. 3. After the CowParade ends, the sculptures will be auctioned, with the proceeds benefiting four worthy causes - the Denver Zoo, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Children's Museum of Denver and Eagle Fund of the Denver Foundation. Based on similar sales in other cities, organizers project these pieces will net at least $500,000, which certainly is not small change. Cons 1. To put it bluntly, the cow sculptures are mostly mediocre works of art, and some are just plain bad. It might have helped if some of the state's best artists had chosen to become involved, but virtually none did. Rather than giving viewers a taste of artistic excellence, this project winds up championing the lowest common denominator. 2. Think of what could have been done with the money that was spent on this project - about $300,000, according to Bruce Erley of the Creative Strategies Group, the local organizer - if it were devoted to a top-flight international public-art exhibition. Imagine not cows on the city corners but temporary works by some of the finest artists in the world. Maya Lin? Richard Serra? Vito Acconci? The city could have gained international attention and enhanced rather than diminished its growing image as a sophisticated arts city. 3. While this project does give $1,000 stipends to individual artists and provide substantial funds to worthy local nonprofit organizations, it ultimately does nothing to build the arts scene in any enduring way. And other than perhaps generating some smiles, the CowParade does not enrich the city at large. Are these sculptures the artistic equivalents of prime rib or cow pies? It all depends on your point of view. denverpost.com