War destroys Iraq’s once-thriving artistic community.
By on Aug 5th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
War destroys Iraq’s once-thriving artistic community.
“Baghdad’s once-flourishing community of artists has all but evaporated. Streets formerly lined with galleries are now deserted, and the artists who remain say they have not sold a piece since the U.S.-led invasion.” Approximately 90 percent of artists who were working in the capital in early 2003 have been killed or have fled the country. Muayad Muhsin, an Iraqi painter, said that he refuses to leave and give into the violence: “War destroys art, but I have a responsibility to be here in my country.”
Muhsin’s “Picnic,” depicting Donald Rumsfeld is below:
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Artists are drains on society anyway.
August 5th, 2007 at 10:20 pmThe war might actually provide artistic inspiration!
August 5th, 2007 at 10:21 pmEzra Pound (known fascist) thought that the way to judge a society was by the status of artists, if an artist could not make a living, Pound (known fascist) thought that the society was doing poorly.
August 5th, 2007 at 10:23 pmEven a fascist is right twice a day.
August 5th, 2007 at 10:25 pmThe picture is not clear enough for me to get the symbolism. Is it a charlatanism of Alfred E. Newman?
August 5th, 2007 at 10:37 pmAgain:
August 5th, 2007 at 10:38 pmThe picture is not clear enough for me to get the symbolism. Is it a charlatanism of Alfred E. Newman?
Root word is “charlatan”. It means a dishonest person.
August 5th, 2007 at 10:40 pmI put together a post on my political artwork blog on this very subject last month.
August 5th, 2007 at 10:40 pmhttp://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003864.php#comments
August 5th, 2007 at 10:49 pmAt the top, it says 6 comments. I see 8. Can EmilyD give me a count? Thanks, Walt
August 5th, 2007 at 10:49 pmIt’s now 8/10.
August 5th, 2007 at 10:51 pmWhy shouldn’t the art in Iraq be reduced…. the BushCo NCLB has almost destroyed art in the US school system as well.
least they are consistent!
August 5th, 2007 at 10:52 pmWell, obviously, the Bush ignoramuses would not know anything about art, never mind antiquities.
As the crassly ignorant Rumsfeld said after the Baghdad Museum was looted off its 5,000 years old artifacts, “stuff happens”‘. What else is there to expect from ignorant, uncultered, morons?
August 5th, 2007 at 10:52 pmThe comment count is a consistent count of two less then the real total.
August 5th, 2007 at 10:54 pmHmmmm… I wonder who’s comments aren’t on the tally………
August 5th, 2007 at 10:56 pmThe difference is now down to one – none have disappeared.
August 5th, 2007 at 10:59 pmWalt, can you read this?
August 5th, 2007 at 11:02 pmRepukes have no appreciation for art;remember guns & bombs are what the sickos value.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:02 pmOne between my 12 and my 13 went into the bit bucket – the first two leters of the nickneme were “ne” if memory serves me right.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:03 pmWalt,
It happens to all of us, just try to reconstruct and repost, OK?
August 5th, 2007 at 11:10 pmThe war might actually provide artistic inspiration! Comment by Konservo
Its a Freedom operation KonPerVo.
Republican Mayor Jeffrey Kyle Randall was sentenced to 275 days in jail for molesting two boys — ages ten and 12 — during a six-year period.
As far as Im an concerned you are just another Jeff Randall.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:19 pmArtists are drains on society anyway.
Comment by Typical Defeatest(SIC) Democrat — August 5, 2007 @ 10:20 pm
Too bad you can’t even spell your latest moniker correctly, TDD/liberalsdestroyedamerica/howsad/valiantthehater, etc. I’m not surprised you have no appreciation for culture either, typical repuke-boor/boar/bore.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:21 pmArtists are drains on society anyway. Comment by Typical Defeatest(SIC) Democrat
If you live in your mothers basement of course you don’t have or need art.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:23 pmI like that painting — Rummy in combat boots. So sarcastic. :-)
August 5th, 2007 at 11:25 pmArtists are drains on society anyway. Comment by Typical Defeatest(SIC) ConPerVative
Yeh, I know, you’d rather have child porn.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:26 pmit’s okay, because those arabs are barbarians without any culture anyway.
-Martin H. Peretz
August 5th, 2007 at 11:28 pmI’m not surprised you have no appreciation for culture either, typical repuke-boor/boar/bore.
Comment by Lora — August 5, 2007 @ 11:21 pm
______________
I fixed the typo. I’m sorry.
There is a culture on my tube sock that I have come to appreciate.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:36 pmThere is a culture on my tube sock that I have come to appreciate.
Comment by Typical Defeatist
DemocratIdiot.Stop stroking your tube sock sicko Stumbo
Republican Party leader Bobby Stumbo was arrested for having sex with a 5-year old boy.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:40 pmCaption:
“Get me another molotov, would you dear?”
August 5th, 2007 at 11:45 pmI have been following (NOT blogging) this sad turn of events since day one of lie-boy’s war. So sad, this culture with such deep roots having it’s guts ripped out.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:45 pmComment by Devil’s Advocate — August 5, 2007 @ 10:52 pm
Yeah, but according to Rummy, there was just one guy looting one vase that was shown over and over, right? ;-)
August 5th, 2007 at 11:47 pmYeah, but according to Rummy, there was just one guy looting one vase that was shown over and over, right? ;-)
Comment by Jane E. Schneider — August 5, 2007 @ 11:47 pm
___________
I was able to buy that vase on the black market for $10. I use it as an ashtray.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:48 pmIn my defense, I have never had sex with a 5-year-old boy, nor have I been arrested for that offense. Comment by Typical
DefeatistOh come now. If you can bring up Clintons [D] past and apply it people here, then I can bring up Stumbos [R] past and apply, project it, ‘team think’, unto you, right?
All Republicans, Punditwise, are Stumbos.
How you like me now?
August 5th, 2007 at 11:49 pmYeah, but according to Rummy, there was just one guy looting one vase that was shown over and over, right? ;-)
Comment by Jane E. Schneider — August 5, 2007 @ 11:47 pm
_____________
I bought that vase on the black market for $10. I use it as an ashtray.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:50 pmDuplicate. Sorry.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:50 pmRummy:
August 5th, 2007 at 11:50 pm“Oh, there must be artists out there somewhere to the North, or maybe the East, perhaps South, even in the West…”
How you like me now?
Comment by ConPerVative — August 5, 2007 @ 11:49 pm
__________
I don’t like you, ConPerVative. You’re mean.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:51 pmTrying to see the images in the painting, is it the base of a ruined Statue of Liberty, or another ruin of some sort…..
August 5th, 2007 at 11:53 pmTrying to see the images in the painting, is it the base of a ruined Statue of Liberty, or another ruin of some sort…..
Comment by Raven — August 5, 2007 @ 11:53 pm
It’s hard to tell. I’m wondering if that’s the 8/6/01 PDB that he’s finally reading?
August 5th, 2007 at 11:56 pmI don’t like you, ConPerVative. You’re mean.
Comment by Typical Defeatist Democrat
I’m playing your game and I’m mean. Right.
This is an Ann Coulter tactic. “Why are you attacking me?”
It aint gonna work.
What about your guy Stumbo[R], was he mean?
August 5th, 2007 at 11:57 pmThat Rumsfeld and the rest of these Neandrethals would have such disdain for the Culture of a Innocent Country is no surprise. What makes me so sad is the loss to history of the record of civilization in what we now know as Iraq. What we could learn from them could have been remarkable. They were several hundred years ahead or their time.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:00 amThe ingnorance of the neo-cons is breathtaking.
Gotta go, there’s an upset Idaho river rafter whose trip of a lifetime is going to be destoyed if I don’t get off the hotel lobby computer this instant.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:00 am(I don’t think I’ll tell him that the campground he’s going to is a smoldering wreck of black, gutted outhouses and charred picnic tables…..)
Heh.
TDD is obviously a satire.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:00 amSorry if I pissed you off. Comment by Typical Defeatist Democrat
You have not the intelligence to piss me off.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:01 amA satyr.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:01 amHere’s a better look at the painting.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:02 amGood luck, Raven!:)
August 6th, 2007 at 12:04 am(I don’t think I’ll tell him that the campground he’s going to is a smoldering wreck of black, gutted outhouses and charred picnic tables…..)
Heh.
Comment by Raven — August 6, 2007 @ 12:00 am
Ohhhh, that’s evil. :-D
August 6th, 2007 at 12:04 amArt is another casualty of this war. This unnecessary war was supposed to bring democracy to Iraq and the Middle East instead it has made us less safe. Al Qaeda is back to its original strength since before 9-11. Bush invaded the wrong country. His policy of spreading democracy by unilateral force has failed. So has the surge.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:07 amThanks, Zooey.
Raven, here’s your answer:
August 6th, 2007 at 12:08 am
Ah yes, this is the ultimate success story for the neo-conartists. Endless war, the prospect of endless oil revenues and of course the people of Iraq pitted against each other and the media and the artists in fear of death at any moment.
It is like a dream come true to them.
It shocks the soul that the US media can still let the likes of Bill Krusthole call this anything but a humanitarian disaster and a pox on humanity.
-GSD
August 6th, 2007 at 12:13 amBush cares nothing about art, nor historic artifacts, otherwise he would not have allowed all the museums in Iraq to be looted and vandalized.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:29 amThanks Wanye, thats as close to perfect as I can imagine.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:29 amI don’t know if I can’t tell satire from hate anymore, but as an artist, I was sure pissed off at that opening salvo.
Any society that wants to pretend that art and culture has nothing to do with it’s continued advancement in a global world is already doomed.
Hate, and military might will soon be judged for what they really are…the pathetic last grasps of fear mongering, power hungry assholes with no plan for their country’s future.
Well, thank god the US is there. Otherwise there would be no art.
Remember what the Taliban did in Afganistan?
August 6th, 2007 at 12:40 amAs someone who owned an art gallery in St. Augustine, Florida, before I sold it and moved to Georgia, I imagine that Bush likes the chalk on black velvet type art. The stuff you see at road crossings in the Nevada desert. Bush maybe wealthy, but he has ZERO class.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:41 amArt is another casualty of this war.
Comment by Probus
Every human activity that sublimes humankind is a casualty of war.
War is stupid, it solves nothing and brings out the worst of any human being. Yeah, Im hearing the WWII meme…a just war…yeah. Tell that to the 20 millions of russians that die, the gypsies, the polish, the chinese, the africans, etc.
Anyone defending war has a serious sexual disfunction, IMO.
And yes, Im in a bad mood.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:45 amLaughable. I really miss the beautiful portraits of the rape rooms. Those galleries of the thousands gassed. Of course the wonderful prints of the many firing squads is something I’m sure the moonbats on TP long for.
Idiots.
August 6th, 2007 at 1:01 amAsk Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo if war solves nothing.
August 6th, 2007 at 1:02 amSaddam had nothing to do with bin Laden or the attacks of 9-11.
August 6th, 2007 at 1:04 amThese would make some beautiful paintings.
August 6th, 2007 at 1:04 amI am offensive.
August 6th, 2007 at 1:12 amTrippy painting, bro…
whoooa……
I’m tripping so hard right now……..
grooooooovey………..
August 6th, 2007 at 1:14 amEverything going as planned.
August 6th, 2007 at 1:19 amWhen you remove the culture you have no country.
Just one big pumping station with bases full of armed guards.
No one from u.s.a.oil.inc is going anywhere.
They are just now ridding the whole area of those nasty humans in the way of real profit.
It may take 2-3 more years but for sure they will get rid of everyone who is unnecessary for maintaining the supply of slick treasure.
(+ -) 5 trillion for them to split at todays pices.Double or tripple that when they really get going and kill off all the other dealers and become the king supplier.
Maybe make enough for a down payment on a planet.
Now that’s real planning.
Kennyronlay helped with all this planning you know.
You left out Elvis.
August 6th, 2007 at 1:20 amFrank J,
The problem with your little WWII analogy is that for it to fit today’s situation in Iraq———–the US must be in the role of Nazi Germany.
Iraq certainly did nothing to start this war. We did it all. It’s our war of aggression—noone else’s!
When Germany said their reason for attacking Poland in 1939 was response to Polish terrorism—they lied. They simply wanted to take Poland.
August 6th, 2007 at 1:48 am>I really miss the beautiful portraits of the rape rooms.
the rape rooms that were in Iraq before or after we sold saddam weapons?
rummy + reagan never had a probem with them before.
>Those galleries of the thousands gassed.
ah yes, again, would those be the people gassed with british and united states chemicals?
your hero rummy never seemed to have a problem with saddams brutality back in the day.
are you honestly so deluded as to think that the choas going on over there now is better? how do you feel about out troops dying for an extra month so that the wonderful iraqi government can go on vacation? how do you feel about the fact that the majority party in iraq is shia islamic + friendly with Iran?
August 6th, 2007 at 2:08 amSame attitude the Taliban had.
August 6th, 2007 at 2:13 amReagan and GHW Bush gave tremendous support to Saddam. When he “gassed his own people” in 1988, it was during the war with Iran and the people in that part of Iraq were on Iran’s side. Yes it is wrong to kill civilians (by any means). But, when it happened, the Reagan/GHWB White House lied and blamed it on Iran. The UN and Red Cross brought out the truth.
August 6th, 2007 at 2:16 amLaughable. I really miss the beautiful portraits of the rape rooms. Those galleries of the thousands gassed. Of course the wonderful prints of the many firing squads is something I’m sure the moonbats on TP long for.
Idiots.
Comment by Frank J
So your gonna save women from rape rooms by a war on them?
WTF?
Your sure.
Really.
Im sure your projecting your opinion on others and then supposing its reality. Thats some crazy sh_t Frank.
How does that work exactly? Your a God? A Judge? Your psychic? You have a crystal ball that tells you these things? How can you even begn to prove what you say?
Fact is you cant.
August 6th, 2007 at 2:27 amGreat art! Reminds me somewhat of Rockwell.
I don’t know why Rummy is reading though, he can’t seem to remember a damn thing.
August 6th, 2007 at 2:36 amWhere can I find more of this guy’s artwork? I’d like to see more because anyone who does political artwork is a HERO in my book. Does he have a website?
August 6th, 2007 at 2:39 amI’ll answer my own question… apparently he doesn’t, but more of his work can be seen here.
http://www.customshousemuseum.org/muhsin/
He’s brilliant!
August 6th, 2007 at 2:40 am…many firing squads is something I’m sure the moonbats on TP long for.
Comment by Frank J
No Frank, it’s the Shock & Awe, Abu Gharib, civil war and blood flowing up to the ankles that we lust for.
August 6th, 2007 at 2:44 amAfter seeing more of Muhsin’s art (thanks Shelly), I also see a Salvadore Dali influence.
August 6th, 2007 at 2:56 amIs it just me or has TP gotten really lame the last couple of weeks.
It also seems like a lot of major stories have been ignored too.
What’s up?
August 6th, 2007 at 3:48 amWhat’s up?
Comment by JPV
Could be because Nico went to HuffPo..
August 6th, 2007 at 3:56 amThey have no water to clean their paint brushes – YES
August 6th, 2007 at 6:42 amThanks, Zooey, Wayne and Jane, for the art experience last night.
August 6th, 2007 at 7:12 amShuttle bus to the airport arrives soon, on my way back home to …… :)
Heeee heeee haaa hoooooo hooooo!
These comments are classic, a bunch of self-described ’sensitive intellectual’ libs trading comments about art. Meanwhile the Xbox is humming in the background and they are resting their feet on a pile of Archie comic books.
You ants dont really care, just like you didnt really care when Bamiyan was blown to bits. This is just another excuse to blindly hate Bush. Wow, what else is new?
August 6th, 2007 at 7:30 amSheller of the Clams
The destruction of the Budha’s of Bamiyan was carried out by arch-conservatives who termed them as being offensive to their religion, and was condemned by liberals worldwide.
Of course, you really don’t care about little things like facts, not when they don’t give you an excuse to spread your conservative propaganda.
August 6th, 2007 at 7:50 amYO! Howdy y’all!
Im sorry I missed the start of this thread, so many cogent and insightful comments from the libtrolls…so much material to work with.
I can think of no better cause for a solidarity march. These talented Iraqi artists who once dominated the art world are now reduced to producing second-rate prints that only American liberals could possibly appreciate. The art isnt any good, but liberals would line up for a painting depicting Christ being dipped in dogshat, or an American flag being burned by a Palestinian terrorist, so why not this bad Iraqi art too?
We have to march and march NOW! Lets get it together folks; banners, porta-potties, coolers of iced lattes, rainbow berets and kiosks for communist literature are all needed. Please send me an email detailing what you are willing to provide and the hours available for general march duties.
Its not like any of you have jobs so I expect full participation from all!
We will march and save these third-rate artists. Chop chop, lets go!
August 6th, 2007 at 7:50 amLibTeenie
Have you actually looked at the art? Pretty clearly not.
Of course, this doesn’t stop you judging a culture whose artistic roots go back to some of the world’s first civilisations.
And obviously as a Christian Conservative you are in full support of destroying art made by those dirty Muslims, just like the Muslims did to those statues in Bamiyan.
August 6th, 2007 at 7:57 amTrolls do show how 28% of Americans think – there really is no hope for the US of Ignoramus – so glad I dont live there -WOW nightmare – keep doing a great job trolls of destroying your country
meanwhile on the other side of the world everybody gets on with their daily routine and free heath care , social pleasures while the US of Ignoramus is stuck in a cess pit of its own making
enjoy your pathetic lifes trolls and keep up showing the US of Ignoramus up
August 6th, 2007 at 8:02 amThe destruction of the Budha’s of Bamiyan was carried out by arch-conservatives who termed them as being offensive to their religion, and was condemned by liberals worldwide.
You mean tenth-century islamic thugs? Its ok, I know you meant to paint a picture by using “arch-conservative”, youre just not very good at it.
Righteously condemn is all you ever do, usually from the safety of your basement. Sometimes you even throw a bumper-sticker on your moped to show the world that you really really care about the fate of Tibet, but thats it. Then you get back to your true worries which usually revolve around getting the high-score on Zelda.
Iraqi artists are just another anvil against which you try to hammer Bush, anvils which will be discarded the moment they are no longer useful, which probably means tomorrow when this thread is removed in favor of a new one.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:03 amDont worry tobey, we too are glad you dont live here. We have enough unemployed morons, another one would just be a drain on society, so feel free to stay away.
How is the dental health going for ya?
August 6th, 2007 at 8:08 amThe destruction of the Budha’s of Bamiyan was carried out by the taliban when the American goverment was supporting and arming them, and then entertaining them at Bushes ranch in June 2001
August 6th, 2007 at 8:10 amHow is the dental health going for ya?
free of course and great
August 6th, 2007 at 8:11 amAnd obviously as a Christian Conservative you are in full support of destroying art made by those dirty Muslims, just like the Muslims did to those statues in Bamiyan.
Why would you think Im a Christian Conservative?
August 6th, 2007 at 8:12 amSheller of the Clams
Blah, blah, blah. Frankly, if something is going wrong don’t you think it should be condemned?
If there is a problem surely is should be highlighted?
Oh, but wait, not if it is your president doing it. The second it is your president who stuffs up, the second the consequences of your president stuffing up become clear, then everyone must keep quiet mustn’t they?
Of course, whenever it is someone else’s president, or a president which you didn’t vote for, criticism is always a good thing isn’t it?
You are a loyalist. You will kiss the feet of your god-president and ignore the fact that he is a flaming moron into all eternity simply because he is your god-president.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:13 amLibTeenie
It is pretty damn obvious.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:14 amfree of course and great
Free? You mean dentists where you live work for free? How do they pay their bills?
Great? Heh, Ive seen foreign dental work, “great” is relative and badly so.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:15 amHow so, Bruce?
August 6th, 2007 at 8:16 amThe art isnt any good, but liberals would line up for a painting depicting Christ being dipped in dogshat
Like I said, pretty damn obvious.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:19 amSorry bud, its not that at all. Im just amused at the indignation libs express for people and events they didnt didnt even know existed before 2003, yet today try to tell me they have been heartfelt advocates for as long as they can remember.
I aint buying it, like I said, these Iraqi artists will be forgotten by you and everyone else here by tomorrow morning. Never to be heard about again.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:19 amSheller of the Clams
Bullshit. Your beliefs on this are based around the fact that this reflects badly on the invasion, which reflects badly on your god-president who you feel you have to defend at all costs.
The loss of art, to you is only collateral damage as you play on your X-Box in your basement.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:24 amIn the Republican Presidential debate,
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/06/us/politics/06debate.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
? They must have been reading that idiotic O’Hanlon and Pollack study that Frank Rich put the lie to. Or smoking something.
In contrast to claims of military successes, back in reality, I believe the statistics of Americans dead in Iraq last month were 81, the same number as in February and March, before the most recent escalation started. Iraqi casualties rose 33% over the prior month. And by the way on the political front a Sunni faction walked out of the government.
To cap it off the candidates knocked Obama for saying he would actually take action against bin Ladin in Pakistan if Pakistan refused to, then they said they might do it, but also said they shouldn’t say they might do it because it might “offend” Pakistan to put such real pressure on it (horror of horrors to offend a country for not going after our real enemy).
These Fox-Republican officials and politicians (fops) are truly just that. Pandering idiots. Bad for America. It’s time to turn the page already. If these idiot fop candidates are against Obama, that’s the man I am for all the way!
August 6th, 2007 at 8:43 amThat painting is fantastic. It says a lot about what the rest of the world thinks of our country at this point in time. Hopefully a new administration will be able to help change that in time.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:47 amHehe, look Dick it worked. That story we ran about artsy fartsy stuff in Iraq worked. Their all yelling about blindly hating us (hehehe), and how the artists in Iraq don’t have enough Chartreuse to paint with. Keep em busy Dick, there’s a story on the other side of the page about our torture and another hundred or so of those, what do you call them, oh Sunni’s were blown up. Whew! Nice timing Dick. Good call, keep em busy arguing the soft stuff Dick. Hehehe, I just love being the Decider.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:58 amWell, it looks like the trolls have finally taken over TP completely.
Congratulations on your victory.
August 6th, 2007 at 9:07 amI aint buying it, like I said, these Iraqi artists will be forgotten by you and everyone else here by tomorrow morning. Never to be heard about again.
Comment by Sheller of the Clams
So now your dissing McCains trip to buy artisan Iraqi rugs? Heh.
Hehe, look Dick it worked. That story we ran about artsy fartsy stuff in Iraq worked. -Bruno
Hey look Dick, McCains story didn’t work about artsy fartsy rugs.
The art isnt any good, but liberals would line up for a painting depicting Christ being dipped in dogshat -Troll
Actually the Muslims saw Jesus as a Prophet/ Messiah. And it was the Jewish folks who denied he was their King. Christ is not a persons name really, it means Messiah. Jesus Messiah.
A picture of a hateful opinion projectionist troll being dipped in dogshat is another matter altogether.
Besides this was supposed to be a freedom operation to free these oppressed artisans suffering under a brutal dictator, remember?
LibTeenie is Valiant Venus of course.
August 6th, 2007 at 9:21 amWell, it looks like the trolls have finally taken over TP completely.
Congratulations on your victory
These Trolls add nothing to the Republican party. They are in effect detractors of whatever movement they once had. Who would want to become a Republican after the Bob Allens, The Foleys and the rest of the corruption wrought by such a group of pundit parrots?
The fact is they are no longer Conservative at all. They cry about small government then make it bigger. They cry about their tax dollars being stolen by Democrats then give it to terrorist Iraqis in a dirt poor country. They would rather support a bunch of religious fanatics in Iraq than a child in America. The spend billions on Iraqs infrastructure then look the other way after Katrina. They are the haters of America.
August 6th, 2007 at 9:26 amThey could paint Bush instead of Saddam and post his portrait all over the country.
August 6th, 2007 at 9:44 amOn the positive side – this is a resounding victory for Iraq’s Dadaism community. The forces of anti-art are indeed thriving in Baghdad.
August 6th, 2007 at 9:54 amThis is truly devastating. It shows, once again, how blindly we have stumbled into this country and just destroyed everything in our path. What a disaster! The destruction of any community is criminal. The destruction of a community that serves as a focal point for expression is even worse.
I am also, frankly, disturbed by the levity in the responses to this. We weren’t this light-hearted when we were enabling the looting of 6000 year old archaeological treasures from Iraqi museums. Progress, folks…progress…
August 6th, 2007 at 10:58 amWhy are the first 6-8 posts (and many more subsequently) basically spammy trolls?
Fix this, TP.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:41 pmFwd: How to create an Angry American
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgfzqulvhlQ
August 6th, 2007 at 1:29 pmDammit all to heck! That oil used in the paint needs to be in my SUV so i can go buy my bottled water for MY children after lunch at the local Jane in the Box!!!
August 6th, 2007 at 1:57 pmPlus, the war has probably destroyed a lot of Loft Properties.
August 6th, 2007 at 4:38 pmEndless war, the prospect of endless oil revenues and of course the people of Iraq pitted against each other and the media and the artists in fear of death at any moment.
Comment by GSD — August 6, 2007 @ 12:13 am
It’s true the Iraqi’s weren’t fighting each other before the war. The majority were effectively subdued and tortured into submission. As far as media and artists living in fear, it’s not the U.S. that they fear. And how much freedom did those same artists and journalists have before the war? Of course, one redeeming feature of Muslim societies is that their artwork doesn’t generally contain filth. So their missing art is truly art, for the most part. War affects everyone in a society. Did anyone expect artists to be suffering any less than anyone else?
August 6th, 2007 at 10:38 pmTrolls do show how 28% of Americans think – there really is no hope for the US of Ignoramus – so glad I dont live there -WOW nightmare – keep doing a great job trolls of destroying your country
meanwhile on the other side of the world everybody gets on with their daily routine and free heath care , social pleasures while the US of Ignoramus is stuck in a cess pit of its own making
enjoy your pathetic lifes trolls and keep up showing the US of Ignoramus up
Comment by Tobey Tall — August 6, 2007 @ 8:02 am
Toby, you read too many liberal blogs. Life is excellent here in the good ol’ U.S. of A. I’m traveling around our beautiful country right now, meeting lots of wonderful people, enjoying great sights both natural and man-made. People are happy and enjoying life. It’s only lefties on blogs like this who are miserable and see only the problems here. I checked recently and there is still quite a long list of people waiting to emigrate here. So don’t you worry about us, buddy. We’re doing fine here in the greatest country on earth. ;)
August 6th, 2007 at 11:55 pm