NEA used as political mobilization mechanism.
This is what conservatives are afraid of when government begins to get its hands into things. Let's fund the arts. The arts are good, right? The fear is that once government inserts itself into a field it will use that power for political ends. This seems to be an egregious example.
FLG loves the arts. He attend operas and visits museums. Yet, there are questions in FLG's mind about whether the government, especially the federal government, should have a role in arts funding. Local governments, FLG can see, but the federal government, not so much. There just doesn't seem to be a compelling reason why the federal government must fund arts. There are charitable organizations and even local and state governments that can take care of this type of thing. In fact, local and state governments make more sense because art is usually only enjoyed by a small group of local people anyway. Not sure what compelling reasons the federal government has for even being involved. Given this latest fiasco, FLG is whole-heartedly in favor of abolishing the NEA altogether. That's $160 million or so saved.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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4 comments:
“A government subsidized artist is the worst kind of whore.” Robert A. Heinlein.
160 million saved...13 trillion to be spent...
What's that hill of beans line from Casablanca?
Mr. P, when he heard about this scandal and it is a scandal because laws were broken, asked, "You mean they had to literally tell the NEA artists to do this?"
That's the only thing Mr. P found shocking. Or since we're discussing art - unexpected. I didn't even find that unexpected because this is the O Adminstration and they are all about seizing as much power as possible and give little thought to how their ideas actually work out (BTW, I think I know that Buffy Wicks in the phonecalls. Seriously, how many Buffy Wicks can there be?) Mr. P (and I) have long beein in concert with C.S. Perry and Mr. Heinlein thoughts.
Mrs. P
Hey FLG, what were your thoughts about Michael Moore? From The Corner:
Anti-Capitalist Filmmaker Enjoys Vulgar Displays of Wealth [Mark Hemingway]
Last night Esquire threw a party for Michael Moore's new documentary Capitalism: A Love Story, which all about the vulgar displays of income inequality in this country and how Americans are suffering as a result of the recession. Then according to one person who attended the premiere, this happened:
Following the Premiere, Esquire shuttles many of the attendees straight down to SoHo to the opening of The Esquire Apartment – a fully decadent penthouse where every square inch is paid for by a luxury sponsor. Hot tub, $120k pool table, $60k home theater, fine food. The only thing lacking was a doormat saying “Welcome To Capitalism.”
I had fun….But ooooh the irony. Everyone I talked to was like, “man, this is the most bizarre combination. I bet Michael Moore would freak out if he saw that this was happening.”….And then he showed up. And was eating it up. And then one of the families from the film came.
09/22 11:18 AM
Mrs. P
"There is a German word for what we are witnessing at the NEA and elsewhere in the Obama administration’s effort to push its agenda. It is Gleichschaltung. It means two things: first, bringing all aspects of life into conformity with a given political line. And second, as a prerequisite for realizing that goal, the obliteration or at least marginalization of all opposition." - Roger Kimball (whose only son is named after a former NEA member and NYTimes art critic.)
rest here:
http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerkimball/2009/09/21/breaking-news-national-endowment-for-the-arts-renamed-national-endowment-for-propaganda-stay-tuned-this-is-only-the-beginning/
Mrs. P
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