A Threefold 'Thank You' to Los Angeles
Canter's & Ice Cream Sandwich Could Live in Perfect Harmony
7 Reasons to Love L.A.
Dear Los Angeles: I'm Thankful For...
-thumb-110x110-213475.jpg)
A Photo Gallery of the Things I am Grateful for This Year
Talk about a mixed message: Posters of President Obama "in Heath Ledger-style Joker make-up with the legend 'Socialism' beneath it has been popping up recently on surfaces around L.A.," Bedlam Magazine reports. While the image does allude to the ubiquitous Shepard Fairey 'HOPE' posters, and its numerous spoofs and riffs, this piece of what our sister-site Chicagoist calls "guerrilla artwork," is trying to convey an altogether different take on the state of the nation under Obama. No one has reportedly come forward to take responsibility for the image. The folks at Bedlam take a stab at analysis:
But is it serious? We'd like to know who the artist is and whether this is the sort of provocative guer[r]illa public art that is intended to encourage people to think (although about what, we're not sure).We suspect not. The Joker white-face imposed on Obama's visage has a sort of malicious, racist, Jim Crow quailty to it that prompts us to ask, as Stepehen Colbert puts it, "vomit, come on up."
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
I saw that poster by the Jefferson on-ramp to the 405N. I wouldn't call it racist. The racist element of putting white make up on a black face was the farthest thing from my mind when I saw it. I thought the poster was drawing attention to the Joker reference, but I guess one could find a racism angle to anything and everything nowadays.
I agree with ishXdavid. I didn't think of race until they mentioned it. Even then, I think it's mongering to take away from the real message (whatever that is).
Instead of Obama they should have a healthy educated Danish family riding bicycles on a 5 week vacation.
The rabid, inane demonization of the word "socialism" is much of a whack job as they did on liberty. patriotism or liberal.
It's like hello wingnuts, the vast majority of the population who *doesn't* earn six figures and never will, despite the lotto and casino delusions to the contrary.
PS: Considering the bailouts and bonus fiascos, he's obviously still way in the hip pocket of the bankers, so calm down already.
Socialism is a bad thing for those of us who still aspire to be successful.
perfect example of my point. umm, true socialism actually *isn't* what the rush or hannity noise machine says it is.
the loopy pundits may have people snowed that the current corporate welfare is helpful or that tax cuts for the rich create jobs - but they don't.
I rest my case.
I don't care what anybody else calls it. Socialist or not, if it involves force and threats of violence I'm against it.
so i take it, *not* a fox news fan then?
excellent.
Seriously. I wish Obama was socialist. Then I wouldn't have to worry about my health care or where my money goes when I put it in the bank. We are so far from Socialism, it's sad. I really don't understand these people who think that making money off of sick people and having private companies control our federal reserve is a good idea. If socialized healthcare is so evil, why do we give it to our veterans?
I think it's great that people are creating this type of artwork. Clearly the president is doing something right if he is inspiring the right wingers to go out and try to scare people into thinking that he is dooming us to a socialist future (albeit, I don't think that would be so bad). I really hope that by the end of his term there is some semblance of a social democratic state!
I wish Obama WAS a socialist instead of the major disappointment he's turned out to be. And hello, putting him in clown make-up is not racist fer chrissakes.
or maybe it's the bankers themselves
pulling a slick pr move
to trick people into the specious definition of socialism as:
"handing billions of dollars of taxpayer money to collapsing banks
who rifled through that cash and gave out billions in bonuses
to corrupt officials while drastically cutting funding for education."
of course, those without the capacity for rational analysis may say:
"that's just smart business"
or following an aspiration to the american dream.
This is not guerrilla art. I suspect that this may be the opening salvo of the insurance companies trying to keep us by the short curlies healthcare-wise and kill the "public option".
The same strategy worked on Hillarycare in the early 90's, so we can expect the same lies, and misleading spin as we were saturated with then.
The insurance industry makes billions a year by keeping primiums high and costs, (ie. care), low. They know that the best way to get a negative knee jerk reaction out of the American public is to use the "S" word, because we've been programed to equate Socialisim with Communisim.
But Obama is anyting but a Socialist. In fact he's making the same mistake as Hillary made. He's trying to let the insurance companies have a seat at the table.
The thing is, the insurance companies won't settle for a big slice of the cake, they want the whole thing.
Maybe the guy who puts up those Expose Animal Rights billboards is involved.
It's sick how many ignorant people believe Rush and Savage. He's fucking centrist. He's always been a centrist. Sigh...
Alas, if even *one* whipsmart marketer had the slightest *trace* of a soul, they'd totally make some brilliant incendiary retort posters that merely said:
"Pre-Exisiting Condition" :
with images of hordes of hardworkers stomped upon by a hearltess greedy lobbyist counting his cash.
Everyone seems to be interpreting the poster as a response to the health care plan. It could also be in response to any of the "bailout" legislation that has been passed since Obama came into office.
Because it's perfect timing to start in on reps going home on summer break. They want to stir up their constituancies so that when they go back to Washington to vote on healthcare reform they'll have constituancies that are screaming "Communisim, Socialisim, I don't want rationed healthcare! I want to be able to choose my doctor! The govt screws up everthing it touches!" And all the other propoganda they put out to kill Hillarycare.
Centrists don't advocate partial birth abortion.
Are you referring to pharmaceutical or insurance lobbyists?
It's hard to keep track anymore.
"One year from now, we have the chance to tell all those corporate lobbyists that the days of them setting the agenda in Washington are over. I don't take a dime of their money, and when I am President, they won't find a job in my White House. Because real change isn't another four years of defending lobbyists who don't represent real Americans."
Yeah, right.
probably the same people who are fighting Metric.
Perhaps it's the trillion dollars in deficit spending that the CBO keeps citing that has people worried.
Their constituents know that soaking the rich with in taxes isn't going the cut it and somewhere along the way Obama's version of "read my lips" will become just another broken promise.
They want their questions answered before signing on to yet another bill that no one has even bothered to read, let alone explain.
"want their questions answered before signing on to yet another bill that no one has even bothered to read, let alone explain."
no doubt.
i believe all humans have the right to clean air, food, water and healthcare. the current cultural policy that only a certain percentage deserve it is a monstrous notion.
that said, the health bill, as it stands, is kind of like the worst of both worlds.
the system is in dire need of *complete systemic reform* - not a rush job.
We spend 16% of our GDP on healthcare compared to Canada's 10% of GDP for single payer, that 6% amounts to $800 billion, and that's not counting co-pays, and prescription drugs which Canadians don't even have to worry about. On average Candaians live three years longer than us and our infant mortality rate is 20% higher than theirs. Canada can negitiate with Big Pharma, but we don't get to.
So quit spreading that lie that all this will come out of rich people's pockets, unless you mean that their stock options in big insurance and big pharma are going to tank, (in which case I could give a shit).
I pay $200 a month and that's if I don't even get sick. If I do get sick I've got $30 co-pays to get referred to a specialist who will charge me another $30 co-pay. All prescription drugs are out of pocket. I rather doubt my taxes are going to go up as much with single payer as I'm paying right now.
umm actually
it probably *should* come out of rich people's pockets. ; >
Canada is smarter than the u.s. in a lot of ways. But it's cold up there.
I've avoided this BS site for a LONG time because crack pots like you.
I don't know you.
But I do know that I don't like you, and I have no more tolerance left in my body for people like you.
You and your left wind intolerant, special privileges needing, with us or against us, believe & follow what we say or you're an idiot, propaganda wielding, double standard accepting- attitude has drained me and most of America.
Get over yourself. Go to NY and ball wash Olbermann, or go to DC and be another ball washer for Obama.
But whatever you do, please don't ever become a teacher or reproduce.
And rest assured JRB I won't read your response because I don't care about your or this loser of web site.
But before you waste your time responding, this was ok though, right?:
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2008/07/bush-as-joker.html
I love it when people cite the Canadian model -- like it's something we should aspire to
My monthly healthcare bill just went up to $700 month and yet I'd still rather go on living paycheck to paycheck (until I move out of Taxifornia) than sign on to ObamaCare.
The government couldn't even manage their costs for a useless handout like Cash for Clunkers and yet you want to just hand over our healthcare to them.
For a group of people who routinely question the trustworthiness our government, you liberals sure put a lot of blind faith into its programs.
"The government couldn't even manage their costs for a useless handout like Cash for Clunkers and yet you want to just hand over our healthcare to them."
TUA, I know the fax from wingnut central told you to denegrate the cash for clunkers program, but here's a news flash;
It's a resounding success! I know, I know. Hard to take that you can't belittle Obama for something but it has done everything he promised and more. That's why they're adding $2 billion more to the program.
It's helping kickstart a recovery of the auto industry.
It's reducing our dependence on foriegn oil.
it's reducing greehouse gases.
And American consumers like it so much that they ran out of money in only four days.
I guess that's why the GOPers are trying to kill it.
We can't have a govt program that actually works can we?
Huffington Post is wingnut central?
Yep, it sure sounds like a great program being put forth by the most transparent administration ever.
So the entire program is a failure because climate experts think the mpg and emission standards could hgave been better? I thought you guys didn't believe in global warming? But I guess if it gives you an excuse to denounce the entire program as a failure I guess anything will do eh? Yea, they could have done better, but the really tough mileage standards don't kick in until 2012. That doesn't lessen the positive aspects of this program and you know it.
It's saved and/or created more jobs than buying $1.75 billion worth of obsolete war planes would have.
I'd rather seen that 2 billion go towards unemployment extensions and have some of these so-called clunkers going to charities and needy families.
There's nothing noble about having to ride the bus when you'd rather be driving.
Well, well, well...
Lookie who just shot down Sen. Coburn’s proposal to allow serviceable Cash-for-Clunker trade-ins to be used to assist charities and poor families.
Private jets and luxury cars for me but not for thee.
Too bad poor and out-of-work folks... better renew that bus pass.
Wow! First concern about global warming and now concern for poor people?
I'm just wondering if aliens have invaded and are taking over the bodies of Republicans.
As soon as I hear you guys want to raise taxes on the rich I'll be certain of it!
Obama already extended unemployment, and he'll probably extend it more as needed. I mean it's not like we're dealing with a Republican.
The whole idea is to get these 10-15 mpg gas guzzlers off the road. It may seem wasteful to trash them, but 95% of a vehicle's energy comsumption is the amount of fuel it burns over it's lifetime. The energy required to produce the vehicle only accounts for about 5%.
I read that most of the ones turned in are Ford Excursions and most of what is going out the door are Ford Focus'. Thats a net gain of about 10 mpg per vehicle traded and that's on the low end city mileage, highway it even more.
"There's nothing noble about having to ride the bus when you'd rather be driving."
Too bad we haven't invested more in mass transit. Speaking for myself, I haven't owned a personal vehicle in 15 years. It takes some adjusting of one's life style, and more thinking ahead to do it, but that's my own choice.
a) Umm...single payer? I thought those words to be verboten and were only used as scare tactics by unruly right-wing mobs at town hall meetings.
b) Taxes? ...are going to go up as much??? I seem to recall a campaign promise about no new taxes
You know....you might want to stop while you're behind.
I certainly wouldn't want to be forced into informing on all of your disinformation here.
Geeze trojie, you don't like me? I'm crushed! I'll go home and slash my wrists right now!
Why is it that criticizing President Obama equals racism? Great strategy on behalf of the Democrats, don't you think?
The right-wing nutjobs fail again.
Any sensible person knows that the caption should read:
WHY SO SOCIALIST?
On a related note, sigh.
Nobody does. Because it doesn't exist.
No thanks to Barack "Present" Obama.
Some one just sent me this. I couldn't resist adding a little humor to the debate.
The American Medical Association has weighed in on the new healthcare package.
The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.
The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.
The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.
The Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted.
The Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!"
The Pediatricians said, 'Oh, grow up!'
The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness.
The Radiologists could see right through it.
The Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.
The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said,
"This puts a whole new face on the matter."
The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea.
The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.
In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the assholes in Washington