Comments on: Brick Obama: LEGO Hope poster by Michael Fortress

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:36:05 +0000

@Doctor Sinister: An excellent suggestion, given how far off the rails this discussion has gone — and especially now that the artist himself has responded.

By: Will

Will — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:35:49 +0000

This is a sick man! He will close Gitmo! He says torture is not the answer! Tell tha to the innocent lives taken by radical ISLAMISTS!
Yeah I said it. The terrorist don’t torture our boys they just cut off their heads on video! Why don’t we give some of their own medicine!
Obama’s is not the presidnt of the United States of America! He is president of the United Socialist States of America! Hail Comrade Obama! First dictator of the USSA!

By: Doctor Sinister

Doctor Sinister — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:33:12 +0000

Argh…can the comments on this one be locked please, it’s going nowhere.

Dr. S.

By: Xiazeran

Xiazeran — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:30:19 +0000

@David 4; oooh! I just found something else I can poke at you with! “funny as hell”? Not so much if you’ll be burning there.

By: Fortress

Fortress — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:28:45 +0000

Thank you everyone for the comments on this piece, I really appreciate it.
This was not meant as a political statement. As an escape from real work it was fun piece to do and I meant it a tribute to the talented Shepard Fairey.
However, people are not without opinions. Please be civil. Remember that we want the same thing, we just believe in different routes to that point.
We voted for a president but we are hoping for a savior. That is a lot to expect from one man. My vote will be vindicated if anything at all changes for the better.

Also, I’m a maverick ;)

By: Xiazeran

Xiazeran — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:26:09 +0000

@David 4; “people as foolish as your statement make me sick.” Really?
We’re all people, regardless of gender or race. Thus said, people are not perfect life forms. Mistakes can be made. Enjoy your laugh, because I’m sure you’ll say something as easily misguided and ‘foolish’ in the future.

By: Shmails

Shmails — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:59:24 +0000

Wonderful artwork. This style of poster design is both striking and beautiful. Nice work here.

As for the rest of the conversation, I personally believe that politics and religion are personal, individual choices. You cannot and should not expect anyone to agree with or be interested in your version of history unless they ask about it. No one comes here to hear your religious or political views, especially when all you want to do is insult what others love. Just keep it to yourself or find somewhere they want your voice.

My opinion is LEGO and politics/religion = water and oil. This is art since it does not actually use LEGO pieces, so can mix the two, and stir a conversation such as this one.

By: Legoholic

Legoholic — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:51:33 +0000

Well said, Xiazeran! I totally agree with you!

By: David4

David4 — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:51:31 +0000

Xiazerans is funny as hell!

Oh my god his name just happens to match one of an old ally of ours! Remember 20-25 years ago when we were on his side?! I remember pictures of several George W. Bush’s appointments meeting with the terrible evil dictator. I guess back then though it was OK for Obama to have a middle name he has no control over!

People as foolish as your statement is make me sick.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:38:54 +0000

@Xiazeran: Barack Hussain Obama II, born in 1961, is named after his father, Barack Hussain Obama, Sr., born in 1936. Saddam Hussain was born in 1937, and didn’t even come to power in Iraq until his participation in a 1968 coup. So no, it is not in fact possible that Obama’s middle name “honors” Saddam Hussain.

You’re entitled to your opinion, but at least get your facts straight.

By: Xiazeran

Xiazeran — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:36:31 +0000

And I never said this wasn’t a great work of art, pictures that have color schemes of four or less colors are often quite visually striking.

By: Ethan

Ethan — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:36:26 +0000

Why not “Block Obama”?

By: Xiazeran

Xiazeran — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:33:24 +0000

I am aware of these things, Ramone and Roman, But if one looks at the facts, it is very possible his middle name is honoring the last dictator of Iraq. Regardless of his namesake, (of which a ’3/4ths’ is probably NOT laughing, it caused quite a stir when he announced candidacy) Barack could possibly be the last president of these United States.

“Providence”, you say? What’s the root word? Provide. Such is what Washington might have called God’s Providing for him and his comerades.

@ ‘Roman’; quoting Richard Dawkins!? The same Dawkins that said there could possibly be some sort of deity on Ben Stein’s documentary, “Expelled”!? You’re kidding, right?

@ ‘Ramone’; Rev. Wright taught liberation theology. real ‘christian’.

By: Ramone

Ramone — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:08:05 +0000

This is a really remarkable work. Kudos to the artist!

Xiazern,

“However, if America is for all of its people, politicians MUST renember to never shun what our great democracy was founded on, and that was Christianity. How do you think we’ve lasted this long!?”

Also, to put the facts straight, many of the the Founding Fathers were deists, not bible-thumping Christians. Washington believed in “Providence,” which was a divine will–though he attended church regularly (as did a majority of them). The Constitution specifically separates church and state and makes for “freedom of religion” in the Bill of Rights. It grants as much freedom to choose any religion as much as it does to choose none.

It is moot anyway, since Obama is a Christian. His decision to leave his church to distance himself from Rev. Wright was a major part of the politics that shaped his campaign.

Finally, 3/4 of the world is laughing at you as his middle name is one of the most widely used around the world. Obama was not named for Sadam Hussein. It’s just a name–like Smith. Only in America is this an issue. King Hussein of Jordan was one of the US staunchest allies before he died in 1999. Shouldn’t we also say he was named after him?

By: Roman

Roman — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:55:50 +0000

The poster is great, I am getting a few printed for myself. They are nice and novel.

As far as Xiazerans comment…

The Judeo-Christian God concept has been around for only a tiny percentage of the around 200,000 years of human existence. The fact you believe in it, is because of the time and place you were born and brought up. It is highly unlikely that any of it is “correct.” If you want to practice the religion, then it should be noted that all religions are just as “correct” and “incorrect” as yours, and probably just as ridiculous, they just happen to be from a different culture. If you were born in India you would be Hindu so what, you would be going to hell right? This is all childish garbage. Stop declaring that you are right, and stop justifying violence in the name or your religion.

“Isn’t it a remarkable coincidence almost everyone has the same religion as their parents? And it always just happens to be the right religion. Religions run in families. If we’d been brought up in ancient Greece we would all be worshiping Zeus and Apollo. If we had been born Vikings we would be worshiping Wotan and Thor. How does this come about? Through childhood indoctrination.” – Richard Dawkins

And his middle name was given to him before the “madman” was powerful. Hussein is a common name. Mohammad is the most common name in the world. But are the people who have thatname “honoring” the ringleader Mohamed Atta who organized the 9/11 attacks?

Obama was born in the United States and he is an American Citizen. And a patriot who care about the country.

Sorry for the rant.