There is a line. This crosses it. Not only is the actual global atmosphere laden with toxic dust, the political atmosphere, domestic and international, has the quality of mercury mixed with lead. Under such conditions, this is dangerous stuff.
President Clinton, over the past few days, has been speaking about the responsibility prominent people have to keep their messages argumentative rather than demonizing the opposition. (Reminder: You can hear him on this and other topics tomorrow on "This Week" with Jake Tapper.)
Everyone here knows how much I love pictures of our very photogenic and lovely Secretary of State. This is one picture I not only do not want to see. I do not even want to imagine it!
Published Date: 18 April 2010By Simon Romero
CANVASSING for support has acquired a more literal meaning in the crucible of Venezuelan politics.While western politicians debate the pros and cons of billboard advertising against online tweeting president Hugo Chavez has taken his popularity campaign to the streets and licensed some graffiti artists.
Of all the murals and graffiti that adorn this anarchic capital's rubbish-strewn centre, one creation by the street artist Carlos Zerpa fills the artist with special pride: a stencilled reinterpretation of Caravaggio's David with the Head of Goliath, in which a warrior grasps the severed head of US secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Zerpa, 26, shrugged at the possibility that American visitors to Caracas — or Clinton herself for that matter — might find the mural offensive. "It's a metaphor for an empire that is being defeated," he said nonchalantly in an interview. "My critics can take it or leave it, but I remain loyal to my ideas."
Uh, YEAH! As an American and a Hillary Clinton loyalist, I do find it offensive even if it is a metaphor since I know that the "delirious" and "unhinged" to which her husband referred do not necessarily understand metaphors.
Ironically(?), this comes on the heels of this very sincere comment by Secretary Clinton.
"And I want to thank Venezuela, who is represented here, for the support that you have given to Haiti in supplying energy to the people of Haiti."
Seems to me that she extended a hand - personally - if not in the name of the administration. There is a new Broadway play entitled "A Behanding in Spokane." Well, if Caracas, or Chavez want to "behand" her extended hand that would be one mural. But to behead her? It is beyond overreaction and metaphor. It crosses the line. Nobody here is painting government approved murals of Chavez being harmed. There is a line. It is a line of decency. You permit this public display about a person you have encountered? It is wrong!
And before I get any remarks about how she is a strong leader who knows the risks and puts herself out there voluntarily, is well-protected, and yadda-yadda-yadda, she is also our flesh, blood, and bone Secretary of State serving selflessly. Nothing about this reflects positively on Chavez. Nothing Hillary has said or done merits this.
