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The big difference between the New Yorker cover and David Horsey's parody?

The McCain version is very close to the truth, and it is based on facts rather than lies.

I've been in Nashville and haven't really found a lot I like.  I judge everthing by Philadelphia standards, so maybe I'm just having trouble getting into the NashVegas mindset.

So what, I was thinking to myself earlier, what could I do to change that?  

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Unembedded – Four Independent Photojournalists on the War in Iraq.

I have written about my efforts here for the past two days and have been able to get a few (less than 20) Kossacks to read and comment as well as pledge to help. So I am writing again. And this time I hope more people can view this diary and contribute online to this art show about the war.

What is this?
Unembedded is a national touring exhibit of 60 images that tell the story of the war’s impact on the lives of the Iraqi people "on the ground" where the war is being waged. It is a powerful expression of the effects of war that go largely ignored by the mainstream media.  You can view the exhibit online at: http://www.unembedded.net.  Look at the images, and if you want to share this with other people, help my friend Doctor Wendy Johnson and I show this exhibit to folks in Seattle at UW this fall!

What is our goal?
Our goal is to bring attention to the effects and implications of the war before the election this fall. We would like to ensure the exhibit is accessible to both students and the community-at-large.

More on how to help after the jump!

Hello, my beloved Kogs.  I have some good news, and I would like to indulge myself a short diary to announce it - so that you can have a joyous evening alongside us as we head out to see the premiere of Hellboy II: The Golden Army!

(That painting is by Mark Zug, from a Magic the Gathering card called "Heedless One".  It looks exactly like my lovely wife, and it also bears an uncanny resemblance to Guillermo Del Toro's new Angel of Death in the movie.)

If you remember my sobering diary from a month ago, you already know that the residue from Jeb Bush's evil legacy has stained the state of public education in Florida in a very ugly way.

Thanks to some serious grass-roots parent outcry, a strong and focused effort from my local teacher's union, all the good vibes and green magick from my friends here on Daily Kos and elsewhere, and perhaps from Barack Obama's own insistent vow to keep the arts in America's schools... my job is safe again.

(Follow me over the break to see Nina's hand painted shirt as a thank-you treat.  If we can save my job, we can take back the White House!)

Do you dislike the lack of media coverage/poor coverage on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars?

Do you find yourself shaking your fist at the TV when photographers cannot take photos  of the war dead/coffins draped in flags?

Do you wish more people could see images of the real war and what the results of the US occupation of Iraq is really like?

Do you dislike the traditional media whitewashing of what war is really about?

Then help me raise money for Unembedded – Four Independent Photojournalists on the War in Iraq. More after the jump.

Today I am writing on behalf Health Alliance International and a group of Seattle activist organizations and individuals to invite your participation and support in bringing Unembedded – Four Independent Photojournalists on the War in Iraq, to Seattle's University of Washington Library for exhibit from September to December 2008.  

YES I AM ASKING YOU FOR MONEY! AND I AM INVITING YOU TO A SPECIAL RECEPTION TO MEET TWO OF THE PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO CREATED UNEMBEDDED! We need to raise $10,000 for this show! Every bit helps! I have donated $100 already!

Unembedded is a national touring exhibit of 60 images that tell the story of the war’s impact on the lives of the Iraqi people “on the ground” where the war is being waged. It is a powerful expression of the effects of war that go largely ignored by the mainstream media.  You can view the exhibit online at: http://www.unembedded.net   Look at the images, and if you want to share this with other people, help my friend Doctor Wendy Johnson and I show this exhibit to folks in Seattle at UW this fall!

More after the jump...

The results here told me that I am not alone in tiring of the political cycle. FISA this, Iraq that, health care, which candidate the terrorists want to win (the other guy), whose change you can believe in.

And even outside the political cycle, we have the news of yesterday, the racism (as evidenced by recent entries of mine) and enshrined favoritism we are still undoing.

Here, then, is your oasis, your permission to care about something else. For art does not discriminate. It just is.

After an easy drive out to Sterling I had a little difficulty finding the venue, but like most things that are hard to find it was worth the search.  The "gate" consisted of two large trees on either side of the road with some friendly faces there to greet you.  Eric, the Arts Director came out and introduced himself, gave me some background on the venue, musicians and layout of the property.

I was lead to my spot, right in the middle of Vendor Row, quickly unpacked my things and set up my tent.  Stan, my neighbor in a big white converted bus, was the first to say hello, he gave me a tour of his bus and introduced me around to his travel companions.  Stan sells rocks, crystals and anything terrestrial and was going to head to Herkimer to get some more Herkimer Diamonds right after the show.

I exited the bus and was asked if I'd be willing to paint a sign for the Family Village area, a small hollow that sits away from the rest of the venue where things are quieter.  I said sure and was handed a beautiful piece of wood that had been reserved for just this purpose. I broke out my paints and started in on it. People walking by asked what I was doing and who I was and it was a good way to meet new people.

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Most of you are probably unaware of the "contest" going on at myyardourmessage.com to design lawn signs that will be available for ordering, and some of which will be put up around town before the RNC in August.

It seems the Walker Art Center wanted only non-partisan signs.  They were not very clear about that in their submission rules.  Any sign that mentions a candidate or Republicans or Democrats is being "un-approved" for the contest, unless it's one of those weenie "can't we all just get along" things.

Now as far as I know they might even have legal reasons to do this.  I don't know whether they get federal funds and/or are restricted somehow.

I just wanted to make sure the signs that got "un-approved" got seen.  So they are linked after the bump.

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Help! I am feeling mighty grumpy and curmudgeonly because I find this whole NYC Waterfalls project by Olafur Eliasson and company (which cost $15 MILLION USD) grossly inappropriate for these times of recession, global upheaval, oil shock, and peak oil.

....jump....

Someone is watching you:

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Musical artists have been stirred by the Obama muse this year. There is little doubt, our culture is now relishing a robust passion for artistic expression.  I bumped into an innovative video by TI$A, a new find for me.  It voices part of that vast artistic spectrum inspired and mobilized for Obama.

Many fine Illustrators are well established as political artists. I featured Nick Dewar today, whose art is not all political, though it's all fantastic.  But craftspeople doing political art?  Yes, and the medium is, ready? Seeds!

Always scouting for art, I poked around for some political art and found multimedia variety: Music, illustration, and crafts. All art with a pointed statement.

More after jump.