I came across some new paintings today by one of my favorite artists, Fernando Botero, a Columbian painter known for his whimsical, portly, clown like figures. I have never seen his work this graphic, this violent before.
The occasion of course was the infamous torture of prisoners at Abu Gharib. Surely you remember that. It was one of the truly memorable events of the 'Cowboy' administration of this dangerously stupid sociopath, his Machiavellian handler and his oil soaked minions.
It was a real red letter day for the United States in the eyes of the world.
Outrageous?
You bet.
So that we won't loose sight of this great moment in the 'War on Turr" (George, I don't care what you think, Bush.), I'm loading the pot.
I am offering 2000 points for first place in this contest, 1000 points for second, 500 for third and two HM's worth 250 points each if there are sufficiant entries.
Any form will do.
Use the images as much or as little as you like.
Minimum of 12 lines, maximum of 100
If you choose to write an apology and defense of this atrocity don't worry, I will also give a Golden Waterboard Prize and one point for the best poem of this ilk.
Yes I am biased.
June 4, Update
I am extending the contest until June 12 in order to bring in more entries. There' only been seven so far.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on June 17, 2008
- Rewards: Gold: 2000, Silver: 1000, Bronze: 500, Honorable mention: 2 people
- Final notes: This was not an easy contest to write for.
Shameful events rarely are. This fall make sure
such atrocities will not happen again.
Vote Obama.
Thanks to everyone who entered, it was as hard to judge as it was to write for.
first place, 2000 points...'to stack naked men"
Second place, 1000 points...the Origins of Abuse at Gitmo
Third Place, 500 points...Detainee No. 151362
HM, 250 points...A Drum for the Lumpen Dumb
- To judge this contest, you need to have at least as many finalists as you have rewards. You have 4 awards but only 3 finalists.
Contest Winners
-
"But I believe in torture and I will torture you."• Commented on by judge. [remove]
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 4298199, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
-
" They said we will make you wish to die
and it will• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Gold trophy winner
Bronze trophy winner
Entries [6]
-

Civilized nation?• Commented on by judge. -
bleed for Jesus
you ignorant heathen shit• Commented on by judge. -
Into a bright darkness I awoke In between nightmares I had a dreamby Eric Nunnally 22 lines, 3 comments, on Jun 7 1:05 AM 2008• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
-
Wow. That's provocative stuff. I soooooo want Rove dragged to jail.
I'm biased too. Wish I had HBO cause I want to see Recount this weekend.
I'll be thinking and thinking...
xo -
-
Disgrace beyond repair! Thanks for commenting
-
-
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! You are my hero. I shall try to honor you with something worthy. I will try to be as fair and unbiased as Fox News, because I am not exactly sure about your position from your ambiguous notes, so I will only go as far as calling for the violent overthrow of the United States Governemt, and no further.
Unless they get to me before I finish....
-
-
Anarchists arise... Gray Anarchists unite!
My situation is: I am old and cranky and will say anything I feel. This muck up made me sick.
Thanks for commenting
-
-
Don't know what to think or say
Dear Sir,
I am an anchor on TV in Egypt and we did of course get the shocking footage which I tried to separate myself from while reading the news. But those pictures or paintaings here shock me even more as on such sight one might think more deeply of such issues. I frankly cannot imagine the violations of personal freedoms and of privacies and such humiliation of the human being. Yes of course things like that can occur anywhere and anytime, but what would allow another being or beings or another country to cause such atrocities and usurp the freedoms and self-esteem of other beings???? Yes welcome to life and all, I understand of course that, but it seems like a game of mentally deranged monsters who are enjoying the humiliation of others. And that is coming from a "Democracy" calling for "Democracy"?! I am more and more confused. What is all that aiming at achieving but hatred and more hatred. "He who sows wind harvests tempests". Does the world need more complications and hatred with all the hazards the living creatures are to face together in the future? We are all in the same boat for God's sake!
Thank you.
nermin -
I have a huge botero hanging in my powder room. That painting has caused more conversation in my house when friends come over than anything else. ..
one of my favorite artists- a great contest idea
m -
It's cooking in my brain. Hopefully I will be back and do this subject justice.
-
the Colombian-born artist had his first exhibition when he was only 19 and every piece sold
http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--12190775/SP--A/IGID--1565460/Massacre_of_the_Innocents.htm?sOrig=CRT&sOrigId=726&ui=5FD581B15C364BC6BC35EF9072627AA3
WWWEEE YES -
Hi, I should like to apologize and explain why I have deleted my entry from your contest. I recieved input which made me see that my timing of posting may be deemed as dishonourable as it's Memorial Day, that was definitely NOT my intent,my intent was to express my concern that prisoners were subjected to this treatment, against the terms of the Geneva Convention.
-
I've been rather ill ...
so I don't know if I will feel up to writing anything, but I will try if I get to feeling better.
Good luck with the contest in any event. -
;)
-
Sorry.
it just keeps double posting. I have no idea why. -
I'd love to see ...
that Golden Waterboard cup, so I hope somebody takes that option.
I am not feeling up to writing just now, but if I am able to fabricate something soon, I'll enter it. -
-
Thanks D! -- for the points and shiny but more for the care and concern you took with regard to raising this important issue through Botero's art.
Congrats to Stoli and fullfathomfive too...
Lisa
C -
Congrats to the winners, so well deserving! Congrats to ariosto on a clever contest.
-
thanks for the gold.
AP needs more of these contests, definitely.
and i'd definitely be voting obama if i were american and eighteen
.
Adding your comment:
