Sorry About My Absence

I have been absent for a while--busy taking care of things here at the place-on-the-lake. In the past I have shared with you items that I glean from World magazine; the one that writes on national and international politics and religion. Well, I have another. This one is by Janie B. Chaney and she is writing in the October 10, 2009 issue. The article, "All The President's Men," can be found on page 32.
Chaney writes; "In late August, a report surfaced on the "Big Hollywood" website, a gathering of conservatives in entertainment and the arts. Patrick Courrielche, an entrepeneur and consultant, had received an email from Yose Sergant, Director of communications for the National Endowment for the Arts. It was an invitation to a conference call of movers and shakers in the creative community, scheduled for Aug. 10, to be hosted by the NEA, the White House Office of Public Engagement, and United We Serve. The purpose was finding ways to "work together to promote a more civically engaged America and celebrate how the arts can be used for a positive change!"
Courrielche dialed in and heard this disturbing rallying call; "Take photos. Take video. Post it on your blogs. Get the word out. Like I said, this is a community that knows how to make a stink. Do it. Do it within your town. Do it nationally. Call on other producers, marketers, publicists, art--you know--artists, people from within our community and get them engaged."
Just four days later the group, Rock the Vote announced a "Health Care Design Contest" and began receiving artwork in support of a government-controlled plan. Soon after, another conference-call invitation went out from the White House Office of Public Engagement."
Are you with me on this stuff or am I the only paranoid one in the house? e.c.
Chaney continues: "So what's wrong with that? For one, the NEA was founded to support excellence in the arts, enlarge their presence in local communities, and increase the quality of arts education--not cheer lead a particular agenda. Over time the agency's mission has bent in the direction of the prevailing political wind, and grants are doled out not necessarily on a work's merit but on its correctness. But this is the first time, to my knowledge at least, that the NEA has attempted to gin up art for specific policies, and in a particularly artless manner: Hey kids! Lets grind out some propaganda."
If there is a message here, is it starting to come clear? or am I still all by myself. Be patient. e.c.
She continues: "Artistic propoganda is hardly new, nor is it always contemptible. Even in the USA, artists have been recruited to help inspire public support during times of crisis: Think of James Montgomery Flagg's World War I "Uncle Sam Wants You" poster. But "Uncle Barak wants to use your talents for his policies" lacks the enduring resonance that qualifies it art as art."
Finishing up Jeanie quotes: "This is just the beginning," participants in the conference call were told. "We are just now learning how to really bring this community together to speak with the government"...
e.c. comments: I would re-translate the phrase "...to speak with the government..." into what is in store for all spiritual dissidents; id est (that is) to bring the community together to speak for the government.
I see the seeds and sprouts of a movement to shape, collect, motivate, and direct public opinion as an extension of the objectives of the government. From my Christian-Adventist point of view this tactic is (in a musical metaphor) either the prelude or first movement in a symphony of voices raised in an anthem of support to the Beast and the Two-horned lamb-like beast that enforces the words of the Beast and lends its authority to force feed those who would dare to speak against the government.
Abraham would be shocked--not that one, Lincoln--as this present infestation in the White House is remaking a Government, of the Government, by the Government, and for the Government.
p.s. Where will we be made to go to pick up our brown shirts, the arm bands, and ID cards that grant permission to buy and sell? ...Zig--Heil!
God help us. e.c.