Associated Press & Andrea Calcagno
January 6, 2008
ASHLAND, Ore. -- An Ashland art gallery opened an exhibit with a fundraiser that featured a "shoe throw" at an image of President George Bush.
City Councilor Eric Navickas, who opened the gallery with partner Amy Godard, used a roller to slather a layer of red paint on the soles of sneakers, boots and Birkenstocks before people fired them at the 8-foot image of Bush.
Each shot cost $1, and the funds will go toward future gallery exhibits.
Godard says the exhibit is a "statement of solidarity" for Muntadhar al-Zeidi, the Iraqi journalist who hurled two shoes at Bush last month.
"I think that things like this is what being an American is all about. Being able to show your opinion on something and being able to laugh at things like that," says Steve Fuller.
"Throwing a shoe at a mural for a prize for the best footprint... to me its belittling. You have no right to throw a shoe... at anyone," says Randy Hiner.
"In our community, and across America, there is the sentiment that George Bush is a war criminal and he needs to be brought to justice. And this is what this does," says Navickas.
Art and sole: Patrons toss shoes at Bush image
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Comments
Apparently City Councilman
Apparently City Councilman Navickas has taken an opportunity to fatten his wallet by coming up with a "gimmick" to attract attention. Congratulations to him for his junior high mentality.. I hope he makes a million bucks for his anti-american stance. That is apparently what he believes is the American way.
I am glad he shows solidarity to a person who just recently acquired the right to express himself without being be-headed or hung from a street light. Those rights were granted to him by President Bush and the thousands of coalition soldiers who brought justice to a murderous dictatorship.
Councilman Navickas just doesn't get it... Saying Bush is a war criminal is saying Saddam was a humanitarian.. I am sure Councilman Navickas, in his white-bread world knows what is right for everyone else.. I challenge him to make the world a better place and go preach his rhetoric to the people of Iraq, I wonder how long he would last. If he doesn't support the President or America, who does he support, terrorists and anarchists ?
I am disappointed that KDRV helped his cause by giving him free advertising... He should give you a cut of the money he makes.. Oh yeah, how does he feel about our Congress controlled by the Democrats for the last 2 years, doesn't he think they are criminals too ?
News-watcher..