. These books were politically incorrect to the extreme, full of vulgarity and racial humor that would have you sent off to sensitivity training today.One of the jokes I recall was this:
A third grade teacher came in to the room one day and found a drawing of a penis on the blackboard. She suspiciously looked at her students but didn't say anything. Instead, she wiped it away with an eraser. The next day, she came in and saw another drawing of an even bigger penis on the board. She frowned and erased it again. The third day, she came in and saw another penis drawn on the board. This time, it was huge, covering up almost half of the space.
She couldn't take it anymore so she screamed out to the room full of noisy children, "Why do you kids like drawing this penis on the board? And why is it getting bigger each day?"
Little Johnny then yelled back to her, "The more you rub it, the bigger it gets."
Our Madonna-hating council majority would be wise to ponder this parable. They could have passed (and still should pass) an exemption for the widely beloved art. The more they try to rub it, the bigger it gets. The public, locals and tourists and now local and national media, love it. The latest news is that the mosaic may be difficult, if not impossible, to remove. This after the city's own hired experts said, "Leave it alone!"
Were you never young, you cranky old bastards? Give in to art for once in your lives.
A timely weiner joke.
ReplyDeleteCouncil member Jerome Stocks made a public comment that someone was trying "to put the city between a rock and a hard place." I didn't find this a plausible conspiracy.
ReplyDeleteA friend convinced me that at minimum there was a conspiracy to place the mosaic illegally. We had fun speculating that perhaps it was aimed at Stocks and that the art was deliberately designed to self-destruct if an attempt at removal was made.
It all seems to be coming true! If there is a conspiracy to defang Stocks, it is an absolutely brilliant move. Stocks walked into it with his eyes wide shut.
Idiot.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Voice of San Diego, Wedmesday, June 8:
ReplyDelete"'This thing is perfectly done,' one of the consultants said of the mural created by a faux construction crew. 'It looks like they put in an extra structure to make sure it couldn't be removed.'
The verdict isn't in yet on whether the mural can be removed, as the graffiti-averse Encinitas City Council is demanding. One thing is clear, though: People love it. City leaders may not have a prayer if they tear it down without being able to put it back together."
I quess it boils down to who is in control. If a renegade artist gets away with it, then Stocks, Bond and Gaspar (Houlihan?) appear weak and unable to face the public ire at its removal (destruction). It seems too much to figure this was a conspiracy directed at derailing Stock's political career, as a series of reactions would had to have been anticipated. But it appears to be having that fortuitous consequence - thank God for the power of the Madonna!
ReplyDeleteHas Walmart been approved for the old Home Expo?
ReplyDeleteFrom the Union-Tribune June 8, 2011:
ReplyDelete“That just furthers my argument that a big part of this particular piece of guerrilla art was to put the establishment or the administration in a difficult place,” Encinitas Councilman Jerome Stocks said Tuesday.
At least Stocks is buying the conspiracy theory. He gets weirder by the week.
I haven't heard anything about Walmart since this February post.
ReplyDeleteBut while you're waiting, check out Big Lots! You won't be disappointed. I promise.
Word out on Walmart is that they are scaling back to the 90,000 square foot section to meet the parking requirements. This should be good news for all the homeowners in the Encinitas Ranch section of Encinitas. It should help increase their property values and desirability of homes with a "you can walk to Walmart" location.
ReplyDeletePersonally. I'm in favor of leaving it but I can't believe that the city hasn't thought of the most simple solution. What do they usually do with grafitti? THEY PAINT OVER IT!!!
ReplyDeleteBig Lots and Walmart?
ReplyDeleteWhy does Encinitas Ranch get all the luck?
The tragic thing about the proposed Walmart is that it will be a pretty long walk from the new low income housing development in Leucadia
ReplyDeleteMove the low income ghetto next to Walmart. the Ghetto store.
ReplyDeleteOne fortuitous outcome of the coming of Walmart - the dentists can set up discount clinics for the average toothless Walmart mutant and take food stamps fer them thar chompers! YYEEEEHAAWW
ReplyDeleteThe mural of the Madonna can be replaced with a Nero-isk Shamu sized rendering of Jerome (burp!) $tock$ - fiddling while Encinitas burns!
As a resident of Encinitas for over 20 years, I no longer recognise our city. Not only do we have a Big Lots and talk of a Walmart, but don't forget the 99 Cent Store and the Dollar Store. Maybe this focus on cheap imported junk is a sign of the times that it hitting the entire country, but to me, the Madonna is emblematic of the Encinitas that I know and love!!
ReplyDeleteIt is beautifully executed with care, 100% original, inspiring, thought provoking, and provides a window of joy to all who see her. I drive by her every opportunity that I have-- like when I return form taking my kids to school. Notice in many of the post that 'she' has been elevated to a being for the 'it' that the graffiti people like to use. She not only communicates "Save the Ocean," but "Save Encinitas!"
When the city removes the Madonna mural, let that be the beginning of the end of Stocks' career. (Age will take care of Bond).
ReplyDelete