Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) introduced a bill this week that would place a bust of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the House wing of the US Capitol building, an idea that was strongly criticized by more conservative GOP members.
The resolution reads: “Resolved, That the House of Representatives directs the Fine Arts Board to obtain a bust of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for display in a suitable, permanent location in the House of Representatives wing of the United States Capitol.”
On Twitter, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) posted a picture of the resolution and wrote: “Absolutely NOT! We serve AMERICA NOT UKRAINE!”
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) wrote on Twitter that he wanted to believe the resolution was “satire” and linked to an article from the conservative advocacy group FreedomWorks giving five reasons to oppose the bust.
The five reasons FreedomWorks listed are:
- Ukraine is NOT the 51st US State
- The US doesn’t own the conflict or is obligated to continue funding it
- Further payments would encourage US taxpayer-funded reconstruction of Ukraine
- Ukraine is corrupt and this conflict is not about “defending democracy”
- Zero oversight of taxpayer aid to Ukraine
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) also ripped the resolution on Twitter. “There is now a House resolution that seeks to put a display of Zelenskyy’s head in the US Capitol. Was the $100+ billion to Ukraine not enough?” he wrote.
While Zelensky mostly received a hero’s welcome when he visited Washington DC and was given many rounds of applause when addressing Congress, only 86 out of 213 House Republicans attended his speech, although some of the absences could be explained by the lawmakers getting a head start on Christmas travel.
For now, GOP leadership is incredibly supportive of arming Ukraine and is critical of President Biden for not sending longer-range and more advanced weapons. But there is opposition to the policy among a small but notable number of Republicans, and that opposition will likely grow as the war drags on.
Some Republicans are against arming Ukraine because they think the US should be flooding Taiwan with weapons instead, a policy that could provoke a similar crisis in the Asia Pacific. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) in December wrote a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the Biden administration to prioritize arming Taiwan over Ukraine.
MTG gives a reason for voting for her today and tomorrow she will give 10 reasons not to.
This country has sunk to new depths when MTG is the voice of reason.
It makes me wonder, if other countries can possibly take us seriously?…
They take our ability to smash anyone we don’t like seriously. We are feared – not respected.
I’d vote for a bust of Darwin. Not Churchill, however.
This event should be classified to the category “Clown World”.
If a statue of Zelinski is not satire it’s lunacy.
No more so than ‘electing’ Joe Biden.
Larry Johnson suggests that the Power Elite recognize the impending disaster in Ukraine and are ready to cut & run. That the recent ‘discoveries’ of Biden’s confidential files (by his own lawyers) is a Watergate .2 to shift the melodrama away from the ugly eventualities in Ukraine and with Biden for scapegoat.
I’ve been writing a fiction about this as I don’t watch tv. Thanks for the heads up, China and Iran are sub enemies that I will begin to accentuate sooner than the news heats up on that. You have converted me to being ahead of the curve. We make our own news!
Ridiculous.
I swear they like to cause drama so they can keep on distracting us.
I may have to consider a special trip there so I can piss on it.
I’d do the same if I were anatomically able 😁
Because he is soooo special?
We supported other satraps before but never fawned iver them. Or at least I think! What happens when US decides to ditch him?
Perhaps this is the point of the joke of the bill. If immortalized, we cannot ditch him. Albatros forever. Another Israel in the makung.
Just add strings and giant replica of Uncle Sam manipulating them from above, and you’ll have art.
A new genre; existential art.
that genre definitely isn’t new. This explains half of early modern art.
Correct me if I am wrong; Earlier use of the term existential art was concerned with the state of of existence in the forms we are aware of.
Today’s existential art concerns rapidly approaching human extinction.
Have you seen the scream? have you listened to scriabin’s vers la flamme? these pieces are very much contemplations on rapidly approaching human extinction.
Perhaps you’re right about the use of the term “existential” then vs now. I don’t know about that. But early modern art is very much existential in the current sense as well.
Take a piece, like picasso’s Massacre in Korea. It’s very much existential in the sense of impending death and meaningless suffering, but it’s also existential in the sense of “why is this the form of existence and not that? why must we only look at a person from one perspective, and not two? though the two perspectives, might not be congruent in any way”. The same could be said of Guernica
Thank you for expanding my view and giving examples. I’ve seen the scream and it made me uneasy and will attempt to listen to scriabin’s vers la flamme within minutes.
It’s a difficult piece to listen to. It might take a few times to really “get it”. I wouldn’t say “enjoy it”, because it isn’t a piece to bring you joy. But not everything is about making you happy. Some things are about making you understand, even if only to soberly take in the gravity of our situation.
It was inspired by a dream Scriabin had, of humanity approaching a fiery all encompassing end. Some people have attributed this to his understanding of entropy and the heat death of the universe. Some have attributed it to a prophetic understanding of nuclear annihilation scenarios. It’s this latter interpretation that has given it more meaning in my life.
I listened and was impressed by
Vladnir Horowitz – Scriabin – Vers La Flamme (about six minutes). Sent this link to my son; thanks again.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=scriabin%27s+vers+la+flamme%2C+utube#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:08539b37,vid:A0nrg7Lqfak
Entropy has been central to my diagnosis of systemic socioeconomic ills since the mid 1970’s. I had a book stolen from me on that subject and have stayed with fiction since then.
Surfers Manifesto involves a wave theory of life that began when quarks precipitated from primordial plasma on the cooling skin of a wild ride we call Big Bang. Since it is actually still banging, cosmic powered biology surfs it at life speed. Seventeen year-old surfers are confronting the draft needed to fight ww3.
I believe art is our mirror, telling us who we really are.
How poetic Renate. 🙂
No, reverse their roles and you get historical accuracy.
Hmm. I still think it’s the other way around. Zelensky didn’t instigate the coup.
turns out neither party is in total control, and very much play off of each other. While the US has done their darnedest to keep him in power, he has a lot of power himself to sway the US in return.
He is used as a protagonist in the propaganda. If the US wanted him gone tomorrow, he would be. Ukraine is almost completely propped up by the US tax dollars.
That might true, but it’s not sufficient to make him a puppet entirely. Within the domain and bounds the US has set for him, he does have a lot of leway, even to go against US wishes. While some things are certainly “too far” for the US and they’ll censure him for, there is a certain degree of rebellion from the US that isn’t too much. That careful balance that the US doesn’t want to waste the investment in him, because he still mostly cooperates, but also he isn’t exactly towing the line.
What leeway is there?
enough leeway to arrest the former president (who was also an american supporter). Enough leeway to assassinate political opposition. Enough leeway to pocket a good portion of the money america sends him.
None of these things are inline with what America wants. America’s goals are to weaken russia. They couldn’t care less whether it’s poroshenko or zalenskyy in office. They’d prefer to use less money than more, but they’ll tolerate spending more to line zelenskyy’s pockets, because that’s still cheaper than trying to switch government mid war. They’d prefer if they didn’t have to hush up his bloody crimes and whitewash his life. But they’ll tolerate that, because that’s cheaper than getting rid of him.
The US provided real time intelligence, components for bioweapons and chemical warfare to Saddam Hussein against Iran. Expressed values, versus real values may be miles apart:
How Reagan Armed Saddam with Chemical Weapons
While the August 18 NYT article added new details about the extent of US military collaboration with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during Iraq’s 1980-88 war with Iran, it omitted the most outrageous aspect of the scandal: not only did Ronald Reagan’s Washington turn a blind-eye to the Hussein regime’s repeated use of chemical weapons against Iranian soldiers and Iraq’s Kurdish minority, but the US helped Iraq develop its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs.
Nor did the NYT dwell on the extreme cynicism and hypocrisy of President George Bush II’s administration’s citing of those same terrible atrocities–which were disregarded at the time by Washington–and those same weapons programs–which no longer exist, having been dismantled and destroyed in the decade following the 1991 Gulf War–to justify a massive new war against the people of Iraq.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2004/06/17/how-reagan-armed-saddam-with-chemical-weapons/
I’m thinking of Nancy and Kamala drooling over their new action figure toy boy up on the dais.
I’m working on designing the actual action figure, Bear, in hopes that a toy manufacturer will bite.
It comes dressed in the iconic green t-shirt and camo trousers, with pockets stuffed with play money. The figure is fully jointed with working nostrils and included is a tiny bag of talcum powder ( we want it to be child-safe, of course!)
And since the figure is anatomically correct, one can purchase an optional piano.
I think I’m gonna be rich! 😁
lol!
Great idea,
For all his admirers he could make an attractive Garden Gnome and maybe much more honest than a bust? It could be displayed in Biden’s oval office?
Well, I really don’t have words to describe my feelings here.
lol. See, great art.
It should be placed next to a statue of Netanyahu.
/s
Only a bust of Zelensky’s head? Why not a big bronze of his Johnson playing the piano?
Highly original MM!
Here is whats really going on…….NATO is fighting Russia down the the last Ukrainian while Russia is not fighting NATO down to the last Russian.
According to pro-Russian sources, a lot of NATO mercenaries are also dying in Ukraine.
Poland especially has has provided a substantial number of mercenaries – thousands not hundreds
Early in the war NATO bragged about the number of mercenaries rhat NATO was providing. Now Russia brags about the number of NATO mercenaries in Ukraine.
Apparently their life expectancy is low, and despite their efforts Soledar still fell, Bakhmut is likely to fall soon, and our forces do not seem to be on the march to Mariupol, much less Crimea.
You know we’re f**ked when Marjorie Taylor Greene becomes the voice of reason. I think Ted Kaczynski predicted something like this.
“House Republican Introduces Resolution to Place Bust of Zelensky in the Capitol Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and other conservative GOP members blasted the idea”
Perhaps they can create a pantheon of criminals in the House wing of Congress. The can have representations of Hitler, Stalin, various Iranian leaders, Tojo, on and on….
“Perhaps they can create a pantheon of criminals in the House wing of Congress”
They already have one — it’s called “Congress” and consists of live representations, not just statues.
Good one , Thomas! 😂
FreedomWorks is absolutely correct. Ukraine is not the 51st state! It’s the 52nd. Israel is the 51st. {sarcasm}
What a travesty and sincere kick in the face to all Americans by these lapdog bought off politicians. Zelensky is a tin hat despot who deserves the same end as Sadam Hussain and those like him.
Actually, he deserves it far more than Saddam Hussein. The latter was able to effectively rule his country, the only Iraqi to be able to do so.
And we replaced him with chaos.
Geez I would wait to see how it all turns out. Heros tend to disappoint over time.
We should have laws, no statues or naming objects for any living public figures until after all documents are open to the public. That sucking up to leadership needs to stop. Zelensky is corrupt and has accomplished nothing, all he does is demanding funding and more weapons, selling his nation and the country for lots of money.
USA/NATO propaganda is glorifying the scumbag, a bootlicker if their ever was one.
To illustrate how seriously I take Joe Wilson’s proposal, I suggest we also place a bust of Yosemite Sam.
https://onceuponascreen.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/yosemite-sam.jpg?w=572&h=587
Or Bugs Bunny….
The US government is as corrupt as the Ukrainian neo-Nazis. When they put up a bust of Zelensky they should also put a bust of Bandera up.
Can the political gang in Washington sink any lower? They are so despicable.
They know they lost and to continue will only risk a nuclear war. The Ukrainians are using child soldiers young people who don’t even have to shave, they throw children in the meatgrinder to keep the money coming.
Friends, if you read a single thing today, please make it Caitlin Johnstone’s “ Top Twenty Most Cringeworthy Zelensky Moments”.
Empty your bladder first, ‘cause you just might piss yourself laughing.
It would not last as long as the Confederates did. Flash in the pan, soon to become anathema as excuses are sought for disaster in Ukraine.
Let the warmongers humiliate themselves with this.
Press Here To Pay!! Over $110 Billion and Counting but it is not real money is it?
Zelensky will be permanently housed in the Capitol!
If you can’t steal from the Treasury though domestic programs start a war and steal from the defense appropriations.
As with Henry the 6th in English history; a very weak and insane leader is normally surrounded by sycophants who lie and steal in the name of the leader.
Such an important article. I am wondering when the “bust” of Zelensky will happen. I mean the bust of the bubble of hero-worship that now envelopes this narcissistic poser. Not the pottery or brass bust currently being proposed.
It will be interesting to see, when this proxy war winds to its end – surely a disastrous mess for Ukraine, how quickly all the Western her0-worshippers turn around and dump Zelensky
My guess is that the ukies must have videos of wilson for him to make such an absurd proposal.
The Russian MOD is fighting a very successful war of attrition disarming NATO (Ukraine was disarmed in March), tank by tank, artillery by artillery, air defense by air defense. Poland has called up 200,000 reserves, Ukraine is collapsing and Poland/Romania are now being called up to die for empire. What the empire looses in the Ukraine, they loose for the final NATO war against Russia.
NATO overall has accumulated the following equipment losses;
372 Aircraft, 200 helicopters, 2880 UAV’s, 400 Anti Aircraft systems, 7511 tanks inc. APC’s, 982 multiple rocket launchers, 3828 rocket launchers and 8040 military automotive equipment.
In the past year we have seen the Rules Based Order act in a state of criminal insanity. They blew up the Nord Stream Pipeline which will cause the deindustrialisation of Europe. The shelling the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Station in an effort to cause a nuclear accident. The planning of a false flag nuclear weapon detonation on their own soil!!! This is the actions of criminally insane psychopaths.
Ledgend: Rus=Russia, Ukr=Ukraine,
Lost=Destroyed+Captured, D/A=Damaged+Abandoned
Country___________________________________Rus___Rus____Ukr____Ukr
__________________________________________Lost__D/A____Lost___D/A
Tanks_____________________________________1482..132.....408....40
Armoured Fighting Vehicles________________.715...36.....244.....8
Infantry Fighting Vehicles________________1780..122.....414....34
Armoured Personnel Carriers_______________.270...17.....203....18
Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Veh..38....5......23....12
Infantry Mobility Vehicles________________.169....3.....246....14
Command Posts And Communications Stations_.216....4.......8.....0
Engineering Vehicles And Equipment________.223...42......39.....0
Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Missile Systems__..27....4......20.....1
Heavy Mortars_____________________________...0....0.......0.....0
Artillery Support Vehicles And Equipment__..89....2......21.....0
Towed Artillery___________________________.143...11......74....16
Self-Propelled Artillery__________________.295...15......85....19
Multiple Rocket Launchers_________________.162....4......33.....2
Anti-Aircraft Guns________________________..16....0.......4.....0
Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Guns_________..20....3.......3.....1
Surface-To-Air Missile Systems____________..77....9......88.....4
Radars____________________________________..20....1.......0.....0
Jammers And Deception Systems_____________..20....2.......1.....0
Aircraft__________________________________..64....4......56.....0
Helicopters_______________________________..65...10......28.....1
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles__________________.154....0......45.....0
Naval Ships_______________________________...8....4......24.....1
Logistics Trains__________________________...0....0.......0.....0
Trucks, Vehicles and Jeeps________________2113...88.....476....19
https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-equipment.html
https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-ukrainian.html
How come there is no Saddam Hussein statue at the Whitehouse lawn?
What makes a “S*thole” country???
A bunch of Sh*t heads lead by a The Sh*t Head in Chief.
At first I was annoyed by the proposed bust but then came to the conclusion that the bust may be the most appropriate addition to the capitol as zel. may have the honor of being the largest welfare queen in US history.
“flooding Taiwan with weapons instead, a policy that could provoke a similar crisis”
Propaganda language worthy of a politician. “Flooding,” to add negative connotation without pesky details like proof. Twisting the language is so useful. Well, Taiwan already has plenty of weapons, so according to Dave’s logic that means China will attack it. Since last year Taiwan has long-range missiles that can strike Chinese ships even before they leave port – according to Dave, that means a war is imminent.
Except China has always said they expect Taiwan to return to China peacefully at some point in the future. Translation: They’re stuck with the official hostility toward Taiwanese independence (and we all know Taiwan is an independent country, Dave knows that too) since the days of Maoism and can’t ever openly admit something Mao said was wrong, but they don’t intend to actually follow up on the nonsense. Just like they’ve abandoned Mao’s greedy policy of owning everything in China and turning the people into government slaves forbidden from leaving, and have instead created a market economy more right-wing than the U.S., but they can’t openly admit communism was wrong.