Fake Photos - Real Criminals?

Appearing in a privately funded exhibit at the New York Public Library called Line Up are six photos that have stirred political controversy. The exhibit opened November 29, 2007 and runs until January 27, 2008.

Nora Ligorano and Marshall Reese are the Brooklyn artists who digitally modified these images. At the library display, videos of each politician accompany the presentation with matching dates and times of the photos.

In the videos, when each politician makes statements about the Iraq War that the artists feel are criminal, camera flashes appear and the politicians’ appear in freeze frames, and jail bars shut in front them.


President George W. Bush


Vice-President Dick Cheney


Former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales


Secretary of State Dr. Condolezza Rice


Former Deputy Chief of Staff Carl Rove


Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

Library visitors’ responses to the photos are mixed. Obviously, Bush supporters were offended and Bush critics felt the artists had First Amendment protection. Other visitors felt a “political attack” at a publicly funded library was inappropriate. The library spokesman, Herb Shaer, stated that the New York Public Library has a long tradition of collecting political satire and caricature.

I rarely discuss or promote my own political beliefs, and I won’t bully people into believing as I do. Just take a look at these photos and place them in parallel with the results of their decisions. Then decide for yourself if this satire was in bad taste or without merit.

Keep in mind, not every American voted for the Bush/Cheney ticket, but every American that travels outside of the USA – as I have noticed – must walk on eggshells. Americans abroad “represent” the USA, and many of the world’s people do not understand that not every American thinks like Bush and Cheney, but are nevertheless victims of others frustrations over the USA on occassion.

It’s sad, but when an American in a foreign country reveals that he or she isn’t a fan of George W. Bush, that person gets invited to dinner, or to a party, or is treated to a free beer at the pub.

To save their own hides, reputations, and families, some former Bush staff and colleagues have stepped down or disassociated themselves from The White House and have started to speak against Bush policy.

In the next presidential election, the American public deserves the best presidential candidate who has the ability to repair our honor and status in the world, regardless of partisan affiliation. Again, it’s sad that the American voting public is so politically apathetic and under educated.

There’s an old saying: You get what you pay for!