No naked Trump statue for Atlanta

[Cameron H]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I'm not suggesting we police such statues. I'm expressing the opinion that they are insulting and obnoxious.

Whether they are "bullying" is a slightly different issue, and I agree that it depends on context.

Absolutely, and as I think you know -- but just in case -- my comment wasn't directed at you or your opinion of this particular form of expression. It was directed at the linked article suggesting it constituted "bullying."

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Cameron H

Absolutely, and as I think you know -- but just in case -- my comment wasn't directed at you or your opinion of this particular form of expression. It was directed at the linked article suggesting it constituted "bullying."

Right, understood.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by Boris347

Shows us what the Moral Standards of the Leftists are.

Hi there.

Originally Posted by magnetar

Atlanta's the city too busy to hate, even on Trump. That man's body isn't even in the top 10 most disgusting things about him. Instead of playing in the sewer with attacks on physical appearance, I'll remain focused on the many ways he is intellectually and emotionally unfit to serve as the leader of any government, much less as President of the United States.

I'm choosing to follow Michelle Obama's advice; "When they go low, we go high."

There you go. Moral standards from a leftist.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Cameron H

That'd be nice, but I have a viscerally negative reaction to people who want to police or nanny political expression. Elevated debate is great. Satire, caricature and mockery also have their place. I wouldn't personally make such a statue (or mural), but I'll gladly defend whoever did from charges of "bullying."

Punching down is bullying; punching up is righteous.

okay, here's why it's bullying. you're tying donald trump's awful, terrible viewpoints to a body type: implying that being overweight or being born intersex, makes you an *******. it's funny unless you're overweight, or born intersex. how do you think the 2% of the population who is intersex feel about the statue? or those who have been struggling with weight for years? the only reason you don't see it as bad is because our society says it's still okay to make fun of *those* types of people, whereas it wouldn't be funny to make fun of someone's physical appearance based on their race anymore, but it probably would have been funny to a lot of people 50 years ago. it's cruel and is exactly the type of body-shaming behaviour trump engages in.

also, let me make a point about freedom of speech and political correctness: i am not saying you should be locked up or censored for free speech; neither are 99% of the people who advocate what the alt-right calls 'the PC culture'. but you can't say and do things that are discriminatory and not expect any type of criticism for it; i have the right of free speech also, and expecting immunity from criticism is not being an advocate of free speech... it's asking for those that disagree with you to be censored. more orwellian logic from the far-right.

[magnetar]

I think Cameron's point is probably that bullying generally implies a power imbalance—a stronger or more powerful person using that advantage to hurt or intimidate a weaker person. That's not true for a billionaire who's one of our two major political parties' candidates for president. Saying it's bullying implies that the target needs to be protected. That's not the case here. It's not Donald Trump's feelings anyone's concerned about.

But bryantm3 is right—it's problematic because this kind of criticism based on physical appearance can end up harming (or bullying) a lot of unintended targets. Innocent people who aren't as powerful as Donald Trump, who see characteristics of their own body being mocked and ridiculed. I think this is what people are thinking of when they say it's bullying.

Just trying to spread a little peace, love, and understanding.

[bryantm3]

yeah, definitely. i don't have a problem beating up on donald trump, it's when you drag all the other people under the bus along with him that i've got a problem with.

[Domitian]

More hate from the "tolerant" and "enlightened" left...

[Cameron H]

Yeah, only "the Left" would use such hateful and also really mean imagery to mock their political opposition.

In the build-up to the American Revolution, literally hundreds of satirical caricatures of King George were published,. Those images were part of the new American press. They depicted King George as what he was, a moronic, obese ruler who cared about nothing with regard to the American colonies other than money. Those who drew them were deemed to be "traitors" and enemies. Satirical images have been used politically since politics existed.

Satirical Images and the American Revolution - Democratic Underground

[MikeHonchoATL]

Originally Posted by Cameron H

Yeah, only "the Left" would use such hateful and also really mean imagery to mock their political opposition.



Satirical Images and the American Revolution - Democratic Underground

Sure this is within free speech, but it doesn't mean it is any less ignorant but tell yourself whatever you need to in order to make yourself feel better about supporting this.

If this was done to Hillary, how loud would you be screaming out in outrage?

'Oh the war on women!'

[Cameron H]

Originally Posted by MikeHonchoATL

Sure this is within free speech, but it doesn't mean it is any less ignorant but tell yourself whatever you need to in order to make yourself feel better about supporting this.

If this was done to Hillary, how loud would you be screaming out in outrage?

'Oh the war on women!'

Originally Posted by Cameron H

No, it's something a satirist would do. Trump and Clinton are public figures. It's our god-given right to mock and ridicule them.

This tradition dates from at least the second century (look up "Juvenalian satire"). Puppets are timeless, but statues and murals are also fine.