Let's face it...I'm NOT going to miss his policies or the smirk on his face or his inept administration; but I'm going to miss all the laughs we've had as Liberals at his expense. I know a lot of people who don't think the Bush years are funny; however, think of this as the 1930's when artists, painters, poets and writers gathered as expatriots in Parisian Salons and cafes sharing their inspired era of Art Deco and resistance with Picasso, Matisse, Hemmingway, Gertrude Stein,and Josephine Baker amoung others too numerous to name.
Fascism, Militarism and Nationalism were on the rise with Mussolini, Franco and Hitler. This ecletic collection of leftists and artists created a period of artistic expression that brought beauty, humor and truth to a desparate period in time:
Consequently, in these times of corruption, deception and contemporary neo-conservative propaganda, I give you my feeble and flawed interpretation of the Bush Years in Art and Poetry.
I like the Art Deco style of illustrated Digital "block printing" that was the theme and format of the ArtKos book.
Cosmic Debris encouraged me to go for it.
Thanks CB.
I wrote a poem with my friend in 2005 with some attitude. She, being young, ethnic and into rap music, influenced this next piece.
Cosmic Debris and KayakBiker inspired the art.
Yell the poem with a little interpretive license, sway with the rhythm and enjoy ... you'll feel better at the end.
After the election in 2005, Bush took a trip to Europe visiting Moscow where he was put in his place by Putin. But before that humliation, he told Jacques Chirac to come visit his ranch in Texas...because he needed a good cowpoke.
Bush is always telling reporters that he'll leave his legacy to History. Yeah. Right. Like history will look back fondly on his vision, accomplishments and insight. The subtle indication that he will be vindicated by history with a place on Mt. Rushmore next to Abe and Teddy and in his dreams...Ronnie.
My reaction when Rove and the Rubber Stamp Congress had turned their beady eyes toward Social security.
One of the last poems I wrote was when Amway heir Dick DeVos was the Republican candidate for govenor of Michigan. I ran this poem in the Detroit Free Press. Whew...did I get thrashed on the message boards.
So , Messieurs et Madames it feeeels like a virtual cafe in Paris... a place where I come to air my thoughts and banter with the locals; insult everyone in the process, then stagger off to bed...it's a global digital cafe...a place we can skewer the Bush Administration:
Vive La Grande Orange
I hope I haven't offended too many people with my words and images.
I'm hoping I'll miss George Bush enough that I won't have to write any more cynical poetry.
Maybe, then I'll be inspired to Love.
(Remember this is copyrighted material. A quick e-mail and I'll grant permission for use. A huge THANK YOU to Josh Cool for all his lovely illustrations.)