Rush Limbaugh Sculpture Is Planned For Missouri Statehouse

[Purveyor]

When Thomas Hart Benton's murals depicting Missouri state history for the Capitol building in Jefferson City were unveiled in 1937, deep in the dark days of the Great Depression, a clamor arose over the artist's inclusion of corrupt Kansas City political boss Tom Pendergast. Within a few years, Pendergast would be locked away in Leavenworth -- something about failure to pay taxes on bribes received -- but Benton was adamant in defending his mural's depiction.

Facts were facts, truth was beauty. Everything in the mural had happened in Missouri history, Benton insisted, and if he had been hired to paint a mural for Illinois he would have included Al Capone.

Pretty much the same defense is now coming from Missouri Republican Steve Tilley, speaker of the House, who recently chose conservative radio shock-jock Rush Limbaugh to be immortalized in a bronze sculpture inside the state Capitol. Limbaugh is currently bleeding advertisers in the wake of a three-day diatribe demeaning a law student as a "slut" and a "prostitute" for her position on women's healthcare. The broadcaster lives in Palm Beach, Fla., but was born in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

“It’s not the 'Hall of Universally Loved Missourians,’” Tilley told the Kansas City Star in defense of his decision, now the subject of a petition drive to halt the move. “It’s the Hall of Famous Missourians.”

MORE...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2012/03/rush-limbaugh-sculpture-missouri-statehouse.html

[Skidmore]

1. I predict that such a statue would become a popular repository

for chewing gum.

[nolabear]

2. I was having a few fantasies about what might happen to that statue myelf.

What does a good clown suit go for these days?

[Warpy]

10. I think it'll be a target for all sorts of vandalism

He's declared himself a deadly enemy of half the human race. That aint smart if you want your monuments to be dusted and respected.

[Jamaal510]

17. Actually, more than half of the human race.

In addition to insulting women, let's not forget how notorious he is for saying racist stuff, such as "Barack the Magic Negro". And how he was pretending to talk Chinese.

[Cleita]

3. I liked it much better when all they wanted was the Ten Commandments.

This is so unchristian.

[Initech]

4. Calling all pigeons in Missouri!

[FSogol]

5. Sculpting a giant slime mold seems like a tricky project.

[KansDem]

6. Photo of proposed sculpture!

[Lint Head]

7. Outlaw Jesse James and the James Gang were from Missouri. Why aren't their statues there.

They are famous Missourians.

[Shankapotomus]

8. Ok let's start planning how to abscond

the sculpture and ceremoniously dump it in the ocean. We might as well get a head start on planning because no way in hell is that sculpture staying there.

[qb]

9. Great idea... It might be useful as a coral habitat!

[wandy]

11. Forget buying gold. Forget buying silver. Invest in brass; the price is going to skyrocket.

[Politicalboi]

12. Inside the state Capitol

So much for vandals, and bird shit.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Not so fast

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002391563

[Purveyor]

14. +1 Thanks for posting. eom

[bullwinkle428]

15. I see a road trip involving public urination in my future.

[lpbk2713]

16. Will it show his (alleged) anal cyst?

They could make a fountain out of it. Instead of pus it could spray water.

[librechik]

18. A Bust of a Bust

with moobs

[jmowreader]

19. Maybe they should have a "hall of infamous Missourians"

They can put him next to the statue of Ma Barker.