Yup, 43rd district is Obama country. From Pennsylvanis (home of the bitter bumpkins who cling to their guns and religion) comes a critique of those who won't say the pledge (because it says, "under God" or because they haven't reached Michelle Obama's new found pride in the country?) and who don't want cut up warplanes because they have too many guns & are two warlike.

What would be acceptable art to Capitol Hill? Instead of two fuselages sort of kissing in the air would two men kissing be better? Or instead of a cut up plane would a cut up fetus from a D&C be more acceptable?

I find Capitol Hill protesting "cultural insensitivity" to be the epitome of irony.

"Wow, from Pennsylvania our little 43rd Democrats look as important as the House Speaker and a former president."

Uh, wrong, they look as ridiculous as the House Speaker and former president. Typical from the left is their "inclusion" of everyone's ideas or their tolerance, as long as it suits their idea of art, lifestyle etc. everything is just fine.

It's the height of hypocracy for the supposedly "liberal" 43rd to insist that art be acceptable to them. True liberalism champions freedom of expression and tolerance of differences in opinion, belief, lifestyle, etc. Art doesn't have to be beautiful and it doesn't have to fit in with the values of the community. Art can challenge people to think. Unfortunately the members of the 43rd District Dems have lost touch with what it means to be a liberal.

Great art promotes discourse, and on that score we have to say the agency picked a winner here!

Sidebar - David, you are a true regional gem. Your coverage of regional issues (like Sound Transit) is what keeps me buying the paper and supporting its advertisers. Balanced, in depth, and fair - in your case, it isn't just an empty expression (as some of our friends on TV would have it!). Namaste.

This is ridiculous, as per usual of democrats, they are over sensitive to the point of insanity. But it is ok to be insensitive to patriotic needs? BOO!

Wow, I thought art was supposed to be stimulating. Isn't that the case artists always make when they produce something offensive, like the Crucifix in a jar of urine? Or a sculpture of Mary made out of elephant manure?

This just goes to show you what hypocrites the "Capitol Hill-types" actually are. They support freedom of expression as long as it's something they agree with.

The artist of the warplanes should find room for an aircraft carrier, too.

Van Cleve is a long-time light rail opponent, and worked for years to get an elevated monorail built on Capitol Hill. (One can imagine how well that would have gone over, given all the condos with views up there.)

This isn't so much about art, but rather, one of those famous Seattle grudges.

Also, people who cannot see irony in art should not be trying to judge art in the first place.

Maybe Pat Robertson will now be made an honorary member of the "Fighting 43rd?"

Does this tell you all how silly these people are??? Nothing more need be said.

"...our little 43rd Democrats look as important as the House Speaker and a former president."

...hardly, in the past their resolutions have been promtly ignored by their very own local dem state reps in olympia.

Why should all art in seattle be made by local artists? Art can't be allowed to grow if we all worked in silos. Besides, are you saying seattle artists shouldn't be allowed to work in NY? Quid Pro Quo, dude.

What we call Liberalism isn't about freedom of choice and open expression. It is proven time and again.

Traditional Liberalism is about open markets, personal choice and responsibility. These people have hijacked these concepts for the promotion of their "advanced" ideas.

I find it funny that they are claiming this as a cultural insensitivity issue. What culture are the refering to?

Maybe they could put a decommissioned nuke in there instead.

Typical of how the collective stupidity of the liberal, whiny, knee-jerk, bleeding-heart, Anti-American Democrat Party is overshadowed and surpassed ONLY by their mind numbing intellectual dishonesty.

I think that's nonsense. This sculpture is challenging their beliefs and offering a chang in perception. They are using politics to get thier own points across. I don't think that is culturally senstive either.

Sarah Lovett MFA

I can not see said resolution on the 43rd Dems' website. Where is this resolution, and what is the cite for it?

As a 43rd Dem and an avid supporter of the work, I would sincerely like to find this resolution for the simple, expedient fact of finding out who voted for it.

Please provide a cite, information source, or link to the text and information of the resolution; which, on the 43rd Democrat website, is conspicuously absent from the latest resolutions.

Without that, I'm having a hard time confirming this blog post's assertions; and if the reporter is in fact accurate in his reporting, I will certainly attend next month's meeting, counterresolution in hand, to repeal the former resolution. Or, conversely, condemning self-righteous art criticism masquerading as public policy.

For truly, if one screams "think of the children" at the top of one's lungs, one's no better than Jack Thompson.

Since Conservatives are incapable of making art (or humor), why not appreciate this funny and brilliant parody of the Republican Death Culture?

As we say in New Hampshire, Live Free or Die.

I am writing in support for this project. I believe in art that expresses both the triumphs and the shortcomings of humanity. Far from being a glorification of war, Mike’s design captures both our legacy of war (the burnt out jet fighter base materials) and transforms into our hopes and aspirations for peace. He also embraces the NW passion for recycling – making what is old and unwanted new a beautiful again.
It is sad that those who take action are generally the folks who wish to shut something down. Please also consider all those who have not written, but have clearly represented themselves with their participation and support in the many progressive artistic endeavors of this fine city. -