The Obamas’ art is worth a thousand words

By Michelle Malkin  •  October 7, 2009 02:13 PM

If Barack Obama’s lack of authority and certitude weren’t costing so many lives, this would be comical.

Among the pieces of “art” that the president and his wife have chosen to adorn their private White House residence is this one entitled “I think I’ll … ” by California artist Ed Ruscha. As the NYTimes captions the painting: “It deals with the subject of indecision:”

Another contemporary work chosen by the Obamas is a word painting by the California artist Ed Ruscha. Called “I Think I’ll … ” it deals with the subject of indecision. The work depicts a brilliant red sunset against which Mr. Ruscha has painted phrases like “Maybe … Yes … ” and “Maybe … No … ” and “On Second Thought.”

(h/t: The Corner)

Crikey. Next, we’ll find out that Obama has one of those Magic 8 balls on his Oval Office desk…

Posted in: Barack Obama

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  1. #819332
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:17 pm, tre said:

    Among the pieces of “art” that the president and his wife have chosen to adorn their private White House residence is this one entitled “I think I’ll … ” by California artist Ed Ruscha. As the NYTimes captions the painting: “It deals with the subject of indecision:”

    He finds that painting so….inspirational!

  2. #819336
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm, John Deaux said:

    Further proof that art imitates life.

  3. #819342
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:24 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    OK, my posts are not posting because…?

  4. #819343
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:24 pm, purplepeep said:

    Snort!

    This reminds of Obama’s schedule from an Onion News Video:

    White House Reveals Obama Is Bipolar, Has Entered Depressive Phase

  5. #819345
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:25 pm, Southpaw said:

    At this point, it seems like a Magic 8 Ball would have been a better choice as President.

    8 Ball “2012″

  6. #819347
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:26 pm, purplepeep said:

    AlohaGuy said:

    OK, my posts are not posting because…?

    What? Nobody told you, AG? We all took a vote and, well……

    :)

  7. #819353
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:30 pm, beenthere said:

    I really truly wish Obama would use the Magic 8-ball and follow it exactly. The overall quality of his decision making and answers would greatly improve.

  8. #819355
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:33 pm, RedDog said:

    How appropriate. Proves he really is the dunce the Left liked to call GWB. Bet he paid some serious coin for that piece of sophmoric garbage. That’s even more funny. Karma bites.

  9. #819361
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:40 pm, ThatSamIAm said:

    It’s pretty obvious Obambi has no balls of any kind. Cowardice is the defining trait of every socialist progressive democrat.

  10. #819362
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:41 pm, John Deaux said:

    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:33 pm, RedDog said:
    Bet he paid some serious coin for that piece of sophmoric garbage.

    Actually, it’s borrowed from the National Gallery of Art. So WE paid some serious coin for that piece of sophmoric garbage.

  11. #819363
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:41 pm, cheapseat said:

    ART FOR THE INABLE.

  12. #819366
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:43 pm, ThunderHawkk said:

    That is a stupid piece of art. It is SO stupid!

    If you took the words away, I guess the red paint looks okay.

    Typical of some stupid liberal retard to have stupid art like that in their home.

    Go back to Hell, Odumbo, where you came from!

  13. #819372
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:47 pm, Truesoldier said:

    Crikey. Next, we’ll find out that Obama has one of those Magic 8 balls on his Oval Office desk…

    Actually this makes perfect sense…Obama can not decide what to do in Afghanistan cause the 8-ball keeps telling him to “ask again later”.

  14. #819373
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:47 pm, J S Ragman said:

    Well, at least there’s no elephant poo, or desecration of the Blessed Virgin in it.

  15. #819374
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:48 pm, ErinF said:

    Gee… it’s ugly, it’s in-your-face, and it’s all about indecision. Perfectly fitting, I think.

  16. #819375
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:49 pm, cicerokid said:

    Crikey. Next, we’ll find out that Obama has one of those Magic 8 balls on his Oval Office desk…

    Does he still do that stuff? If so, he better keep his magic eight ball out of plain sight in a drawer next to his tooter.

  17. #819376
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:50 pm, letget said:

    This ‘art’ is what bho is. He has to see what mo says, then he makes a decision. Maybe, maybe not, maybe yes, or maybe no. bho, ‘how should I crater this nation today honey’?
    L

  18. #819377
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:51 pm, thetoysurgeon said:

    Looks like a tribute to Stalin. Typical Commie Red …hmmm, maybe I’ll tax the middle class today or wait a minute yes, I’ll become allies with Hugo..or no, I’ll let Rangel off the hook…

  19. #819380
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:52 pm, Madam President said:

    What..what is THAT?

  20. #819383
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:53 pm, Hangfire said:

    Is THAT his long-lost birth certificate?

  21. #819385
    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:55 pm, Hangfire said:

    I wouldn’t put that picture up in a double-wide!

  22. #819388
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:00 pm, nail49 said:

    The Obamas’ art is worth a thousand words

    Words like: Bogus, phony, fake, worthless, trite, cr@p, garbage, junk, rubbish, scrap, refuse, litter, trash…

  23. #819389
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:01 pm, stillontheroad said:

    Does anybody remember the art work behind the bed of Dick Halloran in the Shining?

  24. #819390
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:01 pm, MtsEdge said:

    The sunset of the U.S. in the dusk of indecision.

  25. #819391
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:01 pm, spaceycakes said:

    How dreadful; a poor Marxist’s version of the great Robert Indiana’s work; whom I used to love. But he decided to raise funds for the Prez’s campaign with an update on his famous ‘Love’ with this

    What a shame.

  26. #819392
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:02 pm, nail49 said:

    Obama can not decide what to do in Afghanistan cause the 8-ball keeps telling him to “ask again later”.

    Truesoldier: Actually, he is waiting for the answer to appear on TOTUS.

  27. #819393
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:03 pm, englishqueen01 said:

    OK, my posts are not posting because…?

    That happens to me sometimes, too.

    As for the Magic 8 ball, at least it delivers its indecisiveness in three words or less. Imagine all the time it will save on speeches!

  28. #819394
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:03 pm, spaceycakes said:

    stillontheroad–was it the ‘Scream’ by Munch? I can’t remember

  29. #819395
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:05 pm, tre said:

    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:24 pm, AlohaGuy said:
    OK, my posts are not posting because…?

    AlohaGuy, it’s not that we don’t like you.
    It’s just that….well….we don’t like you.

  30. #819398
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:07 pm, sonofdy said:

    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:24 pm, AlohaGuy said:
    OK, my posts are not posting because…?

    Captian obvious flys in…

    They are posting TA DA!!!!

    Capitan obvious flys out…

  31. #819399
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:08 pm, behiker said:

    If you follow several links from the article, you’ll find a slide show of other “art” selected for the White House (actually a couple of pieces are interesting)… but take a gander at this one, especially the title.

  32. #819400
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:09 pm, Hangfire said:

    I still like you, AlohaGuy.

    I’ll buy you a cup of coffee and a piece of pie at Anna Miller’s to prove it.

  33. #819401
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:10 pm, sonofdy said:

    This guys first action on learning that nukes were incoming would be to form a committee.

  34. #819402
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:11 pm, sonofdy said:

    behiker:

    I am dumber for having seen that “art”.

  35. #819403
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:12 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    AlohaGuy, it’s not that we don’t like you.
    It’s just that….well….we don’t like you.

    I’ve been voted off?

    But my comment was about dogs playing cards and how it was too esoteric…

  36. #819405
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:13 pm, behiker said:

    Crikey. Next, we’ll find out that Obama has one of those Magic 8 balls on his Oval Office desk…

    I have a Magic 8 Ball on my desk at work and just for kicks I asked “Is Obama an idiot?” The 8 Ball’s reply… “Yes Definitely”.

  37. #819406
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:13 pm, RedDog said:

    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:10 pm, sonofdy said:
    This guys first action on learning that nukes were incoming would be to form a committee.

    No, I think he would soil himself first.

  38. #819407
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:15 pm, Auggie Dog said:

    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:01 pm, stillontheroad said:
    Does anybody remember the art work behind the bed of Dick Halloran in the Shining?

    LOL! I remember! Naked black ladies with BIG AFROS wasn’t it? They were all over the room. … REDRUM….

    On subject, This is why we need to end the NEA. This is the kind of crap they call art. I wonder if I could sell Odumbo one of my 6 year olds paintings, I think they’re better than this one.

  39. #819408
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:16 pm, right_on said:

    Image.

    Perception.

    Indecision.

    Obfuscation.

    The color Red.

    The color Purple.

    Me, me, me!

    The power of Corruption.

    Just a few of the things important to the Narcissist-in-Chief. (Narcissistic personality disorder is closely linked to self-centeredness. It is also colloquially referred to as “the God complex.”)

  40. #819409
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:16 pm, sonofdy said:

    No, I think he would soil himself first.

    I think a health response to 1000 thermonuclear warheads heading your way would be to soil yourself.

  41. #819410
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:16 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Crikey. Next, we’ll find out that Obama has one of those Magic 8 balls on his Oval Office desk…

    No, no balls.

  42. #819411
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:16 pm, Truesoldier said:

    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:13 pm, RedDog said:
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:10 pm, sonofdy said:
    This guys first action on learning that nukes were incoming would be to form a committee.
    No, I think he would soil himself first.

    I think he would ask his magic 8-ball. When that doesn’t work he will first claim that he knows nothing about an Iranian or NoKo nuke program and that it is all Bush’s fault.

  43. #819412
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:17 pm, stillontheroad said:

    spaceycakes said:
    It was one of those painted on Velvet type things lol.

  44. #819413
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:17 pm, Truesoldier said:

    And in the end he would claim it is one more reason to have a public option in helath care coverage.

  45. #819414
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:18 pm, stillontheroad said:

    Auggie Dog said:
    On the nose Auggie lol for some reason that popped into my mind and I just could not help myself.

  46. #819415
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:19 pm, right_on said:

    I noticed that the painting resembles the acceleration and conflagration of matter during a nuclear blast…what is the artist really trying to say?

  47. #819416
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:23 pm, mattymatt10 said:

    It’d also fit right in at Brett Favre’s house.

    That dirty weasel.

  48. #819417
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:23 pm, yohannbiimu said:

    I think this “art” speaks volumes with regard to the psyche of our president. There is no thought process or foundation in ANYTHING within this man. He’s an empty vessel. Nothing occurs to him. He’s just something for other people to fill with their poison, and he parrots it. The teleprompter-reader-in-chief no doubt thinks that “I think I’ll…” is terribly profound, which an empty mind would “think.”

  49. #819418
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:25 pm, William Teach said:

    A Magic 8ball might be a bit too much for Barry, since it actually provides answers.

  50. #819420
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:27 pm, gunslingerpatriot said:

    Right-on,
    It reminds me of the scene from “The Dead Zone” with Martin Sheen and Christopher Walken.

    Of course what Martin Sheen does as president does at the end of the movie was great!

    GSP

  51. #819423
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:30 pm, sonofdy said:

    Crikey.

    Too right mate. This shelia knows the lingo. Bonza!!!!!

  52. #819428
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:36 pm, John Deaux said:

    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:12 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    I’ve been voted off?

    Maybe yes. Maybe No. On second thought, wait a minute.

  53. #819429
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:36 pm, tre said:

    But my comment was about dogs playing cards and how it was too esoteric…

    I actually LIKE that picture!

    But, I’m glad he didn’t have any pictures by Charles Russell, Frederick Remington, or David Mann.

  54. #819431
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:44 pm, ThunderHawkk said:

    Nancy Pelosi is gonna cry again, gunslinger…. How dare you mention that movie in a thread about Odumbo?

    The RHETORIC!

  55. #819433
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:51 pm, spaceycakes said:

    forgive me for not knowing the artwork in that dreadfully overrated Kubrick mess of a movie.

    Actually, Kubrick is not all that. Yeah, I said it.

    I know it’ll chap the hides of the ‘Strangelove’ fans.

  56. #819434
    On October 7th, 2009 at 3:52 pm, TooMuchTime said:

    Bet he paid some serious coin for that piece of sophmoric garbage.

    Where I live, the city fathers adorned a park, a street corner, and the city square with “art.”

    The first, at the park, was just three pieces of metal welded together. One was horizontal and the two at the ends pointing up at a 45 degree angle. It looked like a Swiss Army Knife. That’s what I called it anyway.

    Now, we have an oversize bolt and washer on a street corner that is “art.” No, this is not a joke. We actually have an oversize bolt and washer as city “art!”

    In the city square is what looks like an oversize pair of pinking shears. I’m not kidding!

    I’ll bet these were created with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and then the city probably paid for them, too. So, the taxpayers get screwed twice.

  57. #819438
    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:01 pm, TooMuchTime said:

    forgive me for not knowing the artwork in that dreadfully overrated Kubrick mess of a movie.

    Actually, Kubrick is not all that. Yeah, I said it.

    I know it’ll chap the hides of the ‘Strangelove’ fans.

    It’s okay, spaceycakes.

    I happen to like Dr. Strangelove but I don’t think of it as “art.” It’s just a pretty funny movie. A dark comedy, but funny. I don’t think of it as some type of deeply meaningful statement about the 60s or the Cold War. It’s just funny.

    Interesting point in the movie: when the B-52 is shown from above and its shadow is visible, check the shadow. It’s from a B-17. Just another weird part in a weird movie.

  58. #819440
    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:04 pm, IndyRich said:

    On October 7th, 2009 at 2:25 pm, Southpaw said:

    8 Ball “2012″

    Racist!

    /sarc.

  59. #819444
    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:08 pm, TooMuchTime said:

    This guys first action on learning that nukes were incoming would be to form a committee.

    No, I think he would soil himself first.

    Go here and scroll down a bit for the graphic.

  60. #819445
    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:08 pm, spaceycakes said:

    I will admit that I didn’t mind his adaptation of ‘A Clockwork Orange’.

    Heh. Like you guys should care what I think of a movie…I really liked Peter Jackson’s ‘Dead-Alive’.

  61. #819446
    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:14 pm, Red State Skeptic said:

    GODAWFUL

  62. #819447
    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:17 pm, Flyoverman said:

    If he waits long enough the Taliban will make the decision for him.

    That is my expectation.

    “NEVER HAVE A DEMOCRAT ON OUR FLANK”

  63. #819451
    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:27 pm, purealchemy said:

    I’m familiar with the artist. Actually have a book of his works.

  64. #819453
    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:30 pm, rfjjulie said:

    behiker-

    I just asked the 8 ball on my shelf if the Won is an idiot and it said “no doubt about it.”

    I am easily entertained.

  65. #819467
    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:47 pm, Kingfish said:

    If anybody was to get hold of a velvet canvas portrait of Obama, write I, me, me, mine over it in red crayon…Would the NEA fund it?

  66. #819469
    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:48 pm, shooter said:

    What? Nobody told you, AG? We all took a vote and, well……

    hehe.

  67. #819475
    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:52 pm, shooter said:

    Why would anyone pay 10 cents for that hideous crap?
    My kid just replicated it in 6 1/2 minutes in photoshop.

    It DOES remind me of the zero, our dear leader.

  68. #819481
    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:57 pm, nail49 said:

    check the shadow. It’s from a B-17. Just another weird part in a weird movie.

    TooMuchTime: Much like the sound of recips as the engine noise for the jet in “Airplane”

  69. #819501
    On October 7th, 2009 at 5:50 pm, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Errah doesn’t the bat phone ring at George Soros’s house?

  70. #819506
    On October 7th, 2009 at 6:02 pm, no2pcbs1 said:

    the poser also known as zero drowns in indecision on a daily basis. lacking any leadership skills and wrapped in hype, myth, bs, and fraud can the wh joke ever be decisive about anything, very doubtful.

  71. #819520
    On October 7th, 2009 at 6:40 pm, Regulus said:

    At least they aren’t hanging the Obama-naked-on-a-Unicorn examples of “art” that I’ve seen. Given Hope-a-Dope’s self-regard on steroids, it wouldn’t have shocked me if they had a few of those up on a wall somewhere.

  72. #819522
    On October 7th, 2009 at 6:48 pm, eeyore said:

    Seems a good candidate for a Hot Air Obamateurism:
    “Let’s see, one of the criticisms that’s getting traction is that I’m indecisive.
    So I think I’ll celebrate…indecision.”

  73. #819535
    On October 7th, 2009 at 7:36 pm, tiredofit08 said:

    no balls no brains no spine…lovely….

    Red is hot. It’s a strong color that conjures up a range of seemingly conflicting emotions from passionate love to violence and warfare.

    Culture of Red:
    Red is power, hence the red power tie for business people and the red carpet for celebrities and VIPs (very important people).

  74. #819550
    On October 7th, 2009 at 9:00 pm, prendad said:

    Such an inspirational work of genius. I’ll bet it sends a tingle up Obama’s leg.
    ummm ummm ummm
    I got a brand new paintin’
    ummm ummm ummm
    It really got me thankin’
    ummm ummm ummm
    this Afghan mess is stankin’
    ummm ummm ummm
    I’d betta call Al Frankin!

  75. #819567
    On October 7th, 2009 at 10:28 pm, warden said:

    Obviously the “artist” is punking the white house.

  76. #819576
    On October 7th, 2009 at 10:57 pm, American Elephant said:

    Thats a sunset?

    we truly have entered a new dark age if that is considered art.

  77. #819587
    On October 8th, 2009 at 12:13 am, DogBreath said:

    I can’t believe all of the posters here claiming Obama has no balls. They’re in his wife’s purse.

  78. #819596
    On October 8th, 2009 at 1:12 am, prendad said:

    Not in her purse, in her wallet.

  79. #819631
    On October 8th, 2009 at 8:16 am, rambler said:

    I’ll bet BHO has the mirror from Snow White too. Mirror, mirror on the wall, whose the fairest of them all……

  80. #819646
    On October 8th, 2009 at 8:51 am, GraniteMan said:

    Maybe we’ll like it….maybe we won’t…..what do the polls say about our picture?………..We’ll get a consensus….Maureen Dowd loves it…Charlie Rose is in love with it…Aha! we love it too.

  81. #819650
    On October 8th, 2009 at 8:53 am, tiredofit08 said:

    Another great segment on Fox and Friends this morning Michelle!!! You more than held you own…at least you were polite and didn’t talk over the moron from the left….

  82. #819652
    On October 8th, 2009 at 8:55 am, jangar said:

    “Maybe … Yes … ” and “Maybe … No … ” and “On Second Thought.”

    The new motto for our new-age POTUS.

    Does this not depict Obama’s current policy on Afganistan, or anything else in foreign policy that protects the people and insterests of the United States?

  83. #819658
    On October 8th, 2009 at 9:05 am, jangar said:

    The Obamas’ art is worth a thousand words

    maybe so, but I can only think of 4 words:

    STUFF IT, MR. PRESIDENT

  84. #819673
    On October 8th, 2009 at 9:50 am, b-cat said:

    It took him six months to decide what kind of dog to buy.

    Curiously, how long did it take him to decide to acquire this “art”?

    How long did it take to decide where to display it?

    Hmmm… maybe over there. No, over there. Wait a minute, there might work. On second thought…

  85. #819734
    On October 8th, 2009 at 11:28 am, John Deaux said:

    On October 7th, 2009 at 4:57 pm, nail49 said:

    TooMuchTime: Much like the sound of recips as the engine noise for the jet in “Airplane”

    And the sound of a 105mm howitzer for the Henry rifle in Silverado.

  86. #819749
    On October 8th, 2009 at 11:47 am, purealchemy said:

    Hey, you philistines! Edward Ruscha is actually a very cool American, west coast Pop artist.
    Check out his body of work.
    Obama has no real grasp of the significance of the work. It’s all about maintaining his elite image.
    Just like he puts Grey Poupon mustard and “gherkins” in his kid’s tuna salad.

  87. #819787
    On October 8th, 2009 at 12:12 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    No class…just like everything associated with Obeyme and Michelene Woman.

  88. #819957
    On October 8th, 2009 at 4:09 pm, KCK said:

    Even Post-Moderne and Pop works are yesterday’s art. Not very impressive, IMHO.

    Never heard a thing in the news about how the Bushes were wonderful WH patrons of fine art. Only the Obamas are capable of being “cool” because they are liberal, apparently.

  89. #820102
    On October 8th, 2009 at 7:59 pm, Tazed and Confused said:

    OMG… it’s the friggin’ Ouiji board Barack uses to make policy decisions

  90. #820172
    On October 8th, 2009 at 11:52 pm, Ret7army said:

    Supposed to be a sunset hmmm? Ok, but what I first thought that picture was of was a close up of a nuke that’d just gone off.

  91. #821509
    On October 11th, 2009 at 2:25 am, WarTip said:

    I wonder if there will be a reintroduction of the Che flag that hung in his campaign offices? Now there was a piece of … art … ?

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