Festive Halloween Display Torches McCain, Lynches Palin
Rohin Guha
October 27, 2008
While Sarah Palin as Halloween costume was a stale idea almost immediately (even in drag), using the potential 2012 presidential candidate as a prop in an elaborate if macabre outdoor Halloween display remains unparalleled. Hanging by a length of rope from the roof of a West Hollywood home, a lynched mannequin is dolled up in Palin's trademark red skirt, blazer, and unmistakable updo. Another mannequin, dressed up as John McCain, is seen emerging from the chimney in flames. Tasteful!
The tableau may be a novel alternative to typical inflatable fare, but the homeowner contends that there’s a deeper message. In lieu of an actual artist’s statement, he says, “[The display] should be seen as art, and as within the month of October. It’s Halloween, it’s time to be scary it’s time to be spooky.” On the subject of the lynching/burning, the “artist” admits “it would be out of bounds at any other time of year.”
Comments (6)
Posted by Kevin on Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 04.04 pm
This is not good. I get the joke, but it’s still in very bad taste.
Posted by learningisjoy on Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 04.16 pm
Divisions are too deep and tensions too high for even someone claiming this is “art” “appropriate” because it’s Halloween to be this goulishly incendiary. I support Sen. Obama for President, but this is wrong in my opinion and hurts our country which MUST come together to solve urgent challenges. All the rhetoric and hyperbole being thrown around that deepens the divisions in America is ultimately responsible for this kind of display, but we all have to take it upon ourselves to choose healing whenever possible. This was a bad choice. And anyway, it is absolutely never appropriate to depict any person murdered violently on your front lawn, period.
Posted by P Grace on Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 04.38 pm
seems more symbolic of McCain’s career going up in flames and in turn the Replican/McCain supporters hanging her out to dry for it.
Posted by Kel on Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 04.46 pm
Would the title of this thread have been “festive” display if this was an effigy of Obama in a noose? Of course not, people would be outraged and even more so than the feeling I am getting that it was “just” Sarah Palin. Festive indeed.
Posted by Roy on Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 11.31 pm
I can’t image what kind of response there would be in the media if B.O. was actually the one in the noose. People would compare it to Southern Lynch Mobs back in the 50s and 60s.
This is just poor poor taste, and the secret service should pay this gentleman a visit for suggesting violence to presidential candidates.
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Posted by unaffiliated on Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 03.25 pm
yea, i think given the situation, lynching is not the thing to display ANY time of the year.