After backing out of plans to display his mildly controversial painting of President Obama wearing a crown of thorns, artist Michael D’Antuono is back to make his political point without any potentially contentious symbols. Titled “…What I Meant Was…” the new painting is a dulled down response to the blasphemy-crying critics that caused D’Antuono to cave in and withdraw his artwork.

Unfortunately, too many people were unable to see beyond the religious symbolism of the first painting to be able to appreciate the political statement I was trying to make.

The new painting portrays President Obama standing before a press corp wearing glasses colored by their political views. With this latest work, D’Antuono hopes to encourage people “to look at the issues objectively and to start to think for” themselves, a heavy-handed point that’s still overshadowed by the media whoring artist’s spineless retraction of “The Truth” in the face of criticism.

After hyping his sorta-controversial painting of President Obama wearing a crown of thorns, artist Michael D’Antuono has decided not to show it in Union Square as planned. Why the sudden change of heart? Death threats? A fatwa? Nope, just some bitchy emails according to the LA Times prompting D’Antuonoe to cave: “I canceled the showing out of respect for religion. It was not meant to offend so many people.” The act of not showing it is more offensive than the so called offensive painting. Also, if he’s going to side with the make believers, hopefully they’ll pray for what he really needs: some balls. |Gothamist|

Could it really be the end of the American Legacy Foundation, the organization responsibsle for The Truth and its anti-smoking propaganda campaign?
Lorillard Tobacco Company, the purveyor of fine cancer sticks with tasty brands such as: Newport, Kent, True, Old Gold, Maverick, Triumph, Satin, and Max is claiming that American Legacy is “villifying” their company. Wait, you mean the Truth’s job isn’t to villify tobacco companies? Then what is its purpose? How in the hell do you think they claim a 22% drop in teen smoking? Next Wednesday, April 26th, the Delaware Supreme Court will rule on the matter. If the court rules in favor of Lorillard, looks like we’ll have to just go with the tune of their anti-smoking efforts. They provide some really effective means of saying no:

Humor:
“No, thanks. Cigarettes don’t go with my outfit.”
“No, thanks. My boyfriend/girlfriend doesn’t like kissing an ashtray.”
“No, thanks. I like my teeth white, not yellow.”
Reverse the pressure:
“Is this what you do to be cool?”
“I bet you can’t go a week without smoking.”
Ask a question:
“Why would I want to do something that smells so bad?”
“Do you know any professional athletes that smoke?”
“Why would I want to do that to my lungs?”
Change the subject:
“No, thanks. Hey, have you seen any good movies lately?”
Be direct:
“No, thanks. I’m not into that.”
“I’d rather spend my money on other stuff.”
“No, thanks, I like being healthy.”

Yup, surely that should do the trick!