Less civilized without public art

Letters to the editor regarding the public art that recently went on display in Mount Vernon and Burlington have largely been negative. The writers have had a variety of reasons for hating the pieces, but the overall theme in most of the carping suggests that public art of any school is a waste of time and money. 

Public art is always at risk of having detractors. It’s “art”! It is subject to interpretation and subjective judgment, and it is at the mercy of people who have probably never set foot in an art museum. Doing away with public art because we don’t agree with the selection is a lot like inviting the dark ages back up to the 21st century.

Look back in history, and we’ll discover that most of what we know about ancient civilizations comes from their public art. Having said that, I’m sure the rabble of Rome complained about the mosaics in the restrooms at the Coliseum, and I’m pretty sure Pope Julius wanted to fire Michelangelo several times before the Sistine Chapel ceiling was finished. 

I’m not defending the choices in Burlington or Mount Vernon. This being a family newspaper, I can’t tell you exactly what I thought they looked like at first glance — let’s just say as far as I’m concerned, they are both lacking.

However, I’ll defend to the death the right of the officials in charge to erect public art chosen by citizens who have knowledge of what constitutes “good” art and not leave it to the critics who have no understanding of the importance of public art in our civilization — because without it, we are less civilized.

Nanette Hough
Mount Vernon

Of politics, money and myths

Wilkinson’s Nov. 9 letter is the best I’ve seen for some time. I concur with every point made, with one minor exception: that Obama has been a wee bit deceptive concerning his relationships, though I suspect it is a mite tongue-in-cheek.

I can’t say the same for Edwards’ Nov. 9 letter because it starts off with a joke about bipartisanship, which has been absent — and never more so than in the past four years.

Regarding the liberal-versus-conservative debate, it is true that most people are both, depending on the issues. I assure you that our current mess is not the fault of true conservatives; it was caused by a liberal Congress that loves to play fast and loose with taxpayers’ money. In fact, it is this hypocrisy that defines the stark ignorance about rich Americans today.

Republicans bear the brunt of this lie, and most have no idea how wrong they are. This election has shown, as no other, how many rich liberals and socialists there are in America. Obama has raised more money — $700 million, a record for all times — most of it from millionaire and billionaire liberals.

Frankly, I don’t care how rich anyone is, it is the blatant hypocrisy that galls me. Millions bought the Obama promises of taxing the rich and giving to the poor and creating wealth from the bottom up. At best, the old Robin Hood myth and the loss of wealth in three months proves the fallacy of such ignorance.

Industries and viable businesses create wealth and investments that trickle and flow to all to some degree. When that fails, the whole world suffers. It is always the economy, stupid. Check out Mugabe’s results for an example.

John Hammons
Anacortes

Who among us would do this?

Who among us would do such a thing? Who among us would violate a homeowner’s property and cut down a tree?

We have new neighbors. They moved into their house a few months ago. They began fixing, repairing, painting and updating their house. Many different workmen and many different vehicles came and went. It was wonderful to see the house being reborn.

The surrounding homeowners looked on with admiration; yes, we thought, these people will make good neighbors.

Then, one day, one of the new neighbors came to see us. He and his family had been gone for the weekend. While they were gone, someone came to their property, fired up a chain saw and cut down one of the huge trees in their backyard. The new neighbor asked if any of us had seen anyone cutting down the tree.

We stood there with our mouths gaping open. Yes, one of us had seen a man with a truck but did not realize what was happening. We couldn’t believe that someone among us would do such a thing!

Shame on the perpetrator! How could he do such a despicable act?

I realize that this is not murder or mayhem, such as other folks in our county have recently experienced. But, nevertheless, I am embarrassed by this random, despicable act.

Linda Allen
Mount Vernon

Obama presidency is worrisome

Not worried? You should be.

With the irrational exuberance regarding Obama’s election, it’s all too easy to overlook the stark reality of the impending presidency.

Iran is testing nuclear missiles; Russia is once again “sabre-rattling”; OPEC is planning to drastically reduce oil production; the U.S. is on the verge of a widespread depression; etc.

We are about to inaugurate a man with absolutely no administrative, financial or military experience. It’s equally startling to realize that all of his appointees understand more about the job than he does! Obama actually makes Jimmy Carter look like a first-rate politician. And we should all remember what an international and domestic disaster Carter’s presidency was.

Yes, we have many valid reasons to be very worried.

Maureen Schwab
Lyman