The Funny Farm

while you richly deserved it, it is not in the american interest that freedom of speech be abrogated. i wonder if you and the members of the press who so delight in this story give a single damn about the american men and women who are going to die as a result of this public airing of dirty laundry. none of you gave a shit about america or americans, only about your selfish right to express yourselves at the cost of blood for others.

you have the right, and should not have been injured. but the personal question for you is do you so easily compromise the safety of other americans by your expression that you have forgotten the pain of american families at 9/11. what of the certain fact that these muslim arabs would cheerfully dance in your blood and hang your dismembered body from a bridge as they did with innocent civilians who were helping to rebuild their country. where was your art on that singularly expressive event.

with freedom comes responsibility unless your name is john walker and you hide behind your freedom only after you are caught aiding abetting and consorting with murderers.

the founders of our nation would have seen what happened to you as simple justice. think on that next time you choose to repudiate america and hang anti-american art.

Posted by: PAUL at May 30, 2004 10:11 AM

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I was quite pleased in reading that the traitor Haigh was dealt a blow from a TRUE AMERICAN. It is a shame that our society would condem our own soldiers before realizing the atrocities handed down by these animal iraqi "soldiers". Our sons and daughters are dying each day while parasites like Cowell show sympathy for them. I do not belive in censorship that of haigh's or that of the TRUE AMERICAN who acted on his right to the persuit of freedom and happieness by expressing his dislike for the un-American work showed by haigh.

Posted by: Frank B at May 30, 2004 10:11 AM

[Ed. Note: Just in case the bigotry went over someone's head, Frank posts a clarification to his remarks:

Thanks, Frank! We never would have guessed you're a neo-Nazi stooge for the Repugnicant Party without you tossing in some more offensive name-calling...]

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How stupid are you people? You paint a picture of people that are being tortured, then wonder why you got your ass beat? Look, art is great, my sister is an artist, but she paints landscapes, abstracts, fucking fuzzy kittens. not people being tortured by american soldiers. Are you proud those few soldiers disgraced our country? Are you proud these men and wemon were tortured? You bunch need to rethink who your callin terrorists. People arn't bad becouse they object to these paintings being presented in you front window. They just have commen sence, feelings, they see these pictures all over the news and think how terrible, not hey I should paint that! you call her a hero, I call her a fuckin dumbass.
Oh, and if this upsets you to read, i was pretty upset to hear another american would display something as horrific as that painting... So maybe were on the same level finally

Posted by: Abe at May 30, 2004 10:20 AM

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I think it's very wrong that you got attacked as you did. I don't think it's the American way to physically attack somebody for their freedom of speech. But you have had your chance to exercise you freedom of speech, now it's my turn. I think it's very wrong that you decided to paint only pictures of American soldiers abusing the prisoners.
Why didn't you paint the picture of the soldier giving the little Iraqi boy a high five? Or the soldier praying over the little Iraqi girl? Or how about the Iraqis cutting off one of our American civilians head? Or Americans hanging from the bridge dead? Or Maybe you could have painted a picture of Saddam Hussein abusing his own people, and not in time of war, NO NO, just because he can. Yes American soldiers put underwear on the heads of Iraqi prisoners, told them that they would be shocked if they fell off a box, and even ruffed up a few. Although I'm not saying it's right, I am saying that it was done to people who wish death on America everyday. The soldiers did it to people who HATE us and our freedom. Do you think they were in the prison for no reason? They were in the prison because they did something wrong, or they were suspected terrorists. I am so tired of hearing about all the stuff America is doing wrong, how about painting some of the good things that are happening. You are afraid for the safety of your kids? Sit back and think of all the things those Iraqi prisoners would LOVE to do to your kids, and how they would LOVE to not only hurt them, but kill them in the slowest most horrible way. Now think of the brave American men and women, who's job it is to make sure that doesn't happen to you, and your kids.

Posted by: Georgia at May 30, 2004 10:53 AM

[Ed. Note: Here's another freedom-hater who thinks she might be misunderstood, so she seeks to clarify her statements:

Would that be the good things you are told about by Faux News, the Vile Pigboy Rush Limbaugh, the poor little rich boy Sean Hannity, or the Savage Wiener? If art was created in proportion to the good things vs. the bad things America has done in Iraq, half the globe would be painted in blood, and Crawford, TX would have one picture of a soldier getting a high-five from the natives...]

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To me, art is accepting flaws and showing the beauty in something.

Personally, I don't think taking scarce flaws and painting a picture of American soldiers in a horrible manner not respected by nearly all other American soldiers or Americans is art at all.

Good job of helping to paint all soldiers with one brush.

I'm glad you respect artists with controversial views which helped create their success.

Hopefully you had some art of American soldiers teaching Iraqi's sports, opening new schools in areas that never had any, making more power available than was before the war, and all the good you probably ignore.

6 people don't represent our entire military; Every group has it's nut cases.

Norman Rockwell is a real artist.

I can't call a picture like the one you had up art. There is nothing artistic about a few bad apples abusing prisoners.

Now, I do understand postive progress in civil rights did come from the minority and it will continue too. However, I hope you had positive artwork of soldiers in your gallery as well.

At least this form of American hypocracy is also being delt with by American justice, unlike most abuse in other parts of the world.

And finally. Who are you trying to kid? People become so myopic when surrounding themselves with a subculture of their own beliefs.

First, you're in SF, notorious for being liberal. This artwork was extremely liberal. You say you respect the artist, which I'm sure you do. However, you ARE in SF and you chose to put this piece of art in the window. Call my crazy, but I happen to think you like the expression of art and like most people you're favorite art is something you connect or agree with. I'm not going to buy your bull that you didn't put 2 and 2 together, give me a break.

Congratulations on learning that not everybody in the world is reasonable, in-turn, they can not be delt with reasonably.

On a small scale the closing of your store shows how weak liberalism is in the face of challange. In some strange aspect it is artistic in itself. I think it is a symbol of liberalisms misconceptions of dealing with the world.

Hopefully people will learn from this. Think of SF as your ivory tower, a place you are safe. Which helps your views and beliefs become myopic. You start to believe the entire world can be delt with by the same rules that apply to your world.

Wrong. As soon as you're faced with a challange in your own backyard you tuck tail and run. If you can't use your own beliefs to deal with somebody in your house, how do you expect a country to use your views to deal with radical terrorists or countries?

No, I do not want to hear from anybody saying this is art and has nothing to do with politics. That's complete bullshit. Lori is educated, she started a business, and I believe obviously she has political views associated with this picture.

The black-eye was crossing the line. Being spit in the face? Well isn't that a form of art and self expression? I mean, if naked abused people is art, or peeing in a jar is art, then spitting in somebodies face IS a form of expression. According to liberal ideals I think that is art. Heck, even the black-eye is art. I mean, I don't consider it art.

Now you know what it felt like for Vietnam soldiers who were returning. My dads friends came home, to have their feet stomped on, also spit in the face, ridiculed, and a number of other things. Some commited suicide because they couldn't live with the idea that people thought they were doing wrong.

Where is the artistic form of American hypocracy there? I have never seen nor heard of a picture showing how liberal Americans who love to show American-hypocracy abused our own.

Listen Lori. I disagree with this artwork. I think people are well aware of what is going on in the world and it doesn't take politically motivated art to get it across. I think these things are radical and off balance.

Real americans don't give up their dream or back down in the face of challange. I am not going to apologize for your store closing because if it were me I would keep it open. (I'd probably be a little more smart about how I do business though)

If you want to prove that your views can weather the storm, you need to open your store again. You have other options with your kids.

Otherwise, go ahead and send a message to the people who helped shut up down that they can win in a city that disagrees with them. I'm sure they will have more courage to put other liberal stores out of business.

Open it back up. Amazing, how the media likes to paint their pictures.

PS - Reading these posts again actually made me smile. I love the liberal reaction that "there are dark days" and you had a damn ceremony for your store. Have you attended any ceremonies for the troops KIA? How about 9/11? Or were you attending the ceremonies that it is our fault and we deserve it?

Thank you for giving me an additional arguement to point out how liberalism will also fail because it thinks it can appaise all people and succeed. Ever wonder why most business owners are conservative? This it's because they are evil conservatives or do you think that MAYBE the conservative principles work?

If the horse knocks you off, get back on.

Way to teach your kids a lesson! QUIT! Hope you're proud.

Posted by: Jason at May 30, 2004 11:01 AM

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I for one am glad to see this fool run like the liberal scum she is and supports. Hopefully more Americans will take actions to see that this kind of treason is dealt with accordingly.

Posted by: Robert T. Gaffney at May 30, 2004 01:02 PM

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You liberals have way to much free time. Why don't you all try to get real jobs, and actually try to benefit society.

Your "art" is rediculous, and your politics are a failure.

Posted by: Donald at May 30, 2004 01:55 PM

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Ahh I just love reading the comments of typical socialist kalifornians. You should all move to north korea.

Posted by: joseph stalin at May 30, 2004 11:16 PM

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Sorry to give you leftwingers the bad news but your darling Lori is a phony. Embezzled over$100k in Tennessee as Lori Capobianco, worked the Catholics for $1.2 million to pay off the embezzlement debt, is way behind on her rent and has a habit of threatening herself and banging her face on the wall. Maybe she can break her lease without penalty if enough people believe this act.

Posted by: Right winger at May 30, 2004 11:50 PM

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The United States of America was founded by tough, gutsy individuals who sought freedom. Through many hardships and ultimately a great loss of life, these patriots finally emerged victorious. They developed the strong, proud nation that I love with all my heart.

Our founding fathers would not have considered the perpetrators of hate crimes "True Americans," nor do I. I see them as nothing more than small-minded hoodlums at best.

Early Americans fought hard to achieve a society where we're empowered to express ourselves without the threat of persecution. The opposition to Ms. Haigh's decision (and right) to display Mr. Colwell's art, resulting in violence and threats, is reminiscent of the Third Reich. Surely, this isn't appealing to the "True American."

Posted by: Mark at May 30, 2004 12:14 PM

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What about an art show on the Killing of Mr. Pearl or even the painting of Nick Berg getting his head sawed off by a group of islamofasist's done in human blood. Now that would be good. Wake up. Do you think that the people you support with your sympathy will allow you to just get away with a black eye? A woman with your ideas would be dragged into the street and stoned to death by the very people you support. (If you were lucky).

Posted by: Raphael V at May 30, 2004 12:51 PM

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Yes, she had the right to display that 'art'. But she also knew that she did it with a degree of risk. You liberals jump at any chance to display America and Americas in a bad light and many Americans are tired of it. So tired of it, they lash out at those that do it. I'm not supported the threats against her for a minute. But you are the same group of people that think a bullwhip up some guys ass is art. Keep bashing Americans, keep taking every opportunity to make America look bad, keep trying to label Americans as 'facists' and you'll see more of this. Ironic how you liberals will praise the bombing of an abortion clinic yet think be shocked when someone relatiates over something like this. She knew this would be a very hot topic. If you want to call it courage, then call it courage. I wonder how many flattering pictures of American soldiers she had on display.

Posted by: IHateLiberals at May 31, 2004 12:20 AM

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I've been in the art business for 40 years and have learned that there are sick artists just as there are sick athletes and sick polititons, etc. You should have told Colwell that that was a piece of crap and sent him packing. I don't know what you were thinking. Just because some sicko puts an idea on canvas doesn't mean it's worthy of display.

Posted by: adams at May 31, 2004 07:08 AM

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I wish to commend Lori Capobianco on her ability to profit on victimhood. In late 2001, it was brilliant to suddenly allege that she had been impregnated by an already admitted child molester 20+ years earlier. She received a quick $1.2 mil. settlement. That gave her the ability to make the court ordered restitution to the fellow she embezzled over $107,000. from in Tennessee.

And now, the IRS has a Federal Tax Lien filed against her for illegally avoiding taxes. Big settlements mean big taxes, even for Lori. It's pure genius to blame her failure as a business woman on random acts of violence by pro administration boogeymen. Never mind that the boogeymen don't exist, the anti government theme comes through loud and clear. It attracts folks in these parts. I hear Lori's friends are going to have fund raisers for her. She did it again, she is the greatest.

We, who are exposing Lori, do not condone violence or censorship. Nor do we believe in being conned.

Posted by: right winger at June 1, 2004 09:35 AM

[Ed. Note: No, right wingers never condone violence. Remember how understanding they were when Kos made some comments regarding mercenaries?

Apparently there weren't enough people looking at this story or this story or this story to suit this right winger's taste. a classic example of slime and defend given to us by a classically-named wrongwingnut.

Even if these allegations about the gallery owner's character are true, does that give someone the right to do this?

It's so nice to see these fine examples of compassionate conservatism in action...]