An artist's incendiary painting is his bank statement

[TechMan]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bank-painting-20110828,0,4395501.story

Artist setups on sidewalk and starts painting a Chase bank on fire.  Police show up because somebody had called and said they felt threatened by his painting.  Police question artist and ask if he was a terrorist and if he was going to follow through with what he was painting.  Artist tells them no it is a visual metaphor and a terrorist wouldn't spend hours on a sidewalk painting.  The next Tuesday detectives show up at artist's house, again asking him if he was going to set the bank ablaze.  Bank Spokesbot says "It's a situation we don't take lightly.  Hopefully, this is not what his actions are.  It's kind of scary - you don't know what other people are thinking.  We have to look out for the safety of our customers and employees."  Artist has only had 2 police encounters in his life, these were both of them.  He believes he will be getting different treatment at the airports.

[Monkeyleg]

Unreal. I wonder if they'll question Bruce Willis about blown up skyscrapers.

[MikeB]

I'm one of those that blame government regulations and "incentives" more than the banks for the current banking "crisis", though obviously there is a great deal to question about some banking practices. Still I think this would be a clear 1st Amendment issue and don't see how this could possibly be a credible threat requiring a follow up visit by police.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

are we supposed to see this as a violation?

[zxcvbob]

Make the bad man go away!  His art makes me uncomfortable!  [cue the stormtroopers]

[dogmush]

are we supposed to see this as a violation?

IIRC govt. actions that have a "chilling effect" on free speech or expression are considered a violation of the First. so if he were to feel like there would be repercussions to continuing his art (TSA harassment) or if he felt intimidated by the police interest then it would be a violation.

[Tallpine]

The details are sketchy, and all my attempts to get answers have been brushed off.

[seeker_two]

Unreal. I wonder if they'll question Bruce Willis about blown up skyscrapers.

....or Samuel L. Jackson about herpetological bioweapons....

[sanglant]

or Hoffa jr about killing 20% of Americans?

[brimic]

Dislike a Jesus statue made out of poop? "Its art and if you don't accept it, we will destroy your reputation, you vile hater of humanity."
Make a painting of a mega-bank on fire? "You have attacked one of the most important underpinnings of our society. We will destroy you for this act, you heathen!"

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

We will destroy you for this act,


really?  cops coming to talk to you is "destroying"?

[brimic]

Hyberbole you don't get.

[Jamie B]

First thought: blowing up a bank is a bad thing?

Second thought: we have truly developed into a nation of no-common-sense spineless pansies.

[MicroBalrog]

are we supposed to see this as a violation?

No, of course not. After all, the man had merely been questioned.

He hasn't been imprisoned or anything. So everything is fine. Move along.

[TechMan]

The details are sketchy, and all my attempts to get answers have been brushed off.

I see what you did there.  

[MrsSmith]

This reminds me of when I got a call from my son's school about his violation of their zero-tolerance policy with regard to weapons. I had to leave work to go meet with the vice-principal who'd had Jay sitting in his office for the two hours it took them to discuss it amongst themselves, call me at work, and me to get there. It seems Jay was caught with a 3-inch long, army-green, plastic, GI Joe rifle.
"Yes, it's a toy gun, but it's still a gun and we have a zero-tolerance policy. Your son will receive two days in-school suspension."
Really? I took the "gun" off the VPs desk, pointed it at him and said, "Bang." with a deadpan expression. I didn't make the list of most popular parents that school year.
Jay was five. And had absolutely no comprehension that a 3-inch long, army-green, plastic, GI Joe rifle could result in the death of his classmates. 

Think I might have to see if the boys still have those toys. Maybe I could take one with me the next time I fly. Since I always get searched anyway, might as well give TSA something to find. I could stick it in my bra.

I know this doesn't have anything to do with artists painting fire on a bank but the stupidity of it reminded me of this episode.

[brimic]

This reminds me of when I got a call from my son's school about his violation of their zero-tolerance policy with regard to weapons. I had to leave work to go meet with the vice-principal who'd had Jay sitting in his office for the two hours it took them to discuss it amongst themselves, call me at work, and me to get there. It seems Jay was caught with a 3-inch long, army-green, plastic, GI Joe rifle.
"Yes, it's a toy gun, but it's still a gun and we have a zero-tolerance policy. Your son will receive two days in-school suspension."
Really? I took the "gun" off the VPs desk, pointed it at him and said, "Bang." with a deadpan expression. I didn't make the list of most popular parents that school year.
Jay was five. And had absolutely no comprehension that a 3-inch long, army-green, plastic, GI Joe rifle could result in the death of his classmates. 

Off topic as well, but...
 When my son was in daycare, he got reprimanded and a notewas sent home because my son held a banana 'like a gun.'

The next day I packed these in his lunch:

[TechMan]

Off topic as well, but...
 When my son was in daycare, he got reprimanded and a notewas sent home because my son held a banana 'like a gun.'

The next day I packed these in his lunch:

Love It!!!!!!
Any other notes?

[230RN]

I feel threatened by this thread.

It shows a lack of Respect For Authority.

It has several implications for surreptitiously introducing the Concept of Weapons into Schools, Brassieres, and other Sensitive Areas.

And the very Concept of Weapons can be dangerous, especially when introduced into the tender minds of our Young People and most especially into the tender minds of The Authorities.

Any Concept of Weaponry except in the hands of the Military and Police is Bad Terroristic Stuff.

Terry, 230RN

[Perd Hapley]

When my son was in daycare, he got reprimanded and a notewas sent home because my son held a banana 'like a gun.'

I think my mind just broke.

[French G.]

Unreal. I wonder if they'll question Bruce Willis about blown up skyscrapers.

....or Samuel L. Jackson about herpetological bioweapons....

No and no, not artists.

I got a talking to from the authorities when I was in school, but to be fair I did have a copy of Improvised Munitions FM in my locker, just brought it to show a friend. Had I been in school a little more recently I suspect I'd be news.  Just because a kid gets bored launching model rockets vertically doesn't make him a terrorist.
Hmm, made a clay gun in art class, took a working air rifle as part of a 5th grade halloween costume, I'm sure many more watchlist activities.

[zxcvbob]

When my son was in daycare, he got reprimanded and a note was sent home because my son held a banana 'like a gun.'

You should have called them "racist".  (they wouldn't have expected that and their heads might explode)

I love the Gummi army men.  Where'd you find something like that?

[brimic]

I love the Gummi army men.  Where'd you find something like that?

A deli near where I work in Milwaukee makes/sells them.

[TechMan]

Ask and you shall receive.

http://www.amazon.com/Albanese-Gummi-Military-Heroes-1-5/dp/B0056NZRVS

http://www.amazon.com/Albanese-Army-Guys-4-5-ounces-Pack/dp/B004G92TJQ/ref=sr_1_72?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1315836841&sr=1-72

[MrsSmith]

Ask and you shall receive.

Just wanted to flag this in case I need it for anything in the future. Thanks Adively!