NEA SCANDAL: The Public Still Deserves Answers From the NEA
by Patrick CourrielcheThe Washington Times is reporting that Yosi Sergant is no longer Communications Director of the National Endowment for the Arts.
I find this troubling on several fronts. First, it is always unfortunate when someone loses their job and I do not celebrate in the news of Mr. Sergant’s removal from his Communications Director position. However, he is a public servant and there are consequences for the behavior he displayed once the news of the conference call was released.
Yosi Sergant
But more troubling has been the National Endowment for the Arts’ reaction to conference call inquiries. The position that the National Endowment for the Arts is taking is that the agency was solely a participant on the call and any suggestion that the call was meant to promote a legislative agenda is “simply false.” I believe further review of the invite and audio recordings from the conference call will lead to a different conclusion – clearly revealing the intent of the call as well as the NEA’s role in initiating the meeting.
An effort of this nature is not approved by the Communications Director of the NEA. The National Endowment for the Arts has still not answered who approved encouraging a handpicked arts group, one that played a key role in the President’s election as mentioned throughout the conference call, to create art on the very issues that are currently under contentious national debate – those being health care and cap-and-trade legislation.
I think the public deserves a clear answer from the National Endowment for the Arts on this matter.
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62 Comments
Their dismissal of Sergant is clearly them trying to sweep this thing under the rug in hopes that people will go away, just like the Van Jones resignation. Keep pressing them for answers
Ah, but they didn't dismiss him – they moved him to another position.
"We have other work for you…you were too obvious here, you need to be sneakier…"
Patrick, please keep up the investigation. You are doing what seems so many have failed to do, ask questions. I have been following this and as an artist I am appalled by the organized injection of propaganda into the creative process and the possible impact this can have on not only our society but the process itself. Where have we gone wrong?
Don't these artists who found nothing wrong with the NEA's actions, realize today they may be making 'art' in support of political agendas they support; but what happens when they are told to make 'art' to fit a political agenda they do NOT support?
Keep up the good work Patrick!
I have been following this since your first story, and I have been telling others about what the NEA is doing. I'm glad other websites are finally reporting on it as well.
[...] Fwank isn’t going to like this. While still an employee of the National Endowment for the Arts, Yosi Sergant has been asked to resign from his post of Communications Director. According to the Washington [...]
I will never understand these leftist malcontent phonies who support the NEA and will promote every worthless bad artist and filmmaker out there as long as the art attacks religion and films attack our traditions. The NEA is supported by lots of donations and I heard that our tax dollars isn't making a big dent in their overall budget. If the liberals love this useless program, cut off our taxes and make Babs, Lucas, Clooney, Stevie-boy, Sean Penn all these pillars of society who have hundreds of millions of dollars to substitute they tax money and they get the write off too, then they can propagandize any piece of crap they want to. This is one way to get rid of conservatives from fighting them everything they promote the Blessed Mother in elephant poop. Come on libtards beak-down and spend some of that hard earn cash that the people you despised that pay your salary at the box office.
I have no doubt the NEA was up to political tricks. This is the most ideologically driven administration I've ever seen in my 45+ years. There isn't a moment that goes by where every single one of them wonders what they can spin to their political advantage next.
They'll get sent to Siberi—er, Michigan's UP, where they can be reeducated.
You say the call is asking artists to create art on the issues that are currently under contentious national debate –health care and cap-and-trade legislation, etc. But were these artists encouraged or required to make art that supports the Obama Administration's positions on these issues? Are these artists not free to create something that dissents with the Administration's position, such as the very effective Obama-as-Joker piece that became very popular recently? Is it not the job of dissenting artists and/or art promoters such as yourself, Patrick, to make sure that there are effective anti-Obama voices in the arts community? Anti-Bush artists were in your position for 8 years, and they managed to make their voices heard loud & clear during that time.
I don't care if artists want to make art supporting their political beliefs. In a free country, that's their right. What I DON'T want is for them to use my tax dollars to do it.
Patrick – You took down another piece of the communist ice berg. The creep resigned. Now please follow up and watch what the NEA funds. Are they going ahead and funding pro obama propaganda art projects?
Thanks so much for caring about freedom so much!
Couldn't gree with you more! The government has no place supplying funds for the arts. Well there are a lot of things the government has no place in, but that's another story.
[...] is filed under America – Blogs, Big Hollywood. You can follow any responses to this [...] Big Hollywood » Blog Archive » The Public Deserves Answers From the NEA – September 10th, 2009 at 12:05 [...]
I only have one question. All it takes is to just scream about it, get the guy kicked out, and it's all over, right? Is that how these things work in other countries that have tried this? I wonder.
[...] there are reports the NEA’s Communications Director has resigned, or been reassigned, or something Politico says is utterly cryptic: “The communications [...]
Dismiss EVERYONE, empty the offices, end the "endowments" and rent out the building….
…FINISHED, DONE, ALL PROBLEMS SOLVED, TEXAS STYLE!
Well it the Reich lasts for a thousand years, then they dont have to worry about it.
Me too, WHY must the feds be involved…if a grown man wants to finger paint and hang it up on a street corner, fine. leave me and my tax$$$$$ out of it.
Hell's Bells…Barrack ain't gonna' get his face carved on Mt. Commie that way.
Talking about making a molehill into a mountain. I seriously question Patrick's altruism. It seems to me that he's finally in the center of something Glenn Beck-worthy and is riding it for all it's worth. If this "investigation" is being pursued in the name of Democracy, then Democracy has become a petty examination of nothingness.
Is this really a concern worth belaboring on? Art and culture influencing politics and vice versa? Is this anything new, or for that matter, something dangerous? It's a wonderful thing to see that the egocentric world of the arts has stepped out of their self-involved bubbles and would like to make an impact on history.
Patrick, get on the news for something worthwhile.
It's OUR money being used.
How can you not get that point?
Never mind. I know the answer.
Way to go Patrick, you're a brave man!
I see your point but your crusade is due to the fact that this movement was born out of resistance to the corporate media machine that is driving the health care debate and representing only 25% of the US population.
When an artist(writer, painter, musician, potter etc.) produces political messages paid for by the political power in charge at that time, it is no longer art. It is advertising or worse propoganda.
I like artists. I like music, good writing, painters, potters etc.. The people who participated in these phone calls and agreed to promote the current political savior are NOT artists.
DEFUND THE NEA!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not exactly the 'art' kind of character, nor a fan of many conservatives, but I regard this as a major big deal; a mountain. And it's characteristic of everything else this whitehouse does – we won, we control…everything and everyone.
Oh my. This has gotten out of hand. Sir, you have now created your 15 minutes of fame. Congratulations. Along with all these other people, who have committed to the slandering of the administration in the most obscene ways, you have gathered forces to hold back a wave of change that can only be looked at by the rest of the world and hopefully, the majority of Americans, as good and necessary. This moment in history is not one that can be compared to the Nazi regime, the Reich, the Weimar Republic, the USSR, Communism, Socialism or any other dogma, or idiot's delight. This is an administration who is attempting to revamp America so it can compete in the 21st century. Are all of you living on another planet? Do you not see what is happening to the United States? From car manufacturing to deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan we are teetering on the edge of survival. Wall Street, war and big money is ruining our lives. Can you actually be so blind not to see this? That is obscene. And you worry that the NEA, a government agency surviving on almost nothing, is going to influence people's lives. You are shallow, ignorant and sad. It is shameful. And you Patrick….you're blind. You wil cause such a stir that the NEA will cease to exist. Money that can go to anyone strong enough to maybe dissent, or to call the NEA on a blunder, will no longer be able to survive. May your time in Hollywood be very short. Dissent is an elegant process. Not for showman who like to bleed the psyche with such trash as Glenn Beck. He is single handedly destroying movement in the country. He will provoke violence and and hatred. We are going backwards and you are a huge cause.
In fact, much better art. Taxpayer art is crap art, almost without exception.
He wasn't kicked out, just transferred. Sort of like the Boston Archdiocese did with those kiddie-groping priests….
You would have a point if the NEA had had a similar conference call with conservative artists in which the NEA encouraged the conservatives to express their point of view on health care and cap-and-trade. But that's not what happened. The NEA was very clearly only interested in encouraging art that would support Obama's agenda. Just because the artists were not compelled to create art doesn't make this okay.
What we are talking about is violations of several Federal laws beginning with the Hatch Act, and the laundering of Federal 'stimulus' money into political lobbying. It's illegal as all hell.
Thanks for keeping on this, Patrick. This bothers me on so many levels. It is just wrong for the White House to turn a federal agency into their propaganda arm. The NEA was established as an independent agency. It is supposed to be free of influence and direction from other government agencies, departments, and officials. This should absolutely not be happening and the White House shouldn't get away with it.
[...] on who you asked – was either a perfectly innocent conversation with various artists, or a recruitment drive for commissioned artwork in the Obamaist Realist style. This is being scored as another win for Glenn Beck, although [...]
[...] on who you asked – was either a perfectly innocent conversation with various artists, or a recruitment drive for commissioned artwork in the Obamaist Realist style. This is being scored as another win for Glenn Beck, although [...]
[...] on who you asked – was either a perfectly innocent conversation with various artists, or a recruitment drive for commissioned artwork in the Obamaist Realist style. This is being scored as another win for Glenn Beck, although [...]
"Move along… there's nothing here."
Obi-Wan Kenobi
In my mind it’s not good enough that these people just get to walk away, Van Jones etc. There should be hearings of some sort criminal prosecutions, you name it. They are simply shuffling the deck with the same group of miscreants, same group, same result, not cool.
This is why I'm for the Separation of Art and State.
Note: The Renaissance happened without Federal funding.
This is why I'm for the Separation of Art and State.
Note: There was art before Federal funding.
The Communications Director is toast? Why, because he let the conversations leak? Kumar is the one who needs to go.
First, it is always unfortunate when someone loses their job
He wasn't laid off, downsized, or let go for economic reasons. He screwed up, and was fired. As you stated, Patrick, actions have consequences, and there is no doubt he knew exactly what he was doing, and the risk he was taking by doing so. I find his firing refreshing, and not at all unfortunate. In a socialist government like Obama and the Democrats envision, we're down-right *lucky* he was fired.
Glen Beck is a raving emotional fanatic. Kinda reminds me of… hmmm… I wonder…
Scott: it's the Federal Government that is ruining our lives. Look at all the ills you complain of: government lies at the root of it.
You are actually such a dupe as to believe the State has your best interests at heart? That government ever, ever makes anything better? You sad, pathetic fool. You sheep, bleating about "Wall Street, war and big money," and just begging that nice young shepherd to bring you into that nice, warm building taht the other sheep are going into (but never seem to come out of).
You weakminded, gullible little children are the living definitions of Useful Idiots.
"You wil cause such a stir that the NEA will cease to exist"
Good. It accomplishes nothing but the generation of shit art by talentless hacks who would have to get real jobs otherwise.
They beleive they can do anything they want. The goverment has gotton away with it for so long. But now it is time to take our country back before its to late. I have quit going to the box office and giving them money. Thats what we need to start doing.
We have endured drawings and photos etc. in the USA that have been foisted upon us as "great art" when the same stuff eventually hits the trash bin when Mom exchanges it for new on the fridge. No, beauty isn't rated only in the eye off the beholder, true beauty is also registered in the heart and soul and brain. The NEA cannot be reformed. It must be deleted. It kills the independence of the artist and the products do not reflect or benefit our culture or the world, in any way. The products lie about our culture, and the works should only be taped to the artist's fridge. Nothing more. Art flourished freely and artists were really admired and respected for their unique talent and spirit BEFORE the NEA changed things. This government's TRESPASSING footprint is same reason to slam the door on the toes of the so-called "Healthcare Reform." Government belongs in some programs to help citizens, not in programs that MANIPULATE our lives or PROPAGANDIZE our thinking. Even in the other established programs, government fumbles the ball. Look at the Post Office, look at Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. AND THERE IS NO INTEREST IN FIXING ANYTHING, just keeping status quo or watching them crash – no bailouts for government programs that citizens are depending on – there are only takeover bailouts for automobiles and banks in order to grab more control. We are an independent people who must protect our freedoms. LETS FREE OUR ARTISTS FROM THE GUANTANAMO PRISON of the NEA that hobbles them around in ankle bracelets with NEA guard's hands on their shoulders and elbows and paintbrushes and cameras and computers/typewriters. Put the money in those currently endangered public services… and also dump the other NEA that damages our children's souls, independence, intelligence: the National Education Association. Both are baaaad to the bone, America. Bad to the bone. Let's do it. This will be a fight, but Freedom Calls.
So, Patrick, now John Cornyn is now seizing on what you wrote in your blog to put a stranglehold on the Obama administration, and make things all that much more difficult for those of us who are trying to support Obama's laudable, indeed historic efforts to increase government arts funding to appropriate levels.
You've made our work that much more difficult in difficult times. I would like to see you step up and explain to us why you felt it was so vital to do this. And whether you wrote what you wrote in full awareness of the consequences that are now playing their ugly way out in full view. And whether you will now take responsibility for limiting the damage that you have played such a prominent part in bringing about.
for real? you think thats the White House's intention to turn the NEA into their propaganda arm? this whole affair has been blown out of proportion like usual by conservatives …
glenn beck and patrick c comparing this nazi propaganda techniques is such load of hyperbole
then complaining how tax dollars are are going to the NEA ….ummm have looked lately how much tax dollars have went to the iraqi war and the mission to the attain the WMD's that were never found ….
well the clear intent by both patrick and glenn is ratings and personal attention,,,, which they definitely hit the mark on that
Patrick Courrielche you play this like you are some kind of martyr for justice which in fact what you did has about the same merits as parking citation officer…go crawl back into your hollywood celebrity hole
Thank you so much for keeping on this story. You are right, it is not about Glenn Beck, or Yosi Sergant. It is not about YOU, it is about the NEA being used for a purpose it is NOT intended. Does the Left really want the NEA to be politicized and reduced to a propaganda ministry?
[...] Also, last week, Glenn Beck ran several stories about the National Endowment for the Arts acting as a propaganda arm for the White House. I wrote a diary that includes all of the specific details about the scandal. However, you can also view the embed of Beck discussing the matter below with blogger Patrick Courrielche who first broke the story on the blog Big Hollywood.com. [...]
[...] Also, last week, Glenn Beck ran several stories about the National Endowment for the Arts acting as a propaganda arm for the White House. I wrote a diary that includes all of the specific details about the scandal. However, you can also view the embed of Beck discussing the matter below with blogger Patrick Courrielche who first broke the story on the blog Big Hollywood.com. [...]
I love how Yosi Sergant wears the Arafat terrorist rag around his neck in some photos. Another misguide leftist Jew with a mental problem.
Here is my take on Yosi…
http://jef-costello.blogspot.com/
Patrick, you're not a "right-wing nut job". You are worse–you are an angry Hillary supporter. Like most Hillary supporters you hate that Obama took the White House and like most Hillary supporters you will do anything you can to destroy the Obama administration, even if it means ruing the career of a man you once considered a friend and painting the NEA with a broad brush of propaganda.
Patrick, you're not a "right-wing nut job". You are worse–you are an angry Hillary supporter. Like most Hillary supporters you hate that Obama took the White House and like most Hillary supporters you will do anything you can to destroy the Obama administration, even if it means ruing the career of a man you once considered a friend and painting the NEA with a broad brush of propaganda.
[...] hope the NEA addresses this soon so that they can get back to their mandated artistic, not political, [...]
[...] hope the NEA addresses this soon so that they can get back to their mandated artistic, not political, [...]
[...] hope the NEA addresses this soon so that they can get back to their mandated artistic, not political, [...]
Obama Appointees: The gifts that just keep on giving!
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