RESPONSE TO NEA CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT: Throwing Yosi Sergant Under the Bus Isn’t an Answer
by Patrick Courrielche“Senate confirmed my boss today…and we’re off!” — As posted by Yosi Sergant on Twitter August 7th.
Those were the words of the former Communications Director of the National Endowment for the Arts three days before the conference call. However Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in a recent statement declared that Yosi Sergant acted “unilaterally and without the approval or authorization” from his superior.
NEA Chair Rocco Landesman
Taking the Chairman’s statement at face value and moving on would be the easy thing to do. However, the details of the Chairman’s statement need to be addressed.
First, if the former Communications Director “acted unilaterally and without approval or authorization” from his superior, why is he still working for the NEA? Wouldn’t an act as rogue as bringing together a pro-Obama arts group and encouraging them to create art on health care have triggered an immediate dismissal if it was actually without authorization?
Let’s not forget, Buffy Wicks from the White House Office of Public Engagement was on the call. And from the transcript of the call it is obvious that she was aware of the goal of the call, which was to “support some of the President’s initiatives,” and cognizant of the audience’s affinity for the President, hence her thanking them for the two-plus years of support on his campaign.
Kalpen Modi with President Obama
Secondly, what specific aspect of his actions were unilateral and without approval? Definitely not the encouragement of the art community to tackle health care, energy and the environment, because that same request was part of a different but similar conference call invitation scheduled for August 27th. That invitation was sent out by Kalpen Modi (”Kal Penn”), Associate Director for the White House Office of Public Engagement, and was sent to a completely different arts group. As discussed in a previous post, the NEA and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) were on the invitation and scheduled to be on that conference call as well. However both federal arts organizations backed out of participating on the call, which was held two days after my original article went live on Big Hollywood.
Thirdly, in the first issued statement by the National Endowment for the Arts, the NEA stated that they “participated” in the call. In Mr. Landesman’s new statement, the NEA’s involvement changed to “helped organize and participated” in the conference call. Why did “helped organize” get added to the classification of their involvement?
The National Endowment for the Arts has already conceded that some of the language on the conference call was “not appropriate.” Clarification on the three points above would bring full transparency to this federal agency.
Also in need of clarification are the statements from the White House. ABC News’ Jake Tapper reported Tuesday that The White House has issued a response to the August 10th conference call. The White House seemed to concede that the call was inappropriate, stating that the call had the “incorrect appearance that politics” had something to do with NEA grant decisions.
White House spokesman Bill Burton told ABC News the following:
“The point of the call was to encourage voluntary participation in a national service initiative by the arts community. To the extent there was any misunderstanding about what the NEA may do to support the national service initiative, we will correct it. We regret any comments on the call that may have been misunderstood or troubled other participants. We are fully committed to the NEA’s historic mission, and we will take all steps necessary to ensure that there is no further cause for questions or concerns about that commitment.”
ABC News also reported:
Today White House officials are meeting with the chiefs of staff of the executive branch agencies to discuss rules and best practices in this area, a conversation during which they will be told that while the White House lawyers do not believe that the NEA call violated the law, “the appearance issues troubled some participants,” Burton said. “It is the policy of the administration that grant decisions should be on the merits and that government officials should avoid even creating the incorrect appearance that politics has anything to do with these decisions.”
I am happy that the White House is reacting to the inquiries regarding this issue. But I’d like to address “the appearance issues” that Mr. Burton referenced.
Buffy Wicks
The August 10th conference call audio shows that the NEA and The White House Office of Public Engagement knew that they were speaking to a pro-Obama arts group about addressing the topic of health care. This came at a time when the issue of health care reform was being vehemently debated nationally. Additionally, the invitation to the August 27th conference call shows the same structure as my conference call, including a third party moderator in Americans for the Arts, references to tackling the same recovery agenda issues, and the participation of the White House and the NEA. As mentioned this meeting was held two days after my original post, and the NEA backed out of being on that call.
It seems to me that there is more than an appearance issue.
The above issues should be addressed by both the National Endowment for the Arts and the White House for there to be a resolution to this arts effort.
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Tips & Feedback
66 Comments
[...] Agenda Ed Driscoll, Pajamas Media: Artistic License Indeed Patrick Courrielche, Big Hollywood: RESPONSE TO NEA CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT: Throwing Yosi Sergant Under the Bus Isn’t an Answer and EXPLOSIVE NEW AUDIO Reveals White House Using NEA to Push Partisan Agenda and The National [...]
[...] Agenda Ed Driscoll, Pajamas Media: Artistic License Indeed Patrick Courrielche, Big Hollywood: RESPONSE TO NEA CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT: Throwing Yosi Sergant Under the Bus Isn’t an Answer and EXPLOSIVE NEW AUDIO Reveals White House Using NEA to Push Partisan Agenda and The National [...]
There will be no governmental response–the public and the media need to storm this story. This is propaganda with a smile and a corruption of artists and art. People need to put two and two together here:
“‘God Bless America.’ No, no, no, God damn America” –Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr. (Barack’s “uncle”)
“We are content and happy if Obama can stay forever as the president of the United States.” –Moammar Kadafi (on “his son”)
Ummmmnn okaaaaaayy…?
Great work Patrick.
Actions speak louder than words.
They didn't even throw him under the bus. They "transferred" him to another position. One in which they won't say what he is doing. Sounds like he is getting a free ride and they are trying to make it "appear" that they are doing something. Everybody heard on the tape that they admitted themselves that they were braking the law.
Thanks for your yeoman work on this, Patrick. Each time you or another brings out the filth and corruption in our government, the closer we are to having people's eyes opened.
Every time the White House or the NEA respond to this issue… they just beg for more questions. Until they are completely open and transparent about this issue and stop acting like the put-upon, nagged spouse doing just enough to stop the conversation, the issue will never go away. THEY are keeping the story alive through they're horrible management of the matter.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Big Hollywood and Julie Bryan. Julie Bryan said: RT @bighollywood RESPONSE TO NEA CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT: Throwing Yosi Sergant Under the Bus Isn’t an Answer http://bit.ly/1b241m [...]
No matter what the government and the NEA says or does to try and 'fix' this issue, the damage is done. Those 'artists' now know what is expected of them.
Everything the White House is involved in is so corrupt and intertwined that being completely open and transparent about this issue would result in impeachment.
Not going to happen.
From the United States Office of Special Counsel's own website (http://www.osc.gov/ha_fed.htm)
These federal and D.C. employees may not:
-use official authority or influence to interfere with an election (too bad ACORN isn't on the list of covered agencies)
-solicit or discourage political activity of anyone with business before their agency
-solicit or receive political contributions (may be done in certain limited situations by federal labor or other employee organizations)
-engage in political activity while:
–on duty
–in a government office
Penalties are stated as:
"An employee who violates the Hatch Act shall be removed from their position, and funds appropriated for the position from which removed thereafter may not be used to pay the employee or individual."
Pretty clear. Another abuse by the obama administration and another sweep under the carpet of a transgressor.
Where is the mainstream media on this? If this were the Bush or Reagan administrations the tagline would be– "What did the President know and when did he know it?". The hypocrisy here is frightening.
"grant decisions should be on the merits" and "government officials should avoid even creating the incorrect appearance that politics has anything to do with these decisions.”
I am so glad to hear that, because I have heard of a young film-maker who might be able to use a grant. His latest work was a little patchy, because he only had $1,300 to spend producing it. I'm not much of a film expert, but he seemed to have ability as a maker of documentaries. I'm sure no one else has ever heard of him though. Some guy named James O'Keefe.
Yosi was not fired because he didn't initiate the plan to break the law. He was following orders from the White House. Besides, if he were fired, who knows, he might become a whistleblower.
Real artists don't need government funding…they survive via individual patrons and gallery sales. These are just failed artists that think the president is "Obama-riffic!" Also, I'm glad to see the lawsuit filed by ACORN against the heroic filmmakers will be opened up to discovery. I hope the Landmark Legal Foundation represents the defense.
Hey — I want to make sure this guy is NOT getting paid from the tax dollars I send to BIGGOV. What can we do?
I agree with you. Where is mainstream media? It's like they all drank the same kool aide or something.
My take is that the president, well versed in propoganda was most likely was well aware of the intentions of Landesman and Ms Wicks early on……..
The transcripts are so clear. The meeting was about helping Obama push his agenda on Healthcare Reform, Cap and Trade and Education by finding ways to appeal to the American Public – please read the transcripts
[...] surprising, considering the way that Sergant was hung out to dry by his superiors. No word yet whether ACORN / Obama for America crony Buffy Wicks will suffer a [...]
[...] surprising, considering the way that Sergant was hung out to dry by his superiors. No word yet whether ACORN / Obama for America crony Buffy Wicks will suffer a [...]
[...] surprising, considering the way that Sergant was hung out to dry by his superiors. No word yet whether ACORN / Obama for America crony Buffy Wicks will suffer a [...]
Kill the NEA? M
aybe that's the "Violence" that Nancy Pelosi was crying over.
I am not sure if I am for killing the NEA, I mean who will urinate into a jar and put an upside down figure of christ in it without the NEA, or make a virgin mary out of dung, or fund a homo-erotic play, who will civilization surrive?
Yeah, you really have to think carefully about this… LMAO, leftist are such imbeciles…
I finally have a pic of the bamster with his new boytoy Kalpen Modi…. looks like some SERIOUS chemistry going on there.
I could give a rats a$$ about Yosi. I want to know what's going to happen with all of those in the WH who were involved and instigated this partisan crapfest of pushing Obama's agenda.
Actually. I think they threw him under a Prius. He would be dismayed if it were a bus.
The thought of Pelosi's estate being distributed to next of kin would be amusing but I'd rather she be forced to use facial soap from WalMart for the rest of her days on earth.
Do you know what is horrifying? The day before Kadafi said that, the thought had crossed my mind that I wouldn't put it past obama to try and stay president forever…For the love of God and Country, I HOPE that never becomes a reality.
I wish we could get them de-funded,and investigaton of their wrong doing but the W.H. being invole it want happen.
[...] Buffy Wicks also step down? (Via Instapundit.) As Patrick Courrielche, who also participated, reminds us: And from the transcript of the call it is obvious that she was aware of the goal of the call, [...]
Christopher Arellano and Yosi Sergant both gained 61 votes in the 31st Congressional District Obama Caucus and the tie was broken by a coin toss.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlveDs-ut6U
Your Daily Politics Video Blog: The Manifest Hope Exhibit is an art gallery open during the inauguration that gathers together an array of visual artwork all focused around our incoming president. TPMtv caught up with producer and curator Yosi Sergant and Shepard Fairey, the artist responsible for the iconic "Hope" poster.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THXGnLx-7as
On this eve of historic change in America, we visit the Manifest Hope: DC gallery exhibition in Washington, DC. Manifest Hope: DC is a hopeful and moving collection of works by over 100 of the nations artists, celebrating the grassroots movement that ushered Barack Obama into the presidency.
First time guest Change Correspondent Ali Bates Fisher speaks with Yosi Sergant, curator and producer of the exhibition, as well as a few of the exhibiting artists, Aniakon, Ron English, Margaret Cusack and Derek Gores. This was a momentous time to be in Washington, something most of the world wont soon forget.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-OrPE6auJw
Artist Michael Cuffe – Vanity Fair – Manifest Hope DC Gala Party – 9/19/2009
Vanity Fair clippet from Manifest Hope D.C. that ends with a response from artist Michael Cuffe – with artist Lyrica Glory. Shot the night before the inauguration of President Obama .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItQqjLGf2X8
Be sure to look at the SEIU sign at this Obama party
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItQqjLGf2X8
Be sure to look at the SEIU sign at this Obama party
@ 1:24
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItQqjLGf2X8
The Obama Experiment – Support Wellness: Nationalize Health Care – Painting by Michael Cuffe
http://www.youtube.com/user/ArtofMichaelCuffe#pla...
Obama staffer, Buffy Wicks, explains to Los Angeles Precinct Captains that support for Obama must be personal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPIOfijN2a4
I'm so glad you made that point, it can not be driven home enough. Perhaps we would get better art if we quit funding the talentless. It's kind of like schools the more money you pump in the dumber the students get.
The 'Right Wing Nuts' are being vindicated almost daily perhaps it's time to just refer to us as the 'Right Wing' we know who has the nut problem.
"leftist are such imbeciles… " couldn't agree more.
I was thinking it looked like Kalpen was going from man crush to, get out of my personal space. Perhaps he's rethinking signing on board it turns out the position that he has could land him in jail if he follows Obama's policies.
Had the story not broke when it did it would have been him on a call as well. It turns out people are done with political corruption. Both sides are equal offenders and it's time for people to start landing in jail for breaking the law.
[...] Lane: The firing is not surprising, considering the way that Sergant was hung out to dry by his superiors. No word yet whether ACORN / Obama for America crony Buffy Wicks will suffer a [...]
Sadly throwing Yosi Sergant under the bus is their answer.
Sweep sweep…it's under the rug, can we not talk about this again?
Patrick…why are you now trying to defend Yosi. Do you feel guilty what you did to someone who use to work for you? What happened in that relationship? Why don't you come clean about your prior relationship with Yosi. You said in your first blog that you were his boss. What happened? This thing spiral out of control and now you feel guilty? Sad…
Obama is sending his goons to the "Hill"! MORE PRESSURE NEEDED
CHECK OUT THIS LINK! http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090923/pl_poli...
I work in government and see this all the time. Managers are told to break rules to get projects out the door, when they are caught, they are almost never fired because the smart ones have the email that told them to skirt the law. It's that saved email that gets you a transfer. No saved email makes you have to look for another job.
[...] to new guidelines for the NEA. The firing is not surprising, considering the way that Sergant was hung out to dry by his superiors. No word yet whether ACORN / Obama for America crony Buffy Wicks will suffer a [...]
HAIL COURRIELCHE!
HAIL COURRIELCHE!
You have exposed such a subtle and subversive plot to the American Way.
I am indebted to you, Sir.
What does anyone expect from unsuccessful artists, the days of struggling and starving are over…
If they could make it on their own, had more integrity and pride in their work, produced something people wanted and had some sense of history…They would not be selling what's left of their self respect to the government.
That was after Buffy painted him into a corner…Lol!
I'm sure the WH public affairs poodle Gibbs will be forthcoming with that info…These people are too self absorbed, it's why they can't relate to things like personal integrity.
Now that's some real diversity going on…lol
[...] Courrielche, Big Hollywood: Statement on the Recording of the August 10 NEA Conference Call and RESPONSE TO NEA CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT: Throwing Yosi Sergant Under the Bus Isn’t an Answer UrbanGrounds: NEA: The Next ACORN to Fall? Riehl World View: Connected: The NEA, ACORN And [...]
HAIL COURRIELCHE!
HAIL COURRIELCHE!
You exposed such a subtle and subversive plot against American Way.
More importantly, you got results.
I am indebted to you, Sir.
[...] Government.com, Big Hollywood.com and Andrew Breitbart strike again, this time it’s the NEA scandal. Yosi Sergant submitted his [...]
ACORN gets caught breaking the law and fires low level employees. NEA gets caught breaking the law and fired a low level employee. White house takes heat over comments by Van Jones and cuts him loose. The corruption is rampant and getting closer to the top all the time. Stop begging the MSM to get on it and support the guys who already are turning up the heat. Websites, blogs and independent journalists do the people's work, not the NY Times.
Thank you for your interest in the National Endowment for the Arts. Please see this link for a September 22, 2009 statement by NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman regarding the August 10 conference call:
http://www.arts.gov/news/news09/statement.html
Please note, on September 24, 2009 Yosi Sergant submitted his resignation from the National Endowment for the Arts. His resignation was accepted.
…i know…old news…but for the record
I love you guys…the evil NEA pushing agenda on Health Care and Education…how awful.
When our previous president brought in oil companies to right environmental policy, fired Intelligance Personal that presented the facts on Iraq that conflicted with their clear goal of going to war, and actually rewrote scientific reports because they didn't fit into his reality, where was all your great dilligence and anger?
Step down Buffy Wicks!
The following bill was introduced on 1-9-09. Thus far it has not made much headway, but horrifying nonetheless: H.J.Res.5 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the twenty-second article of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President. http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-hj5/show
[...] Courrielche, Big Hollywood: Statement on the Recording of the August 10 NEA Conference Call and RESPONSE TO NEA CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT: Throwing Yosi Sergant Under the Bus Isn’t an Answer UrbanGrounds: NEA: The Next ACORN to Fall? Riehl World View: Connected: The NEA, ACORN And [...]
[...] Courrielche, Big Hollywood: Statement on the Recording of the August 10 NEA Conference Call and RESPONSE TO NEA CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT: Throwing Yosi Sergant Under the Bus Isn’t an Answer UrbanGrounds: NEA: The Next ACORN to Fall? Riehl World View: Connected: The NEA, ACORN And [...]
[...] Courrielche, Big Hollywood: Statement on the Recording of the August 10 NEA Conference Call and RESPONSE TO NEA CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT: Throwing Yosi Sergant Under the Bus Isn’t an Answer UrbanGrounds: NEA: The Next ACORN to Fall? Riehl World View: Connected: The NEA, ACORN And [...]
[...] Courrielche, Big Hollywood: Statement on the Recording of the August 10 NEA Conference Call and RESPONSE TO NEA CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT: Throwing Yosi Sergant Under the Bus Isn’t an Answer and EXPLOSIVE NEW AUDIO Reveals White House Using NEA to Push Partisan Agenda and The National [...]
[...] Patrice Walker Powell." — Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, on September 22, 2009 Chairman Landesman's claim that Yosi Sergant, the former NEA Communications Director, acted [...]
[...] Follow Up on Nat’l Endowment for the Arts Scandal “The former NEA Director of Communications acted unilaterally and without the approval or authorization of then-Acting Chairman Patrice Walker Powell.” – Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, on September 22, 2009 [...]
[...] “The former NEA Director of Communications acted unilaterally and without the approval or authorization of then-Acting Chairman Patrice Walker Powell.” – Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, on September 22, 2009 [...]
You must be logged in to post a comment.