billcoe

No shit: here is the rock representation of General George Washington gets Fellatio. This was happening as late as only last weekend.

Another work:

Probably an AaaaaRab:-) But what skillz.... http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/08/obama-joker-artist.html "Obama Joker artist unmasked: A fellow Chicagoan August 17, 2009 | 6:29 pm When cryptic posters portraying President Obama as the Joker from "Batman" began popping up around Los Angeles and other cities, the question many asked was, Who is behind the image? Was it an ultra-conservative grassroots group or a disgruntled street artist going against the grain? Nope, it turns out, just a 20-year-old college student from Chicago. Bored during his winter school break, Firas Alkhateeb, a senior history major at the University of Illinois, crafted the picture of Obama with the recognizable clown makeup using Adobe's Photoshop software. Alkhateeb had been tinkering with the program to improve the looks of photos he had taken on his clunky Kodak camera. The Joker project was his grandest undertaking yet. Using a tutorial he'd found online about how to "Jokerize" portraits, he downloaded the October 23 Time Magazine cover of Obama and began digitally painting over it. Four or five hours later, he happily had his product. Obama-joker-time On Jan. 18, Alkhateeb uploaded the image to photo-sharing site Flickr (shown at right). Over the next two months, he amassed just a couple thousand hits, he said. Then the counter exploded after a still-anonymous rogue famously found his image, digitally removed the references to Time Magazine, captioned the picture with the word "socialism" and hung printed copies around L.A., making headlines. Alkhateeb's original Flickr page surpassed 20,000 views. The Times found his Flickr site last week thanks to a tip left by a loyal reader of The Ticket. By Friday, the page had been taken down. On Alkhateeb's page, a manipulated image condemning fellow Chicagoan and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (captioned "epic fail") was mixed in with parodies of the "Guitar Hero" game franchises -- dubbed Quran Hero -- and of Napoleon riding a motorcycle (pictured after the jump). Flickr had removed the Joker image due to copyright-infringement concerns, Alkhateeb says the company told him in an e-mail. A Flickr spokeswoman declined to comment due to a company policy that bars discussing inquiries about individual users. Alkhateeb says he wasn't actively trying to cover his tracks, but he did want to lay low. He initially had concerns about ... ... connecting his name with anything critical of the president -- especially living in Chicago, where people are "very, very liberal," he said. "After Obama was elected, you had all of these people who basically saw him as the second coming of Christ," Alkhateeb said. "From my perspective, there wasn't much substance to him." "I abstained from voting in November," he wrote in an e-mail. "Living in Illinois, my vote means close to nothing as there was no chance Obama would not win the state." If he had to choose a politician to support, Alkhateeb said, it would be Ohio Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Napoleon Possibly becoming a villain in his home city wasn't his only worry. Time's cover and the Joker obviously aren't Alkhateeb's copyrights to fool around with. Concerned about a lawsuit, Alkhateeb, an unnamed superstar whose nationally recognized artwork had stunned friends and family, was relieved that the situation had floated for months without any major news organizations discovering that he was the man behind the paint. After we contacted him, he hesitantly agreed to an interview. If it's any consolation, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit organization that defends digital rights, says Alkhateeb has a strong fair-use defense if Time or DC Comics decides to take him to court -- that is if one even does file a lawsuit. "You really want to think twice about going after a political commenter," said Corynne McSherry, a senior staff attorney at the EFF. In Time's case, "a news organization probably doesn't want to be in the situation of pursuing political criticism." Perhaps the strongest case for anyone, McSherry said, is for Alkhateeb to claim money derived from people selling T-shirts with his picture. Is it worth pursuing? "It would be nice, but it's not that big of a deal," Alkhateeb said. Although Alkhateeb claims he was making no political statement with the artwork, he's plugged into the Washington debate. Though born in the United States, his Palestinian family closely follows Middle Eastern politics. "I think he's definitely doing better than Bush was," Alkhateeb said of Obama. Alkhateeb's views on foreign relations align with the Democrats, he said, while he prefers Republican ideals on domestic issues. Alkhateeb's assessment of Obama: "In terms of domestic policy, I don't think he's really doing much good for the country right now," he said. "We don't have to 'hero worship' the guy." Someday, Alkhateeb hopes to be a history teacher and high school football coach. He won't be pursuing a full-time career in art, but he'll continue playing with Photoshop on the side. He's honored by Shepard Fairey's assessment of his Joker picture, but disagrees with some of Fairey's comments criticizing the message of the Socialism poster. "He made a picture of Bush as a vampire," Alkhateeb said about Fairey. "That's kind of speaking with two faces." Regardless, Alkhateeb does agree with the Obama "Hope" artist about "socialism" being the wrong caption for the Joker image. "It really doesn't make any sense to me at all," he said. "To accuse him of being a socialist is really ... immature. First of all, who said being a socialist is evil?" -- Mark Milian"

Yeah, startling statistic Eric, my 23 daughter told me that one last year. I was all like: "WHERE THE HELL IS MINE"!!!!!

[video:youtube] "Ifff you do not have za big biceps, I recommend a can of Red Bull!"

This use to be my belief and practice just to walk up and climb. If I went up to try it and fell, even if it later became a hard 5.11-5.12 that someone else totally dawged into submission so as to claim a FA, it didn't matter and I walked away. (this was generally always cracks as I don't care for face climbing on bolts generally, it has to be totally unique or special) I don't mind toproping anything though, but they use to be different things for me. I am no longer that way and often tr then lead a new route now, it's all good, just be honest with our policies and practices : and what does that matter anyway? Pope, you didn't answer the question on the Gorge trail...would you not find that fun to ride?

And that's because they're hypocrites. No, that's not fair, I think they just haven't fully thought through their position. I suspect that our views are truly much closer than they are apart. Of course, perhaps an extra picture of what we are talking about would be helpful. Here I am drilling a rap anchor for "The Dragons Spine" out at Cathedral Formation right after Ujahn and I had (FA) climbed it. This is strictly so that one can get down with a single rope, not 2. Kill me for thinking of others and buying and leaving 2 (TWO) Fixe Stainless Steel carabiner style hangers for those who will follow. The route goes just to the left of me, up the spine for a full 200'. It is an amazing line, one you couldn't do without bolts. Perhaps Don can point out or show us a single bolt that he finds visually offensive? Just one Don, there are 24 on this pitch. The close up of one of them is this. They are monster 1/2" x 6-1/4 long Stainless steel wedge anchors with stainless steel 1/2" 40 KN rated hangers so that folks can enjoy themselves for the next 50 - 100 years. They were properly torqued with a new torque wrench to 53 foot lbs. (Mfg spec is 50-60) and loctited so that asswipes don't disturb them. You can't see them from the ground 15 feet away can you? Not unless there is an extreme close up. Didn't think so. Let alone from the car where you start to hike in. The chalk marking the x locating the best spot for pro has already washed away. If you don't want to come and climb the most amazing knobs in the state anywhere, better than anything I've ever seen, done or heard of at Smith Rocks, I'm OK with that. Stay home, whine and bitch. Go Mountain biking like you do and continue to tear up the trails and the environment: keep killing plants in sensitive areas like you do. Go ahead and do that. But for you to pontificate or even mention environmental destruction is total bullshit when not only is there noe involved, but they are putting in a 53 million dollar trail in the Colombia River Gorge strictly so folks can recreate. I support them doing that, I support us doing this. I like this form of recreation. Love it (especially cracks and gear climbs). Only in this case we are doing it with significantly less impact than the trail builders. So I'm calling bullshit on your F**ed Up bullshit.

LOL! Maybe start by not saying "Developer" Checat, substitute the word "Climber". Realistically though, that is highly area dependent, there are some amazing lines in places, I'll use Smith as an example, which could not be climbed with out bolts. For me, I'd rather climb the cracks and gear routes when I go there, but understand wanting to soar up some of the faces as others do so capably.

Yeah, saw you get needlessly flamed for it too. Bet it kicks ass...keep it secret from the dark side I would....

Wait wait wait just a damn minute, back the F up here! What the hell is a "cunt debtor" anyway? Even Google is letting me down on that one. I'm not moving past it so we might as well stop and examine it right now. Besides, it's said that the site noted in the title has been taken down by the Whitehouse.

2 different areas, routes and conversations Checat. They were both about bolts though:-)

__________________________________________________________ next point: On related news, one of the greatest American climbers of all time and early climbing ethicist and clean climbing advocate, Royal Robbins, has just logged onto Supertopo. Username = Royal Robbins). Has an autobiography (or maybe 6) coming out and the pre-orders are now. John Long, one of the best climbing writers alive, gave it 5 of 5 stars after reading an advanced copy. http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=924898&tn=0&mr=0 http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=931436&tn=0&mr=0

Good call, hope they take it to heart and camo. I've never been there and will confess I have no desire but expect I'll get tractor beamed in some rainy soggy weekend on an Ivan/Geoff aider dog fest at some point. I'm so so so so so glad that guy didn't put real bolts there. I was already shocked enough he was drilling and claiming there was no pro available without the hole/Removable Bolt combo platter where noobs can routinely get acceptable gear every 3 feet the entire way for aid practice. The holes are very unobtrusive though, bolts would have been ugly, unnecessary and one more place for your knee to slam into.

What location are you referring too Joseph? Rat cave? PS, the strobe light RFID chip had me cracking up the other day....classic!!! To all: let me add that I know of someone who added 3 drilled holes next to a 40 year old well traveled crack. He drilled next to a line that beginners aid up 100% with gear, just so that he could use Removable Bolts. His explanation to me was that the gear didn't work there. Drilling needless holes next to a crack that's been climbed for many years is bullshit even if you don't fill them, but once I got over my burn and finished a short tongue lashing discourse to the lad, I've interestingly noticed that I don't see the holes every time I do the route. On those few occasions where I do, it still makes me shake my head and grit my teeth a bit. Removable bolts aren't really the solution. Education and restraint are pretty much the best tools in our quivers.

Are you suggesting that they would disapprove of riding Mountain bikes on that trail I just posted above that is being built in the Colombia River Gorge? Cause I think they would like it El Jefe. I suspect that they would have a ball in some of the prettiest forests in the world and easily overlook the work, expense and environmental destruction it took to provide that experience. Perhaps they can answer that. For myself, I know I'd enjoy that. I've seen pics of them on Logging roads having fun with Mt bikes and they don't oppose the man made destruction of those trails and logging roads.... jus' sayin'.....

Favorite quote below "If we knew then what we know now, we wouldn't have blasted that off the face of the earth," said Kevin Price, Gorge district manager of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department." No Don, I've been trying to figure out how you think hikers are leave no trace. Did you oppose this monstrosity? I didn't because I think it's awesome they built a massive paved superhighway hiking trail right through one of the prettiest places on Gods green earth. Really. It's going to be a hell of a hike or bike I bet. I'm super glad they let the bikes on it. This trail, compared to our vertical "hiking trails" as climbers that you seem to have devoted your life to ranting on is a huge and massive difference of scale. Yet it is in many ways exactly what climbers are doing, traveling a path. I don't get your denigrating climbers who want to climb bolted routes....at all. You don't want to climb them, then don't. This trail puts a tad more on the face of the earth than a few inert non-environmentally offensive bolts. Bet this new trail will be visible on Google earth via satellite photos. "HOOD RIVER --...... Just west of Hood River, another chunk of the Historic Columbia River Highway reopened its scenic grandeur to pedalers and pedestrians after a morning ceremony. The Highway When Bill Pattison was a youngster in 1940s Hood River, his father owned Weber Hardware Store at the corner of Oak and Fourth streets downtown. On hot summer nights, the family had a ready and nearby oasis: Viento Park, now known as Viento State Park. "The kids would play in the creek with the pollywogs and the minnows and so forth," Pattison said, "and the adults would sit around and drink the good whiskey." Ah, those were the times of pilfered watermelons and the heyday of a two-lane highway that linked the rural Columbia River Gorge with big city Portland, Pattison recalled. Pattison, the 80-year-old chairman of the Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee, reminisced as he helped dedicate a 1-mile segment of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail between Viento State Park and Starvation Creek State Park. The trail segment, with its fresh layer of asphalt, is part of the 11 miles of the old highway path that have been built or restored since 1996. The ultimate goal is to create or restore 12 more miles and reconnect Portland to The Dalles for a recreational path serving hikers and cyclists -- without having to travel along the shoulder of Interstate 84. But I-84 sits on top of many of those 12 miles of historic highway. Worse still, one of the grandest sights of the old highway -- the five "windows" of the Mitchell Point Tunnel, also known as "The Tunnel of Many Vistas" -- was destroyed to make way for the interstate. "If we knew then what we know now, we wouldn't have blasted that off the face of the earth," said Kevin Price, Gorge district manager of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. But neither Friends of the Columbia Gorge nor the Oregon Department of Transportation is deterred. They have estimated costs and crafted concept plans to connect those 12 miles by 2016, the centennial of the opening of the old highway's first miles. And the new path, they vow, would not exceed the 5 percent elevation gain adhered to by Samuel C. Lancaster, the engineer who located and designed the highway in Multnomah County, setting the standard for future highway construction. But it would cost about $55 million to connect those last dozen miles, considered the most challenging segments of the project. A $1 million ODOT Transportation Enhancement Program grant paid for the 1-mile path between the Starvation Creek and Viento state parks. In March, as part of the ongoing project, the restored Oneonta Tunnel reopened. It was built in 1914 and closed in 1948. " Obligatory climbing photo below from today's climb. hmmmmm - I might not have much hair anymore but at least I can still get up 5.10. (sometimes:-) Here's one for Don and Eric, since you always post the photo of the circled bolts on a cliff to show what a "visual eyesore" and affront this is to you, find a single damn bolt in the picture of me drilling an anchor below. This was taken from @ 20 feet out of the base and there are 22 huge 1/2-13 x 6-1/4 stainless steel wedge anchors with the larger Fixe Stainless steel hangers on a route within feet of me. Find a SINGLE bolt please. Just one. Pic rotated to make Drew happy. Ciao! Edited to add: photo by Ujahn Davisson and Ponderosa has a great point. In fact, I don't know why use of (non-fixed) pitons haven't been banned in places like Yosemite, I'd support and rather see a bolt stuck in than to see the degradation of cracks that occurs with repeated and heavy pin use.

Maybe you can show which magazine covers are racist instead of offensive? Personally, the Obama as the Joker offended me a tad. The Joker was a mean MF psychopath and it's a poor comparison. I love the Mad magazine one though, especially as a former smoker myself and knowing how hard Obama was trying to quit at that time just as he took office. I can't even imagine the stress a President must be feeling, and to try and quit smoking? whew. This cover is funny and informative, the Obama as Heath Ledgers Joker poster is neither to me. I am reading "Lenins Tomb" right now (great book), and it's curious how many citizens in the Russian population supported (and still do) the murders of dissidents and others. If the poster is suppose to reflect on that, we'll, it worked that way for me.

Don't think it's racist at all. How is that racist???? It's a clever attempt to suggest that the President has Joker tendencies, did you watch the movie Batman? How is this racist again?

PP - I rated your post 5 stars, but probably would give track 3 only 2. Stuff was putting me to sleep, however, I think its Damn cool you dug it up and shared it .... thanks ps, ya want to get in the office pool - it's how long it will take some dickheads with bad reading comprehension to show up and call you racist as there are no blacks in the picture... I got 14 seconds....

You must have missed my earlier posts. Not only did I answer this question before you asked it (I'm a fat old guy and don't have a chance in hell of pulling a roof like this), but I gave you VERBATIM text of the first ascent party saying that it takes awesome gear and I suggested you contact them on the bolt question. They're all still around, most likely you will see them at the zone, just ask them their opinions on it first before you do it because in my book, their views counts for much more than mine, or anyone's, in this instance. In either case I bet they'd all be super stoked that you guys like the route so much!! What I said earlier a few posts into this thread was this: I haven't changed my views. Later Dustin suggested I replace the word project with route or climb so I just did that now. I'm not anti-bolt but it's not for me to say either way: to approve or disapprove in either way. The tradition of process which we all share is to show respect to the community and touch base with the FA dudes to get approval or not. Probably try and get the remaining part of the stuck gear out first anyway hey? Good luck!

My business partner tried to read it and couldn't get into it. The 3 I mention above are better.

that is the funniest thing i have ever read on this site pfft: my last 3 sex/sheep/midget jokes in spray were better.....

I just finished The Great Game - The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia, definatly worth the time to read it. As well as what you mentions, it gave me some insights to the USSR/Russian and Iranian mentality that I had no solid awareness of.

I think Don has something with that. Gyms and gear shops make money by bringing in customers. However, why he can make a trail to the base of his climb as he stomps on the vegetation and kill all the lichen up a cliff with his passage and smugly think that his is a valid form of ascent but what others do in clipping bolts is not valid climbing is what many of us disagree with. They both are climbing.

We must assume it would be because of the inevitable insane and inane Raindawg rant/Clown postings/personal attacks which must soon accompany it. I mean, if he finds bolts disturbing, he'll be real pissed at this large earthmoving project. Good luck to you all in getting the gov't turned backasswards again, thanks for the heads up Blake.