# I Pitt "Piss Obama"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [November 30, 2012, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606 "2012-11-30T20:24:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/21 "2012-11-30T21:29:19Z")

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> [@elucidator](#):
>
> I don’t even want to know what “meatus” means.

Natural body canals. You have two on either side of your head and 3 up your nose.

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**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/22 "2012-11-30T21:38:18Z")

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> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#):
>
> So for those who missed it, Glenn Beck apparently placed an effigy of Obama in a jar of (fake) piss on his show (although seeing as the material he used to fake it was Becks beer, your definition of fake piss may vary). This irks me. Not because he’s dissing Obama, mind you; that’s par for the course. No, what irks me is how insulting it is to the piece it tries (and fails) to mimic: “Piss Christ”.
> 
> What did the piece mean? I don’t know, personally; I’m no expert on modern art. But let’s keep something in mind here - it was created in the 80s, and when it was produced, it was revolutionary. Not just because a guy put an idol of christ in piss, but because nobody had successfully used mere shock and disgust as an art form beforehand.

First of all: Piss Christ is a photo. Not a display, not a performance art piece, a photography. So unless Beck showed a photo of his Piss Obama, he missed the mark of his parallel. And everybody who objects to Piss Christ for its concept rather than as a piece of iconography miss… art as a whole, I guess ?

Second: Piss Christ, as a photo, and should one opt to ignore the controversial aspects of its conception, is really quite intriguing and beautiful ; even when viewed as a piece of _bona fide_ Christian iconography. The way the piss diffuses the lighting gives Christ a sort of diaphanous aura - if you whingeing Christians didn’t know about the piece’s history, I doubt you would find it objectionable, quite the opposite.  
Hell, even when viewed as a pure shock piece, technically it’s impressive.

Thirdly : Fuck Glenn Beck.

Fourthly to Seventhly : see Thirdly.

Eightly : Aping Piss Christ’s shock value without using \*actual \*piss is so very limp-dicked and impotent. That’s hilarious to me for some reason.

Ninethly : Obama himself can soak in a jar of piss for all the majority his supporters care. Especially after the last 4 years. And that’s really the most glaring eyeroll this whole stunt provides. By and large, people don’t make sacred idols of their political figureheads (Lenin excepted :D). \*YOU \*DO, Beck. You and your blithering ilk. And that is the problem, or rather the fact that engaged art pieces like Piss Christ could have been hoping to undermine, to spark discussion about, or to criticize.  
In a week, nobody will talk about Piss Obama any more (particularly following point #8). In ten years, the archcons of Fox would still blather on about a hypothetical Piss Reagan - and of course, Piss Christ is still controversial globally, enough to warrant regular defacement.

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**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/23 "2012-11-30T21:42:27Z")

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> [@Inner\_Stickler](#):
>
> Natural body canals. You have two on either side of your head and 3 up your nose.

Sometimes more on a Saturday night.

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**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/24 "2012-11-30T21:42:44Z")

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> [@Jack\_Batty](#):
>
> I have no issue with Piss Christ. I have no issue with Piss Obama. But Beck had a big problem with Piss Christ and he doesn’t seem to have any problems with Piss Obama.
> 
> Do I really need to trot out the H-word here?

Glenn Beck is a fucking moron, but the Piss-Christ and Piss-Obama situations are not at all parallel. Christ is a religious figure worshipped by billions, many of whom consider him their personal savior and attribute all good things in their lives to his influence. Obama’s just a politician whose long-term historical impact will not be known for decades.

Of course, Beck probably does believe the two situations are parallel, because he thinks Obama’s supporters worship him. That stems from Beck’s being a fucking moron.

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**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/25 "2012-11-30T21:43:40Z")

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What really irritates me about this is that 99% of the people offended by piss Christ haven’t even seen the work. And if it were shown to them without a title or description, most of them would probably approve of it as a pro-christian piece.

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**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/26 "2012-11-30T21:51:23Z")

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> [@Jack\_Batty](#):
>
> Sometimes more on a Saturday night.

You owe me one (1) beer and one (1) screen. Good show.

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**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/27 "2012-11-30T21:57:32Z")

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This is kind of a nitpick, but also part of the awesomeness.

Glenn Beck’s piece is call _Obama in Pee Pee_.

Not Piss. _Pee pee_.

I think it’s a good attempt at satire. Ultimately, his point is stupid (nudity[sup]1[/sup] and yucky stuff isn’t art! see how you like it!) but whatever.

Actually, if he did succeed in offending you with his 7-year-old-boy’s sense of what’s offensive (pee pee!), maybe his point isn’t off.

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**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/28 "2012-11-30T21:58:04Z")

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The objections that most people have to Piss Christ were that their tax dollars were used to pay for it. People wouldn’t be so bothered if it was privately funded and in some guys living room.

I share **Starving Artist’s** bemusement that some of you genuinely seem to fail to grasp that Beck is obviously doing this as a parody.

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**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/29 "2012-11-30T22:04:03Z")

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No, we get that it’s a parody. It’s just not amusing or particularly insightful.

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**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/30 "2012-11-30T22:08:58Z")

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Also it’s based on the pernicious idea that lefties consider Obama to be the Messiah, which is just not correct. No, **Terr** , Jamie Foxx making a joke doesn’t count as evidence.

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**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/31 "2012-11-30T22:12:13Z")

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> [@Bosstone](#):
>
> Also it’s based on the pernicious idea that lefties consider Obama to be the Messiah, which is just not correct. No, **Terr** , Jamie Foxx making a joke doesn’t count as evidence.

_pat on the head_ of course, dear, it was a joke.

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**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/32 "2012-11-30T22:15:26Z")

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Stop eating stupid food for breakfast.

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**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/33 "2012-11-30T22:21:20Z")

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> [@Bosstone](#):
>
> Also it’s based on the pernicious idea that lefties consider Obama to be the Messiah, which is just not correct.

[![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WkA8USJcfPw/SRe_mN92OZI/AAAAAAAAAPc/YocsAhTCT5M/s400/Untitled-1.jpg) ](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WkA8USJcfPw/SRe_mN92OZI/AAAAAAAAAPc/YocsAhTCT5M/s400/Untitled-1.jpg)

[![](https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2121/2279718287_1c865f6505.jpg?v=0) ](https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2121/2279718287_1c865f6505.jpg?v=0)

[http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2146/2279718315\_e7e9efe7e3.jpg?v=0](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2146/2279718315_e7e9efe7e3.jpg?v=0) \<– from New York Magazine

[![](http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/Obama/prophecy_fulfilled.gif) ](http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/Obama/prophecy_fulfilled.gif)

[![](http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/Obama/bo_heaven_sent.gif) ](http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/Obama/bo_heaven_sent.gif)

[https://caps-public.s3.amazonaws.com/content/3776120/THUMBNAIL\_IMAGE](https://caps-public.s3.amazonaws.com/content/3776120/THUMBNAIL_IMAGE)

[![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WkA8USJcfPw/S54_pyUTPjI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/GxYX7PvyKgA/s1600-h/14baker01-articleLarge.jpg) ](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WkA8USJcfPw/S54_pyUTPjI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/GxYX7PvyKgA/s1600-h/14baker01-articleLarge.jpg)

[![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WkA8USJcfPw/SyVUaxwQ1fI/AAAAAAAAAgE/3ssRtMzWV1Y/s400/obamachrist.jpg) ](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WkA8USJcfPw/SyVUaxwQ1fI/AAAAAAAAAgE/3ssRtMzWV1Y/s400/obamachrist.jpg)

[“In a way Obama is standing above the country, above the world. He’s sort of GOD. He’s going to bring all different sides together.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37B_nOdRTAA&feature=player_embedded)

- Newsweek editor Evan Thomas

[Obama be Thy Name](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7PDehlPWsdQ)

[![](https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2805453072_0866c6fddd.jpg?v=0) ](https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2805453072_0866c6fddd.jpg?v=0)

(I can give you more if you like) - all works of “righties”, correct?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/34 "2012-11-30T22:27:28Z")

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Well, [this piece](http://www.flickr.com/photos/8696748@N03/3325521799/) that I chose at random doesn’t even appear to be the work of an American, so congratulations on continuing your proud tradition of imbecility.

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**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/35 "2012-11-30T22:29:05Z")

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Okay, in the spirit of fairness I’ll amend it to the cranks on the left and everyone on the right.

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**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/36 "2012-11-30T22:31:10Z")

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> [@bup](#):
>
> Actually, if he did succeed in offending you with his 7-year-old-boy’s sense of what’s offensive (pee pee!), maybe his point isn’t off.

FTR I’m not offended, I’m injured. I think I pulled something, rolling my eyes so hard.

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**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/37 "2012-11-30T22:36:43Z")

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He’s laughing all the way to the bank.

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**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/38 "2012-11-30T22:49:52Z")

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> [@Kevbo](#):
>
> … Conservatives never figured out that it wasn’t a matter of approving of the art, but a matter of defending freedom for the progressives.

Disagree: it was whether the government should _subsidize_ art irrespective of content. That’s not the same thing as preventing someone from creating outrageous art on their own dime, which is what the first amendment covers.

> [@](#):
>
> My reaction is not “That’s horrible”, but “Glen Beck is an idiot, dog bites man, sun rises in east”

Agreed.

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**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/39 "2012-11-30T23:15:49Z")

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> [@Debaser](#):
>
> I share **Starving Artist’s** bemusement that some of you genuinely seem to fail to grasp that Beck is obviously doing this as a parody.

There’s an element of parody to it, but what was he trying to parody? The original _Piss Christ_ is 25 years old; I haven’t thought about it in almost that long, and for Beck to parody its artistic value seems a little off topic for him. He could be trying to parody the idea that liberals view Obama as a messiah, but that’s a fringe viewpoint (at best), and ridiculing it as if it was mainstream is blatant strawmanning on Beck’s part.

So, for those who say it’s a parody; a parody of what?

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**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pitt-piss-obama/642606/40 "2012-11-30T23:16:09Z")

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> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#):
>
> It’s kind of like with Marilyn Manson; yeah, now they’re nothing special, but when they started, there was absolutely nothing like it!

Just to second **Long Time First Time** , there was nothing original about Marilyn Manson, either musically or in their stage performance. I don’t say that out of any dislike of them; it simply wasn’t original, there were plenty of things like it going back decades.

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