A Prude in Richmond - Ridiculous

 "Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is opting for a more modest depiction of the state's seal.

The seal depicts the Roman goddess Virtus wearing a blue tunic draped over one shoulder with her left breast exposed. But on the new lapel pins Cuccinelli recently handed out to his staff, her bosom is covered by an armored breastplate.

Workers in attendance when the new design came up at a staff meeting said Cuccinelli joked that it converts a risque image into a PG one.

But the joke might be on Cuccinelli, said University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato. 
“When you ask to be ridiculed, it usually happens. And it will happen here, nationally,” he said. “This is classical art, for goodness' sake.” Cuccinelli has found himself at the center of political controversy numerous times since taking office in January. The conservative Republican was ridiculed on Comedy Central's “The Daily Show” in March after advising state colleges and universities they lack the legal authority to protect gay employees from discrimination."  WP

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What an ass.  pl

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-breaking-news/cuccinelli-unveils-modest-vers.html

Comments

[confusedponderer]

I am in heartfelt agreement.

This is almost as silly as when Ashcroft ordered gowns or something to be placed over nekkid-ish statues at the Justice Department.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/1788845.stm

[Clifford Kiracofe]

Ashcroft wannabee?

"WASHINGTON (AP) — No longer will the attorney general be photographed in front of two partially nude statues in the Great Hall of the Department of Justice.

The department spent $8,000 on blue drapes that hide the two giant, aluminum art deco statues, said spokesman Shane Hix. For aesthetic reasons, he said, the drapes were occasionally hung in front of the statues before formal events. The department used to rent the drapes, but has now purchased them and left them hanging.

The drapes provide a nice background for television cameras, Hix said.

ABC News reported that Attorney General John Ashcroft ordered the statues covered because he didn't like being photographed in front of them.

Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, Ashcroft has been photographed several times in front of the female statue that represents the Spirit of Justice. The 10- to 12-foot statue has its arms raised and a toga draped over its body, but a single breast is completely exposed."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002/01/29/statues.htm

[J.]

You said it. Virginia's allowed itself to become a breeding ground for stupidity (and yes, I live here, but I'm a transplant). What is it with conservatives and their hang-ups about sex and nudity? I can understand how older conservatives might like the "Ozzie and Harriet" picture, but the younger conservatives? Really, they need to get a grip on what century they live in.

[Patrick Lang]

J.

You, too, have missed the point which is that previous generations of Virginians were not bothered by this bared breast. pl

[Clifford Kiracofe]

As for our Virginia Great Seal:

"Roman mythology defines the unique Great Seal of Virginia. The obverse of the seal features the Roman goddess Virtus standing over a defeated opponent. Virtus is dressed in Amazonian garb, and holds a spear and a sheathed sword. She represents the virtues of heroism, righteousness, freedom, and valor. She stands in a classical victor's pose over a fallen tyrannical foe, whose crown lies on the ground. The state's motto "Sic Semper Tyrannis" ("Thus Always to Tyrants") appears at the lower edge. The seal was approved at Virginia's 1776 Constitutional Convention, and the principal designer is said to have been George Wythe. A committee composed of Wythe, George Mason, Robert Carter Nicholas, and Richard Henry Lee collaborated on the design. In 1930 another committee was charged with standardizing the seal's design because of all the variations that came into use over the years. What the committee approved was basically adopting the 1776 seal as the standard. In 1949, another standard was implemented, when Virginia's Art Commission defined the official color scheme for the seal." etc.
http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/seals/va_seal.htm

Minerva "enrobed in her peplus" is on the seal of the University of Virginia.

The quality and cultural level of state leadership seems to have disintegrated to a degree over the centuries as the Cuccinelli matter appears to indicate. Ironically, he attended George Mason U...

[RWG]

True conservatives harkened back to the Roman Republic and away from a coat of arms. Imagine their disgust at this imbecile.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_of_Virginia

[rjj]

I think some earnest lady should write a letter to the AG thanking him and imploring him (while he is at it) to extend this commendable modesty policy to codpieces for horses in community holiday parades.

Alas, William Donaldson is dead, [Peace be unto him.] But resumably his pen name is up for grabs - in this case what about Henrietta Root Titweiler?

[R Whitman]

Is this yet another belated April Fools joke??

I thought August was the "silly season" when we excuse all sorts of bizarre behavior.

[GregB]

It is funny that the politicians who most often behave like boobs are so offended by the sight of them.

[John Minnerath]

Ahhm, Cuccinelli is evidently too thick headed and too thick skinned to realized what a fool he appears to be.

[Paul]

This guy did not learn a thing from his years in law school.

[At the Virginia Capes]

Was this 'coverup' due to the Attorney General's alleged conservatism, or change just to say," I changed something - pay attention to me!"?
In either case, it does not reflect well on either the office holder or the Commonwealth.
Perhaps we need a discussion on what 'conservative' means; for some, it seems to be defined as "nostalgic reactionism."

[oofda]

As they say in Charlottesvill, what would Mr. Jefferson say? Indeed. For heaven's sake, the design was approved in 1776 at Virginia's Constitutional Convention.

[Patrick Lang]

All

So far as I can see this character has not changed the Commonwealth's flag or seal. He has merely handed out his own clownish prudery in the form of cards or leaflets.

What would Mr.Jefferson say? Indeed. pl

[optimax]

Remember The Society for Indecency to Naked Animals? In 1962 Buck Henry appeared on Walter Cronkite with the tagline, "A nude horse is a rude horse."

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/archive/permalink/the_society_for_indecency_to_naked_animals/

[Medicine Man]

This anecdote reminds me of the shenanigans regarding the Army Seal in Sweden: http://www.thelocal.se/9398/20071213/ Another good example of PC prudery running amok, although far more egregious in the Sweden example.

Anyhow, I learned two new things in this thread: What Sic Semper Tyrannis means and that it is Virginia's motto. I'm glad the Virginia AG hasn't messed with the state's traditions in any permanent fashion.

[Fred]

It does make a nice distraction from other issues:
http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2010/04/29/oh-mann-cuccinelli-targets-uva-papers-in-climategate-salvo/comment-page-2/#comment-363933

[matt]

Sir:

I enjoy the brevity of some of your recent posts ("What an ass.") :-) stylistically, it kind of reminds me of atrios. Also. Rothko!

(p.s. finally bought "Butchers Cleaver" the other day - I know I procrastinate! ....very , very enjoyable read)

[Maureen Lang]

"What would Mr. Jefferson say?"

He might comment that apparently Cuccinelli recognized there is only room for one boob in Virginia's AG office.

[Maureen Lang]

In the face of general media derision, AG Cuccinelli throws in the towel/peplos:

After breast controversy, Cuccinelli ditches new staffer lapel pins-
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/05/cuccinelli_ditches_new_staffer.html

[par4]

Don't despair Col.Asses aren't confined to just the southern climes.We have plenty up here in the northern latitudes.

[Brett J]

Relax! Cuccinelli! It's hardly even a voluptuous looking woman, looks nigh a 'roided man-breast!

[frank durkee]

Maureen, thank you for the "booblicious' pun. Made my day.