Group Tries to Save Statehouse Nude Statue

ONTPELIER, Vt. - A group preparing to celebrate the life of a Vermont-born sculptor is petitioning Gov. James Douglas to leave a replica of Hiram Powers' most famous work — which portrays a nude chained woman — on his Statehouse desk.



The petitioners, who include the wife of U.S. Sen. James Jeffords, say "The Greek Slave" is one of the most important pieces of art ever created by a Vermont native.

The governor wants the lamp that incorporates the replica removed from his office desk during the upcoming legislative session. Douglas spokesman Jason Gibbs said last week the governor was concerned the statue could be broken, but he also said there was concern that school children would see the nude.

Gibbs said Monday the lamp would remain on display at the Statehouse while the Legislature is in session, but not on the governor's desk.
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"He was worried about the effect on school children? What better way to teach them about our Constitution, which outlaws slavery," Billings said. "This speaks to Vermont history, abolition and the horror of slavery."
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=519&e=13&u=/ap/20041214/ap_on_re_us/governor_nudity

Can someone find me a grown-up. Anywhere. I'd pay money.

everyone has one you blue nose prudes! the children you're worried about probably breast fed within the last 5 years. they've seen a tit!

jesus h. christ make it stop!

We've come so far in 160 years. :eyes:

We need a touring nude art display so these fundamentalist moralists can see how backwards they truly are.

One, can we start the damn backlash against these fundie freaks already!!!

Two, what the hell is Vermont doing with a Republican governor. Howard Dean would be rolling in his grave right now (except for the fact that he's alive).

slavery, but only if they don't accidentally catch a peep of a breast??? WTF is wrong with people's priorities???

I remember once posting with freepers on a parenting board and one woman said "Gladiator" was such a good family movie because there was no nudity or bad lanugage. I was shocked. I expect my kid will one day probably let a little profanity slip by- he will if he's anything like me... and I hope he someday (long way off! lol) enjoys the company of a consenting adult who is nude, but I don't ever want him engaging in violence for domination over another.

I'm getting real sick of these people child-proofing this country.

My eleven year old daughter has seen plenty of nudes in art galleries and museums, and as far as I can tell, she's a happy, well-adjusted kid. These rightwingers are sick.

sometimes I wonder if right wing people ever look at themselves naked, or even KNOW they are naked underneath their clothes..
we are the laughingstock of the whole world....

This is the kind of knuckle-dragging those of us unfortunate enough to live in red states endure every day. But in VERMONT! How depressing.

I was particularly surprised that it was in Vermont. This is the sort of thing I might expect to come out of the bible belt, but not Vermont. I grew up in Vermont - I don't live there now, but I'm not too far away - and in general Vermonters are very cool about that sort of thing. Not only is it a piece of art, but it's a statue for chrissake, not any different than what we'd see looking at photos of the great museums of Europe.

I saw it as just another example of how afraid people are to potentially offend the fundies.

I personally don't like statues on my desk, but if it were me, I'd simply have it moved to a side table. His case is different, because he's not objecting to it being there altogether, just while the legislature is in session. Translation: He's afraid it'll offend someone.

I can't afford a new keyboard! :7

all kinds of extreme-right-wing-do-goody-good-freakazoids have given themselves permission to come out of the woodwork. :freak:

being stolen. It's time to stand up to these people.

And traditional family values….whatever they are….

War, torture, maiming, fucking the environment, breaking the bank and circle-filing the constitution…..who the fuck cares….

But the sight of a nude, partially or otherwise, female body is the Armageddon of a gawd-fearing country…..how this country produced so many stupid ignorant sheep is beyond me…

I want to get off now...

Don't they realize that the sight of a minature bronze titty might influence some young folks into creating a "Holy Warrior" for the Shrubistas?