While performing at the inaugural ball honoring America's military veterans, some wounded vets are reported to have walked out on funk Musician George Clinton over a perceived on stage insult to George W. Bush.
The Washington Times is reporting that during the Heroes Red, White and Blue Inaugural Ball a white towel with the word "[Expletive] GEORGE" spelled out on it was displayed by band members of George Clinton and the P. Funk All-Stars.
Some veterans felt the display was an insult to George W. Bush, and one band member quickly pulled the sign down when it was noticed that wounded vets were leaving in disgust. Band members denied that the sign was any reference to the President and said that it was supposed to be a sign to their own band leader, George Clinton.
The Times reports that Ball organizers denounced the sign as inappropriate.
"Obviously we and the Heroes Ball coordinators were unaware that the sign existed and did not support their actions, especially considering our non-partisan mission and treasured military audience," said ball spokeswoman Carrie Foster.
It is certainly not clear that the band meant to attack President Bush, but apparently some audience members took it that way nonetheless.
Was this a surreptitious Bush slam from the long-time political minded band or a jab at their band leader?. (Seen here in his mugshot from his 2003 arrest for possession of cocaine)
(Photo credit: crime.about.com)
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Another ball
January 22, 2009 - 10:04 ET by MillerTimeWarpdoesnt live up to all the hype. Where is Robin Roberts when we need her the most ?!?
Who put this show together?
January 22, 2009 - 10:17 ET by JPR1George Clinton may be highly regarded in some circles, but for an audience of veterans? Was he the main act?
Yeah
January 22, 2009 - 10:21 ET by Warner Todd HustonI thought it was a bad booking, too.
At least this shows the MSM
January 22, 2009 - 10:28 ET by SeashellAt least this shows the MSM that Bush is held in high regard by the very people he admires the most: the military. I'm sure the MSM can't stand this.
From the description I
January 22, 2009 - 11:04 ET by fitzfongFrom the description I read, this sounds like it could be a misunderstanding...the "four letter word" explanation is a little weak, but it creates enough plausible deniability to give them the benefit of the doubt. Politics aside, the guy's name is George Clinton...and it seems that the band was sensitive enough to realize how some attendees might take offense. Given the potential for misunderstanding, it wasn't the smartest thing in the world to do, but it's a bit of a leap to automatically assume they were mocking the former President.
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
fitzfong.blogspot.com
Good point Fitz...in
January 22, 2009 - 11:07 ET by JasonCGood point Fitz...in editing my original entry, I just assumed that [expletive] was the 4-letter word.
I have a feeling that in the coming weeks we will see an awful lot of NB stories pertaining to slights and insults - real or perceived - directed at the former president.
The sign actually says
January 22, 2009 - 14:21 ET by SickofLibsThe sign actually says GEOR-(9)-E.
Illiteracy, bad penmanship or too-tight dreads? Now I'm really cornfused.
The story reports the
January 22, 2009 - 10:54 ET by Mike LesterThe story reports the sign read "(EXPLETIVE) GEORGE". While I deplore BHO's liberal agenda, he'd go a long way in my book were he to denounce this type of incivility, those that booed W, the Young Jeezy "mah N*gga" thugs and the rest of the BushDerangmentSynd. crowd.
Mike Lester
Editorial Cartoonist
Rome (Ga.) News Tribune
www.mikelester.com
"While I deplore BHO's
January 22, 2009 - 11:23 ET by ckc1227"While I deplore BHO's liberal agenda, he'd go a long way in my book were he to denounce this type of incivility"
How can he when he does it himself?
What? How? When?
January 22, 2009 - 11:25 ET by JasonCWhat? How? When?
How about
January 22, 2009 - 19:04 ET by ahusserthose stealth middle finger displays BHO made.
Change: When the winds of change blow hard enough, the most trivial of things can become deadly projectiles. From a Poster
Very confusing. What's
January 22, 2009 - 11:03 ET by JasonCVery confusing. What's offensive about the word George being displayed, even if it was a reference to W? It's not like it said "Good Riddance, George", right?
Between the fact that the bandleader is also named George and that a band member yanked the towel down as soon as he realized it had offended some (for whatever reason), it's hard to see what the SNAFU is.
EDIT: Whoops, totally missed the [expletive] part. Consider my post cheerfully retracted.
Jason, it wasn't you, it was
January 22, 2009 - 11:07 ET by Warner Todd HustonJason, it wasn't you, it was me. I had the word "expletive" in the < signs instead of the [ signs and it made it disappear because it thought it was web code! I am so used to using those symbols to write code that I goofed up and used them instead of the brackets.
So, originally, when I posted this, the word "expletive" wasn't showing up. I since fixed it.
WTH, ok, thanks, that makes
January 22, 2009 - 11:09 ET by JasonCWTH, ok, thanks, that makes sense. Nonetheless, the addition of that information makes it a lot harder to maintain plausible deniabiliity on Clinton's behalf. Can I assume that the expletive was the f-word?
Yeah...
January 22, 2009 - 11:12 ET by Warner Todd HustonYeah, it makes it a bit harder to believe that an F U Bush was meant for the singer, doesn't it?
It's more of a stretch than
January 22, 2009 - 11:23 ET by JasonCIt's more of a stretch than I'm willing to make. And I can't say I care enough about George Clinton to argue in his defense, even if I thought there was a defense (which I don't).
JasonC & WTH
January 22, 2009 - 16:42 ET by MrShyThe Love Story.
It's getting weird around here.
:)
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
photo in story
January 22, 2009 - 19:18 ET by BO STINKSHi all, just started posting here, long-time lurker.
Yes it is getting weird around here, Mr Shy. BTW - who put a photo of a Shit-Zu in this article?
"If your cause is just, if your principles are pure & if your conduct is prudent you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts." John Witherspoon
Jason, I missed the
January 22, 2009 - 11:12 ET by fitzfongJason,
I missed the [expletive] part until I read the Washington Times article. I'd say they certainly used bad judgment, but there isn't enough evidence to impute malice. This falls under the "know your audience" category. You certainly don't help your marketability by insulting your guests. At this point, I'd chalk it up to stupidity.
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
fitzfong.blogspot.com
It's more than stupidity...
January 22, 2009 - 11:48 ET by ForeverOnTheRight,take into account that he has been arrested for cocaine possession, this shows me that there is bad decision making on his part. Anyone who uses a drug to help them through life like cocaine needs help, they have made a bad choice in coping with the pain in their life. I’ve made my own so I know from experience.
Details
January 22, 2009 - 11:02 ET by Seamus DI'm down with the P-Funk since way back, I'd like to find out what really happened. I also wouldn't have booked them for a veteran's ball, bad choice for that type of event.
They seem like a good
January 22, 2009 - 11:05 ET by JasonCThey seem like a good choice in terms of good, fun, energetic, danceable music; less of a good choice in terms of politics. Seems like it was foolish to display that banner in front of a bunch of troops, the demographic (arguably) with which Bush probably maintained his highest approval rating.
Jason & Seamus
January 22, 2009 - 12:10 ET by MrShy"Seems like it was foolish to display that banner in front of a bunch of troops"
Jason, uh, you think so? And Seamus, the proof is in the photo pudding, above.
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
Shy, for the record, when I
January 22, 2009 - 12:14 ET by JasonCShy, for the record, when I made my first few posts here, the picture wasn't yet up and due to an HTML error, the story reported that the sign merely said "Bush". And I think you could agree that there are other demographics that would have loved the sign, expletive and all.
JasonC
January 22, 2009 - 12:35 ET by MrShy"And I think you could agree that there are other demographics that would have loved the sign, expletive and all."
Yeah, just as I love signs that read "F - - K OBAMA", or "F - - K CLINTON" or "F - - K CARTER"....
Oh, wait, what am I saying, I don't. And I am certain a way-larger majority of Repubs/conservatives would disapprove, too, regardless of demographics.
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
Exactly Shy!
January 22, 2009 - 22:43 ET by Dee BunkThe sad thing is that Obama will be perceived as some kind of uniter just because we don't do stuff like that.
Have you visited this sight yet to thank Bush and show him we are all not a bunch of classless haters?
http://www.mission1a...
You can just click on thank you and don't need to add a note unless you feel like it. Please visit and pass it on if you can
I don't think
January 22, 2009 - 11:10 ET by 5kidsnadogthat there's any way you could convince most of us that they were flying a white flag with F*** George on it and it WASN'T directed at President Bush. The whole day was just one big dis on President Bush - from the boo's at the inauguration, to the jeering as his helicopter took off, to the signs around town, the libs showed NO class. And now we're supposed to believe that they were directing expletives at the leader of the band? Why? Did he squelch the union or something? Give me a break.
I'm so glad that
January 22, 2009 - 11:23 ET by cocodrieI'm so glad that left-wing extremists are always so innocent, always ashamed of what they really are. Any excuse when you get caught with your baggy pants down.
Jesus Loves You
Why in God's name
January 22, 2009 - 11:43 ET by Delsawould Obama and his crew invite these bottom feeders to entertain our wounded Veterins?
BECAUSE SOB-AMA and HIS CREW, have NO RESPECT for OUR MILITARY!
Period!
What have the voters in this country done?
I am left nonplussed.
Washington has become the stench...
January 22, 2009 - 11:48 ET by wnaegele...in the nostrils of America.
Washington can't help it
January 22, 2009 - 11:54 ET by cocodrieWashington is the infected boil on the BUTT of America.
Jesus Loves You
Only in America...
January 22, 2009 - 12:12 ET by Lord ErondIs a dirtbag sack of garbage, waste of protoplasm, cocaine using piece of trash like this allowed to insult a good and honorable President and not be taken out back instantly and have a bullet put in his head.
I guess GWB isn't the fascist he's claimed to be or else that's exactly what would have happened.
God Bless America...even if Barack is President.
"What you can not enforce, do not command" -Sophocles-
Liberals: Tolerant,
January 22, 2009 - 12:36 ET by wiwfLiberals: Tolerant, Respectful, and Intelligent.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
Just remember
January 22, 2009 - 13:14 ET by cocodrieThe P-Funk All Stars are the essence of the new administration.
We are the "George" along with President Bush.
Bend over and brace yourselves.
Jesus Loves You
if it was directed a the
January 22, 2009 - 13:43 ET by seaniepif it was directed a the band leader . . . why not make a sign that said F*&^ CLINTON?
teeheehee - that would have been funny
They insult the man i voted for 2 times
January 22, 2009 - 13:48 ET by Calypso Jonesand then they insult my intelligence. I think i can determine that this was an intended insult to George Bush. Neither was it a smart decision but I do believe it was an intentional insult to the military present to engage a musician of such base character.
Confusion?????
January 22, 2009 - 14:18 ET by Roscoe MendagoUpon reading the first few posts there seemed to be some liberal parsing as to what F--K George meant. F--K George Clinton was a possibility given, oh yeah that sign was meant for your boss and band leader, makes sense to me.
The Obama administration is going to be one big middle finger to anything conservative and this is just an example of how things are going to be until [The Messiah] is proven a total fraud. The next 4yrs can't go quickly enough. Already he's issuing executive orders, sure makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
This guy is gonna get us all killed!!!!
You want confusion?
January 22, 2009 - 14:31 ET by cocodrieThe Chosen One had to ask his lawyer what was in his executive orders about Gitmo and explain it to him.
The puppet said to his master, "Take my hand and lead me on for I know not what I do."
Jesus Loves You
Please tell me this isn't happening------
January 22, 2009 - 14:45 ET by Roscoe MendagoYa know, we're always told how certain people are "the smartest in the room", well in this room we see who's smart. All the evidence that socialism doesn't work, and to see it clung to by the loony left and also there's someplace on earth that terrorist detainees would be better housed than Gitmo, these are just two examples of that profound oxymoron [liberal intelligence].
Wake me when it's over.......
Please tell me this isn't happening------
January 22, 2009 - 14:48 ET by Roscoe MendagoYa know, we're always told how certain people are "the smartest in the room", well in this room we see who's smart. All the evidence that socialism doesn't work, and to see it clung to by the loony left and also there's someplace on earth that terrorist detainees would be better housed than Gitmo, these are just two examples of that profound oxymoron [liberal intelligence].
Wake me when it's over.......
Please tell me this isn't happening------
January 22, 2009 - 14:49 ET by Roscoe MendagoYa know, we're always told how certain people are "the smartest in the room", well in this room we see who's smart. All the evidence that socialism doesn't work, and to see it clung to by the loony left and also there's someplace on earth that terrorist detainees would be better housed than Gitmo, these are just two examples of that profound oxymoron [liberal intelligence].
Wake me when it's over.......
coco, I heard about that, too, but it will NEVER get reported.
January 22, 2009 - 15:00 ET by R D HelmOne day, we are going to find out who actually is Oz behind the curtain and pushing the buttons for Dear Leader, because it damn sure isn't him.
-Dave
“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -While there is still time.
Then they say we should
January 22, 2009 - 15:03 ET by Richard RomanoThen they say we should unite, and that Obama ushers in a new age. Oh really? The new age is the destruction of conservatives by belittling their ideas and not giving them a voice.
I can't wait when Obama fall flat because he cannot live up to the expectations these idiot liberals have placed for him.
Fight Back
January 22, 2009 - 15:15 ET by jdubyaFight these cowards tooth and nail. They were ruthless, rude, and downright evil in their treatment when they were "shackled during the bush years". Now it is time for them to have a dose of their own medicine, with an added kicker.
I no longer want to hear about how any of us should turn the other cheek. These primates are totally wrong in their treatment of others and need to be treated they way they treat others.
Since I am a cynical SOB
January 22, 2009 - 19:09 ET by ahusserI think the sign was meant to "diss" President Bush but it was disguised by saying George instead of Bush. Thinking that if someone took offense they could point to the band leader as the one the sign was intended. Anyway this isn't going to be the first time the military wounded or otherwise is going to be "dissed". It's going to be Carter/Clinton redux in spades. (oops is that a disguised racist remark.... nah.)
Change: When the winds of change blow hard enough, the most trivial of things can become deadly projectiles. From a Poster
Thank you, President Bush
January 22, 2009 - 19:27 ET by BO STINKSI just want to take this opportunity to thank President Bush for his unwavering service to our country. Thank you, Mr. President, for keeping us safe while you were in office. Thank you, Mr.President, for appointing supreme court justices who honor the sanctity of life. Thank you, Mr. President, for being a fine example to us all re: class, honor, dignity and humor. God bless and keep you and your wonderful family.
"If your cause is just, if your principles are pure & if your conduct is prudent you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts." John Witherspoon