Ron Paul v. Satan

Mike Riggs | June 3, 2008

Catchy rhymes, vibrant colors, a hyper-masculine Lady Liberty, and Ron Paul wielding various sharp-edged tools populate artist Randy Lee Blain's iconic representations of the good doctor-candidate.

But the award for Most Nonsensical Picture That May Actually Reflect The Worldview of Ron Paul's Legions of Loyal Followers goes to "The Second Amendment." This print features a "Locked and loaded Lady Liberty guarding the bridge to LibertyLand [sic] with a billy goat gruff, a mountain goat symbolizing the wild spirit of liberty."

Blain promises that his limited-run Ron Paul concept pieces are destined to appreciate in value. You better believe he's telling the truth: According to Blain's website, his patrons include renowned art collectors Michael Jackson, David Bowie, and Ted Turner.

Comments

Colin|6.3.08 @ 4:01PM|#

What a terrible painting.

|6.3.08 @ 4:04PM|#

I think Lady Liberty is actually Captain America in drag. That would explain the use of his shield emblem on her spear hurled at Satan.

DannyK|6.3.08 @ 4:04PM|#

Wow, now I want to start a libertarian metal band, so I can put that on the cover. I am troubled that he wasn't able to work the Ron Paul blimp into the composition, though.

|6.3.08 @ 4:06PM|#

His style is a weird mishmash of accomplished commercial art techniques and naive, folk-art elements and composition.

|6.3.08 @ 4:15PM|#

Of course, two of the three patrons Mr. Riggs mentions are not only wealthy but probably mentally insane.

|6.3.08 @ 4:16PM|#

I'm telling you, Ted Turner is one tic away from being Howard Hughes during his bathtub phase.

|6.3.08 @ 4:17PM|#

ArtPOG,
You don't think Michael Jackson is insane?

|6.3.08 @ 4:18PM|#

I can't but help admire an artist who has the balls to show this in public, much less offer it for sale.

|6.3.08 @ 4:21PM|#

Warren,

Ha ha, burn on Bowie!

|6.3.08 @ 4:23PM|#

I was/am a diehard Paul supporter, but this air of creepiness to the whole movement always bothered me. Luckily it looks like Bob Barr will be keeping tighter control of his public image.

And I second the "Captain America in drag" comment.

|6.3.08 @ 4:25PM|#

This is probably the most bizarre artwork I've ever seen, and it certainly offers a window into the mindset of the fringe set of bandwagon "libertarians" who have latched themselves onto Ron Paul. And even though the artist feels the need to explain the imagery in the Second Amendment piece, I still don't understand why the goat represents "liberty." All in all, a confusing and slightly disturbing website.

Other Matt|6.3.08 @ 4:26PM|#

And I second the "Captain America in drag" comment.

Third. Move for a floor vote.

WTF on the goat? I mean, I went to the USNA and all, so I guess I'm ok with a goat as a sports mascot, but what bearing does one have with the 2nd Amend and Capt America in drag?

|6.3.08 @ 4:26PM|#

Correction on the previous comment: this is the most bizarre POLITICAL artwork I've ever seen.

|6.3.08 @ 4:28PM|#

The goat represents liberty as a sort of enlightened Galactus-type figure. Goats not being particular about their diet, it consumes indiscriminantly and excretes that which is not digestible or has little value.

Hope this helps.

Taktix&#174|6.3.08 @ 4:28PM|#

These kind of remind me of the cover art for Crash Test Dummies...

|6.3.08 @ 4:30PM|#

The goat's diet of course consisting of the most readily available resources in the noosphere.

|6.3.08 @ 4:39PM|#

I like how the artist uses Satan as an allegorical symbol for Satan.

Troy|6.3.08 @ 4:44PM|#

Awesome symbol of Ron Paul v Satan. Based on the response, you can tell you are striking a nerve by hitting too close to the truth.

Good work.

|6.3.08 @ 4:50PM|#

Troy-

I supported Paul. If you look and that and say it's good just because you like the "Ron Paul is good" message of it, you've lost all touch with reality. There was plenty of good Ron Paul campaign art. This is not an example of it.

shecky|6.3.08 @ 4:54PM|#

Who knew Lady Liberty was a Neandethal?

But the Goat of Freedom is a meme that should be preserved.

Pottsy|6.3.08 @ 4:59PM|#

Personally, I found these paintings a bit too subtle for my taste. I'm glad he included all of the flying banners to beat me over the head with his message.

BC|6.3.08 @ 5:00PM|#

Is that a burning roach in BF's hand?

|6.3.08 @ 5:02PM|#

And why does- I'm gonna guess Ben Franklin but possibly George Washington- appear to be air-masturbating?

|6.3.08 @ 5:02PM|#

But the Goat of Freedom is a meme that should be preserved.

Agreed. And the Dems and Repubs got animals, so...?

Rimfax|6.3.08 @ 5:06PM|#

That's not "a hyper-masculine Lady Liberty". That's just Starchild.

|6.3.08 @ 5:14PM|#

"That's not "a hyper-masculine Lady Liberty". That's just Starchild"

I rate this comment 1 BNS*


*brief nasal snort

|6.3.08 @ 5:27PM|#

Psychodelic rock poster artist Alton Kelly dead at 67 in California.

DannyK|6.3.08 @ 5:29PM|#

I like the flying banners with the slogans, very old-school.

And didn't somebody say something about how the "Goat of Liberty must be liberally lubed with the blood of tyrants"?

|6.3.08 @ 5:37PM|#

A locked and loaded drag-queen preventing brown skinned hispanics from entering the Land of Liberty? You're right, it unfortunately does represent the worldview of some supporters. Sigh.

|6.3.08 @ 5:44PM|#

A wise and frugal goat, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned - this is the sum of good goat.

Joel|6.3.08 @ 5:53PM|#

I know I'm picking nits on artwork that should just be ridiculed whole cloth. But of all the long guns the artist could have given Lady Liberty ... he picks a Schmeisser? Sorta sending the wrong message there, I think...

At least, I hope it's the wrong message...

|6.3.08 @ 6:14PM|#

The goat is a very old symbol of extreme libertine licentiousness (think satyrs).

Also goatsex.

Ska|6.3.08 @ 6:28PM|#

GW is cleaning his rifle so he can shotgun Franklin's doob. Sweet.

|6.3.08 @ 6:30PM|#

But of all the long guns the artist could have given Lady Liberty ... he picks a Schmeisser?

I hear ya, but on the other hand, would you entrust your liberty to a flintlock?

Naga Sadow|6.3.08 @ 6:54PM|#

FOOLS!!!! ALL FOOLS!!!! Its a work of brilliant art! Brilliant I say!!!

|6.3.08 @ 7:02PM|#

Weird, but this tops them all:
http://solomonsmusic.net/HitloH.gif

|6.3.08 @ 7:22PM|#

Why is Liberty attacking Satan? Satan's on our side! He rebelled against God (the original authoritarian dictator) and famously preferred Hell to the eternal servitude of Heaven - if Satan's not a libertarian, who is?

Someone Who Doesn\'t Want to L|6.3.08 @ 10:48PM|#

Ron Paul v. Satan:

I'ma hafta go with Ditka on this one, too.

Mike Laursen|6.4.08 @ 1:07AM|#

And why does- I'm gonna guess Ben Franklin but possibly George Washington- appear to be air-masturbating?

It's hard to see, but there's a high-resolution version on the guy's website: Mr. Franklin is holding a cigarette of some kind.

The Wine Commonsewer|6.4.08 @ 2:20AM|#

Jesus Chrysler!

|6.4.08 @ 11:06AM|#

Wonkette covered this months ago. Not surprising, as that is what Reason is devolving into.

Mike Laursen|6.4.08 @ 11:34AM|#

Wonkette covered this months ago. Not surprising, as that is what Reason is devolving into.

Hey, where are the drinking game rules, again?

Tempestt B.|6.4.08 @ 11:59AM|#

reason sucks