Photographic meanderings

Abandoned farm road.

Sun has set behind
the western alcove wall
casting shadows, dusk.

I have removed the link to my Zazzle store, and have requested cancelation of my account with Zazzle because a member there is selling a bumper sticker I find highly objectionable. It reads “Pray for Obama: Psalms 109:8″

That particular verse reads “Let his days be few; and let another take his office.” (King James Version). I was taught that when quoting Bible, context is everything. The next verse reads “Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow”.

For the full chapter, be sure to follow this finely crafted link:

Psalms 109

I’m reading this as an imprecatory prayer, something to which I am morally opposed. Because this bumper sticker only used that one verse, and not the subsequent verse, it could be argued that he’s not advocating assassination. However, I’m not convinced after the recent murder of Dr. Tiller, as well as other assaults on abortion providers and clinics in America. This is a call for the assassination of President Obama, and I cannot be convinced otherwise.

While one could argue “free speech”, it’s important to remember that free speech does not protect speech advocating murder or violent overthrow of the government, and it is my hope that the “artist” who created this is brought to justice under the law. Further, the Constitution provides for the right to free association, which means I have the right *not* to associate, however remotely, with the “artist” who created this product, nor with the company that sells the product.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have received very few orders for my work through Zazzle. I’m not really losing any money here.

A friend of mine has just asked how this is different from the anti-Bush bumper stickers of 2003. My response is that I’m unaware of any calls for assassination through imprecatory prayer aimed at Bush.

If you chose to comment, be aware that free speech means the US Government won’t silence dissent. It doesn’t mean that I won’t screen comments, and delete at arbitrary will. My blog=my rules. Complaints about deletion will result in banning. Yes, I’m a tyrant. I pay for this blog out of my own pocket, with NO advertising. If you do not agree with my rules, you are free to not donate.

Blue light and gold leaves
In the shadow of the wall
Merced River gorge

No dragon ever had
Such a cache of brilliant gold
as this ladybug

Because you really shouldn’t take anything too seriously.

A cottonwood tree
sinks its roots in the river
one last autumn drink

8″x12″ Fuji Pearl print, $25 postage paid delivered.

Cottonwood and Oak leaves glow yellow against a blue-tinted granite rock on the edge of the Merced River.

Available as an 8″x12″ print, $25 postage paid delivery.

Available as an 8 x 12 print on Fuji Pearl photo paper for $25, ppd.

Fallen leaves decorate this small pond like confetti.