Ignoring the Alarming Situation in Fukushima

One thing you rarely hear about in the MSM--or from Obama--is Fukushima. Multiple core meltdowns have occurred and tons of radioactive water are dumped daily into the Pacific Ocean. Yet what do Obama and Hillary want to focus on? Climate change. Why? Because climate change will enable them to push a carbon tax in order to line the capacious pockets of globalists. It aligns with Agenda 21 and other UN plans to make humans feel guilty for being alive. Do you breathe? Oh my goodness…you are putting carbon into the atmosphere. You dirty human! Pay up!

Meanwhile, nothing is done about the biggest disaster known to mankind—Fukushima. GE knew their reactors were unsafe. They knew the design was flawed and spent fuel rods have only added to the disaster. They knew it wasn’t wise to build their flawed reactors on the coast of Japan—easily exposed to tsunamis. They knew the area was prone to earthquakes. They knew and didn’t care as long as they got their short-term windfall profit. And, of course, nobody goes to jail.

It’s all about the short term and massive bucks for a few insiders. The Pacific ocean and humanity be damned. This is the mentality of those at the top—the 1/10th of 1 percent. The rest of the world can go to a radioactive hell as long as they get theirs.

Thanks to Lewis C. for his work that illustrates the point.

Verrrrrrry Interesting

http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/internet-trolls-may-be-trained-government-agents-according-to-leaked-document/

When I began drawing anti-establishment and anti-Federal Reserve cartoons, I almost immediately became the target of Internet trolls. When I complained, I was instantly accused of being against 'free speech' because I did not enjoy being libeled. I made a mistake and said hate speech was not free speech when it really isn't allowed on sites such as Facebook. (By hate speech I mean trolls calling for the death of human beings based on race and religion). By mistake, I mean I failed to qualify it as pertaining to being on social media. Hate speech is precious to many and any criticism of it automatically brings on attacks and accusations to anyone challenging it. I am for free speech and hate speech is legal in America. Regardless, the damage was done and I can't unring that bell.

When countless dopplegängers were set up on social media to impersonate me in order to make me appear as a racist nut job, I complained and wondered if it could be government operatives. When I said that, the trolls gushed howling gales of laughter and accused me of being 'paranoid.' In fact, no matter what I did or didn't do, I was vilified, ridiculed, smeared and libeled. Every cartoon I've drawn has been vandalized and turned into anti-Semitism and racism. My business was targeted. So was my family. Even my fine art was attacked. Hate mail continues to pour in whether I draw new cartoons or not. I just received one this morning calling me various names. The people sending them usually have anonymous email.

This article may help shed light on what has been happening to me.

Among the core self-identified purposes of JTRIG are two tactics: (1) to inject all sorts of false material onto the internet in order to destroy the reputation of its targets; and (2) to use social sciences and other techniques to manipulate online discourse and activism to generate outcomes it considers desirable. To see how extremist these programs are, just consider the tactics they boast of using to achieve those ends: “false flag operations” (posting material to the internet and falsely attributing it to someone else), fake victim blog posts (pretending to be a victim of the individual whose reputation they want to destroy), and posting “negative information” on various forums. - See more at: http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/internet-trolls-may-be-trained-government-agents-according-to-leaked-document/#sthash.FCvAhd57.dpuf

https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2014/02/24/jtrig-manipulation/

Trolls and Internet dissenters love to level the accusation of “CENSORSHIP!” as soon as they are restricted from carrying out their often highly orchestrated opposition to information they would love to suppress from being propagated on the Internet. Don’t fall for this ploy. - See more at: http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/internet-trolls-may-be-trained-government-agents-according-to-leaked-document/#sthash.FCvAhd57.dpuf

Rogue Cartoonist

I got paid from Amazon today. I sold more ebooks than I expected. 38 'free' books were also downloaded by Kindle Unlimited subscribers. I'm fine with that since it helps get the word out.

Inexplicably, my printed book has made a return appearance on Amazon. I'm not sure how, and BookBaby never did answer my questions about why they failed to deliver it as promised in the first place. Apparently they have recently delivered a batch to Amazon, which now has a few copies left in stock. Maybe it was finally printed because I called BookBaby a scam and I shamed them on my blog. I doubt that kind of shaming was the reason, though. More likely, I was put off BookBaby's radar after they got my money and then, four or five months later, they finally got around to printing a few of my books. Who knows.

Even if I do sell a few printed versions, I doubt I'll ever see a dime. BookBaby is notorious for not paying royalties to authors and my royalty is a pittance. At least Amazon gives me a better royalty on the ebook.

http://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Cartoonist-Internet-Perils-Citizen-Muckraker-ebook/dp/B00XGFI0SK

Where I stand

I was asked a question today...where do I stand when it comes to anti-Semitism. I've already answered this question many times, but here I go again:

I despise anti-Semitism and racism and I always have. I explain this in some depth in my book "Rogue Cartoonist," which few have read. I am against the Federal Reserve and central bankers. My cartoons lambast corruption based on the deeds of men--NOT their race or religion. Because I do not attack 'the Jews,' many far right-wing and Nazi trolls (Andrew Anglin, 4chan, etc) decided to punish me. They began vandalizing my cartoons and altering them into anti-Semitism and racism. Their hate speech garbage now often trumps my own original work on search engines.

At the very least they've muddied the waters to such a degree that my freedom of speech has been nullified. Each and every cartoon I've drawn has been defaced into libel. Since I'm not a public figure, many have been fooled into believing the libel as being true. It's not true.

I've lost many commercial art clients and my business has suffered. I never had a chance to explain to them my predicament. It's also very embarrassing to have to tell people what has been happening--it's like trying to convince someone that no, I don't beat my wife. 

I realize that many Jews got into banking because they had few alternatives. Many trades were closed to Jews around the middle ages and Christians forbade 'usury'...and so Jews began banking in order to survive. I also realize many bankers such as the Rothschilds happened to be Jewish. Again, I denounce deeds...NOT religion and many Jews aren't bankers, but middle class people just trying to make a living. 

I worked at several newspapers during my 20 year career as a journalist and I met many very smart, kind Jewish people--including my friend Steve Greenberg who has a very sharp sense of humor. I disagree with a lot of what he pens, but I admire his devotion to his craft. Most of all, I want to assure you that there are plenty of Libertarians out there who are neither racist nor anti-Semitic. We believe that government has grown too large, too dictatorial and too corrupt. We want freedom for ALL--including those of all races and religions. 

Libertarians are not uniform in their views. Some are religious and some aren't (I'm not). Some support Israel and some don't. (I do--the last time I heard Israel isn't using 10 year old children to cut off the heads of those with whom they disagree). Some support gay marriage and some don't. (I do). The MSM delight in painting us as bigoted kooks. Regardless, I will continue to speak out against anti-Semitism and racism. I believe all races and creeds need to speak out against statism and in the case of the US., realize that our government has been stolen from us. The government WANTS us divided and if we dare speak out against open corruption we are called names such as 'racist!' 

Our government, the media and most of public education are now in the control of global corporations/lobbyists and central bankers. Go against that agenda and expect flak. I've received plenty. I know many disagree with my political views and that's fine. What's not fine is destroying someone's reputation through libel and defamation.--Ben Garrison

The Federal Reserve Is A Cartel And The Economic Recovery Is An Illusion

When it read G. Edward Griffin's book years ago, it really opened my eyes. All Americans need to read it. ("The Creature from Jekyll Island").



The banks have become the government. Remember folks, the government is NOT the country! The government tries to tell us that we're not 'patriotic' if we oppose the government, but the opposite is true. --BG

GREECE IS NOW A GERMAN COLONY

Will the Greek people revolt? It remains to be seen...

They just gave away their democracy to the central banksters. NOW...the EU can strip bank accounts, seize infrastructure, raise taxes, pare down pensions and impose slave-like austerity on the people. They owed the banks money, after all! Shame on them! Oh wait--what happened when the elite banks THEMSELVES got into trouble? Oh well...we taxpayers had to bail THEM out to the tune of $16 trillion. It's a double standard.

Also, the debt problem isn’t going away. It’s still there. The Greeks got ZERO in concessions! Sort of like Obama’s deal with Iran. He gave them the store and got nothing in return. 

Please, Greek people...start rioting. Don't take this coup by the 1/10th of 1 percent who own and control nearly everything...now they want to turn you into their slaves. STAND UP! REVOLT!

Oh--by the way, this will soon be coming to America, too.

Abe Lincoln: What They WON'T Teach in School

The real Lincoln wanted power and money. He was controlled by big railroad money. He was a racist and a tyrant. He marked the point where states' rights were usurped by a strong, central government. Lincoln led the country away from Jeffersonian principles and toward empire. He also caused at least 600,000 Americans to die.

Political Compass

Here's my political compass. Some may say after looking at it that I'm not really a libertarian. They can think whatever they want--that's their prerogative. Many libertarians disagree on some of the issues listed in the test. For example, I for one do not condone spanking children. I also don't like abortion, but it's folly to pass laws to stop it.

I'm surprised my dot wasn't closer to the bottom center, but so be it. It's just a test and it has its limitations.

http://www.politicalcompass.org

UPDATE: Someone told me the above test tends to make libertarians look more right wing and authoritarian than they are. So here is a better, more accurate test:

http://www.gotoquiz.com/politics/political-spectrum-quiz.html

My results:

Blue Indian Sold

Found out that I sold another painting at my gallery, ArtFusion, in Bigfork. It's the fastest I've ever sold a painting and my congrats to the buyer. I'm currently working on a large painting of a old west poker game--in my cubist style, of course.

Interest is building for my work and I KNOW what I'm doing is good stuff. I'm not bragging...it's just that after a long career as an artist I know what path on which I want to travel. I know. It's too bad this didn't occur when I was 30 instead of now when I'm pushing 60. Regardless, I plan on making use of the time I have left and I will paint some unique visions.

Saturday Roundup

So. As it turns out, BookBaby wasn't about to print one single on-demand book for me as promised. Amazon has dropped my book because of BookBaby's failure to deliver. Can I get a refund? Unlikely. Nobody at BookBaby knows what's going on.  Not even the president. I got the run around....they're all suddenly Sergeant Schulz-like. "We know NOTHINK!" Until I am reimbursed, I will continue to speak out against BookBaby and warn others. There's no excuse for the shabby way my book was treated. I did receive 100 expensive copies up front. I gave almost all of them away for free. I even paid postage to places as far away as Australia and England. The books are now nearly gone. So to all of you who received a copy--you have a rare edition (regardless of the typos and mistakes) because it's unlikely I'll ever print another one.

---------------

Here's a photo taken today at the gallery in Bigfork. ArtFusion has displayed my large painting of a fly fisherman out front and it's generating quite a buzz. Few people in this area have seen such a thing. Mostly they see the usual clichés--realistic landscapes and wildlife paintings. Mine stands out.

"Fly Fisherman," available at ArtFusion Contemporary Art Gallery in Bigfork.

------------

I have not drawn a cartoon in over a month. I have the ideas. I have the time. I have the desire. What I don't have is freedom of speech. Whatever I draw is instantly defaced into hate and spread around the Interwebs. My reputation has been ruined as a result and it just makes no sense to draw something that will be seen by a few who like my cartoons while the rest of the world will see the defaced version. Until I can figure out a solution, there's no sense in drawing more cartoons.

---------------------
Finally, I have something to say about the tragic shooting that took place in South Carolina. Before those murders were considered, here is a statement that was made:


"The present situation is so unsettling that it's necessary to have an extreme response."


Do you know who delivered the above quote? See if you can guess. Was it a young man named Dylann Roof who coldly shot down innocent churchgoers? Guess again. It was Andrew Anglin, who runs a silly, but well-read Nazi site that spews hate. Is it any surprise that he and his ilk have had an effect on young, impressionable and ignorant minds?

Anglin instantly started back peddling as fast as he could to avoid any blame. Apparently he's now a paragon of peace and understanding. He's suddenly become the Martin Luther King Jr. of white supremacists.

http://splcenter.org/blog/2015/06/22/dylann-roof-may-have-been-a-regular-commenter-at-neo-nazi-website-the-daily-stormer/

And yet he has published statements such as "Gas the kikes, race war now!" and he has affixed my name to such shameful slogans. He publishes vicious and disgusting A. Wyatt Mann cartoons calling for race hatred--and he puts MY name on them. It's libel and it's actionable. It's too bad I can't get a lawyer interested in going after him. Why? Because he's also a broke loser.

Andrew is an Internet troll. Trolls stir up shit and laugh about it. That's their main goal and passion in life. Yet this time Andrew is definitely not laughing about the murders he may have indirectly caused...but since he is a troll he's definitely not about to take any responsiblity whatsoever. Oh no--trolls never take responsibility for their words. They blame others.

Behind it all is his charlatan "Christian" counselor daddy, Greg Anglin. Hey Greg, would Jesus approve of what your son is doing? Your deep pockets fund your son's online hate screeds and trolling. Donations are sent to your office while you claim you have no idea whatsoever what your baby boy is doing. Nosirreebob--you only started the site for your kiddo. You're the daddy troll. You enjoy it and laugh.

You also claim you have no idea what National Socialism is. Hitler who? The fact that your precious offspring has repeatedly pasted my name on disgusting A. Wyatt Mann cartoons that call for race hatred must bring you quite a belly laugh. What your son has done is libel, pure and simple.

You've also funded trips for your kid. You know, the one where he spent a year in the Philippines because he loves to drink and frolic among very, very young filipino girlfriends. You saw nothing wrong with that, either. In fact, you put your stamp of approval on his behavior, didn't you?

So enjoy your creation and make sure you also claim no responsibility for the increasing acceptance of race hatred among young people. The elite at the top love what you and your boy are doing. After all, if the nation is kept divided by race issues, there's less of a chance of all races coming together to fight tyranny and economic slavery. --Ben Garrison

bengarrison.com

My website is back up today. It now focuses on my fine art. I've come full circle. I'm now officially a starving artist--a painter. This is what I had expected to be when I was in college.

I have managed to sell quite a few paintings and I have more in the works. My paintings are now sold exclusively at the ArtFusion, the lone contemporary art gallery in BigFork. The other art galleries there basically sell the same old kitsch that has been painted millions of times. Of course, kitsch does sell. Too many people want comfortable, safe clichés and nostalgia. I prefer to take a different path.

http://www.bengarrison.com

Blue Indian

Here is my latest painting titled, "Blue Indian." It will soon be at the ArtFusion gallery in Bigfork. Oil on canvas, 18x24. I've seen many cliché paintings of such an Indian--usually painted in ultra realistic style. I took a different tack, but I still wanted to maintain an expression of severity and dignity. I think I accomplished that. The man is from the Blackfoot Indian tribe. I lived among these Indians when I was a kid at a ranch in Blackfoot Idaho.

I met an Indian here in Lakeside recently. He was about my age and had an advanced degree in languages. He spoke many Indian languages fluently including the one used by the local Salish/Kootenai tribes. He spoke to me in that language and it sounded exceptionally beautiful. He said some of the Indian languages had many more words than English. which enabled one to express oneself in subtle ways. The Salish language in particular was very poetic and beautiful. I wish I could speak such a language.

I'm currently working on my next painting and it will be a good one. I'm also considering not drawing any more cartoons since everything I draw is instantly defaced into hatred by trolls. They've succeeded in ruining my online reputation. My cartoons are no longer being taken seriously or reblogged by others since I'm now seen as racist and 'anti-Semitic.' The trolls have won. My business has also been ruined. Nobody is going to hire me based on my name and google searches. My work site, bengarrison.com is currently down and no longer tenable. I'll have to make major changes in order to try to continue to make a living. All because I dared to draw anti-Federal Reserve cartoons. --Ben Garrison

UPDATE: This painting sold very quickly at the ArtFusion gallery in Bigfork. It's the quickest I've ever sold a painting!

Hate Speech and Dopplegängers

I live in Montana and I know it's freer than a lot of states. I'm also very familiar with 'hate speech' since many trolls around the age of this young man have enjoyed using my name and face to spread their hate--and it went on for  years.

http://reason.com/blog/2015/06/05/montana-hate-speech-case#comment_5348331

Is hate speech really 'free' if it destroys the reputations of others and their ability to communicate clearly? Is it free if it threatens lives? I've been told libel and defamation are 'free speech' and that I'm wrong to complain about getting my reputation ruined. I've been told I 'deserved' it because I complained...therefore I'm against free speech. This was the meme they used to keep the hate going.

I'm now known as an 'anti-Semitic' cartoonist thanks to Internet trolls even though I've clearly stated I'm against racism and anti-Semitism. Even a Fox news affiliate said live on air that I was an 'anti-Semitic cartoonist' simply because that's what they heard over and over via hate speech delivered by countless Internet trolls.

I also drew a custom cartoon for an organization whose ideals I support. They were delighted with the cartoon and they were going to use it for their promotional materials. Then later....no. They changed their minds. Why? Because even though they knew I was heavily trolled, they decided they didn't want to be associated with a cartoonist who is thought to be 'anti-Semitic.' It would be a distraction from what they were trying to do. There! My cartoon goes unseen and my free speech has been shut down because of hate speech. That's why I may give up drawing cartoons altogether...what's the point in extending the joke and further ruining my own reputation? In essence, I've been shut up and I've also lost business due to hate speech.

The young man in question is an obvious Internet troll, which is now a sport or a game among many. He probably doesn't hate jews...he was doing it for the 'lulz.' He was doing it because he can. He is being charged with 'hate speech' under Montana law. I'm surprised Montana had such a law and I expect his case to be tossed out of court. What he was posting was completely reprehensible--he calls for the murder of people based on their religion and some find that hilarious. I don't. And if he had been using my face and name to do it (as trolls were doing with regularity) I would have loved to see him brought to justice in my state because that is libel and it would be far easier to try the case in state court.

As it is, he's free to express his hate. It's legal in America. The problem is, too many are now doing it 'anonymously' and they're able to escape any responsibility or accountability. If they said these things out on a street corner, they'd be ignored or countered and humiliated by reason.

Here's the problem with 'anonymous' hate speech: It encourages abuse and more hatred. The constant repetition of death and hate callouses minds and even starts to make such death threats acceptable. They're not acceptable. Hate speech should be considered 'legal,' but it's not 'free' when it cries for the death of human beings based on their race or religion. When someone is killed as the result of hate speech, their free speech is gone forever. What I'd like to see is responsible speech on the Internet. Do you love Hitler and hate jews? Then go ahead and write that, but PUT YOUR OWN NAME ON IT. Very few will do that. So instead of jail time for this young man, instead let's make him accountable for what he is saying and make sure people know HE is the one behind it. Right now a lot of these young people enjoy online anonymity and they've lost their sense of decency because of it. They have no shame. It's anything goes and they push the envelope because they think free speech is also absolute free speech.

Absolute free speech. Sounds great, huh? If allowed, however, be prepared to accept child porn--kids who are abused and scarred for life. Be prepared to accept anonymous trolls who torment grieving parents whose kid has just died. Be prepared to accept online snuff films. Be prepared for people posting grisly auto wreck scenes featuring horrific photos of someone's dead loved one. (That has happened).  Be prepared to accept someone calling for YOUR death and torment you and your family because you happen to be a targeted race, religion or have a different sexual preference. Be prepared to have your online reputation completely ruined by libel. Be prepared to have your business attacked. Be prepared for people changing your work and your words and into hate. (Happened to me--they've even edited podcast interviews so that I sound like a Nazi). This kind of hate speech has spread to social media--Facebook, Twitter, Reddit and so forth. The anonymous trolls do not own these sites, but the abuse there is increasing daily and sites such as Facebook have a bad track record of enforcing their own stated community standards.

America has long since tolerated hate speech as the price for free speech and the haters were easily ignored. But now, due to the internet, the unheard and the powerless have access to a giant megaphone that is used to make their repeated and very loud cries for murder. Again, they will usually NOT attach their own names to their hate, nor will they pony up their own dime to pay for their own website as a means to spew hate still further. Instead they use free social media and when hate is repeated constantly, impressionable minds start to believe it. (Think of Nazi Germany).

Removing hate speech from social media is not violating free speech. In fact, it's a way of PROTECTING the real free speech of REAL people. If we don't police this ourselves, look for big government to step in and shut down all free speech on the internet. They will use the out of control hate speech as one of their excuses. --Ben Garrison

------
Additional:

Quinn Norton is a marvelously talented writer who penned this response to David Blumenstein's cartoon. If only I could write half as well...she uses the word 'dopplegänger,' which is extremely appropriate. It reminds me of a 'Twilight Zone' episode in which a woman is haunted by a dopplegänger who looks just like her, but has mischievous and even malevolent intent. David has done a lot to help me finally tame my dopplegänger.

https://medium.com/@quinnnorton/4chan-tells-is-very-little-about-ben-garrison-but-it-tells-us-a-lot-about-the-net-bf3b75ccbc54

SPECIAL THANKS TO DAVID BLUMENSTEIN!

https://thenib.com/the-internet-s-most-trolled-cartoonist-91a92d9b7585

He has a unique, distinctive and professional style. He uses minimal colors (love the burnt orange) and has a very gregarious and easy to read lettering style. Some friends have already commented that they knew it was me right away. David can capture the essence of someone in a simple manner and that's very difficult to do. His caricatures have a wonderful warmth and charm.

I am flattered and humbled that he spent so much time doing this great cartoon and I'm certain that it will finally put the trolling to an end. I'm very happy about that! There are some very good people out there who have helped me and this is just amazing. I've received a lot of exposure and now most people know the truth. I can finally close the chapter on the trolling and move on.

Thank you, David for your brilliant work!

--Ben Garrison

I DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH

"I do not consent to a search."

These are words all Americans should memorize.

My son was pulled over by a cop last week when he was driving from North Dakota to Billings. The police started to question him...asking if he had anything to drink (no) and then the cop claimed my son's eyes were 'watery.' At the point the cop wanted to search his car. A cop's imagination is not probable cause. My son had listened to me and wisely told him, "I do not consent to a search." The cop then left. There was no ticket. After all, going 5 mph over the speed limit was hardly worth it. The revenue generator, er, cop, was on a fishing expedition and moved on to snag easier prey.

DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH. Ever. It can never be to your benefit. You do not need to show the cops your 'support' and the cops are NOT your friends. Their job is to find or invent a case and arrest you and get you spending thousands of dollars. That's what it's all about. Again, the cops are out there to arrest you and generate money for their corrupt system. DO NOT TALK TO THEM other than to assert your rights. If you must talk to them, simply say..."Am I free to go?"

https://www.facebook.com/ajplusenglish/videos/558855407589304/

Sometimes this does not work. Watch this video.

https://youtu.be/gyvQ5HkZd3s

The cop got off scot free, of course. No wonder we hear, "No justice, no peace!"

DeKooning

Just a reminder...this is a freaking AWESOME painting.

Illustration vs. Fine art

People have often asked the difference between illustration and fine art. Some have said there is no difference at all. I think there is a difference. A big difference. I shall attempt to answer that question here.

But first, an anecdotal story: I once rented a vacation home in Montana. It was chalk full of Montana clichés. A small carved bear hugged the staircase. The house was rustic and came with a wood stove. Well, not really. It was fake--it was propane stove. The more I looked at the place, I realized it was chalk full of fakery. It's what tourists would expect and the landlord delivered. Mostly, it was filled with well-framed prints by a very popular artist here in Montana named Monte Dolack. He has a gallery in Missoula and apparently he's made a good living from what he does.

What he does is produce clichéd illustrations of Montana wildlife and such. He has sold a great many prints. The landlord had one of his framed prints just above the toilet. It featured wild ducks in a bathroom. It was titled "Suburban Refuge." I was forced to look at his painting daily since it was featured above the toilet. Ducks were in a bathtub and toilet. One was stepping on a tube of toothpaste and squeezing out an inordinate amount of toothpaste considering his weight. The bathtub was fixing to overflow. Apparently it did not have the usual drain that prevented that from happening. Logic cannot interfere--the narrative was wild ducks wreaking havoc and the artist had to force the issue.

I began to hate this painting with a passion. So much so that I removed it and put it facing the wall. It represented everything I hate about art.

Of course, Monte is far more successful than I am. He is perhaps the most celebrated artist in Montana. How did he obtain that status? He painted junk that appealed to the masses, that's how. The landlord had several other framed prints throughout the house and I despised each and every one of them. To be sure, he is far more successful than I am and he's apparently well-loved. I'm unknown. So what. I would never trade places with him.

He's an illustrator and not a fine artist, even if many claim that he is. He paints in an unoriginal style and hangs each work on a narrative and then the art is forced to adhere to that story line. Penguins destroying a refrigerator. A cloud in the shape of a buffalo. Trout in a couch. All rendered in minute, granular detail as if quality is measured by detail by the pound. No matter--simply give it a profound title such as 'Landscapes of the Mind' and people will flock to buy it. And they have. I know Monte couldn't care less about my opinion and I'm sure he'd hate my work. No matter. It's fair use and I happen to have chosen him as an example of illustration vs. fine art. His work is illustration because it depends on a 'hook' or story to reel the viewer in. Such narratives sell artwork--especially here in Montana. Fine art rests on its own merits and relies on the input of the onlooker. The viewer has to invest emotional energy into the work seen and that means an emotional connection occurs. The person is engaged at looking at art when this happens. It's fine art.

I'm a long time commercial artist and illustrator so I know these things. I know how to create metaphors that manipulate and teach the viewer about the content. This is useful and illustration does serve an important purpose. I get paid for doing what I do. It's not fine art. I came up with the following table to help further this understanding:

Of course, I can go on and on about this, but I think anyone who has read this gets the point. Illustration is narrative--left brain and horizontal thinking. Fine art transcends words and description. It stands on it's own merit--it's vertical thinking, which is far more effective at providing the meaning of life. Ducks in a bathtub do not provide the meaning of life.

--Ben Garrison

Prokofiev - Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Flat Major, Op. 10

Prokofiev looked like a Russian businessman, but his music was amazing. This is an early work and it's very short--but it's a work of genius. Prokofiev returned to Russia at the worst possible time....Stalin had taken over and it was a grim time for creative geniuses such as him. (And Shostakovich).

Daily Reminder: Andrew Anglin is a Little Troll

The fake Nazi scamp is at it again. Andrew Anglin, I mean. Apparently he's published another photo of me in a Nazi uniform (yawn) along with an anti-Semitic hate screed. I guess he's run out of original ideas. No worries...his daddy--Greg Anglin, a professional Christian "counselor," who apparently prefers that his patients are good looking young ladies, will pay his bills when he can't raise enough donations from his hate. His dad has received bad reviews for his work... perhaps because he mostly enjoys toying with people's minds. Like father, like son.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syWHGdCrEgg

Little Andrew is a trolling scallywag--following in his dad's footsteps. He's not a Nazi--that's just the song and dance he puts on in order to raise money through hate. In my book I've exposed him for what he is--he's a professional troll. Seen in this light, he is harmless. (Unlike his dad who messes with people's minds for a living).

http://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Cartoonist-Internet-Perils-Citizen-Muckraker-ebook/dp/B00XGFI0SK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432409542&sr=8-1&keywords=rogue+cartoonist

Enjoy your hate, Andy....now get back to work and earn those shekels...your dad can't be expected to pick up your tab forever.

http://knowyourmeme.com/photos/957991-ben-garrison

Here is an earlier message that I posted:

Anglin is a spoiled, immature troll and nothing more. He uses his cartoon Nazi site to attract haters willing to support his troll habit. In other words, he's figured out how to get paid to troll. He knows hate pays. He's admitted that trolling is his passion. He's proud of it...but when Anglin himself is trolled he tosses a tear-filled tantrum. He also fancies himself some sort of journalist, which is laughable and pathetic.

What's even more pathetic is big daddy bankrolls his son's bad behavior. It must be interesting for him, a so-called 'Christian mental health professional,' to sit back and enjoy the psychology of it all. Shame on both of them...but his dad deserves condemnation in particular. There's no way America will EVER embrace that stupid Hitler junk--especially my generation. Our fathers fought in WWII to defeat that bastard. Hitler disdained Christianity and warred with Russia (Soviet Union), and yet Anglin admires Putin. It all makes no sense, but trolls care little about logic and reason. They merely want to stir up hate. Again, it's just trolling and that's all. Anglin is not smart enough for anything else.

End of story. --Ben Garrison

interview

http://knowyourmeme.com/blog/interviews/qa-with-ben-garrison

Know your meme dot com just published an interview and I hope it clears the cigar-smokey air a bit more. --Ben