“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”
—Scott Adams
How far can you push your boundaries, and how far is too far? I’m usually unapologetic when it comes to my craft. I’ll stretch a joke until it’s close to its breaking point, then I’ll release it. And if it doesn’t break, I’ll stretch it again, without second guessing myself. Before I publish a post, I will bounce ideas off my wife. When Sara says you’ve gone too far, and I’m confident about my satire, I’ll take it as a good omen. If I am hesitant about a post, and my doubts are backed up by my wife’s consternation, I will scrap it…
…Most of the time. This is the story of a Christmas banner that went too far.
Almost everything is fair game: American politics, gun control, Jesus, and even attachment parenting, which we preach at home. I do not hate politicians, but the obtuse loudmouth fascist who will state that a woman is to blame for being raped. I have no qualms with Jesus, or the idea of a Saviour; but with the Catholic Church and its unrelenting and blatant disrespect of human rights. I do not fear guns; actually yes, I do.
I have Andy Kaufman to thank for Le Clown’s character, and Sarah Silverman for what comes out of Le Clown’s mouth. I also have Soul Walker to thank for the recent dose of humility:
“Every time I see the people on the crosses with the Santa hats, I have a violent visceral physical reaction. I actually get nauseous. [...] I am not a fan of censorship. I am not interested in anyone pretending to be someone they are not. I just feel like I like you enough that I owe you an explanation for my absences.”
For Soul Walker, my Jesus-Clown Superstar banner did not bend, it broke. Santa Jesus was my attempt at ridiculing Christmas and consumerism. Noam Chomsky:
“All over the place, from the popular culture to the propaganda system, there is constant pressure to make people feel that they are helpless, that the only role they can have is to ratify decisions and to consume”.
A blue-eyed white Santa Jesus enjoys his last supper, a supersized McDonald’s meal, while Bing Crosby’s version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer blares from Heaven. A Coca-Cola Jesus: now that bends! Except it wasn’t a Coca-Cola can, nor was it the Last Happy Meal painted by Leonardo da Vinci, and by poking fun at the marketing and consumerism of Christmas, my Santa Jesus crucifixion banner inadvertently assaulted the spiritual beliefs of a friend… and a few readers.
My wife’s grandmother, a beautiful and wise soul, once told me: “Jesus is my friend. When you make fun of Him, you make fun of my best friend, and that is hurtful to me“. It resonated with me. I explained to her that I wasn’t mocking Jesus per se, at least not the iconic figure of love and Faith, but the Roman Catholic White Jesus of Western culture, whose name is used to convert the heathens in the residential schools of Canada, for example. Soul Walker’s relation to his Faith is one similar to that of my wife’s grandmother, and because of the impact the banner had on him, I decided to remove it, on my own accord.
Anyone who comes here knows that I gleefully push the envelope. My posts and images are meant to be humourous and provocative, as I fancy myself an imaginary contributor to Adbusters, but on occasion, I cross the line between rabble-rousing and mud-slinging. Though I don’t mind ruffling feathers, I get heartsick when I know I’ve hurt a friend. So to Soul Walker and everyone else who I have genuinely pained, I’m sorry.
ADDENDUM: As suggested by Mike Calahan, here’s a link to the banner, for those of you who have recently joined the conversation, and have not seen the banner. Soul Walker, I do not mean any disrespect by adding a link to the banner. DISCLAIMER: Please don’t click the link if you think it will make you sick to your stomach.
Related Post:
Respect for opening up the dialogue, and for showing how highly you value the feelings of friends and followers. I also applaud your decision to keep writing about any topic (including religion) as irreverently as you like. Presenting your hilarious and sometimes volatile views in post forms will ensure that those who aren’t comfortable with a topic can easily avoid it. Me, I’m gonna read everything. You’re wonderfully offensive!
Posted by happyzinny | January 15, 2013, 14:42Deadly Nightshade (this is how you will be known on my blog),
A newer reader you are, and a good grip you have on Le Clown’s craft. I promise not to write like Yoda next time you’re around…
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 16:33Hey, my first ever comment on a blog was on your site, when Soul Walker was hosting the haikus. So I have good feelings about both of you, and are happy that your friendship is intact!
Posted by happyzinny | January 15, 2013, 20:11Deadly Nightshade,
I wish I had something clever to write, but you will need to be satisfied with the following: peen.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 20:19I are happy about that, too!
Posted by happyzinny | January 15, 2013, 20:29Exactly what HappyZinny says. In my own words: you are a brave clown, Eric. I respect, applaud and share you.
Posted by Burns the Fire | May 31, 2013, 17:00Eric,
Good art should inspire a reaction.
If it is a violent reaction (any reaction for that matter), then it has done its job as surely as a poem about hope has done its job if it inspires feelings of hope or thoughts of frolicking kittens. If it inspires debate, respectful debate, it has done its job. If it inspires thought, even when those who are reacting don’t like the thoughts they have, it has done its job.
While I am a Christian–the Jesus that I know and love, my friend–well if he can bear the sins of all humanity, he probably has shoulders broad enough to take a joke. He probably even understands satire.
I know that posting images that would keep your followers and friends away from your site is uncomfortable. I respect you for taking it down and openly apologizing, and I also respect A Soul’s Walk for approaching you with his feelings and opening this dialogue. But I wonder if instead of reacting, if anyone else bothered to respond with love and ask you about the pain that you’ve experienced in your life from religion and what role, if any, those experiences played in the creation of these images?
To me, that should be the first question any close friend and practicing Christian would have for you, although it does seem that your apology has finally started this conversation today (and I am no better because I did not ask these questions either).
Although some considered it offensive, my reaction was to examine my own consumerism, and try to experience Christmas this year in a spirit of love and gratitude instead of in a perpetual hemorrhage of cash and the desire for more material things.
That’s good art in my opinion.
Perhaps my faith is not as strong because I did not have a violent reaction to the banner, but I really didn’t feel that your views and artistic expression in any way diminished or ridiculed my own.
It simply made me more curious about your story.
You have a caring and compassionate heart, and you continue to impress me with your willingness to open discussions on topics that push people out of their comfort zone.
Way out of my comfort zone with this novella comment,
RFL
Posted by RFL | January 15, 2013, 14:56You is smart Rachelle. I’d give you a purple nurple if I could.
Posted by tracy fulks | January 15, 2013, 21:55Rachelle,
This is one of the most insightful comments I have read on my blog. Thank you for it. I thought long about how to answer you, and I will do so in a post on religion within the next few weeks. I’m grateful that you took the time to share your thoughts, and compassion, with me.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 18, 2013, 08:47Eric,
I look forward to reading it. Since posting this comment, the topic continues to come up in my real life relationships. I’m writing some of my own thoughts on it although I’ve not yet decided if I will post them publically.
I was talking with my mom yesterday. She said this about church/religion and it succinctly captures how the “machine” has made me feel for most of my life: “Formulated and pinned wriggling on the wall…Twisted and turned, examined and found short of the mark. Bending self to try to get to the “right” whatever. And never making it –not even close.”
I admire those who have a healthy relationship with both God and church, I’m just not one of them.
I appreciate your response, and again, I look forward to reading your post.
Rachelle
Posted by RFL | January 18, 2013, 09:15It takes a lot of understanding to realize when enough is too much, and I applaud you for discussing this situation publicly, instead of just quietly apologizing to Soul Walker and removing the banner. It’s also why I set down everything I was meant to be doing when I read your post, to focus on writing this comment. Because I know that when I speak from my heart, yours will listen and understand.
So I wonder if you might also look a little at this statement, which struck me:
” I do not hate politicians, but the obtuse loudmouth fascist who will state that a woman is to blame for being raped. I have no qualms with Jesus, or the idea of a Saviour; but with the Catholic Church and its unrelenting and blatant disrespect of human rights.”
It struck me because in the first statement (on politics), you are looking at the difference between individuals and the organization they make up, while in the second (on the Catholic Church), you are lumping every individual human being involved in the infrastructure of one large entity together. Rest assured, I have no illusions about the Catholic Church, I know that it is deeply flawed on so many levels.
But I also know a wonderful priest at my local church with whom I can talk. He knows I am no longer a practicing Catholic, and yes, he does mention God in our discussions. But he has never once been judgmental of me or tried to pull me back into the fold. All that he has ever done is to be kind to and understanding of me. And I have known, as well as known of, many other priests and clergy working with the Church who have this same attitude. I have also known/known of some pretty awful individuals within the Church.
I offer this vignette to you, not to try to alter your views on the Church (as I said, I also believe it to be deeply flawed, and changing your views on a religion is not my place, regardless), but so you may see perhaps why beliefs get taken too far — and I don’t mean specifically by you.
The problem arises when we look at the larger groups, and fail to see the individuals that make them up. The Catholic Church is just a group of individual people, albeit a very large and powerful one. But while they have many individuals pushing their power and being ‘disrespectful,’ they also have many who are quietly, gently, but ‘unrelentingly’ pushing for change and reform.
Politicians are. . . Catholics clergy are. . . Americans are. . . Canadians are. . . Women are. . . Men are. . . People are. . .
Any one of those sentences can and should be completed with the words “individuals”. When we start to look on everyone this way, as just another human, instead of the entity they represent, that’s when the hatred and anger and frustration melts away into understanding. Not agreement, necessarily, but the ability to see the trees instead of the forest.
Posted by Ruby Tuesday | January 15, 2013, 15:11Ruby,
This is the type of comments that I have come to expect from you, and one that I simply love. My answer will be much shorter, because I think my idea around it is concise, at least it is to me, so please do not see the short length of it as taking it lightly. I agree with you that larger groups are made from individuals, and that often enough, some individuals will have their counterparts, in almost every groups. As you know, Sara and I are not comfortable with modern medicine, it doesn’t mean we dislike every single doctor. When I make a social commentary, in this case the consumerism of XMAS, I go for the big picture. I make an editorial piece surrounding a topic either with a banner, or 600-1000 words. If I write something on McDonald’s/Wal-Mart, I will go for what McDonald’s/Walmart represent… It doesn’t mean that I think all of their employees are douchebags. My diatribe/commentary will be on the big picture. Knowing that Francis of Assisi is the friends of animal doesn’t make me forget the Inquisition, for example.
Where I am having an eye-opener with Soul Walker is how I use the medium, and how I can better use the blogging medium to convey my satires when it comes to mocking the Big Picture. I could write serious posts, and concentrate on the people behind the residential schools of Canada, for example, and write another serious post on praising the work of the Sandinistas, or to a smaller fraction of the militant group like Augusto César Sandino. I choose to go for the ideology as opposed to some individuals, unless it’s Tom Cruise, and the lucky few.
I hope this makes sense to you, and it wasn’t as concise and short as I first anticipated it to be…
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 15:30It makes complete sense, and I understand why you make the choices that you do, the “method behind the madness”, if you’ll pardon the expression — which, coming from me, I think you pretty much have to.
I would just add one more thought. You have built a large following, and your influence can be wide in the realm of blogging and beyond. People may choose to write (or even do) something based on what you have written, and perhaps the way you have written it. Which, of course, means the way they understand it. And this is often not the same way you intend it to be understood. You see?
Creating a presence so big for yourself also creates big responsibility. I don’t expect or want you to change the way you write, or what you write about, nor do I hold you responsible in any way for others’ words, actions, or perceptions (and, by the way, this is completely hypothetical, I’ve never actually seen anything like this in response to your writing). I just want to bring to your mind how vast the chasm between your thoughts and someone’s interpretation of them can be — which I don’t doubt you know, it’s just something I cannot refrain from bringing to the discussion.
As Carol Burnett said, “Words, once they are printed, have a life of their own.”
Posted by Ruby Tuesday | January 15, 2013, 17:34Ruby,
I write a humourous blog, in which I tackle large concepts, and make bold statements because I choose to do so. It is a choice. I do not want to be a role model, and will not be made accountable, nor responsible for people’s actions or writings. J.D. Salinger is not responsible for John Lennon’s death; Mark Chapman is.
I do not want to be the voice of many, not with this blog. I want to encourage reflection, and conversation. Simply. Whatever comes out from this place is the responsibility of that person, not mine.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 17:43Okey-doke. I was just sharing a thought, I was not intending to place blame or responsibility. Apparently that point got muddied somewhere along the way, and I’m sorry that I offended you.
Posted by Ruby Tuesday | January 15, 2013, 18:03Ruby,
You have not offended me. I do appreciate your thoughts. I offered a counter-argument. My responsibility is to write material I believe in, in the best way that I can. And to keep on trying and do better each time I write a satirical piece.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 18:06Fair enough, then.
Posted by Ruby Tuesday | January 15, 2013, 18:09I honestly don’t know how I feel about this. I appreciate and respect your willingness to apologize. At the same time I don’t understand the need for an apology. It almost annoys me that you are apologizing. Is that weird? Of course, I’m not religious, and I don’t really hold too many things sacred. Maybe Led Zeppelin and gummy bears, not necessarily in that particular order. I dunno. I guess I’ll have to ponder this one. Either way, I respect the hell outta ya.
Posted by Fish Out of Water | January 15, 2013, 15:17Fish,
I do not apologize for my message, for criticizing the consumerism of XMAS. Where I think my message got lost is in the medium. As I have written in some comments, I think my banner would have benefited from a post, and from some written satirical content. As a banner, for me, the author, and after reading Soul Walker’s email, it looked more as a shock-value piece, and little more. I now wish I would have incorporated it in a post, where it could have generated conversation, and provoke thoughtful comments. It wouldn’t have made the imagery easier to look at for those whose Faith was shaken by my banner, but it would have made it clearer, and also, it would have given the option to those readers to skip such a post, or to partake in the discussion. I personally as a banner only, I have missed the mark, and by doing so, I have hurt a friend’s feelings, and the apology is for the impact it had on some readers, even if the intent was a whole different one. I stand by the message it conveys, and I do not apologize for thinking that Santa Claus and the Roman Catholic use iconic figures to promote ulterior capitalistic motives, in general.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 15:38No, I read most of the comments and got what you were saying. I respect you. I’ll leave it at that.
Posted by Fish Out of Water | January 15, 2013, 15:46Fish,
Peace out! I do not know why, but this made me laugh.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 15:48(Insert smiley emoticon here)
Posted by Fish Out of Water | January 15, 2013, 15:57This:
The more I know the more I like,
The more I like the more I learn,
The more I learn the more I know.
(I also commented on Tracie’s post in regards to your crayons. )
q.
Posted by iRuniBreathe | January 15, 2013, 15:48Q-Tip,
Heartfelt thanks, from Tracy and I.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 16:24LeClown… while standing at the edge of a cliff can be treacherous, there is much to be learned by stirring up the winds and perhaps leaning out just a little… what I mean to say is that I am sorry that people’s feelings were hurt. And I am happy that you are sensitive enough to that to clarify and create discussion around the concept of the edge, and how far is too far. I think the point here is not that “someone” was offended or hurt, rather someone with whom you have a meaningful connection reacted in a negative manner. And that it meant as much to you to speak your mind as to take a step back in the name of friendship and reevaluate. Friends are really the strongest blessing we have in a life full of edges, dishonour, mistrust and untruths. Apologies, regret are not anything to be ashamed of, especially when based on friendship.
Namaste, Eric… may your heart always hold the preciousness and fragility of true friends.
Gracious thanks for your sharing nature!
Posted by BuddhaKat | January 15, 2013, 16:04Buddha Kat,
Thank you so very much for this. We are often richer by the company we keep around us…
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 16:28EGGZACTLY!!!!!
janet
Posted by BuddhaKat | January 18, 2013, 18:39I’d make no apologies. It would undermine my process. You’re sensitive, thoughtful and intelligent. You should trust that. Any satire that you create is not coming from malice.
But since you reflected on the banner in this way after the comment, you might consider honing the art of satire in a way that you’re more comfortable with next time, no matter what anyone thinks.
Someone told me I crossed the line with my post about bums. I reflected on what she said, but didn’t apologize because I know I’ll miss the mark for some people sometimes and I accept that. But I appreciated her feedback.
If I apologize to everyone who doesn’t agree with my writing, what do I have left of me to communicate about my process? I wind up negating myself this way. For me, being unapologetic has great appeal.
Posted by Sandee | January 15, 2013, 16:12Auntie Sandee,
…and this is why I love you. I’m in agreement for the most part with your comment: if I start apologizing to everyone I offend and pain, there will be no Le Clown, quite simply. I do feel a surge of love for Soul Walker, it is how it is. I have only given a short excerpt of his original email, and nothing about the subsequent emails. As Calahan said, there was a one-on-one apology made, and it could have suffice. By writing this post, though, I was able to reiterate the apology, but also, it allowed an exchange and the forum around many topics I wished I would have done with the banner. I do feel bad about my clumsiness, I accept my clumsiness. I do not regret the banner’s imagery, nor its anti-consumerism message. What’s done is done, I accept this, but in hindsight, I would have preferred making a better satirical piece so less ink (so to speak) would have been spilled on the medium per se, and more would have been written on Santa Jesus and the consumerism of Christmas. Which brings me back to the Scott Adams quote: ““Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” I’m ok with this missteps, but I’ll make sure next time I tackle the topic I create something that will say everything I want to, and readers will have the choice to read it, or not.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 16:22You are far more courageous than I, LeClown. I wrote a whole Jesus interview to add to my ICONIC INTERVIEWS book, but scrapped it at the last minute for fear of offending someone on my blog. I did, however, do some interesting things to him in my Reapers book, but I warned people before they bought that one.
I guess what I am saying is that there will always be something that offends someone, so you might as well do what makes you laugh. Life is too short not to.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. You’re a good man, LeClown.
Posted by H.E. ELLIS | January 15, 2013, 16:19H.E. Ellis,
Happy fucking birthday to you! It seems the blogosphere is being good to you, and you deserve all the love that is coming your way, and my comment. Yes, you do.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 17:03Thank you, LeClown. You’re all right in my book.
Unless, of course, I decide to write a book in which I cast you as the villain. Then…not so much.
Posted by H.E. ELLIS | January 15, 2013, 19:18It should be noted that I do not like Christmas. My reasons are probably not intellectual. Holidays tend to remind me of my childhood… and that is not something I appreciate being reminded of. If, however, I were to take Christmas seriously as a religious holiday I would most likely be furious at the commercialization of it. Co-opting the incarnation for monetary gain does seem dirty in a way that engenders table-flipping and whips.
I feel nothing but gratitude to have made friends with Eric. And though I don’t think he would ever worry about this (and he shouldn’t) I feel compelled to mention that I don’t want anyone to feel like they should walk on eggshells around me.
Posted by Soul Walker | January 15, 2013, 16:36Soul Walker,
About these eggshells, are they chicken eggshells, and free range chickens? Cause it would make a difference…
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 16:38Eric,
Definitely free range.
-Soul Walker
Posted by Soul Walker | January 15, 2013, 16:41I agree with the poster above who said that you don’t push boundaries gratuitously. One thing I really can’t stand is people who say things for shock value. You are a person with a purpose, and I can always get down with that, even if our beliefs don’t align.
When I posted the holiday card you made me on my Facebook page, someone actually unsubscribed to the page and wrote me an e-mail. Essentially, she hated you for creating it, and me for supporting it. I told her that her absence was no loss since I really don’t care to have Hooked on Tonics who can’t express their disagreements in a civilized manner.
The world is full of possibilities, and I think most of us are capable of having a discussion rather than a pissing match about those possibilities.
Posted by Jen and Tonic | January 15, 2013, 16:38Jen,
I didn’t know this about the XMAS card… I’m somewhat surprised about the virulent reaction, the hatred part… Well, I’m not that surprised really. But I appreciate the support, Jen. I am also happy that you understand my humour, and that you see that there is a message behind the provoking imagery. You’re a good friend.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 16:44There are trolls everywhere, and that’s a fact of life. No matter what your opinions are, someone will eventually come along and want to smash them to pieces. No matter.
I like that you’re opinionated, and you don’t mind saying these opinions. You definitely make life more interesting.
Posted by Jen and Tonic | January 15, 2013, 16:51It’s interesting, my dear friend, how many of us, each a perfect and unique expression of Perfection, trip over the expression of that Perfection without fully understanding what It is. Jesus is an expression of the Christ consciousness…as are we all. I applaud your ho’oponopono, making amends. Well done! xoxoM
Posted by Margarita | January 15, 2013, 17:17Margarita,
Is “ho’oponopono” the sound of Oompa-Loompas?
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 20:27Hmmm, that might be interesting…
Ho’oponopono is the ancient Hawai’ian ritual of making amends. While on the surface the practice is about healing of an individual, in actuality it is a communal practice, restoring harmony to all involved with the afflicted individual.
WIth your post, you, my friend, have shown us, your community, the face of courage, conviction, and, most of all, profound integrity.
Thank you! xoxoM
Posted by Margarita | January 15, 2013, 20:49Margarita,
Eric or the art of putting one’s foot in less than 10 words.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 20:55Ah, my dear Eric, you’ve had a very intense time of it. Next time, let’s see if you can do it in fewer than 5 words! Your work is not done, my friend! xoxoM
Posted by Margarita | January 16, 2013, 10:20Art comforts the disturbed and disturbes the comfortable. That’s how I see it.
Posted by Six Glasses of Water | January 15, 2013, 17:27oh, and I forgot the point out the most imortant part: SHOULD. Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. If it makes you think and raises questions – that’s what art is all about.
Posted by Six Glasses of Water | January 15, 2013, 17:30Sonja,
It’s beautifully said, and I couldn’t agree more.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 20:22Soul Walker is a brave soul, much braver than I, because I, too, have been absent from your list of readers lately and am still too hesitant to say why. However, on the subject of the Jesus Christ on the cross, and having a background as a very collapsed Catholic, I will say one thing–it just ain’t the Catholics that are hypocritical about their faith, m’boy, it’s most Christians, whether or not they usually choose to portray their leader hanging on the cross (and why is that, I wonder?). My favorite most hated (by me, anyway) bumper sticker reads, “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.” Now THAT is truly obscene!
Posted by paralaxvu | January 15, 2013, 17:27Paralaxvu,
If you want to send me a personal email, by all means: clownonfire at gmail dot com. Or you are more than welcome to share your thoughts here, PV. Even though I push the envelop, it remains a place where everyone’s voice is respected.
As for the Catholics, I agree, and it’s not because I haven’t tackled Anglicans or Muslims that I haven’t anything to say about other groups. I was raised a Catholic, and personally witnessed some awful things in my own family, and in my society. It is easier for me to push the boundaries when it comes to things I know. Perhaps when I gather enough on other groups, I’ll write about them. But I choose my battles.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 17:36Stay the course…. Until someone files a lawsuit that is!
Posted by The Hook | January 15, 2013, 18:02The Hook,
Lawyers… they thank the heavens for people like Le Clown. Thanks, man.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 19:15I truly respect what you did for a friend. Good on you!
Posted by on thehomefrontandbeyond | January 15, 2013, 18:09LouAnn,
Thank you for that. I have Soul Walker to thank…
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 19:21and you honoured your friend and from reading Maggie’s blog–you honoured your friends
Posted by on thehomefrontandbeyond | January 15, 2013, 21:02Sometimes I get a little cringe with what you post. Yeah, the Jesus one got me too, but I LOVE your fearlessness and it helps me to keep writing my blog. You are the effin’ Clown! But with that said, what an amazing and heartfelt apology. You have kindness and humility in that carnie mind of yours. That’s why we’re all here!
Posted by biggreenmeanie | January 15, 2013, 18:12Big Green Meanie,
I try hard to push the envelop, and hope that positive conversation is generated from my satires… As opposed to my new background which is made to make everyone feel nauseous. Job well done, Eric! Thank you for your kind words.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 19:56I thought it was genius, very Banksy. Loved it. But I dig that you are arsed about your readers feelings.
Posted by J.D. Gallagher | January 15, 2013, 18:22J.D.,
You couldn’t given me higher praise… and you do know how I feel about Banksy’s brilliant street art. I will write a post on religion, with the banner in it, which I think will have a better place… But the Banksy analogy rings true to me… Thank you.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 18:29Le Clown,
I totally get your banner, and it’s something I wish I created. I know that you didn’t mean it as an offense to the regular person’s belief system, but the complete corruption of the idea of Jesus to sell bass fish heads that sing. My jokes are always aimed at the people in power so I feel mortified when regular folk think I’m poking fun at them. To quote a powerful Oscar-winning song, “You know, it’s hard out there for a pimp.”
Speaker7
Posted by speaker7 | January 15, 2013, 18:57Speaker7,
I love you. There. It’s been said. Live with it. And if Hugo has a problem with this, tell him Tiny Geek is ready to talk to him face to face.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 18:59Le Clown,
If I didn’t already have respect for you, reading this would have earned it. Since I already respected and admired you and the little bit I know of the man behind the persona, this has just solidified it.
I am an ambivalent Christian and still struggle with the religiosity and religious thuggery that tends to happen in public, politics, and the media. However, on a fundamental level it also bothers me whenever I see things that ridicule and denigrate the faith that sustains so many people, including myself.
When you made your statement, I believe we may have had a pm conversation via Facebook, at which point you clarified your position and good intention. I never had any doubt that you were not trying to hurt or wound anyone. I understood that the motivation for that kind of statement tends to be about things other than the obvious. I let you know I didn’t take it as a personal affront and left it at that.
Despite the fact we only know each other through our words on the screen, I consider you a friend and trusted you would work through the situation and it would turn out well in the end. Glad to see I was right.
Proud of you. Not that you need my pride or approval, just thought I’d let you know.
Be well,
Kina
Posted by Human In Recovery | January 15, 2013, 19:02Kina,
I remember the email exchanged. I too consider you a friend, and it was important to me that you did understand what I was trying to relay as a message with these cards. And as always, you were respectful and understanding. Sara and I are both very happy to have you in our lives. See, Eric is way too mushy tonight after this day of high emotions…
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 19:45Eric,
Just wait, the emotional hangover is gonna be a doozy!
Be good to yourself.
Kina
Posted by Human In Recovery | January 15, 2013, 19:49I felt a certain jolt when I saw your Christmas post, Le Clown, but I understood what you were doing…..pushing us to the edge…..really. Sometimes that’s what it takes. It made me uncomfortable. I thank you for these kind and very wise words. p.s. Not to be obnoxious, but this bright black and white background is giving me a seizure, dude! Yikes! Not kidding! lol Take care, you lovely crazy man. And best regards to your sweet better half. xoxoJulia
Posted by Julia Kovach | January 15, 2013, 19:22Julia,
Thank you, Julia. You’ve been very supportive, and I appreciate that. I was just telling my wife how proud I was about the dizzying and uncomfortable effect the background had, which is basically, at the image of what the content of this blog is. Yay!!
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 19:26Are you kidding??? ha ha ha. I’m serious, dude! I have a seizure disorder and could barely stay long enough to leave you a note! I still feel like I’m sitting on a rocking boat! Sheesh! You shake me up in all sorts of unexpected ways! ha ha. Take care and be well, my friend. Love to you and those you love. xoJulia
Posted by Julia Kovach | January 15, 2013, 19:35Julia,
I’m not kidding. My background was also created to make readers feel uneasy. The original version had smaller polka dots, which was WAY too intense… But this once has the perfect balance of nausea to it.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 15, 2013, 19:37Ha ha ha. Just like you, ‘eh? ha ha ha. Love ya, dude! xoJulia
Posted by Julia Kovach | January 15, 2013, 19:40Eric,
I love the background. I feel like I am in some sort of glamorized version of the sixties that never really happened. It’s kind of awesome. I feel like I should be smoking.
Posted by Soul Walker | January 15, 2013, 22:23I am guessing people were upset?
I was not offended. I knew what you were trying to say, and I am sorry if everyone did not understand.
Posted by nevercontrary | January 15, 2013, 21:00A quote by one of my all time favs, for one of my all time fav bloggers. “Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up, if only you try!” Dr. Seuss
Le Clown rocks. You tried. Le Clown will always rock. You thought low and you thought high. Creative boundaries are a fine line sometimes, especially when you try to do something different. You cannot please everyone. But you just did. Le Clown is a good man. Fun is to some, but fun is to none at the same time.
It’s your blog. Your creativity. It’s a good, fun blog. Don’t ever stop Le CLown. Keep making us happy!
Posted by Lady Lovely | January 15, 2013, 21:08This is why people continue to come back again and again to your blog. You take your readers and friends comments to heart and very seriously. It takes a lot to write a post like this and I commend you for it my friend!!
Posted by A Dog With Fleas | January 15, 2013, 22:23The reason you’re awesome is not just because you’re funny, but also because you care about the impact your humor has on real people.
Posted by Lyssapants | January 16, 2013, 15:13Knowing when to apologize and doing it well is a noble thing.
Posted by robincoyle | January 16, 2013, 16:36Robin,
Thank you, mon amie La Coyle.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 19, 2013, 23:23http://knockedoverbyafeather.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/guest-blogging-is-awesome/
Posted by merbear74 | January 17, 2013, 17:15Merbear74,
Thank you for the link. I made my way to your blog.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 19, 2013, 23:21I must admit I also avoided your blog over the holiday season in part because of the banner. I am agnostic by declaration of choice. Closer to atheist in practice….and by the evidence of Christopher Hitchens books and quotes strewn about my home. I understood your satire, your mocking of christmas as a commercial orgy of excess. Yet the image smacked of being aggressively in your face disrespectful. But this is your blog your choice. You hit hard and like to tip over sacred cows. My choice is to wander away and not get all riled over a few sacred cows being tipped and re-branded.
I figure blogs are like restaurants – if I don’t like what the menu has to offer I go somewhere else and satisfy my cravings for whatever it is I am wanting. And eventually I wander by the restaurant that I may be avoiding to see if what I like is back on the menu…
And Mmmm is it ever!
Keep blogging as you do sir – your posts speak honestly. And that is what keeps us coming back to peek inside the blogging display your Le Clown brain on fire!
Posted by merlinspielen | January 19, 2013, 22:46Merlin,
Look at you making references to Hitch… I had a university teacher who once told me: culture is like jam, the less you have of it, the more you will spread it. I ended up putting sugar in his gas tank, and a potato in his muffler.
I stand by the banner, by its message, its delivery, but as I said, I regret using it as my blog header. Disrespectful is a harsh word, and I disagree, but then again, I’m a huge fan of The Parking Lot is Full.
And a cow is sacred only if you sanctify it, right?
Enjoy the menu, dear friend. I suggest you carry a few Rolaids, just in case.
Eric
Posted by Le Clown | January 19, 2013, 23:18Le Clown,
Now, I’ve read through a lot of the comments (not all, as it would take me 43 weeks to get through it all)…and I get the sense your readers are thankful you have removed the image. And as most of them have so aptly put, your apology is very well written and appreciated.
But I have a problem with all this…how an image can cause such offense (it’s a wonderful piece of artwork by the way)? But it can…and we all have to cater for our audience.
One could write a book on this topic, but from one guy to another, let me say this….keep doing what you do and do it ferociously. Push it, bend it and break it…all at the same time if you must. Do not CENSOR your work for fear of resentment…which sort of happened to me (one of the reasons why I quit blogging…and am still finding my feet again).
Be who you are and do what you do Le Clown…otherwise it will destroy the authenticity that comes out of your wonderful work.
Kindest of regards, Slapppshot!
Posted by Slapppshot | January 21, 2013, 00:01I always find it interesting to see what some people take offense at. For many people, I think society has trained them to instantly take offense at anything that “seems offensive” without really considering why they find it offensive.
Posted by The Cutter | January 23, 2013, 13:44