Artist causing fuss with 'Soldier' billboards

Suzanne Opton's intriguing "Soldier" billboards, now popping up across the country, are receiving predictably mixed reactions. The ads are part of an art project by Opton, who's been photographing U.S. soldiers upon their return from Iraq and Afghanistan. The images look rather ghoulish, but while the soldiers look dead, they're actually alive. Opton insists the images are meant to be artistic, not political, but that seems willfully naive. They engage a topic that's under intense debate and has far-reaching legislative and social consequences—it doesn't get much more political than that. We're not trying to tell Opton how to do her job, but if you want to provoke people, then provoke them.

—Posted by David Kiefaber

Published on October 31, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (4)
Filed under Arts, Kiefaber, Politics, U.S. Army

If Twitter were to fall into the wrong hands

The U.S. Army has its bandoliers in a twist over Twitter, issuing a report citing the "potential for terrorist use of Twitter." I guess the military has been getting pretty high-tech and youth-savvy of late, what with its mall-based ("We're not recruiting!") video-arcade push. The Army's apparently concerned that Twitter is "already used by some members to post and support extremist ideologies and perspectives," so terrorists could possibly use it "as an operational tool." ("What are U doing right now?" "Overthrowing the gov't. U?") The sheer number of outages would make Twitter somewhat impractical for command and control purposes, but there is one account I'd urge the Pentagon to follow: twitter.com/bmorrissey. He's already got more than 2,700 rabid "followers," and he's always "training" for something. And this guy, twitter.com/nudd, wasn't even born in this country! As for twitter.com/griner, well, he's from Alabama—nuff said there. Ah well, the army's probably just pissed that twitter.com/usmarines got there first.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on October 28, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1)
Filed under Gianatasio, Twitter, U.S. Army

Army recruits face first big test at the mall

I suppose some left-wingers will object to the U.S. Army setting up a high-tech "Experience Center" in a Philadelphia mall. Frankly, I can't think of a better place for young people to prepare for military service. The center is next door to a Sam Ash music-equipment store, and the sounds emanating from there will allow would-be recruits to build up a healthy resistance to torture. The Dave & Buster's across the way will get them used to mess-hall grub. And at the H&R Block, they can watch their friends who got MBAs and cushy white-collar jobs invest their money. Most important, holiday shopping season will soon be here, providing some practical exposure to combat. You've got be strong to fight your way through the food court to the Crate & Barrel on Dec. 24. Army strong.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Published on September 2, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)
Filed under Gianatasio, Non-traditional, U.S. Army