A bunch of artists suffering from hysteria have had their work exhibited in South Florida, in a show called “Thoughts on Democracy” and meant to echo Norman Rockwell’s WWII “Four Freedoms” series.

Here, for example, is Rockwell’s tribute to freedom of speech:

Here’s the NYT’s description of some of the 21st century works playing off Rockwell:

In Guillermo Kuitca’s rendition of Rockwell’s image of parents putting their small children to bed, the family is surrounded by a sea of blackness. In James Victore’s remake, tears burst from the parents’ eyes as they pull an American flag over a wooden coffin.

What all of this suggests is not just a reinterpretation of Rockwell but a meditation on an American crisis of self-confidence: the sense that trust in American ideals is giving way to fear and uncertainty about how they are exploited.

The artists display an astonishing sensibility:

Many of the artists interviewed said they felt that now was not the time to emphasize American greatness, as Rockwell did, but rather to caution people about the risks of complacency. They said they created the posters because they loved their country — about two-thirds of the 60 are American — but felt that their fellow citizens needed to wake up, to break free from anxiety and a habit of looking away.

Right! The artists are screaming that America has lost its way and is surrounded by a sea of darkness—and then they (and the NYT’s Damien Cave) marvel at Americans’ apparent apathy:

In the mall at least, the artists’ instincts seemed to be borne out. In an hour and a half, more than 100 people walked by the exhibit. Only 8 stopped to look.

“People don’t care anymore,” said David Babich, 31, one of the few who lingered, gazing at the prints. “They aren’t as affected by stuff that happens.”

And when were “people” ever affected by (important) “stuff” that “happens”? Never, and at least Cave has the decency to remind NYT readers that apathy is a constant throughout human history:

Nostalgia for World War II has often obscured what the era’s most famous war correspondent, Ernie Pyle, once wrote during a visit home: “A great many people don’t know there’s a war on, or don’t seem to care.”

It was ever thus.

Also: these “works of art” are being displayed at a goddamn mall! What kind of idiot expects shoppers to stop in their tracks and mourn what has become of their country … when they just got a 50% discount on some T-shirts at the Gap?

I see that there’s a revolt against Obama because he betrayed his “left-liberal” base on the FISA bill.

Lanny Davis pours some salt on their wounds:

No doubt Senator Obama has felt political pain to be attacked publicly by his most ardent supporters. But the benefit is that he has reminded voters that as president he would be more committed to the “solutions” business than to yield to the pressure to prove his ideological purity to his party’s base. Many of the swing voters who will decide the election — soft Democrats, independents and moderate Republicans — have been waiting to see if Senator Obama can resist such pressure and follow this approach. Now they have a good example that the answer is:

Yes he can.

It sounds like Davis is just warming up to his theme. Jennifer Rubin has some excellent ideas along this line, too:

Gas prices are now a top concern of voters and Barack Obama’s Dr. No approach to increasing domestic oil supply (and almost every other idea on the production side) has even Democrats nervous. So why not switch positions and come out for “responsible energy development” and “environmentally safe drilling”?

It seems like a no-brainer. If he can change on FISA, NAFTA, Kyl-Lieberman, Iran, the surge (sort of), guns, abortion, campaign financing, corporate taxes, the payroll tax cap, his devotion to Reverend Wright and Trinity United Church, unconditional meetings with Ahmadinejad, and an “undivided” Jerusalem, why not this?

Iran just test-fired some long-range missiles in response to warnings from the G8, reports the IHT:

The missile tests drew a sharp response Wednesday from the United States.

Gordon Johndroe, the deputy White House press secretary, said in a statement at the Group of 8 summit meeting in Japan that Iran’s development of ballistic missiles was a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

“The Iranian regime only furthers the isolation of the Iranian people from the international community when it engages in this sort of activity,” Johndroe said.

He urged Iran to “refrain from further missile tests if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world. The Iranians should stop the development of ballistic missiles which could be used as a delivery vehicle for a potential nuclear weapon immediately.”

The missile tests were reported after the Group of 8 leaders urged Iran to suspend uranium enrichment. Moreover, Iran displayed its military capability just a day after the United States and the Czech Republic signed an accord to allow the Pentagon to deploy part of its controversial ballistic missile shield, which Washington maintains is designed in part to protect against Iranian missiles.

Here’s a picture of their range, from the BBC:

Obama’s plans for a Campaign Spectacular in Berlin to link him to both JFK and Ronald Reagan are nipped in the bud by the Germans [e.a.]:

Negotiations are underway between the Obama advance team and the office of the Berlin Mayor, Klaus Wowereit, to hold the speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate, close to the line that traces the route of the Berlin Wall. The newly built US embassy nestles alongside. So too does a museum honouring John F. Kennedy. If, as expected, Mr Obama is going to deliver a phrase in German (the insider tip is: “I can listen!” — “ich kann zuhoeren!”) and fling out his arms in the direction of Russia and Central Europe, then this surely is the place.

But, say advisers to Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, it would be tantamount to giving the German stamp of approval to Mr Obama, an undue interference in the election campaign.

“The Brandenburg Gate is the best known and most historically significant site in Germany,” said a Chancellery official, explaining why until now only elected presidents have been allowed to perform there.

So the Government would dearly like Mr Obama to find another platform, …

So sensible those Germans.

Obama announces a major pseudo-event in Denver starring himself and 75,000 swooning extras, and the networks say, “Dream on, buddy”:

Major television networks are considering curtailing coverage of the Democratic National Convention after Monday’s announcement that Barack Obama will accept his party’s nomination in a Denver stadium. …

Network executives expect Obama’s relatively late-breaking decision to speak at Invesco Field at Mile High, a 76,000-seat football stadium, could add hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs to already cash-strapped news divisions.

Is it just me, or is the MSM over Barack Obama?