Don't agree with you entirely on this one Gerard. Your point about people not being tuned into the NEA (and why should they be?) is well-taken, but the narrative of corruption and erosion of freedom should welcome every little tidbit that damns this administration. After all, this expose is about naked propaganda, which Americans are traditionally not fond of. It also reminds people of the existence of the NEA, which leads them to ask, "now, WHY are we funding this again?"

It may be bad theatre, but it's still a good reinforcement of the issue at hand. All of it is small potatoes until someone follows the big money. Maybe BigMoney.com could be Andrew's next venture. . .

I agree, it's not going to capture attention like the ACORN score.

Hell, half of America doesn't even know or care what the NEA is, but they sure understand pros and pimps and that particular expose was like watching an episode of undercover COPS.

The politically attuned will pay the NEA story some mind, but it won't even dent most of the country's consciousness.

I tend to agree with your assesssment at first blush. Add to that the tendency to confuse the two NEAs (National Endowment for the Arts, and National Education Association), and the lack of sex appeal of this particular story. The kids were a tough act to follow.

This one may have more fallout as far as criminality goes, though. Remember what brought down Al Capone. It wasn't sexy, but it put him in the pen for a long time.

I must say, I have visions of being subjected to years of horrible Soviet-realism type propaganda on every available flat surface.

Hang'em high says I.

Yep, not as explosive, just as important. I think what took some of the wind out of the sails of this one, too, was that the story about the call came out on Big Hollywood several weeks ago, and there doesn't appear to be any new and attention-grabbing angle this time 'round. I do hope there's some more fallout, though.

I'm going to give the dino-slayer another swing.
I'll bet more eyes tuned in than the first time.

Here's why the NEA tape is more "important" than the ACORN videos.

The NEA audio tape reveals a federal crime being committed -- a federal official using the offer of grant money in an attempt to influence potential grant recipients.

The ACORN videos reveal nothing more than a bunch of people *TALKING* about various crimes they would like to commit or *TALKING* about how they might be committed, and that is NOT a crime. Those conversations don't even meet the criteria for the crime of "Conspiracy".

Ultimately, other investigations into ACORN's activities may uncover proof of criminal activity; the NEA tape IS proof of criminal activity.

I agree with Clayton as to why it is more "important" but I simply do not think it has even a smidgen of the "political" impact.

We think that it has impact but we are in the seats that are paying attention. That's the illusion of central position -- i.e. "I'm paying attention ergo others must be or should be."

Politics is theater these days and the box office this one will do is small.

Yes, exactly. DH and I were talking about this last night. Strategically speaking, if you want something to really gain the attention of the average Joe you have to show, not just tell. The ACORN vids were all show, sensational, and impossible to ignore. A bunch of people having a teleconference tells the story, but doesn't show much, in spite of the difference between actual crime vs. talking about crime.

Again, hopefully the effects of this are powerful and far-reaching, but I don't know that it will be as strong a motivator to those in power to take action on it.

I agree Gerard - Hey if you're gonna have an NEA scandal at least let it be a photo of Mohammed floating in urine as development fluid...

O dang, I think I jes got us all kilt....

Agreed on the wet NEA limpcracker, but here's a dry M-80 ready to blow our net fingers off... and so far I'm only seeing it brought up by The American Spectator, The Gunslinger and myself, and it should be a biggee..., I don't look forward to being able to surf on only FCC approved net-waters, it seems to me this one needs to Raise a frick'n BOOM!!!

It's not as easily understood as the ACORN tapes and not nearly as entertaining either. But... it is direct evidence of crimes being committed and that is GOOD news, because it shows the corruption right at the top of the WH. I think the reason it's hard to care about is that most ordinary citizens think that NEA was already supporting artists who are producing works that do nothing but bash patriotism, traditionalism, conservatism and mainstream American ideals in general. I care because I don't want my taxes paying for art to promote health-care reform and environmental hogwash. Oh by the way, now these hippies ARE the establishment, the mainstream. Now it's us conservatives who are anti-establishment. Come on everybody, write your Congresmen and Senators every week. I do. I compile a list of subjects every weekend and write them telling them how I want them to respond to bills like healthcare, eco-crap, atc. And don't limit it to your own reps - write to those from other states, too. We need to all get involved in our local governemnts from school-boards on up. Let's start putting the pressure on the politicians now and don't let up. We need to gear up for the '10 elections and we need to be ready to get Obama out of office in 2012.