"Madame, bear in mind That princes govern all things--save the wind." -Victor Hugo, The Infanta's Rose

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Oh boy, another web poll!

Once again I'd like to probe the inner workings of your mind with a survey ... but this time, not on boring, inconsequential topics like "who would you like to see as our next president." Nope, today we're going to explore the deep philosophical implications of ... butts.

Ah, now I have your attention!

You may have seen or heard about this story involving a teacher at Monacan High School in Richmond, Virginia, who was recently fired by the school district as a direct result of his extra-curricular activities. Stephen Murmur is a self-proclaimed "butt-printing artist" who creates floral and abstract art by plastering his posterior and genitals with paint and pressing them against canvas. He goes to great lengths to keep his work as an artist separate from that as a teacher, performing his activities outside of class on his own time, using a pseudonym and appearing in disguise to promote his art. He has never mentioned or involved the school in any way whatsoever, or shown any of his creations to his students in or out of class. In a recent interview, Murmur said in response to questions about his disguise: "I'm certainly proud of the ass painting. I do have a real job where I do have real clients and I don't think they'd be too understanding if I was also the guy who painted with my ass."

As it turns out, he was right. After officials at the school saw a YouTube video of Murmur (which is no longer available on the site) and word got around about it, they placed him on indefinite administrative leave, claiming: "In the school system, personnel regulations state that teachers are expected to set an example for students through their personal conduct. Additionally, the Supreme Court has stated that schools must teach by example and that teachers, like parents, are role models."

Murmer contacted the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia after he was suspended late last week, and the case may go to court. He has been instructed by the school administration not to speak with the media, and did not return messages seeking comment.

But let's get to the bottom of this issue! How do Wind In The Wire readers feel about this pressing matter? Do you think that the school board has the right to butt in on someone's private life in this way? Are they being ass-inine? Can you get behind Murmur's creative motivation? Or does this cheeky story merely make you crack a smile? Thankfully, I've run out of bad metaphors, so let's put it to a vote:

Do you think the "Butt Artist" should be fired from his teaching job?
No, what he does on his own time is his own business.
Yes, he's setting a bad example for the students.
pollcode.com free polls

Thanks for your input!

8 Comments:

  • At 12/14/2006 12:36:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hee hee! Too funny!

     
  • At 12/14/2006 04:38:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I wonder what kind of splatter art we'd see if he ate beans before "working."

    Ok, ewwwww.


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    Gah! That would kinda give new meaning to the phrase "artsy-fartsy", wouldn't it?

     
  • At 12/14/2006 07:01:00 PM, Blogger bossann said…

    I like the results so far...8 to 1 say "butt out, school board"!

     
  • At 12/14/2006 11:13:00 PM, Blogger April said…

    supacoo... that was disgusting! witty, but disgusting. I agree-what a teacher does in his free time is his business, not the school boards. it wasn't affecting his work with his students so it shouldn't matter. If he can make art with his ass and make big bucks... everyone should be so lucky!

     
  • At 12/15/2006 02:23:00 PM, Blogger Lara said…

    Poor guy. I'm waiting for the day when I'm Dooced because of my blog.

    The butt part is funny enough, but the addition of genitals into the equation made me die laughing.

    (Dooce being one of the first bloggers fired for her blog for those not in the know.)

     
  • At 12/15/2006 11:48:00 PM, Blogger Sphincter said…

    How does one get started in ass arts I wonder? Perhaps I should stop wondering and try to forget the whole thing...


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    Murmur says he started a long time ago, and did it to try and impress a potential girlfriend with the size of his, er, "brush". BTW, here's a sample of his artwork called "Tulip Butts":


    This sucker sold for $900, go figure. And for anyone who's not yet totally bummed out by this story, his YouTube video clip is back up.

     
  • At 12/16/2006 08:33:00 PM, Blogger Sphincter said…

    Oh my.

     
  • At 12/18/2006 10:06:00 AM, Blogger jbwritergirl said…

    I guess Murmer can always say he's the butt of the joke and laugh all the way to the bank.
    JB

     

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