I always love finding a good collection of political posters to peruse, on the internet or in print.

This collection at the Nonist (a frequent stop of mine) from the book The Poster Art of Tom Ungerer is a great sample of work. A flip through just was is represented here will probably turn up something you’re already familiar with, at least vaguely, if the iconic style itself doesn’t ring a bell. I see vestiges of the style in some modern art cartoons (cartoons nobody sees) and 15 minutes flipping through the history of Threadless will reveal the lasting impression, as well. Some of it also reminds me of the illustrations of Kenneth Patchen. I’d love to see the whole book someday. For now, my thanks to the Nonist (RIP), for the peaks and the link to Tomi Ungerer’s webpage.

Thus far the war in Iraq has been a war over many things, both concrete and abstract, stated and hidden. And those ideas seemed to have all morphed and adjusted and been realigned with disorientating rapidity. Before it was a war over democracy it was against a plausible neuclear/chemical/biological threat. Then a regime swap-out. Or to make progress in the war on terror. Or because of Al Queda’s links with Iraq. Or because of 9/11. It is revenge to some and a result of selfless world leadership to others.

Everyone is pretty confused by now, I’d say. Perhaps, most importantly, our troops themselves. A February 28th Zogby poll states that “Almost 90% think war is retaliation for Saddam’s role in 9/11.” But there are soldiers in Iraq and home in the US who believe that is not the one, categorical reason and speculate that there was no such reason – or, finally, that the consequences have hardly been honorable.

Some of those soldiers believe the later very adamantly and vocally and have made the decision to not fight. Many of them have suffered “dishonorable discharge,” or “punitive separation” as a consequence. These paintings are part of a series by Greg Moore, one-half of Block, Street & Building. These three subjects are soldiers who have filed status as conscientious objectors. Other resisters have been incarcerated or have fled to Canada.

Greg has done done a total of 4 portraits and plans on more. You can see more of Greg’s work at Art Amiss or at our website. dsklj

Click here to check out a neato diagram of 21 reasons Bush and his administration gave for attacking Iraq – statements made between September 2001 and October 2002.