Washington Monument

[.... callchet ....]

The top of the Washington monument has always looked like a hooded KKK to me. The triangular shape with the two eye appearing windows. I think that a move should start to add more windows to the top to take away that appearance.

[blondeatlast]

1. Bad performance art is its own reward... nt

[klook]

2. Or perhaps a

foreskin.

"For too long has our national penis been circumcised. I say to you, now is a time for sheathing."

[Mojorabbit]

8. Good one nt

[onenote]

3. sarcasm assumed

if not, then stupidity assumed

[.... callchet ....]

4. Did you ever look at it ?

[blondeatlast]

7. Do they sell that stuff over the counter; because I've seen it in person

and in photographs and I find your interpretation laughable/

As I say, crappy performance art yields its own rewards, though.

[patrice]

11. I think it looks like a phallus. We need a movement to change it into something more cup shaped.

[JohnnyLib2]

58. Hint: St. Louis

[patrice]

80. The Mother! Birthing Earth!!! Aaaaaaawwwwwwwesome!

[bigtree]

5. at the Million Man March

Farakann went on and on about it . . .

[MadHound]

6. Key words "to me",

To most of us it just looks like another obelisk

Having seen KKK idiots up close and personal, I really don't get how you see this in the monument, given that their hoods are fairly asymetrical, but hey to each their own.

It would be really impractical to put more windows in the monument simply to appease those with an active imagination. Besides, there are better things that we can spend that money on.

[patrice]

9. Just because anyone can perceive anything, not all perceptions are of equal value to a group. nt

[.... callchet ....]

10. Now I undertand how problems develop.

An issue of human rights is dissmissed, disregarded and ridiculed .

[blondeatlast]

12. I repeat: is that stuff over the counter? Or are you just a really crappy performance artist? nt

[patrice]

13. It's only a human right if it applies to all humans, otherwise it is a privilege.

(Just for the heck of it . . . )

It is clear that what you are claiming does not apply to all humans. Are they mistaken? And you are right?

[.... callchet ....]

17. It calls attention to hate on humans

and it is a humn right.

[patrice]

19. To you/some, "it calls attention . . . " Does the word "blue" call attention to the color of the sky

to all humans?

[.... callchet ....]

20. Are you defending a position ?

The top of the monument looks like a hooded kkk and it should be changed . What is the problem with that. Look at the picture posted.

[patrice]

25. You are defending your proposition that what YOU see is universal.

I have proposed an analogy to claiming that the letters b - l - u - e universally call attention to the color of the sky.

[Shakespeare]

31. No, it doesn't look like a hooded kkk.

But you, on the other hand, look utterly ignorant and more than a little nuts.

[Starry Messenger]

15. Well, if you wanted to take on the eyesore that is Mt. Rushmore

I'd be right behind you. I think you are reading a little too much into the Washington Monument. It's an obelisk. They've been around for centuries.

[.... callchet ....]

18. I am talking about the very top of it.

It resembles a hooded KKK

[Starry Messenger]

21. It's an obelisk

http://www.sacredsites.com/africa/egypt/obelisk.html

They've been around since way before the KKK.

[Midlodemocrat]

40. Yes. Not seeing the Washington Monument as an issue of human rights

is a total disgrace to this site.

OMG. The stupid. It burns.

[Tesha]

14. I can see it.

But it also reminds me of a Tholian:

[.... callchet ....]

16. Thank you

I don't know how to put pictures on here.

[patrice]

24. I think the Tholian Commander Loskene looks like a female pelvis with eyes.

Just to show you how reasonable I am, I modify my previous proposal. The Washington Monument doesn't need to be re-designed to be more cup-like. I propose that the insulting phallus of Washington's momument be modified to resemble a Tholian.

[Deja Q]

86. OMG!!!

Nice Tholian reference there!

[Ichingcarpenter]

97. Star Trek......Cool

Commander Loskene

[katandmoon]

22. By all means, let's alter it, and give the KKK tons of publicity and grievance mongering

It could not get any other way.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

23. Oh God.

Just when I think I had already seen the most stupid objection ever...

[supernova]

28. This is what happens

when we remove art funding from our public schools.

We lose the language and the history of art and, in this case, architecture.

[no name no slogan]

71. Exactly. Plus, all my artist friends lose their teaching gigs

And are forced to paint velvet Elvises and sell them in closed gas station parking lots.

This is the DU member formerly known as TheKingDiedOnHisThrone.

[patrice]

84. !

For the Arts! and the vitality that they bring to Life!

..........................

I just heard from someone who KNOWS that bankruptcies are way down. That's a VERY bad sign. When those who "have" are so reduced in numbers that all that remains are those who do not have enough to protect what they have left, the fracture between the economic classes is nearly complete.

Time for the Economic REVOLUTION!

[blondeatlast]

87. That's a very good point. Something good should come out of this thread--and

you found it.

[Starry Messenger]

108. Thank you!

Signed--an art teacher.

[supernova]

26. It's a symbolic Obelisk

Rather than seeing what is not intended, perhaps some history on this particular monument type might be helpful:

An obelisk (from Greek ὀβελίσκος - obeliskos,<1> diminutive of ὀβελός - obelos, "spit, nail, pointed pillar"<2>) (المسلة Al-Masalla in Arabic) is a tall, narrow, four-sided, tapering monument which ends in a pyramidal top. Ancient obelisks were made of a single piece of stone, a monolith; however, most modern obelisks are made of individual stones, and can even have interior spaces. The original form is Egyptian and all subsequent versions are derived from the original Egyptian pattern.
The term stele (plural: stelae) is generally used for other monumental standing inscribed sculpted stones.

Because of the Enlightenment-era association of Egypt with mortuary arts, (and generally with great antiquity), obelisks became associated with timelessness and memorialization.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelisk


Original Obelisk:



(Rameses II Obelisk at Luxor )

History of the Washington Monument


The Washington Monument has an interesting history. The idea of a monument celebrating George Washington was first considered by the Continental Congress in 1783. However, the next three decades brought neglect by Congress to take action. Finally, in 1833 the Washington National Monument Society was organized to forward the progress of the monument. Progress was slow for the society and by 1847 they had raised $87,000. Robert Mills, a well-known architect, was soon selected to design the monument. His design called for a decorated obelisk that was 600 feet high, rising out of a circular colonnaded building. This building was to be a 'temple' , an American pantheon, which would house statues of presidents and national heroes, including a large statue of George Washington. The design changed over the years and finally settled on a the obelisk without decoration as we know today.
The building progressed well until the civil war. At this time construction was halted for almost 25 years. This left the unfinished obelisk standing 150 feet. Finally, on August 2, 1876, President Grant ordered the completion of the monument. The capstone was placed on the monument on December 6, 1884 and it was finally dedicated on February 21, 1885. Elevators were first powered by a steam hoist. The current elevator was installed in 1959 and makes the ascent in 70 seconds. 188 carved stones presented by individuals, societies, cities, and States are inserted into the interior walls.

....

Purpose of the Obelisks
The original obelisks in Egypt were formed from a single stone and erected for the kings and rulers. They were often placed in front of the kings' temples. Many of these early obelisks were made of red granite. Their purpose was to proclaim the kings power and successes, through their grandeur and inscriptions. For example, The Great Temple of Amun, built by Ramses II, contained two obelisks which were erected in front of the gates of the temple. These are inscribed with statements of the power of Ramses II and boasts of his valor in battle against the Asiatics.

There is little doubt that the obelisk is connected with the sun and more specifically the sun god Ra. For example, on the obelisk of Thutmose III is written: "...(Thutmose III) he made (it) as his monument for his father, Amon-Re, lord of Thebes; erecting (for him very great obelisks of red granite, the pyramidions of electrum; that he may be given life, like Re, forever)." Metal was often used to cover the top of the obelisk to symbolize Re. The very act of erecting such a monument was believed to have the power to provide life for the honored. Also, prayers were often given at these obelisks and directed toward the king. Like these ancient obelisks, the Washington Monument was dedicated to an honored hero and ruler. The symbol of his power and strength are shown in the similar design as the obelisks of ancient Egypt. In addition, the pyramidion of the Washington Monument is made of aluminum, providing the same brilliant 'sun ray' ideas as those of Egypt. The idea of divinity is further expressed through the sloping sides of the obelisk. If extended in space, these sides would intersect in heaven, pointing to the god.

more: http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/va11/whiton.html


To sum up, the Washington Monument was an effort to associate Washington and his triumphs as belonging to the ages, by way of the ancient Egyptians. Nothing to do with the KKK, which came along about 100 years later than Washington.

[patrice]

27. Those glyphs are an insult to my Christianity. I propose a movement to have Ramses II's Obelisk

modified with Christian symbols in order to invoke the universal human values for freedom and love.

[NeedleCast]

35. Christiantiy is an insult to my nontheism

I believe we should sand blast all symbols off all monuments...just to be sure.

Or, just level them all.

Because I should never have to see, smell or hear anything offensive to me, no matter how insane I am.

[patrice]

52. Your Nihilism is a threat to my Faith. I propose a movement to make everything a monument to God,

otherwise we'll all be killing one another, with or without hoods on . . . oh, wait a minute . . .

[NeedleCast]

96. I believe the only way to satisfy both of us

is to destroy everything.

[patrice]

104. Deal! Let God sort it out.

Either way, then we'll have Peace!

What shall we call our new cult?

[blondeatlast]

89. The Hagia Sofia is halfway there; let's cut the drama and take it all the way down; no one can .

figure out who it belongs to anyhow.

[supernova]

37. Redo the Parthenon!

:

It's too ..... Pagan!!

[patrice]

59. No, no! Redo it because it's Obscene = all those phalluses!!!

Lookin' at something like that is SURE to turn me into a whore!

[.... callchet ....]

29. And I just thought it would be a nice thing to do !

Why is it an emotional issue ? Or issue at all ?

[Shakespeare]

30. "A nice thing to do?" No, it's a laughably absurd suggestion.

And the funniest part is that you don't understand that.

[Midlodemocrat]

61. Hey, Shakespeare.

Check out the website for more shits and giggles.

Serenity Now!!!

[Shakespeare]

69. Wow.

that was....entertainingly different

[blondeatlast]

90. Um--wow. I really took that one for an internet performance artist

but, well, um, wow. Just wow.

[patrice]

98. It's a clean coal, anti-union advocate. nt

[patrice]

33. Huh? . . . . . . . carry on.

[Midlodemocrat]

36. OMG. This is the funniest thing I've seen in ages.

Why not cover up TJ's monument as well?

[Shakespeare]

38. This thread has real awesomeness potential.

I shan't forget this one for a very long time.

[Midlodemocrat]

43. Seriously. No alerting, Shakes. We need to keep this one alive.

[Shakespeare]

46. I'm nursing the fragile embers of snark right now.

And hoping it turns into a raging bonfire of comic awesomeness.

[Midlodemocrat]

48. We're going to need more popcorn.

[skygazer]

54. I think that's what everyone here is wondering

Why is it an issue? Because you have an overactive imagination?

[Posteritatis]

60. You're the one saying pre-Roman architectural styles are civil rights issues (nt)

[blondeatlast]

99. "A nice thing to do." This. Is. Destined. To. Be. A. Classic.

Thank you for the giggles on kind of a really crappy day for me.

[NeedleCast]

32. Yes, we should re-design anything that reminds you of something bad

...

I...wow, this is...I'm just hoping you're not serious.

[Swede]

34. And the Capitol Building looks like a tit.

[Midlodemocrat]

45. A big white one, no less.

Is there no racial diversity in the monuments?

[blondeatlast]

92. Like Pompeii, Washington DC is riddled with porn, you just have to know where to find it! nt

[sammythecat]

39. I think we should do like the Taliban did with those Buddhas.

Blow it up with howitzers.

I wouldn't mind seeing us take out the Chrysler Building too. It kinda looks like a hood if you squeeze your eyes a bit.

[Shakespeare]

41. The Hirschorn looks like a giant donut.

Why isn't there a Krispy Kreme booth on the mall?

[supernova]

44. That's REAL Americana right there

"a Krispy Kreme booth on the mall"

[Lex]

42. Seek help.

nt

[NeedleCast]

47. Washington Monument Trivia

One NeedleCast point for anyone who knows why the bricks change color about 2/5th of the way up (no looking it up on the google)!

[Midlodemocrat]

49. Stopped building it during the Civil War.

[Shakespeare]

50. When construction resumed after the civil war, they took granite from a different part of the quarry

[Burma Jones]

51. A delay in funding halted construction for a while, when it resumed...

they used a slightly different brick.....

[Washington Monument]

103. Winner!

[Ptah]

55. Aluminum

In four years, it was finally completed, with the 100 ounce (2.8 kg)
aluminum capstone/lightning-rod being put in place on December 6, 1884.<10>
It was the largest single piece of aluminum cast at the time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Monument

[Pierre.Suave]

53. Wow

I don't even know what to say to that...

Did you take your meds this morning?

[Posteritatis]

56. Yeah, those ancient Egyptians sure were white supremacists, weren't they? (nt)

[Shakespeare]

57. I always thought the two red lights on top of the monument look like the demon in Amityville Horror

Remember the two red eyes in the window?

I think we should bring in Bobby Jindal to do an exorcism, and then blow that mother up.

[.... callchet ....]

62. Am I wrong in what it looks like ?

One of the most visible looked at monuments in the world .

[skygazer]

66. Yes....

[Shakespeare]

70. Yes, you are.

The mind boggles.

[skygazer]

74. There may be a glimmer of sense in all this

Perhaps the Washington Monument gave the Klan the inspiration for their style of dress. I think it's worth submitting a grant request for further research.

[kenny blankenship]

83. Wrong is such a harsh word

Whack is more casual and friendly.

[blondeatlast]

93. Yes. nt

[onenote]

95. Completely and totally.

Its your head, not the monument, that apparently needs work

[Starry Messenger]

111. See--pareidolia

http://www.skepdic.com/pareidol.html

[Obamanaut]

112. Yes. Because the plans were made for the monument well prior

to construction, and construction beginning before the advent of the KKK, I think you have it backwards as to which looks like what.

http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc72.htm

<snip>
Its construction took place in two major phases, 1848-56, and 1876-84--the Civil War and a lack of funds causing the intermittent hiatus.<snip>

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_org_kkk.html

<snip>
The Ku Klux Klan was formed as a social club by a group of Confederate Army veterans in Pulaski, Tennessee in the winter of 1865-66.<snip>

[IDemo]

63. It's good to see that DU no longer needs to fixate on looming martial law or attacks on Iran

I think.....

[Burma Jones]

64. You don't have to add windows, just add Groucho Glasses and a Moustache to each facet

That would do it.

Or, maybe go ahead and add windows, but cover the top of the monument with a white sheet

Or, you could be offended that it looks like a circumcised penis and we could add some skin back on......

[no name no slogan]

65. The Monument was around before the Klan

I say they make the Klan change their dresses so they don't look like the Washington Monument

This is the DU member formerly known as STFUandGBTW.

[skygazer]

68. This is the correct answer

[flvegan]

67. My cat's name is Mittens.

Seriously.

This is the DU member formerly known as MyCatsBreathSmellsLikeCatFood.

[no name no slogan]

73. I also bet you're a viking at naptime

This is the DU member formerly known as MyNoseMakesItsOwnBubblegum.

[flvegan]

75. Sometimes. And I can never go in the deep end of my sandbox.

This is the DU member formerly known as TheLeprechaunToldMeToBurnThings.

[no name no slogan]

77. ....

I cannot keep up with you, good sir. I slept late I'm still on my first cup of coffee.

You win one Series of Tubes.

This is the DU member formerly known as Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the closet making babies and I saw one of the babies and then the baby looked at me.

[deaniac21]

72. I absolutely do not see that.

[alphafemale]

76. The "Father" of our country. The biggest Phallic symbol in the universe.

What?

[KamaAina]

78. Huh? I'm not seeing it...

Oh, you meant the one in D.C.. The one in Baltimore (pictured) is actually the first Washington Monument in the U.S. Take that, D.C.!

[Washington Monument]

105. I'm Bigger Though

Curse you Baltimorreeeeeeee!

[PBS Poll-435]

115. OMG! Awesome sockpuppet (whoever you are...)

[marions ghost]

79. not as literal as your interpretation, but

I do get a sinister feeling about the monument with those "eyes" in it...it has an animated, kind of armored quality like missiles, tanks, stealth bombers, robots, radar towers, etc. It suggests 'surveillance' in a way that it wouldn't if it were a solid obelisk. Well, bricks go up and then often end up in a point--soaring, aspiring, all that symbolism-- physically it's exhilarating to experience such an an arrow to the sky from the ground or inside at the top. Yes, to overcome the "eyes" effect you could add a few reflective panels to the side to give it a "facelift"--it would be well worth it. We shouldn't feel that our national monument is kinda creepy...

Good suggestion IMO.

[Shakespeare]

82. Are you serious? Those lights at the top are for air traffic.

With planes coming in that low and close to DCA, they're absolutely necessary.

[marions ghost]

121. Duh

not saying to take away the lights and windows, just change the area around them (surface) a bit to take away the "eyes" effect. It's only a hypothetical design question because of course nothing will be done. But it's fair to say that for some people there is a sinister quality to the big... popsicle.

I LIKE the monument in all it's Egyptness. I'm talking a very minor improvement. You know how some things actually get improved with time? Some things can stand a little tweaking.

Don't take it so seriously--now that this got moved to the Lounge, maybe?

[onenote]

94. I'm sorry, but if you find the Washington Monument "creepy" what else are you afraid of?

It must be a very very very long list.
Sad, pathetic, and sad again.

[PBS Poll-435]

81. And the reflective pool is FILTHY. Congress needs to add WAY more chlorine

Ain't nobody going to take a dip in that mess.

[Deja Q]

85. So it's not like what this other stock photo of the building suggests?

[patrice]

107. Now, there's the real source of all corruption: the CLENIS! nt

[ronnykmarshall]

88. Some people might think it looks like a giant cock.

And I can tell a giant cock when I read .... uh see one.

[Shiver]

91. Washington Monument? Pfft

Yeah, 'ol wooden teeth wishes...

[Washington Monument]

100. This is the Washington Monument

I'd like to invite you to get bent buddy. You just try it.

[surrealAmerican]

101. Add more windows? Nah, ...

If we painted the entire monument in a nice fleshy color, you wouldn't be able to see it as a klansman anymore.

[PBS Poll-435]

106. paint the top purple!

[J-Lo Biafra]

102. I'd like a pony, and a submarine sandwich that constantly replenishes itself.

[patrice]

109. Okay, but only if you're capable of digging through some horseshit to find that phony . . .

I mean, pony.

And, since we all live in a Yellow Submarine anyway, all you have to do is BELIEVE in that sandwhich and your stomach will be filled.

[anonymous171]

110. You forgot the sarcasm tag. nt

[Haole Girl]

113. hahahahahahaha!

Oh, wait, are you serious?!?!

[Warren DeMontague]

114. We could put a big condom over it.

It's obviously a tumescent symbol of patriarchal phallic domination, too.

[pink-o]

116. It's a very boring obelisk, as compared to the cool ones all over Rome

Don't forget the founders were all Masons. The Masonic symbols are all over the money and our Federal buildings.

[crispini]

117. Epic thread is epic.

Nice job, folks!

[TZ]

118. O-M-G

Now I've lived in the DC area for THIRTY YEARS and I have NEVER heard that one..
Giant pencil yes? Phallic looking HELL YES but this..You are not shitting us are you really?
BWAHAHA!

[skygazer]

119. I love this thread

[texanwitch]

120. Our monument in Texas is taller and looks better then the Washington monoument.

San Jacinto Monument and Museum
La Porte. The 570-foot monument stands in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest monument column in the world.
www.sanjacinto-museum.org /
New Window · Similar Sites · Alexa · Cached · Archived

[Generic Brad]

122. Maybe we could sell renaming rights on it to a corporation

It would bring a little desperately needed cash to the government. What do you all think of the "Viagra Monument"?

[greatauntoftriplets]

123. Locking.

This thread has turned into a flamefest. It just warmed Chicago up about 50 degrees.

greatauntoftriplets
DU moderator