Sarah Palin Ad: Participant Labeled “Controversial” for Religious Paintings

The Orlando Sentinel headline read “Controversial Deltona Artist Appeared in commercials for Palin. The short story reported that Lloyd Marcus, a “local singer, songwriter, and artist” whose works once stirred “controversy” in Deltona, has appeared in a series of commercials meant to counter “negative publicity” for Palin.

The headline intrigued me: who was this man and why was he labeled “controversial”?

In 2006, the city of Deltona, in celebration of Black History Month, let employees and local citizens display artwork in the City Hall. City Manager/City Attorney, L. Roland Blossom, ordered Marcus’ artwork taken down because of their “religious veiwpoint”. Marcus’ paintings included the “picture of a partially covered Bible and church sign” while another showed a “colorful” New Orleans funeral, and a third painting, a Christmas basket.

“Hours” after Marcus filed a federal lawsuit Blossom “reversed” his decision and allowed Marcus’ “controversial artwork to be displayed. Marcus had retained the Liberty Counsel to defend his paintings. On the Liberty website we found this description of Marcus:

Marcus is a well-respected member of the community and a long-time supporter of the city. He is an accomplished singer, entertainer, songwriter and artist who raised funds for Hurricane Katrina victims with his song “America Cries for You.” He wrote a song honoring the city, called “Deltona.” This remarkable patriot served in the army, sang in a Green Beret choir, performed for President Bush, and sang a solo at an inaugural ball for President Reagan. Photographs of his paintings are online at www.LC.org.

And yet, despite his “glowing” accomplishments, in MSM land, he’s known as “controversial” with a capital “C”.

The Liberty Counsel claimed Blossom’s decision was a violation of Marcus’ free speech. They also wrote that “The First Amendment does not require cleansing religion from black history”.

The First Amendment deals with the issue of Church and State. The Liberty Counsel used Abraham Lincoln as an example:

Under the City’s distorted understanding of church and state, Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address on the subject of slavery, where he referenced God and repeatedly quoted the Scriptures, would be considered unconstitutional. Black history cannot be separated from its religious history.”

So who was the most “controversial”? Was it Marcus and his paintings? Or was it the decision of the City Manager to ban Marcus’ artwork? Either way, associating “controversial” with “Palin” is sure way to garner attention.

By LBG

Image – Lloyd Marcus

Tags: artwork, controversial, Deltona, Florida, Lloyd Marcus, paintings, Sarah Palin