Do You Think Free Speech Extends To Art? (Yes, We’re Referring To ‘Obama In Pee Pee’)
The amount of media attention swirling around the story of Glenn Beck’s controversial work of art entitled “Obama In Pee Pee” is staggering.

Image: TheBlaze.com
If you just search for “Obama In Pee Pee,” there are literally thousands of stories already online. And no doubt, more to come.
There’s also a Twitter account — @ObamaInPeePee
And, of course we have Obama In Pee Pee merchandise popping up.

Image: GlennBeck.com
However, some folks are not happy about this experiment in pushing the limits of Free Speech. There have even been disagreements among TheBlaze editors over the use of hyperbole to make a point.
Where do you stand on the subject?
We invite you to participate in TheBlaze Free Speech poll. (You can also submit a question as well. Please limit the questions to those with “Yes” – “No” – or “Don’t Care” answers.
Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.
















































































































Comments (130)
The-Monk
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:52pmNeither the Christ in pee or the Obama in pee is Art.
You can call free speech the art of free speech but, the jars with liquid are not Art.
Report this comment
IWISHIWASINTEXAS
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:03pmI agree Monk, in no way do I think either is art. Free speech however? Yeah I would consider it that. If it is “art”, then Picasso must be rolling in his grave.
Report this comment
Stelex
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:06pmAs much as I dislike either and personally don’t consider it art……art is in the eye of the beholder. Thats the nature of art. Its personal to the individual. I think its idiotic, but I’m sure some things…..say the music I like ….. you would not consider art. But I do and visa vera. Art is subjective not objective.
Report this comment
RJJinGadsden
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:08pmHi MONK, I agree with you, but I also agree with GEMINICONTENDER’s statement at the bottom of the page. I also applaud Glenn, and frankly, the left needs to eat this one. If they don’t like being offended, then they shouldn’t set out to offend. Regardless how the 1st Amendment covers it or not. We should all go back to a day when we knew to be responsible with our 1st Amendment right.
Report this comment
takie
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:15pmI would definitely not call it art. However, I think Odipshit in PeePee is very appropraite.
Report this comment
Stelex
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:15pmRJ……that would take respect……a lost art in today’s world.
Report this comment
Polarized America
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:16pm.
is pooping on a cop car free speech ? aww.. i mean free toot .after all, many people speak out on their ****
Report this comment
The-Monk
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:17pmHi RJJ,
Oh, I think it’s very, very funny AND well deserved. Just not Art.
Report this comment
Eastinfection
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:18pmI studied Picasso, and i feel confident he would appreciate both the “Piss Christ” photograph and Glenn’s “Obama in Pee-pee”. Picasso stole cubism, at first, to mock Cezanne’s experimental infatuation with it…
pretty sure the dude had a sense of humor.
Report this comment
Advection
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:24pmGlenn doesn’t believe it’s art either.
Many liberals thought such things were art until their savior was spoofed; now they think it’s blasphemy.
Report this comment
Fearnone
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:30pmThe 1st Amendment is not all-inclusive and does not address “art” or any expression thereof to be a protected right. Art is governed by seperate laws, as is indecent exposure, prostitution, or child pornography.
Report this comment
banjarmon
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 9:42pmIf I were to make a BHO fire hydrant for doggy parks NOW that would that be ART !!!
Report this comment
Gorp
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 10:54pm@IWISHIWASINTEXAS “I agree Monk, in no way do I think either is art. Free speech however? Yeah I would consider it that. If it is “art”, then Picasso must be rolling in his grave.”
I agree with you in that it isn’t art, in my opinion also. However, the only way Picasso would be rolling in his grave would be because this is better “art” than the crap he painted. He must have been a drinking fella!
Report this comment
Falsegods
Posted on November 29, 2012 at 12:06amIt is not artful.
It is freedom of speech, and won’t back downism.
Report this comment
Secret Squirrel
Posted on November 29, 2012 at 12:24am.
How sick is it that progressives think a depiction of Christ in urine is okay,
but Obama in urine is horrible?
Just another day in the war on Christians.
Report this comment
SacredHonor1776
Posted on November 29, 2012 at 4:52amArt is in the “Eye of the Beholder”, and Beholders have many eyes, and are ugly creatures… :p…
Report this comment
SacredHonor1776
Posted on November 29, 2012 at 5:09amProstitution has nothing to do with ‘art’… It’s the oldest ‘profession’….
art does not = ‘profession’, although some have professions related to art..
I’m not sure ‘indecent’ exposure falls under art. Although quite a few pieces of ‘art’ are ‘nude’.
Pornography in general some argue it is art, and others argue it isn’t.
There is also a difference between how government currently defines pornagraphy vs. art. Pornagraphy in general isn’t considered ‘art’. But simply ‘nudes’ often are. Children in ‘nude’ artwork or photographs have been legal for decades. Whereas a children in sexual acts would not be legal. “Nudes”, including parents taking their nude ‘baby and bath photos’ have only recently been challenged as pornagraphy. Which opens up a question of ‘free speech’ right there, do we arrest parents for taking ‘nude’ or half-nude photos of their kids? If nothing of ‘sexual’ behaviour actually takes place?
Strangely some things not intended to be art, become art over time. Nudes from the late 1800s or early 1900s for example may have been created for the purpose of the penny arcade or voyeurism, but those same photos now are considered ‘art’ and are worth money.
Report this comment
N37BU6
Posted on November 29, 2012 at 6:52am“Jars with liquid is not art”
Not all liquids are equal, my friend… neither are the figures being submersed.
Introducing Milk Romney:
http://i.imgur.com/eSvnZ.jpg
Now THAT is pure class.
Report this comment
Thomas_Jefferson
Posted on November 29, 2012 at 7:48amI call it
Giving the liberal Nazis a taste of their own medicine.
Report this comment
shimauma42
Posted on November 29, 2012 at 9:43amI bid #my2k on #obamainpeepee, but since it went up to $11,000, I just used #my2k to commission a sculpture of @barackobama in dog poo. I would light it on fire and place it at the front door of the White House, ring the bell and run like hell. Then barry hussien would answer the door and, seeing the fire, stomp on the flaming poo, shaking his fist as he yelled “you damn kids!!”
Report this comment
Rob Tacoma
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:51pmThe point is made, but did we have give up the moral ground? Glens made the free speech point and the lefts hypocrisy of it much better on the show tonight. That begs the question, Would he have been able to make his point and get the artist to appear on his show had he not used the “pee pee” in a jar (apple juice) gimmick?
I my self am not sure. I do think the jar/pee pee was over the top.
The Blaze is still the best news and commentary in the media to date.
Report this comment
ClaudeRains
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:51pmI just ordered mine.
Report this comment
Locked
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:49pmOf course free speech extends to art. I don’t think anyone has ever even implied it didn’t. The question at hand should be “Is purposely antagonizing people the best way to promote conservative viewpoints and to get them to understand our views?”
Pretty sure the answer is an emphatic “NO.” Look at the “Piss Christ” art exhibit. Do you think ANY Christian looked at that and went “Huh, this makes me consider how foolish I am to get upset over a mere symbol being disrespected. Thanks, artist!”? Heck no!
In the same way, if Beck’s point was to get people to realize how it’s hypocritical to get offended at one thing but not at others, he failed spectacularly. I doubt any liberal is going to see “Obama in Pee Pee” and think to himself “Why yes, how foolish I’ve been, getting angry that people would disrespect the president. I’m glad Glenn Beck was there to point out my hypocrisy!”
Beck’s incredibly intelligent. Offending liberals gets him in the media, and it’s cathartic to many of his viewers. It’s win-win for him. But not for a second can anyone sit back and think that he’s seriously trying to teach liberals about hypocrisy. Does he have the freedom to do this? Absolutely. Does that mean that he’s acting just as disrespectful and childish as the “Piss Christ” artist? Absolutely.
Report this comment
Marine25
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:24pmWell said.
Report this comment
Fearnone
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:47pmI disagree with you Locked, the 1st Amendment is not all-inclusive and does not address “art” or any expression thereof to be a protected right. Art should be governed by seperate laws, as is indecent exposure, prostitution, or child pornography. Art is not, nor was it ever intended to be, an extended form of free speech. This is a misinterpretation of freedom of speech as described in the 1st Amendment.
Report this comment
Locked
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 9:31pm@Fearnone
“Art is not, nor was it ever intended to be, an extended form of free speech.”
I disagree with your opinion, though I think I understand why you hold it (strict constitutionalism). Unless I am sorely mistaken, the Supreme Court has ruled that art is indeed covered by the first amendment; legally-speaking, it is a protected right. You may disagree with the Supreme Court’s arbitration of course, but I don’t think you’ll find many people who would agree with your statement that art is not (legally speaking) a form of free speech. Certainly you’d be hard-pressed to find a court or a lawyer who would say so.
Report this comment
SacredHonor1776
Posted on November 29, 2012 at 5:12amProstitution has nothing to do with ‘art’… It’s the oldest ‘profession’….
art does not = ‘profession’, although some have professions related to art..
I’m not sure ‘indecent’ exposure falls under art. Although quite a few pieces of ‘art’ are ‘nude’.
Pornography in general some argue it is art, and others argue it isn’t.
There is also a difference between how government currently defines pornagraphy vs. art. Pornagraphy in general isn’t considered ‘art’. But simply ‘nudes’ often are. Children in ‘nude’ artwork or photographs have been legal for decades. Whereas a children in sexual acts would not be legal, and would be considered porn.
“Nudes”, including parents taking their nude or half-nude ‘baby and bath photos’ have only recently been challenged as pornography. Which opens up a question of ‘free speech’ right there, do we arrest parents for taking ‘nude’ or half-nude photos of their kids? If nothing of ‘sexual’ behaviour actually takes place? Do we put the parents on the child predator/sexual offender lists?
Strangely some things not intended to be art, become art over time. Nudes from the late 1800s or early 1900s for example may have been created for the purpose of the penny arcade or voyeurism, but those same photos now are considered ‘art’ and are worth money.
The same thing has occured with books… With a dime novels or mass-produced lowbrow becoming ‘classics’ over
Report this comment
IWISHIWASINTEXAS
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:49pmFree speech is FREE speech. Offensive or not. Art is described by many as “self expression” and a form of speech. I hate the religious “art” that degrades God and Christ but hey that’s the artist’s right to make it if he wants to and I get to be a big boy and not care. The street goes both ways but we all know that’s not the case when free speech offends a crybaby liberal.
Report this comment
Vman
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:46pmHow soon can I get a shirt?
Report this comment
Totally Domestic
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:43pmYou mock Jesus at your own risk.
God is not mocked. Go ahead, make his day!
Report this comment
IWISHIWASINTEXAS
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:01pmHaha I like it :)
Report this comment
Eastinfection
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:07pmJesus, Jesus
Bo- beezuss
Fanana- fana fo- Feezus
Me my mo- Meezus…
Jeeez- uss!!
The Jesus i know, love, and worship has a sense of humor. I he doesn’t, he’s not half the God i thought he was.
Report this comment
LHardy
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:42pmI really enjoyed seeing the Obama in Pee Pee.
As much as I do not like some of the art that is intentionally offesive. I agree with their right to produce and display such art.
What I draw the line on is subsidizing art of any fashion with tax dollars.
Be as disgusting as you wish. Just don’t ask the tax payer to fund it.
Report this comment
whatthecrazy
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:47pmYou just spoke for both of us.Thanks
Report this comment
Eastinfection
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:41pmOf course free speech extends to art. It’s the very definition of art…
That being said…. I appreciate Glenn’s “art” because it is humorous… and intentionally so…
I also appreciate the original “Piss Christ” because it is a well-produced photograph…
Who knows if either of them were actually sunk in urine?.. Doesn’t matter because the value in Glenn’s is in it’s cynical, sarcastic portrayal of the original…. the value in the original is in it’s use of color, texture, and light.
I could care less about the actual mediums used in either case… They are both worthy of the label “art”.
Report this comment
ModerationIsBest
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:48pmI agree.
Art is in the eye of the beholder.
I don’t care if Beck peed into a container and called it art.
Seems pointless that people get upset by this nonsense.
Report this comment
Stelex
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:53pmEast…..nice post…..what people don’t realize is that you give them the power to offend them. I’m sure some were offended when they thought is was urine, but were ok when they found out it was beer. Either way…….its not Obama. Just as the Christ pic was not Christ. The reaction is what they want and if you give it to them, you arm them with more ammo to come at you. Nobody has the power to offend me……unless I give it to them. Liberals, progressives are emotional being’s ……..its why they love the feel good irrational solutions to life. Its also why they react the way they do and conservatives are actually the more tolerant of the two groups. I can’t be offended. Its very easy to offend a progressive. That will be the key someday to defeating them also.
Report this comment
Locked
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:59pmI agree with both of you. Yes, some people who don’t care much about the subject matter will appreciate each picture for the reasons East said… but there’s no doubt that the artists in both cases set out to offend. I think it’s silly that anyone is offended by either, but it’s not surprising in the least.
Report this comment
Fearnone
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:35pmThe 1st Amendment is not all-inclusive and does not address “art” or any expression thereof to be a protected right. Art is governed by seperate laws, as is indecent exposure, prostitution, or child pornography. Art is not, nor was it ever intended to be, an extended form of free speech as described in the 1st Amendment.
Report this comment
Totally Domestic
Posted on November 29, 2012 at 12:42amI would call it hate art.
Report this comment
SacredHonor1776
Posted on November 29, 2012 at 5:05amProstitution has nothing to do with ‘art’… It’s the oldest ‘profession’….
art does not = ‘profession’, although some have professions related to art..
I’m not sure ‘indecent’ exposure falls under art. Although quite a few pieces of ‘art’ are ‘nude’.
Pornography in general some argue it is art, and others argue it isn’t.
There is also a difference between how government currently defines pornagraphy vs. art. Pornagraphy in general isn’t considered ‘art’. But simply ‘nudes’ often are. Children in ‘nude’ artwork or photographs have been legal for decades. Whereas a children in sexual acts would not be, but only recently has been challenged as such.
Strangely some things not intended to be art, become art over time. Nudes from the late 1800s or early 1900s for example may have been created for the purpose of the penny arcade or voyeurism, but those same photos now are considered ‘art’ and are worth money.
Report this comment
bekhiet
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:41pmI would not consider this to be art, but I do appreciate the freedom of expression.
Report this comment
Stelex
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:57pmMost “Art” isn’t art except to the clique.
Report this comment
alrunner58
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:40pmFree speech and art…I get discussed at some of the filth but it is free expression.
Report this comment
LBJDIDIT1963
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:40pmWhat’s the issue? By the same standards as the “pissed on Jesus” painting or whatever it is, this is great art. Glenn, what about Chris Matthews and Bill Mahr behind jars? Let’s collect these like GI Joe’s!
Report this comment
Eastinfection
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:47pmMaybe if it’s just photos…… but i’m really not interested in collecting human void.
Report this comment
since1629
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:56pmThank you, that made me laugh. Thinking of Mason jars with Matthews, Sgt. Schultz, Ma(filth)her, Reverend? Al, Soros, and a 20gal aquarium to accommodate Michael Moore’s inaction figure floating in pee pee (or Bud Light, whatever) is hilarious. I’d love to see the 40-year-old virgin collect THAT set!!
Report this comment
thekriplins13
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:39pmI do!! Art is free thinking if we all put on our big boy pant’s and grow up. I don’t like some stuff I see but the great thing is I don’t have to look at it. The same could apply to the whiners over Christmas the holiday is to celebrate Jesus’ birthday?? Jesus is the reason for the season people. Off topic the guy on today’s show looked like Stone from General Hospital ??
Report this comment
thekriplins13
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:42pmHe was manning the O so busy phone call’s coming in from the e-mail I guess lol
Report this comment
seek.the.truth
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:36pmGlenn made the point he wanted to make and…………..people noticed. Nice work!
Report this comment
RevPh
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:35pmArt that serves to denegrate cherished spiritual icons always sparks great passion in believers. It hurts feelings. We used to have a Constitution for ALL Americans, and those who were offended by tasteless “art” would just have to get over it. Not so much now.
Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:33pmThe first amendment protects all speech not just the speech that isn’t offensive. Obama in pee pee didn’t violate e bays policy since they sold a used condom,no they shut Beck down because Beck gave Barry a golden shower or in this case bath and e bay probably got one too many complaints from Obamazombies or the powers that be at e bay took it down because Barry is their guy.
Report this comment
dj_bonneromics1982
Posted on November 29, 2012 at 4:20amFair enough. Now let’s apply the same standard every time a religious wingnut tries to ban Harry Potter books from libraries for promoting “witchcraft,” and every time a Becktard fantasizes that the FBI undertake a 1950s-style prosecution of anyone who advocates “communism.”
Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on November 29, 2012 at 8:05amPassive aggressive much?
Report this comment
kickagrandma
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:33pmDoes anyone else out there tired of living in junior high?
Four years of the current non-administration administration leaves me already feeling like a student having to stay after school for the remainder of my school career.
This arsty-smartsy crapola reminds me of why I never did well in artsy kinds of “stuff”.
I always thought the arty crowd was missing something major- besides good taste that is.
“Ah, me. Back to the drawing board!
Signed,
GOD”
Report this comment
Stelex
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:39pmKG……most have never left high school, society is modeled after it. If God is gonna make a move, I’m ready…..its really getting sad out there.
Report this comment
Stelex
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:33pmWake up folks……its a waste of perfectly good urine.
Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:41pmI know he submerged a Marxist mulatto POS in urine and contaminated the urine. Beck better have tax resolution specialists on speed dial.
Report this comment
Pantloadian
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:59pmSTEELXXX . . . “most have never left high school, society is modeled after it. If God is gonna make a move, I’m ready…..its really getting sad out there.”
Wow, contradicting yourself in adjacent posts. Congratulations, pissant, you’re the new record holder. (Try harder, PRONGMILKER.)
Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 10:57pmPantload WTF are you talking about fool? There’s no contradiction.
Report this comment
cdn1979
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:32pmi dont see much media attention about this. the only mainstream media outlet that has a story on this is msnbc(NBC news). and they are as far left as the blaze is far right. basically, each catering to their own brand of wing nuts. the blaze is the only one hyping this up. i’m guess glenn beck has a book coming out or a new denim line or something so he needs to put his name front and center. Is this art? if anyone else did it, sure. why not. so many other things pass as art, no reason this shouldn’t either. but beck didn’t do it as a piece of art. he did it for his own personal gain. he wants high ratings and more people who think like him to pay for his stupid channel. doing something just to try and anger others or to solely make money for yourself is not art. its just beck being beck.
Report this comment
FISH_BONE
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:32pmThe hypocrisy of liberalism is overwhelming.
Report this comment
Lloyd Drako
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:48pmeBay is a business, not a liberal outlet. They probably calculated they would make more money by not riling up the majority of Americans who voted for Obama. Theirs were the purest of capitalist motives.
Report this comment
Stelex
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:02pmEbay is liberal.
Report this comment
FISH_BONE
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:09pmI didn’t make a reference to Ebay.
Report this comment
Stelex
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:13pmSo sorry…..LLoyd, ebay is liberal…..
Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:13pmLloyd You make it sound like Barry won by a landslide but he clearly didn’t,e bay took it down because Barry is their guy simple as that. They wouldn’t lose any money either way,you think the idiots are going to boycott e bay because of Becks artwork? No way they’ll continue to use the site no matter whats sold on it.
Report this comment
Marine25
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:32pm@stelex
so is the country, evidently.
Report this comment
BlackCrow
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:30pmFree speech, YES!
Government support, NO!
Did Glenn take a cent of government money for this? Highly, Highly doubtful.
As for E-Bay you can buy all the parts for a nuclear bomb but they won’t sell this? We’re up to our armpits in IDIOTS!
Report this comment
Patriot Z
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:30pmFree speech dose not mean free from reaction to that speech. I am free to sat what i want, you are free to be offended by what i say (which also comes under free speech) its not ‘fair’ or even logical. is it hypcritical..YES. but to try and assign logic and fairness(by laws or policy) to this by definition destroys free speech
Report this comment
JP4JOY
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:28pmJuvenile, but poignant.
Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:27pmObama in feces any bidders?
Report this comment
FISH_BONE
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:33pmHow could you tell which was which?
Report this comment
Stelex
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:36pmWhat the he77 did feces ever do to you? Good God man, have some compassion for American Exrement!!!!!
Report this comment
sparkyrules
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:37pmI suppose we’ll all be in a world of ‘it’,at the end of his next 4 years.
Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:39pmThe feces smells better.
Report this comment
geminicontender
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 7:25pmWhat’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Report this comment
RJJinGadsden
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:04pmHear, hear!
Report this comment
Pantloadian
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:56pmis it a miracle goose?
Report this comment