Talk about something out of nothing … Art project links to porn?

Normally, I stay out of politics. For one, I ruined my chances of running for office when I was in college. Two, who I vote for is my business and three, if they don’t have a sex tape, I don’t care.

That being said, I still have to say this, Mecklenburg County Commissioner Bill James is a real piece of work. He’s said bigoted things, he’s attacked gays and lesbians and obviously hates art. Charlotte’s Arts and Science Council has been under attack by James for years. So, it is no surprise that an upcoming Channel 9 (WSOC) news story got his tighty whities in a bunch.

Here’s what James e-mailed today:

Charlotte art project connects to porno movie

Statement from Arts and Science Council Below

No info on movie referenced in barcode in public art

I-phone App evidently scans art barcode and then links to movie

All in red letters to get everyone’s attention. To James’s credit, he did enclose a message from the ASC president, which basically says Channel 9 is going too far with this story and the artist was not putting porn on a public art project — and no public money was used.

ASC is disappointed that, based on the facts, WSOC is creating a story that would drive traffic to this adult purchasing site, which is clearly not endorsed or supported by ASC. We are also disappointed that the integrity of the artist, Zack Northington, who obviously could not see into the future, could be called into question in this story. Based on the facts as we know them, he could not have anticipated that someday a component of his artwork could be used to navigate adult content over the internet.

Here’s my question: Who hops out of their car, off the bus or light rail, takes an iPhone and scans a piece of art? You, sir, may not be a porn freak (and I’m sure if we went through that handy dandy iPhone of yours there would be porn) but you’re still a freak.

If Charlotte is going to grow out of i’s Mayberry Mentality, we’re going to have ban the Barney Fifes from the Apple store and vote James off the Board of County Commissioners. If only someone would grow a pair and run against him.

I’m Mustang Sally, Mayor of Bangtown, and I approve this message.

This article appears in Oct 26 – Nov 1, 2010.