And now a word from Citizen Scott: Why I love the USA | From the editor – SILive.com

Hi Neighbor,

Last week, we visited with Staten Island Patriot Artist Scott LoBaido. I took issue with Schotts Blue Lives line down Hylan Boulevards center median in front of the 122nd Precinct stationhouse.

Readers sounded off. Dozens. Loudly. One things certain: Mr. LoBaido has support.

DEAR MR LALINE, one began. YOUR BASHING SCOTT LOBAIDO IS TYPICAL OF WHAT THE LEFT IS DOING ON A DAILY BASIS TO DESTROY AMERICA .... WHY IS IT IF A PERSON SHOWS ANYTHING PATRIOTIC THEY ARE DEMONIZED .... TOTALLY DISGUSTING... " (caps courtesy of the author).

But then, Your column about Scott was not only well said but it was written while maintaining a deep respect for this extremely talented artist. I completely agree with your sentiment. I have also followed Scott for the last 30 years. I ask What could he be thinking? when I see some of his work. He is passionate but at times his message seems misdirected.

And then, when I thought I heard it all from both sides, the President of the United States weighed in. You do one blue line and they make it like its a mortal sin, President Trump told a group of law enforcement leaders in the White House. Take that, Bill de Blasio!

Now its time to hear from Scott himself. He asked time for a rebuttal and Im happy to provide. So, as Ive boomed over the microphone at many fundraisers, with Scott behind the curtain, itching to start painting . . . Heeeeres Scott!!

Respectfully, Brian, I hear every single note.

Ahhhh, the sweet/bitter taste of Amendment 1. It is indeed DELICIOUS.

I want to thank you for the very kind words in your column last week and for giving me an opportunity to rebut some of the other points you brought up.

Yes, Brian, we go back a long time, and like all friends, there have been tiffs, disagreements, misquotes, and worst of all, forgetting the capital B in my last name (lol). But as an editor you have been fair and have ALWAYS pushed through to get my art, activism, antics, rants, and compassion onto the pages of our hometown newspaper -- the Staten Island Advance. For that I am truly grateful.

DEMYANS CAVES

I remember the first article the Advance wrote about my giant, surreal mural on the face of The Caves (former Hofbrau house owned by the late, great artist, Jack Demyan) back in the 80s. The next story was when I painted my first flag mural on the side of the Victory Diner (God, I do miss that place). Not everyone appreciates my art. But I AM an artist whether you agree with my style or not!

Staten Island has many great artists -- Murphy, Yuster, Padovano, and many more. They are genius at their execution in their non-aggressive subjects. My early work was oddly fun and surreal with a dash of Americana because since childhood I can always remember a crisp, snappy flag waving from a pole outside my Nana's house where I spent most of my time.

Rosalyn (Nana) always made it clear that grandpa was in the "big one" (WW ll) and we should have fun but always be GRATEFUL for whatever we had because we were American. In Nana's basement kitchen, the town hall -- open every day -- three portraits hung on the wall: Pope John ll, President Ronald Reagan and Frank Sinatra. Those portraits, the flag and the lessons I learned in that kitchen will stay with me forever.

It wasnt until the 90s that I found my niche in this complicated world of art. I was in a Manhattan art gallery that had an American flag as a welcome mat, beckoning people to wipe their feet on it.

I was appalled, but no one else was.

A new trend of political correctness had taken hold of the art world along with the sentiment that, everything is bad in life because of America.

In their opinion, the American flag was taboo because it stood for oppression. This HATE America thing was really getting some teeth. I wondered why artists were so eager to speak out against America, our military, and our flag. I didn't get it because artists have more freedom in America than in any other country on earth. We should be the most patriotic rather than biting the hand that feeds our wonderful right to test the boundaries and express ourselves.

My young brain struggled to understand how I could remain in the art world while continuing to demonstrate my love for America -- then BAM - I heard my calling.

That was my purpose! I would say goodbye to the intolerant art club, go it on my own and use my God given gift to shine a spotlight on what is GOOD about America, what is awesome about our flag.

I was going to paint it big and bold and 3-D so it knocks you down when you see it.

ACROSS THE USA

And so it began -- the tours across America, sleeping in my truck, no heat or AC, only eating due to the kindness of strangers and donors who shared my vision. Countless hours sitting with veterans, painting their posts and raising money for their causes. Getting arrested for speaking up for America against the PC culture that was hell bent on destroying her. The photos of me being led out of the courthouse in handcuffs splashed across the front page of the Advance. My peers snicker, There goes that crazy Scott LoBaido, again and again and again. Twenty five years later the PC beast has devoured our way of life despite my efforts and continuous warnings that this day would come.

Racist -- a horrible yet important word which is now being used 24/7 to label anyone WHO HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION than the PC mob. Those of us who support America and respect our flag, our anthem and our President are being labeled as racists without consideration for who we are.

The word "racist" is being used against leaders of corporations. It's being used to get people fired from their job. It's being used to strike fear into people so they grovel on their knees and apologize for the way they were born and the color of their skin.

The word racist is being used as a club to ground out our FIRST AMENDMENT right to hold and express a different opinion -- and the artworld is leading the pack.

But isn't this exactly opposite of what the artworld and the PC mob is supposed to stand for? Weren't we preaching for compassion, tolerance and acceptance for gay rights, women's rights and the rights for everyone no matter their religion or ethnic background? Aren't the artists supposed to stand up and defend the act of self expression, starve for their cause and die fighting?

It is unfortunate that you and others consider my "Thin Blue Line" down the median of Hylan Boulevard as divisive. It may be seen by some as provocative, but it is not divisive. If I painted it over or next to the BLM street art, that would be divisive. But I didn't. My purpose was not to silence that message. It was to ensure that everyone had an opportunity to hear another message. A message of LOVE for a group of human beings who are being humiliated and demoralized because they wear a blue uniform.

You can LOVE the police and believe that Black lives matter. The two are not mutually exclusive and they should not be made out to be. Just like you can be an artist and still love America because it is the one country that supports your right to express yourself freely even when that means speaking against her.

I am not a divider, my good friend. Balancer would suit me better. I cannot and should not be pressured into collaborating with people who are confused about their message to the extent that we have all but forgotten that it was the murder of George Floyd that started this discussion. And yes, my good friend, I am a voice for the regular guy who is just trying to make a living, feed his or her family, pay the mortgage and whose quality of life is being annihilated by ultra-radical mayors and governors who have more sympathy for criminals than the law abiding citizens they are sworn to protect.

LIKE ROME . . .

We are a free nation, but a nation of laws. Yes, I have stepped over that line as a protester, and I LOOOOOVVEE those that do as well, but to destroy, burn, maim, and take over a community and kill it, Like Rome, we lose it all.

And that is where we are at.

The discussion on race relations cannot happen in good faith until the monster PC mob stands down. The message is confusing. Whether we are artists or police, immigrants or native, wealthy or poor, we all want America to grow and evolve, to be the best that she can be.

That can only happen through honest, raw dialogue, mutual respect and tolerance of differing opinions -- exactly what artists throughout history have been fighting for.

However, that conversation cannot happen within the laws being laid out by the PC mob who seek to wipe out our history and direct our souls until we all act, look and express ourselves the same.

America is a beautiful mosaic, filled with individuals who yearn for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Not everyone gets everything he or she wants, but everyone has the opportunity to try.

For 30 years I have been using my talent to help others. I've raised millions of dollars for worthy causes, and will continue to do so happily. Now I am selling my art so I can be free to help others without having to beg for the funds to do so. No shame in being a capitalist. After all, the Advance sells papers and gets tons of click$$ when my work is featured. Ahhhh the sweet taste of opportunity.

As always, I look forward to running into you at our local restaurants, give each other that usual head shake and smirk and have a martini together,

Your friend, The one and only, Citizen Scott LoBaido

Oh by the way: I did not protest the artist or his work at the Brooklyn museum. I protested against the museum directors decision to regularly bash one religion (Christianity) in a publicly funded institution.

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And now a word from Citizen Scott: Why I love the USA | From the editor - SILive.com