2A fans... which of the mass school shooters had criminal backgrounds? Which walked into a Wal-Mart and purchased easily converted semi-automatic weapons? Mass shootings are NOT done by criminal masterminds or convicts. They are crimes of opportunity enacted by folks with mental issues and unfettered access to dangerous weapons and ammo. Side note: For all the "christians" out there, does the 2nd Amendment supersede God's commandment against killing? Asking for the anthropomo rphic concept of cognitive dissonance. There is no rational argument about the production and dissemination of these weapons. We have not called "militias" to meaningfully participate in American combat since the Civil War. That was a LONG time ago and NONE of those weapons had the power to kill so many people in mere moments. The conversation is NOT about banning all guns. But the NRA won't even come out against the sale of bump stocks... which they concede are illegal modifi...

So about the portraits... They were unexpected. Much in the way that Barack Hussein Obama's presidency was unexpected. They are distinctive. They are well-crafted. They capture specific aspects of the essences of their subjects. But. They. Are. Different. I knew that Kehinde Wiley was NOT going to deliver a standard Oval Office tribute. Obama knew that too. That's why he picked him. Obama's likeness is stupendous. His setting is disconcerting. But that's fine. There are other beautiful paintings of my President. This is the one that will greet visitors to the Portrait Gallery throughout history. I'm a graphic design person, so Michelle Obama's likeness is growing on me. So clean, so stark. The graphic elements are stunning, the heart composed of hard lines and implied space is beautiful. She looks beautiful. Knowing that the skin tone choice is intentional helps. Again the Obamas chose their artists PURPOSEFULLY. I think one thing I responded to unfavo...