The Catholic League has called some of the art “vile," Rep. John Boehner has called for investigations into “how taxpayer funds are used” for Smithsonian shows and National Portrait Gallery Director Martin E. Sullivan allowed his boss, Smithsonian Secretary G. Wayne Clough, to pull what was evidently the most “offensive” piece from the show. After this sudden re-ignition of the culture wars, it’s hard to recall the accomplishment, pride and liberal self-congratulation on display at the opening of Hide/Seek a month ago.

The National Portrait Gallery seemed extremely proud of itself at the press preview. Director Sullivan joined board members and the curators for remarks, photo-ops and [...]

As noted yesterday, the National Portrait Gallery removed David Wojnarowicz’s video “Fire in My Belly” after denunciations from the Catholic League and incoming Speaker of the House John Boehner. Boehner represents Ohio’s 8th district, an area just north of Cincinnati, where coverage of the art scandal is completely absent in the local press—outcry is at a minimum if it exists at all.

Right now I just happen to be in Fairfield, Ohio, visiting my parents for the holidays. Who better to give some local perspective to liberal urbanites incensed by the seemingly jarring insensitivity and grandstanding of Boehner and the Catholic League than my mother, a [...]