Its not just a rock...

[chik]

There is a huge rock near a gravel pit on Hwy.25 in rural Iowa.
For generations, kids have painted slogans, names,
and obscenities on this rock, changing its character many times.
A few months back, the rock received its latest paint job,
and since then it has been left completely undisturbed.

It's quite an impressive sight. Be sure to scroll down and
check out the multiple photos (all angles) of the rock.

I thought the flag was draped over the rock, but it's not.
It's actually painted on the rock too.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock1.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock2.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock3.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock4.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock5.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock6.jpg


Here's the artist


Ray 'Bubba' Sorensen.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock7.jpg

[Loser47]

wow thats very impressive they need to make that a national landmark or something

[xtremecaraudio]

that is awesome, the flag on the top looks amazing. The rock is shaped just perfect to pull off the effect.

[MellowedZX2]

Thats freaking sweet... That guy rocks.

Joel

[Zx2 Frost]

That is pretty cool

[Mike]

That is really neat. He did some damn good work....with it being painted on a rock...

[Jaybird]

That is really fantastic! I hope no looser ruins it.

[capitalcrew]

The first loser to mess with it should be shot, seriously. That is one of the most amazing things I've seen involving patriotism in this country for quite a while. It seems that everyone has decided to oppose everything involving the United States in the last few years. Our own citizens hardly support this country any more and its sad.

[chik]

The first loser to mess with it should be shot, seriously. That is one of the most amazing things I've seen involving patriotism in this country for quite a while. It seems that everyone has decided to oppose everything involving the United States in the last few years. Our own citizens hardly support this country any more and its sad.

Agreed

[JohnP]

Ray first painted the rock in '99 to honor veterans on Memorial Day . The rock has been re-painted with different scene's every year since for Memorial Day . No one has ever damaged it since ' 99 .

http://www.bubbazartwork.com

http://www.ticz.com/homes/users/bob/on-a-rock/on-a-rock.htm

[DOUGIESTYLE]

I choked back tears at the sight! That's awesome!

[KRUX]

That quote that he has of bush on it made me choke a little. That is a awesome rock

[af3ll]

The first loser to mess with it should be shot, seriously. That is one of the most amazing things I've seen involving patriotism in this country for quite a while. It seems that everyone has decided to oppose everything involving the United States in the last few years. Our own citizens hardly support this country any more and its sad.
That's very patriotic of you. You would seriously shoot someone who messed with that rock?

[Beodude123]

I thought it was pretty cool.

[capitalcrew]

That's very patriotic of you. You would seriously shoot someone who messed with that rock?

People have been shot for less meaningful reasons.

[Buster]

I've seen this several times and I still am amazed by it. The work and the inspiration for it.

This rock rocks.

[Buster]

That's very patriotic of you. You would seriously shoot someone who messed with that rock?

Yes. :D


Seriously, this is a memorial for the people who gave their lives so YOU can live in freedom without fearing for your life on a daily basis.

To mess with it would show someone to be one of the lowest forms of life, not deserving of the freedom they are blessed with. Let any retaliation that could happen be given to them...I won't have sympathy for them.

[af3ll]

Yeah I guess you guys are right. Shooting people is very American!

[Buster]

If you're so miserable, move to France. You won't have to worry about guns, armies or reality.

[capitalcrew]

Or showering.

[SoCalZX2]

I'm not gonna choose sides on whether to shoot someone or not for messing up that rock... but IIRC af3ll is military...

[Buster]

He is and I thank him for his service.

However, he seems to like to bash the nation a lot, something I do not understand from someone who potentially risked their life for it.

[SoCalZX2]

Having an opposing view on using lethal force over a painted rock (albeit a great mural with lots of meaning) does not make him a USA basher... lol.

I haven't really seen him bash the country... At least saying it's a horrible place and the like. Me personally have done more "bashing" than him I believe... because I don't like what has become of a great nation... But, I'm also not just bashing w/o regard for who makes it great and the sacrifices those people have made.

I just found it funny that you mentioned those in the military and the sacrifices they've made to that he could talk... yet he's military :p

[Buster]

I never said anything about his right to say anything he wants, just strange how he wouldn't want to defend a memorial to his fellow comrades.

No one here really would murder someone who damaged the memorial personally, but it would be a very infuriating act to most of us and we wanted to express the extent of it.

[SoCalZX2]

See, it wasn't stated in an expressed feeling type of way... That would be stated like "Man, I'd be so mad I'd want to shoot whoever did it".

It was expressed in a literal way, "the first person that messes with that needs to be shot". I do agree though, to literally shoot someone over that would be way extreme, but to have that feeling, I agree with.

[af3ll]

Thanks SoCal. Ha I have never bashed my country. I have made comments about your boy Bush so if that's bashing the country then ok.

I have said I like living in other countries for the experience though. I would much rather be back in England again and when I'm done with my assignment in Kansas I plan on going to like Japan or something overseas.

Socal pretty much nailed everything on the head that I was going to say back haha.

Buster have you been out of the country before?

[af3ll]

I never said anything about his right to say anything he wants, just strange how he wouldn't want to defend a memorial to his fellow comrades.
No one needs to be shot over it.

[capitalcrew]

Just the fact that he said it, like that. I mean.. the guy is supposed to be intelligent.

[JohnP]

There is a huge rock near a gravel pit on Hwy.25 in rural Iowa.
For generations, kids have painted slogans, names,
and obscenities on this rock, changing its character many times.
A few months back, the rock received its latest paint job,
and since then it has been left completely undisturbed.

It's quite an impressive sight. Be sure to scroll down and
check out the multiple photos (all angles) of the rock.

I thought the flag was draped over the rock, but it's not.
It's actually painted on the rock too.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock1.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock2.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock3.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock4.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock5.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock6.jpg


Here's the artist


Ray 'Bubba' Sorensen.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/udreamofkandy/rock7.jpg



I forgot what the thread was about , I guess this is it .

[JonsZX2SR]

Time to get back on topic about the rock painting. Posts about Pbama's European trip were moved to a new thread, http://www.teamzx2.com/showthread.php?t=5282 (http://www.teamzx2.com/showthread.php?t=5282). If you want to discuss the rock painting do it here, if you want to discuss Obama's trip do it in the new thread.

...anyone who derails this thread again gets a 24 hour vacation, no excuses.

Regardless of what personal political beliefs this guy should get some respect for taking his time to put his beliefs into art. Free speech allows people to make their point without any regard to quality of their arguments. i think this guy did a great job getting his point across.

[SoCalZX2]

...anyone who derails this thread again gets a 24 hour vacation, no excuses.

Yeah, that was an accident (at least on my part, I wasn't thinking when I asked).

The rock is a great tribute which is not bias of any particular political stand, but is just in support of those who have given for this country.

[JonsZX2SR]

Criticizing one's country or leadership doesn't necessarily constitute bashing. Sometimes our leadership gets off track and people have to raise opposing opinions in the spirit of good citizenship.

Done well, these critiques can offer better alternatives and show where our leaders have gone wrong or just where they can make better decisions. So regardless of affiliation people like af3ll or SocalZX2 can offer criticism without it becoming bashing.

Given their affiliations they may have to choose their words more carefully, but by no means should people attempt to quiet them. Accusing anyone who you disagree with of bashing without discussing their commentary is a weak reply.

Regardless of political beliefs I think this guy did a great job. More important than the rock painting itself, this guy has gotten people to think and talk and the community has adopted the painting for now rather than painting over it.