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B-N filmed on youtube
By Ryan Denham
rdenham@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON — Among the fake teenagers pouring their hearts out to a webcam and beauty pageant contestants embarrassing themselves, there is a man calling himself Johnny Firefly alleging racial hypocrisy in Bloomington-Normal. | Johnny Firefly video | Local youtube videos

In a 7-minute clip on the popular video-sharing Web site YouTube, Firefly paces in front of the downtown Bloomington mural of famous faces, using frustrated poetry to criticize how the two minority faces are separated from the others. The lone Native American face is one-quarter the size of the others.

“Subliminal things ingrained in all we do,” the poet and street performer says in the clip. “Poltergeist shadows that chuckle when we say things of lunacy such as ‘not in our town.’ But the mockery is on the wall.”

The video has been viewed more than 2,600 times — far short of YouTube’s most popular clips, like the Miss Teen USA hopeful’s rambling response to a geography question, which drew 10.8 million hits in less than two weeks.

But Firefly’s clips, and countless others from the Twin Cities, point to a growing awareness of the power of locally-produced Internet video.

There’s a Heyworth native with autism whose powerful video presentation on the disorder has attracted Hollywood. A local church produced a spoof of “The Amazing Race” so convincingly that many don’t realize its Christian undertones. And high school students turned dancing with their teachers into a bona fide hit.

The reasons for using YouTube are as varied as the productions: To make a point; to make people laugh; to hype an upcoming artistic endeavor; to take faith in God to another level; to inform. The list goes on.

But it’s the way YouTube can bring people from the Twin Cities together with viewers from around the world that intrigues Firefly.

“That’s the great thing. Being human beings, so many times we prejudge things,” he said. “But YouTube has broken down all of our prejudgments.”

‘The next Scorsese’

Firefly’s videos are shot and edited by Kasey Wells, 29, a graduate student in arts technology at Illinois State University. Before they started working together, Firefly wanted to make sure Wells was a “follow-through” artist.

“Everyone with a camera thinks they’re the next (film director Martin) Scorsese,” Firefly said.

But Wells earned Firefly’s trust, and they have since posted a dozen clips together, all highlighting Firefly’s socially aware, spoken-word style. Their latest clip had 15,000 hits in one month.

Firefly, 46, said the clips helped earned him a spot on an upcoming CD, and he and Wells are working on a feature documentary on his life.

“He gives me more content than I can keep up with,” Wells said.

But most people visit YouTube just to laugh, and 18-year-old Amir Ghasemi has delivered.

Ghasemi graduated from Normal Community West High School in the spring and attends the University of Illinois, wanting to be a lawyer.

He’s already a great dancer, as seen in a music video spoof of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” that he and a friend, Dario Marotta, filmed last year with teachers and staff at Normal West.

The video, made for a class project and Normal West’s student TV showcase “The Prowl,” has been viewed more than 27,000 times on YouTube, making it one of the most popular from Bloomington-Normal.

In the video, Ghasemi and Marotta lead a choreographed dance-fest, parading through NCWHS’ hallways in step as teachers boogie on tables before a massive final number on the roof.

“People kept asking me, ‘What were you doing on the roof? What were you doing on the roof?’ ” Ghasemi said of the last day of shooting. “Oh, just dancing with Mr. (Trevor) Chapman,” a teacher.

Not everything’s a hit

But not every clip featuring Bloomington-Normal personalities is so popular. Many don’t get 100 views.

Those include 14 clips of U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller, a Morris Republican whose district includes part of the Twin Cities. Most of the clips, posted by Weller’s district communications director Andy Fuller, have less than 50 views, though Fuller said the more popular ones focusing on biofuels and gas prices give an indication of what’s on people’s minds.

“Our delving into that area was an attempt to go where constituents are these days, which is on the Web,” he said of new efforts that include the clips on Weller’s official Web site.

Others from the area just aren’t destined to be big hits, such as clips of a young girl named Kylie’s birthday party and a painfully long, seven-part series on the aftermath of a snowstorm last winter.

The easiest to find are from concerts at U.S. Cellular Coliseum, including February’s John Mayer show.

Visiting artists determine what types of cameras are allowed into the Coliseum, said Traci Raymond, the faciltiy’s booking and events manager.

“I don’t necessarily endorse people coming in and taking videos when they’re not supposed to, but I don’t see any harm in it unless the artist is unhappy,” said Raymond, who along with Coliseum spokesman Bryan Bloodworth said she wasn’t even aware Coliseum footage was posted. | Jerry Weller video

Autism politics

One local post that has developed heavy interest features Marty Murphy, a Heyworth native with high-functioning autism, speaking about “my life, across the bridge, over the river of autism.”

The clip was shot by Los Angeles director Graham Streeter, who was in Normal last December researching a feature film he plans on shooting there next winter and which features an autistic character.

Streeter found Murphy through Jacquie Mace from the Autism Society of McLean County. The taped presentation is half informational and half stand-up comedy. It’s been viewed 6,800 times.

Now, Streeter is trying to cast Murphy in his film, called “Normal Folk,” and Mace said she sends the YouTube link to groups considering hiring Murphy to speak.

But another effect of the posting was that Murphy, a self-described controversial figure in the autism community, was exposed to new criticism over her speeches and writings. Her tone and advocacy for finding a cure have angered some who see eradicating the disorder as wanting to eradicate autistic people.

“For some of these people, if you want a cure, you’re a Nazi,” Murphy said in an interview.

A video posted in response by “AutisticPride” is critical of Murphy, and negative comments posted below the original video were removed by Streeter, said Mace and Murphy.

The clip “adds a little bit of controversy for people who are strongly opposed to down-talking the condition of autism,” said Streeter, claiming the clip has changed a lot of lives for the better because of Murphy’s dynamic personality, honesty and humor.

“There are a lot of positive things on there, but there are a lot of negative things, too,” Murphy said of YouTube. |"Marty Murphy Speaks about Autism"

‘The Amazing’ spoof

Positive messages define Heartland Community Church’s five-episode spoof of “The Amazing Race,” clearly some of the best-produced Twin City clips on YouTube.

In the series, five teams of church members race around the Twin Cities looking for clues just like on the popular CBS show. Each episode conveys a different theme as part of the Normal church’s yearly message series.

The men behind the project are youth pastor Kyle O’Hagan, 29, and church volunteer Mark Lockett, 29, a Twin City native. Because the videos were first shown during Sunday services and always followed with a pastor-led discussion, they are largely devoid of the words “God” or “Christ.”

The clips are simply entertaining, shot on high-definition video over about five weeks last fall and edited by Lockett on a Hollywood-caliber system.

“It’s those fine-quality production points that really hit home to people,” Lockett said. “Yes, that’s artificial. Yes, it’s entertainment. But I’ll you what, sometimes it takes that for people to approach the throne of God.”

O’Hagan and Lockett said they put the clips online for Lockett’s portfolio, and because it let members who missed a week catch up.

“The style of our church uses media and things that are very cultural — that people would identify with — and relate them with the timeless message of the Gospel,” O’Hagan said.

Lockett thinks others just came across the clips because they were fans of the TV show.

“A lot of people thought it was real at first,” he said. “A lot of people were like, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe “The Amazing Race” came to Normal!’” | Amazing Race Normal



What is YouTube?

-- Founded in 2005, YouTube is a popular video-sharing Web site that allows users to post videos that are 10 minutes or less from their computers to the Internet for free.

-- Google purchased YouTube last fall for $1.65 billion.

-- YouTube drew 55 million unique viewers in July, up from 51 million in June. Tens of thousands of new videos are added every day.

-- Videos are free to watch and searchable using “tag words” and video titles.

-- Infamous videos that have received worldwide attention include the LonelyGirl15 series, a clip of prisoners in the Philippines dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” and just about anything from Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert from Comedy Central.

-- Though many of YouTube’s clips are homemade, the site has been accused by companies who own professionally produced content of providing an easy path to copyright infringement. YouTube is frequently asked to take down copyrighted material, but much litigation is still pending.

SOURCES: Nielsen/NetRatings, YouTube/Google

Take a look
Johnny Firefly, a noted Twin City performance artist, sang infront of a mural of Julius Witherspoon, while Casey Wells, an Illinois State University graduate student taped him in downtown Bloomington, Friday, August 31, 2007. Both are featured in new videos on YouTube and thought provoking video called Bloomington Mural. (Pantagraph, David Proeber)
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Reader comments on this story - 76 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

localpoet wrote on Sep 10, 2007 1:44 PM:

" I think it's funny that people are wasting their energy putting down a man they've never met about poetry they could never understand. You see the beautiful thing about Mr. Firefly is that he cares about something in our town. What have you done lately? Many poets that we teach our kids about today were once thought to be mad(bad, and dangerous to know)...but really they were eccentric and people were uncomfortable with what they had to say...ever heard of Lord Byron? Maybe Edgar Allen Poe? I'm not saying Mr. Firefly is or isn't of their calibur... art is subjective people... that's what makes it art... they may be teaching our grandchildren that John Firefly helped shape our world one day...again, think... what have you done? "

far away finally wrote on Sep 5, 2007 7:07 PM:

" This is exactly why I moved out of Bloomington-Normal and to a metropolitan city. John Firefly is a lunatic. There are much more pressing issues to be examining than his short stint on youtube. The world is full of racists of every color, religion and creed - always has been, always will be - that is not limited to a mural painter in Bloomington, Illinois who probably had no idea he/she would ever be the target of such volatile accusations. The entire article is ridiculous. I guess the writer didn't view the very end of the video short of Firefly babbling about wizards and purple flying monkeys smoking crack. Or maybe they edited that part out since I watched the original clip months ago to make his "poetry" more estimable. I love Chicago... "

BHS MAN wrote on Sep 5, 2007 4:30 PM:

" YOU MEAN TO TELL ME B-N IS 88% WHITE. AND YET EVERBODY CALLS THE WESTSIDE THE GHETTO, I WONDER IF THOSE SAME PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY IS CAUCASION. IM SURE THEY DONT BECAUSE ALL THEY HEAR ABOUT IS THE SUPPOSEDLY HEAVY GANG AND DRUG PROBLEMS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. 88% white WHAT BLACK COMMUNITY. RACISM NOT IN OUR TOWN... MAYBE SOMEDAY!!! "

Wait.. wrote on Sep 5, 2007 8:02 AM:

" There is a mural downtown???? Guess i should go down there and deal with the racism one day to see them. "

stunned wrote on Sep 4, 2007 6:14 AM:

" halfway through this video, i had to turn it off. just plain weird "

Phil McKracken wrote on Sep 3, 2007 10:24 PM:

" I guess I need to get downtown more.I didn't even know there were any murals until I saw the story. "

Sook Wang wrote on Sep 3, 2007 10:16 PM:

" Why no famous Asians on the wall!? My people have done so many good things. That is racist!!! :( "

Lar Jaskok wrote on Sep 3, 2007 10:11 PM:

" The edit of the video seem very good. Thumbs up for firefly's poetry! Go Bloomington!He make us all famous. Very nice! "

Rod Munsch wrote on Sep 3, 2007 9:43 PM:

" This guy is good.Nice directing on the video. "

Richard Head wrote on Sep 3, 2007 7:03 PM:

" Johnny Firefly is not only Bloomington/Normal's greatest poet, but one of America's best poet's. B/N need's to embrace this huge talent. Also ISU's Arts Technology program is the wave of the future, great job on the video. "

Race & Gender wrote on Sep 3, 2007 2:23 PM:

" The mural in downtown Bloomington not only points out subliminal race issues, but also gender issues aswell. Notice the white women not segregated in the painting, however painted after the prominant white men. Does this speak volumes to gender issues aswell? Even though I may view Johnny firely as a bit odd I think he has a point. That being said, this mural does not reflect the belief's and values of our community, but its points out that some folks still have a problem with race and gender. "

Papa wrote on Sep 3, 2007 1:22 PM:

" My 10-year-old thinks this guy is an idiot; she could not tell a lie if she tried. Out of the mouths of babes! "

It doesn't... wrote on Sep 2, 2007 11:57 PM:

" matter what attempts are made to please people. Someone will always have their interpretation....and usually it is negative. And, of course, the negative is what the media loves to promote. As far as not in our town, not one race can say they are free of discrimination toward another. That is just lunacy. "

Unaware??? wrote on Sep 2, 2007 11:40 PM:

" Firefly must be unaware that Normal now has "Rosa Parks Commons." The storm-water retention basis on Raab, west of Linden was recently re-named. If this doesn't prove that we are multi-cultural, I don't know what does. "

Not watching wrote on Sep 2, 2007 11:19 PM:

" 88% of B/N was white during the last census. It would crazy to say that B/N is free of racism, but to be a funded project that represents minorities unfairly would be institutionalized racism. So, who funded said wall? "

Wulf Mann a.k.a Sir Laser Ballz wrote on Sep 2, 2007 10:36 PM:

" Firefly is such a great poet that he has been unable to escape Bloomington for the last 20 years. HE IS THAT GOOD!!! "

OGS Gas Prices Double wrote on Sep 2, 2007 10:24 PM:

" ...the prediction is that gas prices will double if Bush starts a war with Iran, which he is hell bent to do. How about some investigative journalism for a change? Instead we get the rants and raves of Firefly...a nice guy, but not all nice. "

News Hungry wrote on Sep 2, 2007 10:18 PM:

" Nothing new here. This has been going on from the time the State closed the mental institutions in the 70's and 80's. Look for more when the new 3 million dollar "flop house" is opened two blocks from the 34 million dollar troubled coliseum. Good thinking. This will surely add to the entertainment. The real story is why our only newspaper thinks this is a front page story. What, no news from Streator or Ottawa today ?? "

reader wrote on Sep 2, 2007 9:55 PM:

" I am proud of my race.At lest I don't go around saying poor me like some do. "

I have never wrote on Sep 2, 2007 9:43 PM:

" seen so much anger and hate in one person. This guy is so very, very sad! "

Me wrote on Sep 2, 2007 9:29 PM:

" This guy is a joke. I still don't quite get what he was rambling on about. He is more racists then anyone in this town. He just wants his attention and sadly the Pantagraph is giving it to him. "

ry wrote on Sep 2, 2007 9:27 PM:

" The Bloomington mural is only one piece of the puzzle folks. Hop on YouTube for yourself and look up Empyreum Productions. There's a clip of Johnny on the radio supporting a WGLT fund raiser. This is closer to the heart of his mission than publicity or money; which was presumed earlier. This is not a man chasing the mighty dollar. In fact, its easy to argue that he is less motivated by than any of us. "

Rizzo wrote on Sep 2, 2007 8:49 PM:

" learn2play "

bob wrote on Sep 2, 2007 8:13 PM:

" What a racist he is offended by murals of white people. If he wants to see more murals of black people he should move to where ever more black people live. It must be so horrible for him to have to live around us. My very presence offends him. "

Poet? wrote on Sep 2, 2007 7:16 PM:

" He is not a poet, he was just ranting, and not very well even at that. No one will take him seriously, except other extremists. "

turn off the paranoia wrote on Sep 2, 2007 6:16 PM:

" I think Firefly is assuming that "the powers to be" in Bloomington secretly had something to do with the composition of that Murial. Turn off the paranoia and the generalizing. One guy did these with no direction as to their design or their order on the wall. His name is "Mark" and he is one of the dimmest guys around. I don't know that he's racist, but he could be. So, you are accusing everyone for the actions of one dimwitted pothead. So, by the same logic ...I could say all black people are involved with dog fighting...just look at Michael Vick for proof. You don't want us generalizing based on the worst examples in your race, so don't group me with "Mark B". This mural was not designed by a committee. I for one never got to vote on it's design...and neither did anyone else. "

Why no warning of profanity? wrote on Sep 2, 2007 4:17 PM:

" Pantagraph, what is up with no warning on the heavy use of profanity and drug references? Irresponsible to have such easy access to the clip for all of the minors who visit this site frequently. Boo Pantagraph online. "

To: I've Always Thought: wrote on Sep 2, 2007 4:06 PM:

" Well said. "

the real deal wrote on Sep 2, 2007 3:42 PM:

" Johnny Firefly was homeless until the guy who owns the quizno's building let him have an apartment there in exchange for maintenance work. Same goes for the two or three other homeless people who lived with him. Not only that, but this guy is obnoxious as all hell. I've seen him ruin countless performances in Downtown Bloomington. I don't think of him as a poet, he's an attention starved idiot who gets drunk at Paulie's and asks for free stuff while he makes a wooden nutcracker move it's mouth while he talks in funny voices. The fact that he ended up on YouTube tells me that the world is coming to an end. "

happy wrote on Sep 2, 2007 3:36 PM:

" He "sort of" knows abe lincoln? Hmm. "

to Kasey wrote on Sep 2, 2007 2:41 PM:

" ignore these people. since we're all seemingly narrow in our views on this article, allow me to make some assumptions. some of these people are probably bitter because they never followed their dreams in life or took chances. some hate ISU, and some hate the Arts, or Arts Technology, program because they don't understand it or they feel threatened by what they do not know. it's even more funny how this is a story on how a massive online company like YouTube can have a localized presence, only to be turned into a discussion of racism, hating art and hating you. it may not be a great news weekend, but geez people, don't be so embarrassed about where you live. if you don't like the content, please upload your own stuff. there were other videos mentioned in this article. don't be so scared of technology and people who are different than you. "

Willy Wonka wrote on Sep 2, 2007 2:15 PM:

" Did any of Mr. Chocolatier and his Oompa Loompas public urination videos, make it to youtube? "

From: I know this guy wrote on Sep 2, 2007 2:07 PM:

" You have it about 100 % wrong, I thought he was homeless and crazy because of how little he cared about his appearance and hygeine, and the way he talked way outloud to himself when he walked down the street. I also was just stating fact about the white leadership in history, look it up. I am not even white, but unusually I am human first. I also didn't go to college, I dropped out of high school to help support my family, but I am smart enough to get by fine. I don't think anyone is better than anyone else, but I don't dwell on it and bitch about it, so this is my last post on the subject. thanks. "

When I new Firefly wrote on Sep 2, 2007 1:59 PM:

" He was a homeless guy. Maybe all of his money goes to college so he lives on the street. He was always really weird and never made much sense but was always a really deep person. He's been through a lot but overall a nice guy just kinda creepy. "

al wrote on Sep 2, 2007 1:56 PM:

" i for one am outraged we still have a symbol of a indian american ..i thought when the local hs removed a likeness that was the end of it...please remove this degradng pic so as not to offend anyone.. "

al wrote on Sep 2, 2007 1:54 PM:

" just because he went to college doesnt mean he has any education...its callled a qouta system and whens the last time you saw a college grad black athlete that could even speak english "

Yeeesh !! wrote on Sep 2, 2007 1:14 PM:

" The Best we have is John Firefly ?? Cmon,were gonna have to try harder, Video of dog poo is less offensive than firebug. "

BIG SISTER wrote on Sep 2, 2007 1:13 PM:

" OK People you know fire fly was kick out off bloom library for loriting and he has a book in their and yes this is stuff we all need to see the paintings are so ugly themselves I did notice the seperation the first time I saw it. And to all of you who Judge the book buy the cover. Well I would like to know how it feels to get a wake up call. And who is responsibale for the Layout of the Paintings? "

nothing to complain about.... wrote on Sep 2, 2007 1:05 PM:

" let's face it - this guy is just trying to get publicity (which the pathetic pantagraph gave him for lack of an actual news story). This is just one more example of how some people are jumping on their chance to make racial relations even worse than they already are. He should be glad that a portrait of a black man and an American indian are even up there. Because everyone knows that blacks and native americans were not in leadership positions throughout local history. The people of this country already regret the racist history of America, so why make it worse? Who really cares where the pictures are on the wall(besides? find something worth while to complain about firecrotch..... "

Toto wrote on Sep 2, 2007 12:36 PM:

" watch out for the purple monkey "

Poetry fan wrote on Sep 2, 2007 12:05 PM:

" Firefly is a really good poet, and what you saw was a poem - get it. "

Just A Guy wrote on Sep 2, 2007 11:48 AM:

" To: "Most of you guys" Why are you going to pray for them? What is there to get? Firefly is trying to make something out of nothing. Just because there is a door inbetween the pictures does not make it racist. What else can be construed as racist? The fact it is Washington Street, not Washington Carver Street? or that the town was founded by caucasians? or any other number of things that could be construed as racist, but really aren't. "

Mike V wrote on Sep 2, 2007 10:47 AM:

" For those B-N residents who are not familiar with Johnny Firefly, his work, his personality.... "Bloomington Mural" is probably the best way to explain him to someone who hasn't met him. Observant with the heart of a poet running directly into almost incoherent rambling that makes you want to cross the street. If that's what you got out of the video, than you now know Johnny Firefly. "

Lady wrote on Sep 2, 2007 10:47 AM:

" And this is news!!!!!!!!! Come to my house and watch the hummingbirds!!!!!!!!! "

to: I know this guy wrote on Sep 2, 2007 10:29 AM:

" So you thought the guy was homeless because of how he looked. You "had no idea he had enough brains to be a college student." Wow. Talk about stereotyping and ending up with egg on your face! And then you come out here and admit your prejudice, but tack an insult toward the guy onto your post and negate the fact you were man enough to admit your error, thus making you still look like a fool. Brilliant! I expect you have a college education too, which therefore qualifies you to post comments deriding others, huh? I now know from your post that anyone that isn't privileged enough to have a college education can't possibly have a valid opinion or be smart enough to make it in the world, so I hope for your sake you're college edumacated. "

I've always thought wrote on Sep 2, 2007 10:21 AM:

" that the mere fact B-N has those "Not in our town" signs posted is a clear sign that racism IS alive and well here. Otherwise, why would anyone need the signs at all? These people made a video of something they believe in and there are people out here being derogatory. There's no need for that. All it shows is your lack of tolerance for something you disagree with, and that proves the videomaker's point! Why are you all rushing to make snide remarks? So he's made a video you all think is substandard. Big deal. I'm sure all of you posting have the guts to post a video of yourself out for millions of people to potentially see it and judge you, right? I don't know any of the people in this article, but I can see they have more courage than any of you anonymous posters out here that are bashing them. "

Krusty Krab wrote on Sep 2, 2007 10:14 AM:

" The "victim" industry rolls on... "

RE: Most of you guys wrote on Sep 2, 2007 9:46 AM:

" Thank you. We need the prayers. And you need the practice. "

MikeMan wrote on Sep 2, 2007 9:35 AM:

" I'm pretty sure Firefly is the same man I saw picking up trash daily near Quiznos in Normal. That's fine. His video is fine as well. I would rather he make money and a name for himself picking up trash and performing than robbing people. I salute Firefly. "

reader wrote on Sep 2, 2007 9:16 AM:

" Poor me ,poor me "

me wrote on Sep 2, 2007 9:16 AM:

" This wants you to be a racist "

OMG wrote on Sep 2, 2007 8:38 AM:

" Get over it!! Well said Oh brother!!! "

I know this guy wrote on Sep 2, 2007 8:03 AM:

" I have seen him around for quite a while, I always thought he was a wandering crazy homeless guy. I had no idea he had enough brains to be a college student. But either way, I was correct in some of my assumptions. Boo Hoo, this county has more white leaders than black leaders in their history. That isn't racism, it's historical fact. "

The world's smallest violin wrote on Sep 2, 2007 8:02 AM:

" Who cares!! Hey Slantagragh,is this all you have to report on? Some people are so ingrained with the victim mentality that they have become the racist. "

Most of you guys ..... wrote on Sep 2, 2007 7:52 AM:

" just don't get it. I will pray for you. "

to: had enough wrote on Sep 2, 2007 7:42 AM:

" DITTO! This is not news..its junk. I ask this would the story had ran IF it was the American Indian reading the poem? "

The opposite wrote on Sep 2, 2007 7:10 AM:

" Look at it this way. That street runs downhill towards the east meaning the black and native American picture would be higher up that the rest. "

to:Sounds like a trouble maker to me wrote on Sep 2, 2007 7:07 AM:

" They probably got a huge grant to do crap like this from the government. "

Mike G wrote on Sep 2, 2007 7:04 AM:

" The mural in question along with others around the downtown area are reflecting history; I thought. It is the way it was, not the way it is. History son history. "

sigh wrote on Sep 2, 2007 6:28 AM:

" This really shows what a slow news cycle B/N is in this weekend...the only good that came from this article is the exposure of how second or third rate the ISU Arts and Technology program is !. "

you are kidding wrote on Sep 2, 2007 6:15 AM:

" right? Some people are never happy and just want to try to make a name for themselves by making controversy when there really is none. I bet this guy wants the government to pay reparations too. "

Listen wrote on Sep 2, 2007 12:07 AM:

" Firefllys fly bright in the night. Through the blackness of darkness their light comes to sight. The sight of a childs eyes traces the flight. The mind of a child dances with ignorant delight. The hand of a child reaches out with destructive might. The light once shown so bright now fading fast in a childs foolish grasp. "

funny if it wasn't so sad wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:41 PM:

" how come every time someone raises an issue, everyone jumps all over them and calls the person a "troublemaker." is anyone in b-n willing to acknowledge that things are not perfect and sunny all the time? "

We're off to... wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:37 PM:

" Yo Firefly, I'll trade you a Dorthy and a Munchkin Mayor for that Flying Purple monkey. "

had enough wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:08 PM:

" cancel my paper this is to much "

BAKER wrote on Sep 1, 2007 9:46 PM:

" I LOVE FIREFLY! "

hmmm wrote on Sep 1, 2007 9:45 PM:

" This guy is homeless "

sigh... wrote on Sep 1, 2007 9:20 PM:

" I'm Cherokee. This whole mural thing doesn't matter. This guy is just trying to cause a scene to get attention and possibly money. "

Tom Terrific wrote on Sep 1, 2007 8:40 PM:

" Why is he talking like a speak n spell? So what if a door seperates the paintings, at least it is up there. "

yo wrote on Sep 1, 2007 7:57 PM:

" I get the point but do it so it does not make you look like a flipp'n idiot. "

Oh Brother wrote on Sep 1, 2007 7:51 PM:

" Some people are so racist themselves, they see racism in everything around them "

Sounds like a trouble maker to me wrote on Sep 1, 2007 7:42 PM:

" do any of these people have a life? They must not if they spend as much time and resources to create such things as this. Mr. Firefly could just be trying gernerate publicity to become a member of the Rainbow Push Coalition or to further his status in the democratic party. "

Amazing wrote on Sep 1, 2007 7:33 PM:

" I never noticed the murals downtown reflecting that two minorities have been placed far away from the other paintings. I hope they re-do the paintings and include a wider variety of race. This guy in the video, funny, serious, but also made me chuckle a few times, I enjoyed watching the video. Watch out for the purple monkeys... "

WOW wrote on Sep 1, 2007 7:03 PM:

" This "Bloomington Mural" was so badly done that I had to quit halfway through. I think ISU needs to rehash their Arts Technology classes, that was poor video editing with a rambling, incoherent personality. I hope that with Kasey Wells goes to a studio looking for a job that they haven’t seen this drivel! "

Not in our town wrote on Sep 1, 2007 6:52 PM:

" IT DEPENDS WHAT SIDE OF THE FENCE YOU ARE ON APPARENTLY. "

It's never enough wrote on Sep 1, 2007 6:49 PM:

" I don't think anyone takes youtube seriously. I think they should segregate this guy too, troublemaker! People with thankfully just think he is a whacko, and rightly so. If he don't like Bloomington/Normal's racial attitude, let him move to Mississippi. "
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