Andy Warhol let it happen.  As the leading conduit of popular and unpopular culture in his time he presaged what we take to be commonplace today. Nothing good has been as edgy since Andy.  In letting it happen he embraced it all. We may need a hundred years to catch up -  - who's to know?

This "Thank You" to Andy hit the sidewalks along Melrose Ave in Los Angeles some months ago.  The blue butterfly, added by another, I believe, is Andy Warhol iconography.  It reminds us all of how much he contributed and of the vibrancy of his legacy, still thoroughly modern after all these years.

Someone scrawled onto this tribute the word "Jew" in yellow paint; in the same color of yellow demanded by the Nazi for the Stars of David forced to be worn by Jewish people as they were herded into the ghettos before they were exterminated.

I could not remove the paint or ink or caked-on chalk whatever this filth was made from.  And I wondered if Andy would have just let this happen as well.  A lot about him was sad, too.  Even Andy Warhol, who let most anyone do most anything, suffers intolerance. No cruel irony in that.  There is truth.  Even if it can never be conquered, he certainly led us as far away as anyone may have come in doing so.

Thank you, Andy.