GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - The heated sign of President Obama stirred emotions nationwide after it was raised on I-70B earlier this month. The billboard was taken down after violent threats, creating even more of a storm over freedom of speech. But now, the man who commissioned the political cartoon has revealed himself.
Arvid Mosnes, a father of five who moved his family to Grand Junction after living in Norway for decades, shelled out the money for the controversial sign. Mosnes says he fears how the Obama Administration is handling our nation, and says he had to take action. Even though the billboard was taken down, Mosnes is dedicated to keeping it in the public eye, starting off by taking it on tour.
Mosnes says he wanted to get people thinking about the president who he says is taking the country in the wrong direction. "He (President Obama) wants to bring the U.S. down, and I do not accept it. so, I go ahead with this little creation and provoke thought," says Mosnes.
The sign provoked more than that, after violent threats forced the owner of the billboard to take it down. "If they hate it that's fine. But, I wish they would keep their nasty language to themselves," says Paul Snover, the artist who drew the sign under Mosnes's direction.
Mosnes says he stayed anonymous because he was out of town when the sign went up. "Paul has been taking brunt in beginning. But, it's not my character not to show up and come forward," says Mosnes.
He's continuing the sign saga by taking it on tour with the Tea Party Express. Mosnes and Snover just got back from two rallies in Illinois. "This country is the only country that I'm aware of where people march in the streets, spend their own money, to tell government, 'stay out of my life.''
Mosnes chose to express his political sentiments through political cartoons. He says each of the characters, President Obama depicted as a terrorist, Mexican bandito, gangster and homosexual, represented an issue. "On terrorism, he's not fighting hard enough. There's a gangster in there. It has to do with corruption. We have banditos in there...illegal immigrants. A gay person is put in to represent the various special interest groups," says Mosnes.
Interpret it as you will, Mosnes says his message has more meaning than a sign could ever portray. "We all come together to save, and protect and defend the Constitution and the future of this country for sake of children," says Mosnes.
Mosnes says he will auction the sign off on eBay and donated the money to the charity, America's Mighty Warriors, which aids wounded soldiers.
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