Do Staten Islanders love Scott LoBaido?

That's the premise of today's Advance piece.

Don't know who Scott LoBaido is?

Two words: American flags.

They are plastered all over the Island, sort of like living in North Korea, with LoBaido replacing Kim Jong-il as the almighty deity.

Now, he seems like a nice guy and all, but branding our entire Island as obsequious to his brand of uber-patriot art is a crude generalization at best, if not downright incorrect.

It all started when LoBaido made his initial mark on the New York City art scene by dragging a bag of horse shit to the Brooklyn Museum and proceeding to fling it at the public institution in protest of its Virgin Mary 'elephant dung' image - pretty cool, maybe, illegal, probably, exhibitionist, definitely.

He then crusaded against Mayor Bloomberg's effort to ban smoking in bars because (what heavy-drinking, cigarette smoker doesn't agree with this position) he likes to smoke in bars.

LoBaido's latest permanent stamp on Staten Island has been his ubiquitous American Flags - they're fucking everywhere. And the 'artwork' is so ingrained in our local culture that any other imagery seems to evoke the ire of local firefighters.

The Advance has embraced this patriot artist as representing the best and brightest of Staten Island. Documenting his every move like a local celebrity.

Why? What has he done for SI expect turn the boro into a Republican stereotype?

Jon Stewart cups Staten Island

Jon Stewart thinks Staten Island resembles a certain body part.

Try to guess what it is.

During last night's obligatory 'let's-make-fun-of-mosque-protestors' segment Jon Stewart took a swipe at Staten Island, noting is geographic shape and similarities to body organs.

While trying to explain that Staten Island is a part of New York (around 3:10) Stewart makes the following statement:

'Alright, I get it, technically Staten Island is a part of New York City...theee... ahh...'

Stewart cups his hands in a 'turn left and cough' motion that us males remember from our high school physical days. 

Well, we guess ball sack is better than the armpit like, Far Rockaway (love you Queens!).

The Ground Zero Mosque country song

It's almost as bad as 'Proud To Be An American.'

Some crappy country singer has joined forces with, idk, Terrible Tim's video editor to make this horrifically funny video. (check out the '80s effects around 1:00)

Watching this actually kind of makes us feel a little bad for the anti-mosque folk.

Do people really have this Pollyanna-ish view of America? Apple pie, 'Leave it to Beaver,' American flags, and Ground Zero?

Watch the video after jump:

Local pub appeases FDNY - then pisses off FDNY

The has been much chatter in the internets about a certain establishment which painted over a certain mural which depicted a certain scene that was misconstrued by certain people.

The events are well-documented here, and followed up here.

The image, now long-gone, was captured by this artist. (We believe some work should be paid for.)

The story appeared to be clear-cut: FDNY didn't like the artwork, bar decided not to go to the mats with the FDNY, the artwork was removed.

This is completely a understandable turn-of-events. As a local business owner, whether you like it or not, you need to play ball with the local authorities.

Of course free, or even offensive speech, is allowed all you want, however, doling out citations for frivolous offenses is also well within the means of the FDNY, Health Dept. etc.

“You’ve got to pick your battles,” the owner said.

Meet the guy who wrote the book on Stapleton

There is a book singing tomorrow at Snug Harbor to celebrate the release of 'Stapleton' by James Ferreri and David Goldfarb.

The book looks at the history of Stapleton, from its purchase it 1832 to the influx of German immigrants and large brewing industry in the historic neighborhood. But nothing about the Wu Tang Clan?

You can pick up the book at tomorrow's signing.

We can't wait to meet the authors of one of our favorite Staten Island neighborhoods and find out why Ghostface was not included in this epic tome.

The explosive anti-ground zero mosque ad

The MTA approved a milder version of this explosive anti-mosque ad. The newer version does not include the plane or the fire, which kind of ruins the propaganda aspect, but whatever.

The ad is funded by Stop Islamization of America - that same media whore who riled up the local yokels in Midland Beach with visions of horror and fear about Sharia Law coming to the shores of Staten Island.

With so many high profile politicians coming out against the 'ground zero mosque' (which is actually called Park51 and is, like, two blocks from ground zero) we wonder if the SIOA isn't being funded by the very politicians whose interest lie in keeping this issue in the news.

But that's crazy talk, right? How would they figure out how to donate to this organization anyway? It's not like they're begging for money or anything.

Weezer tries to bring back the 'Memories'

Weezer sure takes the cake when it comes to ridiculous album covers.

The band released their new song and LOST-themed 'Hurley' cover art, in yet another attempt to grab that mid-'90s magic.

Except this time, in 2010, they may be closer then ever to that glorious decade.

Somewhere around 'Island in the Sun' Weezer had become a faint ghost of what they once were. And sometimes, it seemed, the band was playing characters of themselves, like a tribute band - but a tribute to Weezer.

The last effort, 'Raditude,' made the meme rounds with a similar combo of name/silly cover art, and they may have upped the anti here with 'Hurley.'

'Memories,' our first peak at the new album, is much of what it's moniker promises - filling us with visions of hacky sacks and a time when 'Audioslave was still Rage' Against the Machine. We have to agree: those were better times.

There are a lot of haters when it comes to Weezer. There's also a lot of people who say the haters are whiny, old complainers. You can listen below and decide for yourself.

Weezer - Memories by Hypetrak

If your wanna exploit Staten Island, you have to dress like a drag queen

State Senator Diane Savino and Assemblyman Matthew Titone really gave it to Ruben Diaz Sr. today after his attempt to exploit the local Hispanic community by showing up to feign his outrage against the attacks on Mexicans.

In fact, Titone pulled out a wig and high heels and said the following:

"If you’re going to act like a media whore on Staten Island, please have the courtesy to dress like one."

According to Capital Tonight, what really set off Titone was that local LGBT activists where told by Diaz's office that their participation in the event was not "necessary or welcome." Ouch.

This makes Titone's stunt all the more appropriate, as we don't need any one else coming here to score political points and using the victimized local community in an effort to repair their political reputation.

If only Titone could stop MTV from filming that Staten Island version of 'Jersey Shore.'

Deficit hawks still want their Bush Tax Cuts

The common refrain from the right on government spending is that the Obama administration is bankrupting the country through expensive social programs and fiscal naivete.

But now that the mammoth Bush tax cuts are set to expire - giving the rich a run for their money - frightened Republicans are sounding the alarm bells and clinging to their precious stacks of ducats

Appearing on 'Meet the Press' Sunday, Republican House Leader John Boehner gave his defense of extending the tax cuts with the rationale that they were necessary to prevent a 'double dip' recession.

A valid point, maybe, but remember these are the same Republicans that fought tooth and well-manicured nail to keep much-needed assistance from reaching the unemployment with the argument that - get this - we couldn't afford to extend unemployment benefits.

Staten Islanders needs to stop blaring these songs out their car windows

Please, this madness has to stop.

It's coming on mid-August and the summer's been long, hot, and poorly soundtracked. Living on a busy intersection only amplifies these problems.

You see, everyone in Staten Island drives, which means that you hear the same crap coming out of people's car windows non-stop - like a 24/7 version of that scene in 'Clockwork Orange,'

Here are some candidates we'd like to see retired immediately: