Yes, Robert, no doubt that's true; however, I think that those artists who impose self-censorship in order to appease the NEA, Jesse Helms, or anyone else have compromised themselves and have eroded their integrity and self respect.

I must say, however, that I have not talked to any writers recently who have mentioned self-consoring themselves just to win a NEA grant. The grants are so difficult to get in the first place that it seems futile to do so.

However, I do know of some literary magazines and dance companies who have refused their NEA grants because to get the money they had to sign a form where they promised that their respective projects would not be obscene. They went to court, forced the NEA to back down from that demand, and had their grant money reinstated.