Atrios and Eric Alterman are having a discussion about the relationship of art to political intention. It's sort of my field, so I'll put in my two cents.
Here is an image of Picasso's famous "Guernica" from 1937.


Last year I made a similar painting, on a similar theme. I'm reproducing it below.
It's called "Dresden."


Think about it for a few minutes before you decide I'm being simplistic or glib.