Chad, others..

I think a good way to look at the first and second commandment is thus:

Commandment 1 Thou shalt not worship a false God.

Commandment 2 Thou shalt not worship the true God falsely.

Oh wait, we can worship the true God however our little idol factory (J. Calvin) hearts feel like worshipping him.  Because God lovs our imagination.  Our inventions.  Our strange fire.
Couple of more questions for you Chad.
What did Nadab and Abihu do that deserved death? What did Cain do that was so bad?  (Before he killed Abel)?  I mean, Cain clearly made an offering TO THE LORD, not a false God.  Not even the wicked Cain knew full well that he was to worship the true God.
And it doesn't matter how sincere you think these men were, whether you are sincere or not, you are breaking a commandment, you're still breaking a commandment.  Sincerity isn't the measure of truth.
What did Jereboam do that was so bad?

Basically Chad, you're telling me you'd help the people, (or even do it yourself) make the images, as long as you don't bow down to them yourself.  Is that about right?  Then Aaron didn't really do anything wrong by making the golden calf, because that's what the people wanted, he wasn't bowing down to it, the people were. 

I'd like a positive biblical command to justify you making images.  

And I'll keep asking until you can provide one.

David