That's right friends, I got such positive and/or awkward feedback from my last post on sex-shop closings and the dildos that suffer that I had to share this bit-o-hilarity from the Daily Show. Enjoy.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Sorry To Hear About Your Dildo
Nice to see the South is still living up to our stereotypical expectations...
This week the Supreme Court voted to uphold Alabama's ban on the sale of sex toys to it's citizens. One woman - outraged by the decision - responded,
"They are going to have to pry this vibrator from my cold, dead hand!"
Like "medicinal marijuana," there are certain medical conditions which require the use of devices such as a self-lubricating double-headed vibrating dildo or a tiny semi-translucent french maid outfit. Sex shop patrons presenting with one of the worthy conditions may still purchase items by entering their names and medical conditions on a list at the register - you know the kind of database we use to keep track of controlled substances that could be used to brew meth...
And that's not the worst of it! (Ok, for the lonely postmenopausal widow, that's the worst of it.) Shop owners who push limits of medical necessity - like selling edible underwear along with the prescribed vibrator - can receive a $10,000 fine and up to a year in jail for a first offense!
Other than reaffirming my belief that the Religious Right cares more about their own twisted, repressive social views than the personal freedom they claim to value above all else, what does it all mean? Call me crazy, but men the whole world over fear and systematically repress female sexuality*. This can be through the genital mutilation termed "female circumcision" or by preventing women from purchasing sexually stimulating devices. If anyone thinks I'm over reacting - thinks this legal ruling affects both males and females equally - do a quick Google search with me.
1. Open Google and type in: Alabama Strip Clubs
2. Click on ANY LINK YOU SEE
Or, try buying pornography in Alabama. That is A-OK as well. It seems the only sexual merchandise sold exclusively in the "Sex Shop" are vibrators and dildos - devices used almost exclusively for female and homosexual male stimulation. And I know, I know, there are the inflatable girlfriends and the prosthetic asses that we all can enjoy, but do you see my point?
I think that for the most part the discrimination against women is unconscious (the discrimination against people who like sex is obviously very conscious), but that doesn't get us off the path of systematically and progressively legislating ourselves into a conservative theocracy. We don't protest little violations of our personal freedom because, let's face it, they're little. We've got better things to do with our time than fighting a war over dildos. I mean if someone was fighting a war with dildos we might join in - hell, I'd definitely take a few pictures - but these little slights? Not a chance.
I wonder what Doctor Ruth thinks...
*By female sexuality, I mean a female sexuality. You know, where the female is the subject of the sexual experience. A woman shaking her ass in music video would not qualify as female sexuality in the definition I'm using. I'm not saying that isn't sexual - it's just not how I'm using the term.
References:
Seattle Times
Blog AL.com
Dildo Fight
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Diplomacy.
Neuro is over (I hope) and I'm working my way back into a writing spirit. After this 6 week fast I've got all kinds of fodder, my favorite being a dream I had about aliens taking over my mind! It was a keeper.
My second favorite is a conversation I had with UNE students about parking. Everyone was complaining about looking 20 minutes for a spot every time they drove to campus only to find themselves at the opposite end of wherever they wanted to be. One student suggested commuters each get a designated spot so they always have a reasonably close place to park and never have to search for a spot. Just as quickly another student said that was ridiculous because she wanted to be able to park near the gym some days and the classroom other days and the health center still other days. She would never give up this great freedom of possibilities for the certainty of a good spot every single day. I couldn't help but find an American health care metaphor schmeared all over that discussion.
But...
As I'm not in the writing mood just yet, those stories will have to wait. Today, you get some thoughts on diplomacy.
Enjoy.
My second favorite is a conversation I had with UNE students about parking. Everyone was complaining about looking 20 minutes for a spot every time they drove to campus only to find themselves at the opposite end of wherever they wanted to be. One student suggested commuters each get a designated spot so they always have a reasonably close place to park and never have to search for a spot. Just as quickly another student said that was ridiculous because she wanted to be able to park near the gym some days and the classroom other days and the health center still other days. She would never give up this great freedom of possibilities for the certainty of a good spot every single day. I couldn't help but find an American health care metaphor schmeared all over that discussion.
But...
As I'm not in the writing mood just yet, those stories will have to wait. Today, you get some thoughts on diplomacy.
Enjoy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
