Thursday, April 24, 2008

Offends

Nude painting offends, I'm not sure why we keep being surprised.

11 comments:

Cliff Prince said...

The most idiotic part of that news story is that it can't show the painting that it's talking about because it might offend someone ...

Anonymous said...

Nothing you say or do is guaranteed not to offend anyone. Might as well all shut the fuck up and stop living.

Hannah said...

Hmm. While I'm certainly not going to walk around nude in public, that's a personal issue. Why in the world do we despise what we are?

Anonymous said...

Because to embrace it would bring about an age of freedom and we, as a people, are unwilling to accept the responsibility that comes with that.

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

I'm not sure why you keep being surprised either. ;-)

Anon makes a valid point, albeit in a blunt manner. There are always austerous bigot sourpusses who will want to order you not to live because enjoying yourself intrinsically offends them.

Yes, Eric, freedom is a totally terrifying idea. An iron totalitarian dictatorship, on the other hand, is probably supremely reassuring. :-(

Who wants to emigrate with me to North Korea? Last I heard, even Cuba was going to the dogs of democratic liberalism.

Anonymous said...

My first reaction was along the lines of everyones. But then the professional side of my brain kicked in and asked if there was another reason. Consider, the girl is (was?) in high school, thus, probably still under 18, thus, as a self-portrait was of a nude under 18. Does our US laws 18 U.S.C. section 2257, 28 C.F.R. 75, 18 U.S.C section 2256 (2) (A) through (D) apply? I don't think so, but a local prosecutor who wants some publicity, might, even if he knows he will lose. Can you afford to defend charges of publishing 'child porn.' Still crazy, but in another way

Anonymous said...

It was a self-portrait. I doubt a prosecutor would want to risk looking foolish as he undoubtedly would by attempting to try the case.

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

What about when I saw myself naked while bathing all these years? Voyeurism on a minor added to underage exhibitionnism, and full body contact including touching of the intimate parts (with soap)? Not to mention wanking before 18 is plain child rape, technically. I'm both the criminal and the victim, but who cares!

And what about the nekkid butts of little baby-like angels in Michaelangelo's classic "porn" masterpieces? (You know, the huge ones he painted in churches...)

Hey, I know. I'm going to sue God for creating Man and Woman naked, and oogling them until that providential apple helped them get History's first fashion idea with fig leaves.
Not to mention it's clearly God's fault if we're not all born in a tuxedo or a bodysuit. Oh, the embarrassment! So young, and already naked in front of all those staring strangers, the humiliation, the humanity! And do you know WHERE I came out from? Gasp! (swoon)

Now that the trauma of the memory has awakened, I need to see my therapist. Urgently.

Anonymous said...

If we were born in full black tie including top hat and tails, diamond stick pin and walking stick, spats, the whole nine cubits...some people would be making us throwing some big cloak over it all to hide our shame...

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Ha! That's good. I suspect you're right.

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

Aye, I second that.
By definition, God's natural creation's aspect is sinful. After all, it symbolizes us, so it HAS to be. Intrinsically evil, at the very least.

About how we are born: I was watching a Jerry Springer episode just last night, themed "Freaky Fetishes". That woman finds out her soon-to-be-ex's fetish when she sees the large bearded guy wearing nothing but diapers, and basically being a baby, literally. With his new sweetheart pampering him something embarrassing.
JERRY: So, it's over with him?
WOMAN: Hell yeah! I want to have a baby, not marry one!
JERRY: I'm not sure you'd want to give birth to a thing like that...


Producing the diamond pin and walking stick might also leave a painful memory to Mommy...