Spout Off Imminent
I can feel it, it's coming, and so: It's time to look for topics...And you know about the topics, whatever you'd like to see/read discussed on a broader level...
Currently I'm contemplating using another of Miss Uz J's initial ideas: Peppermint Patty - Straight or Gay, as this would be rather entertaining.
And yesterday I decided not to indulge one of my current fixations: Woody Allen: How is his being labeled a pedophile, when the facts don't support it, fair? Especially when considering the fact that Roman Polanski has been culturally cleared of his proven case of same.
However, when I brought it up at the bar, with JJ in attendance, it became clear that a) most people don't remember the Polanski thing*, and that was over 30 years ago, and b) with Allen, you have a face and a persona to attach those feelings to.
So, anyway, topics topics topics. Send 'em, before I decide to go with "The Democratic Party: On the Correct Path or In Need of Steering Change?" or "The Dem Party: Where Did The Shit Go Wrong?"
Also, I'm sure JJ, lyamhound and myself don't mind being the spouters in question, but are there others interested in instigating the action? I hope to eventually have a number of folks to go to when these happen. I'm also planning on hunting for some special guests to eventually bring to the fore...anyway, yadda.
*I like Polanski, and his movies, by and large. He deserved the Oscar for The Pianist, but still...
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Update - Spout Off Topic: Age of Consent: Raise It/Lower It/Keep It. JJ will kick it off, Lyamhound responds, and I'll "mediate." More to come.
posted by the beige one @ 6:11 PM
20 comments
20 Comments:
Okay, look, the circumstances surrounding Allen/Yi are creepy; the age difference is huge, and the fact that she was Mia's adopted daughter...Jesus, poor Mia. Has she ever had a normal relationship with a healthy guy?
But he wasn't her dad, he never functioned as her dad. She wasn't around Mia's apartment whenever he came over. He didn't take her bowling, he never dawdled her on his knee, he wasn't a chaperone at her prom, he never went to any of her parent/teacher conferences...All of those things that dads normally do with their daughters? He wasn't it.
Which gets us back to the age thing, and that doesn't make him any different than Jack Nicholson, to use an extreme.
This wouldn't be so prominent on my mind, if I hadn't been talking movies with a woman friend, when I mentioned wanting to see Match Point, and she grimaced. "I don't want to see it," she said, and when I asked her why, she replied, "I just can't stand him. He's such a creepy pedophile."
And so...
I really wish she had just said, "his films just don't do it for me, that's all." I can live with that.
Seriously, though? The pedophile thing is not true, and it's old. The messy nature of his life became public due to his actions, but that doesn't make it any more or less messier than our own. Get over it.
This has really been in your craw, huh?
Is it possible to factor the source of this "he's a pedophile" response into your reaction?
I mean, what, like it's a big surprise a chick has an emotional irrational reaction to something? Shit - where you been?
Is it possible to factor the source of this "he's a pedophile" response into your reaction?
As in, am I seeing her? Nope. Old friend.
I mean, what, like it's a big surprise a chick has an emotional irrational reaction to something? Shit - where you been?
JJ, put down the gas can and step away from the matches, son. Man, you married guys suck.
I mean, what, like it's a big surprise a chick has an emotional irrational reaction to something? Shit - where you been?
Despite the validity of this statement, I'm having a hard time concealing my "emotional irrational reaction" to it.
:)
Possible topics:
- Age of consent? Too young? Too old? Should it be left up to the states? Is this a good thing? What about if the couple is gay? I just auditioned for a play in which a 15 year old girl falls in love with a 33 year old woman. Does this make it different? If so, why? If not, why not?
- Big gay Stine's outing of everyone in Hollywood.
- Is this Alito nomination all that bad? Come on, my uterus wants to know.
- Current Oscar noms - Did Russell Crowe really get shafted?
Stine rocks. It had to be said.
Age of consent - I like that. Feel very conflicted there.
As in, am I seeing her? Nope. Old friend.
No, no, no. As in, is the reaction more about the individual that had it or is it actually a sign of a common reaction in the larger general populace.
is the reaction more about the individual that had it or is it actually a sign of a common reaction in the larger general populace.
Oh. I don't know, to be honest, but I tend to think that it's more commonplace than not...
I like the age of consent question. Conflicted in practice, but I have certain principles that I can hold to in theory.
I'm with the beige on the matter of Woody Allen. I also think we generally misuse the word "pedophile".
Anyone here see Wild Man Blues, that documentary about Allen touring Europe playing clarinet with a jazz band? The really wild thing is, SHE's the adult in that marriage.
What's that about married guys, beige one?
Despite the validity of this statement, I'm having a hard time concealing my "emotional irrational reaction" to it.
'Stine, I think the words you're looking for are, "I resemble that remark!"
Stine rocks. It had to be said.
You don't even know the truth you speak.
Anyone here see Wild Man Blues
Nope, but it's been on my list forever.
Possible topics:
Public education--a right or a privilege
Cats or dogs?
Bras--why can't a more comfortable one be designed, and why do women feel like wearing one is a requirement?
Sorry--can't really think of anything better at the moment.
my offering is, what's the big deal about body hair, and when are we going to collectively stop obsessing over removing it, if ever?
and I think pedophile is used for woody allen because there is no better readily-available (and readily recognizable as "bad") label for his behavior. he's not a pedophile and that is a really unfair position, but he's also not just a dude who likes young women. no matter what the age of the children, your step kids (and they are your step kids even if they are in their 50s) should be off limits. there's no name for that kind of taboo-breaker.
and ps, publicly ignoring the irrational thing yet silently thinking irrational thoughts about it.
Big support for the body hair matter (although I warn you: I will GO THERE). Public education interesting, Alito sort of interesting, Russell Crowe interesting (though it'll probably turn into a rant on the Oscars themselves), Bras interesting (but probably brief, at least on my part).
Hey P, word on the body hair issue. I spend half of my life getting rid of it, and I'm tired. But damn girl, that shit would make it's way to my knees if I let it. See Ly, I *did* go there.
And I see your point about step-kids, but I'm curious as to your take on step-siblings? My sister married my step-brother, and while not normal (whatever that means), I don't see a problem with it.
Still, accusing Allen of ipso facto incest (still extreme, but more arguable) would be both less lazy and less frankly slanderous than referring to him as a pedophile.
I'm not sure I support ANY taboos which can be shown to produce demonstrable, empirical harm. I have an "ick" factor, but I can't consider that a basis for law.
What I meant by that last sentence was, I'm not sure I support any taboos AGAINST activities which CAN'T be shown to produce demonstrable, empirical harm. To me, Allen's situation is not so different from the other "step-" situation given as an example, unless we refer to the implied power differential in parent-child relationships vs. the implied equality twixt siblings. But I'm gonna save that in case it shows up as part of the next rant (or whatever we're calling it).
but he's also not just a dude who likes young women.
You know, you fuck one goat... ;^)
no matter what the age of the children, your step kids (and they are your step kids even if they are in their 50s) should be off limits
Yes, absolutely, no question about it. And in this instance, I'm again thinking about Mia Farrow.
However, you make it sound as if Allen has done this to every woman he's gone out with, which is also not a fair statement.
Stine poses a great question, and beyond that I'd like to add that both have stated that had they had your stereotypical "step-father/daughter" relationship, we wouldn't even be talking about this 12+ years after the fact (and they said it wouldn't last).
Ultimately, as Allen himself once said: The heart knows no logic; it wants what it wants.
I think sisters and step brothers are different - there's not some implied parental factor there. maybe I feel differently because I am married to a man who is not the father of my son. he's stepped into a role that is not father, but not friend, either. and if they started a relationship, I think everyone involved would think it was not quite right. that's all I'm saying.
and as far as body hair, what about legs?? armpits?? and how come if HIS pubes go down to his knees, it's okay??
OK, I'm gonna go there a little, since the debate topic turned out to be something different, and because you're making me (it's all Patrice's fault!): I not only support your right not to shave anything, I actually find the unshaven woman attractive with a fervor that borders on fetish.
What really sucks is that body hair, including (if not especially) pubic hair, HAS become a fetish item. As a (ahem) consumer of pornography, I find it annoying that you have to go to the fetish bin to find someone not airbrushed and siliconed like a supermodel and shaved like a pre-pubescent girl (wow . . . maybe this DOES relate to the age-of-consent matter).
and as far as body hair, what about legs?? armpits?? and how come if HIS pubes go down to his knees, it's okay??
For some godforsaken reason, I keep thinking of a pube ponytail on both sexes...odd image.
This does raise some questions dealing with female body traditions. Do women really need to wear heels? What's up with the hose/tights already? Why all the fucking make up? And, of course, the shaving.
Maybe a spout off? Dunno. I'd want some female perspective, even if any combination thereof will produce a "we pretty much agree" type of spout off.
Yadda. In the spirit of going there, me likee some bushy bush, though the boys get trimmed about twice a year.
Me likee too, and I agree that ALL hair should be kept properly groomed.
dude, I'd totally spout of on this. 100000%.
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