Interesting discussion in GD about sexual assault and popular "humor."

[BlueIris]

And by interesting I mean you should take any blood pressure medication you may be on before you look at any of the posts. I'm mostly highlighting it because the OP includes a well-written editorial, but the responses to it...egh.

[MuseRider]

1. I have been away

doing life and not looking in too much lately. Coming back to DU is a bit of a shock on so many levels but this just makes me want to give up and go away. "But we LIIIIKE the show. It is really a good show so we should be able to see it anyway." Too bad it is so difficult for men to evolve past their most basic urges. Too bad they were ever give the upper hand so that they did not even have to try. I really can't take this anymore. Between what our maladministration is doing and the attitudes of men in general I think I just may take a long, long break from most of DU. I'll catch the good stuff on the latest page before people are able to respond. Damn, this is just too much.

[BlueIris]

2. Yeah, that kinda posting is vile. I alerted on all of that nature.

"Don't take away my right to think it was entertaining and 'not that bad!' Don't like 'rape'? Don't watch then! Problem solved."

[omega minimo]

3. It's not clear why DU Rules don't support folks being able to discuss

women's issues without being attacked, hijacked, freeped (how do we tell the difference?) and locked.

Is there any way it could be possible? Muse speaks for how we all feel. It is very discouraging. Bad for DU and for Dems.

[BlueIris]

4. 'Kay, someday? When I'm rich and famous?

I'm starting a website called DemFem.com...or something similarly inviting...which will be exclusively for progressives who are also feminists. I still haven't quite figured out how it will work exactly, but I get more excited about that project every time something like this happens. And if someone wants to tell me they're already familiar with an existing site with this mandate, I would love to know of it.

[omega minimo]

8. I keep wanting to convince DU Dems they need women to "win"

but we've been round and round.......

Good luck with your project. :thumbsup:

[MuseRider]

5. I have been

gone so much that I was hoping to see something by you. I miss your "punch in my brain". :hi: It is good to see you.

[omega minimo]

6. *swak*

:rofl:

Sounds like you're well and sane in the real world. Del much? :hug:

[MuseRider]

7. *sigh*

Not yet. We started our house and I seem to spend all my time working on that or listening to those awful HGTV shows trying to get ideas. For someone who absolutely HATES shopping it is about all I can stand. I need an IPOD so I can listen to music while shopping. I would get more done.

[omega minimo]

9. Do it your way

:hi:

[MuseRider]

10. Always do!

:hi: I just remembered that I finally got around to downloading ITunes, maybe there is some Del there. Going on another but pleasurable shopping trip right now.

Edit to add...there are tons of it on ITunes. Boy oh boy am I going to have fun. Thanks!

[ismnotwasm]

11. Whew

I went looking for that. Kind of sorry I missed it, but arguing is hitting your head up against a wall. There seems to be no connection between media exploited women, and one's wives, sisters, daughters, mothers. Or maybe there IS a connection that some of the posters don't want to examine too closely.
At the least, it's inexpressibly sad-- at the most a reflection of the core cause of the horrible damage we have in society.
Heads are still firmly in the sand I see.

[omega minimo]

12. The disconnect is a lack of empathy with the Other's body and experience

[bloom]

13. I missed it while it was going on

but I had noticed the article on alternet yesterday and the responses there.

Lots of the same nonsense - "what about prison rape jokes" as if people are saying that those are ok.


I thought post 123 was esp. revealing:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1546825#1547067

I just called my BIL, because I know he watches the show

He's VERY< VERY RW -- loves Bush.... he said it was a rape scene -- he raped her, and she liked it... it wasn't a rape fantasy/sex play, it wasn't trying to make a social comment... it was him basically "teaching her a lesson" by raping her, and it got her excited and she liked it. The BIL has written all involved with the show and told me he will never watch it again -- that it made him sick. My 16-year-old nephew was watching with him, and got both upset and confused... he asked his Dad, "I thought rape was bad?" So, then the BIL had to have a talk with the nephew about how it is, and that women do NOT like being forced, and that only criminals do it.

I don't like Denis Leary, so I don't watch the show... but going by what the writers said, and my BIL's perception, I'd say -- it sucks. Very shameful.

How much proof does it take that having scenes like that on TV or anywhere else encourages rape - teaches it's acceptance. "he asked his Dad, "I thought rape was bad?" That says it all.

The only good thing about that is that the father and son had a discussion about it. How many people (esp. 16 yr olds) watching it had that discussion? And even if they did - they were still left with mentally confusing images. And will get more of the same.

--

I got up yesterday to find a "men's magazine" on my dining room table. From a husband who doesn't collect such things. "But it has a good article about __ " (musician). So it's a magazine that is mostly about music - but they also throw in some "playboy bunnies" and derogatory comments about women (on the cover - it wasn't like I had to look for it). What the hell. I threw it out. If the men who make those magazines expect them to be out where people can see them - they shouldn't expect to be assholes. Why should I have to have misogynist crap around just because there are some "good articles".

Misogyny. It's everywhere.