Letters to the Editor
Chaostician
Published Letters: 47 Editor's Choice: 17
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Once upon a time in Bethlehem...
[Read the article: Interview with ... Jesus?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I used to be a fan of the Anne Rice vampire novels, but lost interest as the series dragged on (and on, and on...). The first couple of them were great, but arguably "jumped the shark" after Queen of the Damned. I am one of many who lost patience with her overly-poetic and self indulgent prose. Consequently, I'm curious to see her take on the good ol' bible, especially if she has stripped down her style a bit and focuses more on her storytelling, which has always been her strong suit IMHO. (I suppose we should be grateful that her reconversion to Catholicism didn't inspire her to write Christ vs. the Undead novels.)
I wanted to note that for those who are interested in alternate versions of the "greatest story" I strongly recommend the Christopher Moore book Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. Fundamentalist christians may not react well to the irreverant tone and story, but anyone else who is passably familiar with the New Testament and who can take their theology with a dose of humor will likely enjoy it. Moore's book is most definitely NOT a well-researched account of life in the biblical age, but it is a hoot to read.
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Oh the nipples! Won't somebody think of the children?
[Read the article: Idiot boxers]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]First, thank you hcrunyon. Lloyd Bentsen was in a famous 1988 debate with an idiot Quayle. Benson was a famous TV butler. Let's try to keep those straight.
Secondly, as most European audiences know, human female breasts are not obscene. They don't cause riots in the streets. They don't manipulate or falsify intelligence to justify wars of aggression. Breasts do not harm the environment, or bribe our public officials to pass favorable legislation. I've never seen a breast commit murder, but then again I'm not a huge CSI fan so there may have been something I missed. On the contrary, breasts provide life-giving nutrition to our nation's infant population. A little over 50% of the American population has at least one female breast- many have two- and they are often exposed daily in the home. Our youngest, most helpless children are exposed to breasts and nipples every day in America and around the world. Very nearly 100% of our population has nipples- the male versions of which are perfectly acceptable, albeit hairier.
Why is it that breasts have become so demonized in our self-righteously puritanical society? Why is it that the "Christian" right can watch murders most foul in a hundred different bloody ways, but the sight of an exposed nipple sends them into apoplexy? Surely they must have at some time in their life seen a nipple or two- even their own unless they shower clothed in the dark to avoid impure thoughts. (You know who you are!) They flock to the theaters in millions and by the busload to watch a pornographically violent depiction of a blood-drenched crucifixion, and yet cringe in horror at any suggestion or mention of sex on TV. They watch "reality" shows that would strain the limits of the Geneva Conventions on torture, but the act that millions of Americans engage in routinely for both procreative drive and personal pleasure is deemed Obscene.
Sex between consenting adults is generally considered healthy; murder and violence is considered by most to be unhealthy. The act of sex is performed by millions every day; thankfully murders are not quite that frequent. Sex creates life, breasts sustain it, murder destroys it. But on television murder, death, violence, and a detailed analysis of the resultant blood-spatter patterns is considered good wholesome entertainment, while sex in any form is taboo and indecent and a threat to our children. Forgive me Jesus, but I just don't understand your flock.