Uncouth PerspectivesNot on the rug, man.

Another response piece.  I am just tired of the taboo and unrealistic understanding of menstruation.

So, in my normal course of staying up to date with news, politics, technology, and the like, I read many different portal and such sites. I often, depending on the site and subject read the comments by users.

On this particular adventure, I was browsing through Slashdot, a news portal site primarily dedicated to technology news and, really, one of the ones that started this all.

I was reading a post on a field medical kit that can stop bleeding in two minutes. Much to my surprise, I was reading the comments on this particular issue and I suddenly found myself reading jokes about menstruation and tampons the like.

Excuse me?

Let’s get this straight right now. I’m going to give you a set of ground rules. This is it. If anyone tries to tell you different, tell them to piss off. They’re only lying to you.

1. Say the word Vagina. It’s not dirty–neither the word NOR the vagina.

2. The vagina is designed to clean itself. This is natural. See number 1.

3. Menstruation is NOT dirty. It is blood. If someone gets a cut on his/her arm, people don’t run around screaming “Ewww! How diiiiirty!” Don’t treat it different.

4. Yeah, it sucks. Let’s not make it worse–especially if you do not have to experience it.

5. Any jokes relating the above subject matter are stupid. Period.

Heh.

Now, can we stop squirming over something natural and not dirty? Can we worry about bigger issues? And can we not judge on this?

Please?

It’s time to start really living.

Dear Kelly,

As a dedicated reader of “Fark” (among many other news portals) I am actually pretty surprised to see I missed your original article, or you may have had one more email last time.

However, I am not writing to discuss the “tough act to repeat” piece. Rather, I’d like to draw a couple of points and perhaps even throw a couple of questions your way, if you are interested or even notice this email with your new found fame.

I decided to review the past articles you’ve written because the Bush comment sparked my interest. I am, to be clear, not a Bush supporter. But, then again, most of the things I support are neither popular not mainstream. But, again, I should qualify that with my views not being “damn the man/mainstream/culture/(insert witty supidism here)” for the
sake of damning.

Instead, I simply find that my views and attitudes do not wing to a particular side or expression… why? I would like to think that it is because I decided my views rather then living with what I was given. If that were the case, I’d be a loud-mouthed bigot atheist spewing hatred
out at, essentially, everyone. I’d rather live life than spew anything.

Or, perhaps, I like to think I’ve done something grand with my beliefs, but I’m just an ego-centric bastard. Either way, I prefer to speak and live my beliefs, rather than socio-politcal-econmic-whatever lines.

Which, in a loudly rambling way, brings me around to why I am writing you. I read your article “Liberals have coolness, stars on their side”. I find it quite an interesting perspective on the whole situation, if nothing else because I currently live in Orange County,
Southern California. If it happens that you are not familiar with Orange County, let me give you a brief introduction. In a land touted for being “liberal” and crazy (Southern California in general), Orange County is considered the last bastion of hope for the Conservative and
Republican minded–which is to say, the kids around here are rebellious bastards, the parents are too rich to know how to live, and if you’re not one of those two you are assed out.

Around here, the “cool” kids are the conservatives. Yet, believe it or not, the conservatives kids are the ones with the piercings, and the tattoos, and.. well.. all that jazz. Oh ho! I’m rambling again.

What I’m really trying to get at is this need for division bothers me. I know that people will have different beliefs (I study religion, trust me, I know!) but it makes me sad that we have to stand divided as people by these lines I talked about earlier. I mean, why can we not leave the
political arguments to the council meeting/etc?

It is particularly the “We’re that group of misfits in elementary school that were friends because no one else liked us.” line that caught me. This is exactly what I’m talking about… it is wrong, -wrong-, that one should be alienated by a line of liberalism or conservatism, y’know?

Anyways, I’m sure I’ve gone on long enough and did not even get near my point, but I hope it’s worth something.

And, in response to your peaked comment… Yeah, most everyone has peaked… but some of realize that is not what it is all about.

Cheers!

Isaac.

Editor’s Note:
Article that got I first read:
http://www.dailynorthwestern.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/01/27/3e354651da028

Your thoughts?

Wow. Well, there is a LOT of stuff in the pipeline from readers.. this rocks!

It’s been busy, busy, busy times at work, I’m afraid, and I have been really sick. In fact, I just went to the doctor’s again today, the second day in a row. Still no sign of “fixed” in the future, so we shall see.

Anyhoo, when I actually get some time to sit down and write, I’ve got some good stuff for you. And the work sitting in the pipeline here rocks…

Thanks for sticking in and thanks for still reading!

Isaac.

…

It’s just another day, get over it.