2007-08-30
Sexcrime
This whole thing about Larry Craig's sexcrime (see e.g. Men’s Room Chronicles - New York Times) makes me feel very alien in the US. It is true that I never understood why walls in US restrooms do not go all the way to the ground and doors have gaps---that lack of privacy has always annoyed me, as well as other Europeans from non-puritan countries living in the US. But this whole Larry Craig thing, besides being a learning experience into what goes on in restrooms, makes me see now how this annoying lack of privacy in public restrooms actually leads to the sordid behavior that it was probably designed to prevent in the first place. The semiotics of foot and hand signals is fascinating... And I used to think that it was just some fat guy sticking his foot in my stall for lack of space in their quarters, now I know better---dude get your foot out of my space!
But what really makes me feel very alien in the US is that I do not hear anyone question why in the hell are police officers hanging out in restrooms to catch this sort of activity? Aren't there better ways to spend tax payers money? Aren't there more important crime-prevention needs to attend to? I mean, sure, I'd prefer this stuff not to happen in public restrooms, but it seems to occur, after all, between consenting adults. I don't know, the whole thing is very sordid, both for the actions themselves, but also because of what is effectively a sexpolice force that could be used for doing more useful things. Ultimately, are they also going to police public workplaces where sex occurs---where it is illicit by the public nature of those places? TV is full of examples of people having sex in hospitals (i.e. Scrubs), law offices (i.e. Ally Mcbeal), universities, etc. Is the sexpolice only in public restrooms because they are same-sex public spaces?
Where have all the American Libertarians gone? In the meantime, here is some sexcrime:
But what really makes me feel very alien in the US is that I do not hear anyone question why in the hell are police officers hanging out in restrooms to catch this sort of activity? Aren't there better ways to spend tax payers money? Aren't there more important crime-prevention needs to attend to? I mean, sure, I'd prefer this stuff not to happen in public restrooms, but it seems to occur, after all, between consenting adults. I don't know, the whole thing is very sordid, both for the actions themselves, but also because of what is effectively a sexpolice force that could be used for doing more useful things. Ultimately, are they also going to police public workplaces where sex occurs---where it is illicit by the public nature of those places? TV is full of examples of people having sex in hospitals (i.e. Scrubs), law offices (i.e. Ally Mcbeal), universities, etc. Is the sexpolice only in public restrooms because they are same-sex public spaces?
Where have all the American Libertarians gone? In the meantime, here is some sexcrime:
The Eurythmics - Sexcrime (1984)
Labels: police, puritanism, sexcrime
2007-08-01
Modern Zen and Brown Sugar
This summer in Portugal has been way too busy. Yes, I did manage to spend some time in the Algarve and travel to Warsaw, Sevilla, and Northern Spain, but I can't believe it is almost time to return to the US... The saddest thing is that I managed to miss (due to travel) most every concert that passed through Lisbon---even my beloved LCD Soundsystem! The only one I managed to catch, don't laugh because it was actually phenomenal, was The Rolling Stones in Alvalade... Oh well, I should have plenty to tell about these last few months in the coming months---if I only get the time. In the meantime, here is some modern Zen:
1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. In fact, just leave me alone.
2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a leaky tire.
3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.
4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.
6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.
14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.
16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
17. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.
20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
21. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
22. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. In fact, just leave me alone.
2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a leaky tire.
3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.
4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.
6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.
14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.
16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
17. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.
20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
21. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
22. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
Labels: jokes
