Search






Jeff's Amazon.com Wish List

Archive Calendar

November 2024
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930  

Archives

Clitoris a “Vestigial Organ” [Dan Collins]

From LGF, Anthropologists Defend Female Circumcision: 

Dr. Shweder says that many Westerners trying to impose a “zero tolerance” policy don’t realize that these initiation rites are generally controlled not by men but by women who believe it is a cosmetic procedure with aesthetic benefits. He criticizes Americans and Europeans for outlawing it at the same they endorse their own forms of genital modification, like the circumcision of boys or the cosmetic surgery for women called “vaginal rejuvenation.” After surveying studies of female circumcision and comparing the data with the rhetoric about its harmfulness, Dr. Shweder concludes that “‘First World’ feminist issues and political correctness and activism have triumphed over the critical assessment of evidence.”

Female circumcision: if you don’t like it, don’t have one.

55 Replies to “Clitoris a “Vestigial Organ” [Dan Collins]”

  1. Carin says:

    As my new role as a socialist and feminist, am I supposed to sputter incoherently, or look at my shoes and pretend you’re not talking to me?

    Multiculturalsim, understanding “the other” … I once wore a burka and it was liberating … yada yada yada.

  2. LiveFromFortLivingRoom says:

    I looked at a friend of mines sylabus when he was taking Womens Studies in college and he had an entire section entitled “Socialist/Feminist”. How are these two ideologies the same? I really fail to see the coorelation other than they are both on the left end of the political spectrum.

  3. serr8d says:

    I’ll bet Hillary’s ain’t vestigial/i>…she’s still slapping Bill with it, to the tune of “Hanukah with Monica“…

  4. serr8d says:

    somebody buy me a “

  5. serr8d says:

    Jeeze. If you want that character to appear, you have to divide “«” by two…buy me one, huh? All I want for Christmas…

  6. Carin says:

    Live – apparently I’m a socialist because I don’t oppose child support as strongly as some. I’m a feminist because … uhm, I think men bear some responsibility for the act of conception. How the two figger into this post – well, I’m not sure, since I’m new at this. Do I get a learning curve until I learn my new role?

    Regardless, I’m sure if I blame the West’s criticism of female circumcision on Capitalism and cultural imperialism (and if I throw the words paradigm and dichotomy) I can’t go wrong.

  7. Dan Collins says:

    That’s you, Carin? I thought it was MayBee.

  8. Darleen says:

    apparently I’m a socialist because I don’t oppose child support as strongly as some. I’m a feminist because … uhm

    Whoa,Carin, let me guess who had a hissy fit in your general direction.

  9. Darleen says:

    who believe it is a cosmetic procedure with aesthetic benefits.

    Dr. Shweder concludes that “‘First World’ feminist issues and political correctness and activism have triumphed over the critical assessment of evidence.”

    Maybe Dr. Dick Shweder should have his cock and scrotum removed with his balls sewn back upside his body (if he has any) in order to fully assess the evidence of its cosmetic appeal. It will keep him from promiscuity.

  10. JD says:

    Darleen – Methinks he should have his cockandballs stapled to his forehead. The scrotum – Robert Redford needs a facelift.

  11. Carin says:

    I’m sure Maybee is guilty of similar crimes. But, those were pretty much the charges leveled at me.

  12. Techie says:

    One of the finer points of this blog IMO, is the ability to disagree strongly (and have JD yell at you) on one thread, and move on to another topic the next thread up.

  13. Techie says:

    Of course, since I only post once every fortnight, no one ever yells at me.

  14. SarahW says:

    Is this a purge? Because I’m up against the wall with Carin, then. Please give me a nice thick blindfold.

    Darleen, and if I might add: and held down, without anaesthesia, parts scraped off with a sharp rock or stick, and sewn up with twine. I guess we can leave out the bleeding to death and sepsis part, the urinary tract infections and painful coitus and obstetric complicaitons..

  15. Fat Man says:

    Is there any particular reason why we don’t just shut down every anthropology department, say, by the end of the month.

  16. SarahW says:

    It’s a feature, not a bug: when I get mad, I type like a lolcat. There are other times I type like a lolcat; but it’s a warning sign.

  17. JHoward says:

    Uh oh, the Girls Are Organizing.

    You know, I hear Obama feels your pain. So to speak.

  18. Carin says:

    Well, there are only about five of us, so it’s easy to do.

    Techie – I bring it up in a new thread, because it amuses me ;)

  19. The Ouroboros says:

    That this kind of thinking exists doesnt surprise me.. There are still places in the world where people live like they did a thousand years ago… When their social developement and technology are circa 1000 A.D. you expect that their religion and it’s accompanying rites and rituals will be just as primitive.. What fascinate and confound me are the people that are educated in the first world.. live in the first world.. work in the first world.. and still condone, promote and support these kind of barbaric practices.. It’s like some form of organic mental illness caught in and carried from the third world…

  20. mishu says:

    Regardless, I’m sure if I blame the West’s criticism of female circumcision on Capitalism and cultural imperialism (and if I throw the words paradigm and dichotomy) I can’t go wrong.

    Might as well blame Bush — to complete the circle.

  21. mishu says:

    What fascinate and confound me are the people that are educated in the first world.. live in the first world.. work in the first world.. and still condone, promote and support these kind of barbaric practices

    It’s much easier to disparage Jesus worshipers.

  22. JHoward says:

    Of course it amuses you, Carin. Even we unwomen understand.

  23. Darleen says:

    TO

    What fascinate and confound me are the people that are educated in the first world.. live in the first world.. work in the first world.. and still condone, promote and support these kind of barbaric practices

    Because these kind of first world people romanticize The Other. They make a lot of noise over the evils of soul-sucking Capitalism, the way our tech advanced society has separated people from the “simple life”. They take vacations, a week here, a week there, in “exotic” locales where they ooo and ah over quaint shacks and half naked children playing in dirt streets, then retire to hotels with a/c and ice makers and sigh to each other while dining on a chef-cooked meal served on fine china over the “lost dream” of living in such a warm, collective community “unchained by things.”

    Me? I give a heartfelt, silent homage to the inventors of modern plumbing each time I set foot in the shower each morning.

  24. Carin says:


    Barrymore, apparently enthralled by the lack of a modern sanitary facilities, gleefully bragged, “I took a poo in the woods hunched over like an animal. It was awesome.”

    And her buddy Cameron Diaz wasn’t far (uh) behind.

    The 32-year-old Diaz, who earns a reported $20-million a movie, boasted that the cow-dung slathered walls of a Nepalese village hut were “beautiful” and “inspiring,” and she called the primitive practice of “pounding mud” with sticks to construct a building foundation “the coolest thing.”

    Don’t fear THE OTHER, Darleen.

  25. Carin says:

    And, really … as if we Americans have any right to talk. With the prevalence of anorexia, prostitution, p0rn (except when it’s a womyn exploring her sexuality free from male coercion) and we’re just minutes away from the return of back-alley abortions.

    I’m ready to go pound mud, soon, myself.

  26. MayBee says:

    What happens if you name your clitoris “Mohammed”?

  27. Darleen says:

    What happens if you name your clitoris “Mohammed”?

    Well then I guess it is saved and the rest of you is scraped off it with a rusty razor.

  28. The Ouroboros says:

    The TRIPPIN link…

    Commentary on MTV’s Trippen, Barrymore and Diaz quotes..

    I’d be in favor of a grant to study what gene makes people think like this… If we can ID the gene maybe we can eliminate it or at least engineer a deadly virus that targets people that carry it…

    Recycle your fucking aluminum cans people!

  29. The Ouroboros says:

    Or you could name it “Quinn the Eskimo” and piss off our Native American Eskimo population… Figure you’d be banned from the annual Nunivak Island Walrus Blubber Festival and Whale Hunt at the very least…

  30. Techie says:

    Hey, Manfred Mann was awesome in their own way.

  31. Squid says:

    I spend a week in the wilderness each spring just to remind myself of the costs and benefits of civilization. As one who’s been there, lemme say that Drew & Cam’s opinions would change fast if they were taking a crap in the woods at three in the morning, when the weather is 50 degrees, windier than Glennwald(s), and pouring cats and dogs. (Though I’d probably still volunteer to help either one dry off, gentleman that I am…)

    If the wilderness was all that great, I wouldn’t come home. Turns out that hot showers and soft beds are a powerful motivator.

  32. Sean M. says:

    If the wilderness was all that great, I wouldn’t come home. Turns out that hot showers and soft beds are a powerful motivator.

    That’s why I never go camping. I see it as an affront to our ancestors, who had no choice in the matter.

    That, and the fear of being raped by toothless hillbillies.

  33. JHoward says:

    we’re just minutes away from the return of back-alley abortions.

    And streets teeming with orphans. Thank God, ironically, for good social government. Oops, was that out loud?

  34. Carin says:

    Well, now that I’m a feminist/socialist … it’s gonna take a village or something…

  35. JHoward says:

    Actually, it always did. Falls under that what-your-country-can-do-for-you part…

  36. N. O'Brain says:

    “Comment by Techie on 12/3 @ 9:04 am #

    Of course, since I only post once every fortnight, no one ever yells at me.”

    SHUT UP!!!!!

    JUST. SHUT. UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111!!!one!!!1

  37. Andrew says:

    I find if I romanticize the Other too much my wife gets mad.

  38. Carin says:

    Oh Lordy. You’re testing my good humor. Not taking bait.

  39. The Lost Dog says:

    “Is this a purge? Because I’m up against the wall with Carin, then. Please give me a nice thick blindfold.

    Darleen, and if I might add: and held down, without anaesthesia, parts scraped off with a sharp rock or stick, and sewn up with twine. I guess we can leave out the bleeding to death and sepsis part, the urinary tract infections and painful coitus and obstetric complicaitons..”

    Is this a call to lunch? (sometimes I just can’t help myself).

  40. cynn says:

    #39 — and don’t forget the shameful and ostracising fistulas. If some woman wants to have herself mutilated as an elective procedure, fine by me. It’s the barbaric forced use on girls that is inexcusable.

  41. N. O'Brain says:

    “Comment by Carin on 12/3 @ 12:27 pm #

    Well, now that I’m a feminist/socialist … it’s gonna take a village or something…”

    A Potemkin village?

  42. JD says:

    A clitoris named Mohammed? Off with your head. I was always under the impression that clitorises were usually named Yeti, Nessie, or the like. Something about hard to find, rarely, if ever, seen …

  43. The Ouroboros says:

    Speaking of vestigial bodyparts.. My Kaiser Permanente policy wont cover removal of my mini prehensile monkey tail.. They say it was a pre-existing condition.. the greedy bastards.. and they want $50K out of pocket (or the deed to my house) to do the work.. Think I could find a better deal on tail removal in Sierra Leone or should I just hire someone to snip it off with some pruning shears? (Maybe film it and sell it online as some shock fetish material… Two Guys, One Tail…?

  44. JHoward says:

    Well, I already tested your rational powers and you didn’t take that bait, Carin, so at least consistency’s up 1-zip…

    But seriously, I agree: There are just some things we know to be truths, aren’t there? And surely there really is a good use for social government in this day and age. Teasing out the difference is probably why we have pure democracy and not an originalist structure of restrained, potentially-authoritarian power.

  45. The Ouroboros says:

    “….clitorises were usually named Yeti….”

    Clitorises ?

    Wouldnt that be Clitoratti ?

  46. N. O'Brain says:

    “Wouldnt that be Clitoratti ?”

    Only if you’re writing about them.

  47. Education Guy says:

    Or you could name it “Quinn the Eskimo” and piss off our Native American Eskimo population

    Huh, I figured that if it were named this that everybody would jump for joy.

  48. JD says:

    Clitoaratti – is that like a pack of them chasing after you at 2 AM trying to take your picture?

  49. JD says:

    Techie – I really only “yell” at the painfully stupid.

  50. The Ouroboros says:

    “Clitoaratti – is that like a pack of them chasing after you at 2 AM trying to take your picture?”

    ..or were they really MI-7 operatives disguised as Clitoratti that forced Di’s Mercedes into the 13th column in the Point d’Alma tunnel..?

  51. The Ouroboros says:

    I know if I was racing through the streets of Paris at 90 mph and saw a pack of wild clitoratti spring up in front of me, I’d swerve… and later probably change my soiled trousers and make a mental note to quit drinking cheap tequila straight from the bottle..

  52. N. O'Brain says:

    “..or were they really MI-7 operatives disguised as Clitoratti that forced Di’s Mercedes into the 13th column in the Point d’Alma tunnel..?”

    No.

    She died of Car-Pool Tunnel Syndrome.

  53. Swen Swenson says:

    Is there any particular reason why we don’t just shut down every anthropology department, say, by the end of the month.

    Can’t do that. When a student wakes up one morning in November of their senior year and realizes they’ve somehow forgotten to declare a major they have two choices: anthropology and journalism. At least anthropologists are relatively harmless 8^}

  54. Dave M says:

    Anthropologists: Is there anything they know?

    Always wondered why, back when you occassionally heard about this from Feminists, they had to act as if it was men doing it to the little girls, when everyone knows that it’s old ladies. Turns out, they’re not capable of opposing it if they acknowlege who’s really doing it.

  55. Merovign says:

    Dr. Shweder needs to be scheduled to give a lecture on this topic at a lesbian biker bar.

    From another POV, maybe this is just an extension of the left’s preemptive surrender to the Islamists, since they no longer have the Soviet Union to bow and scrape to.

Comments are closed.