Betty Dodson with Carlin Ross

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I like this guy.

he's already apolgizing, go fig.

http://omg.yahoo.com/news/russell-crowe-apologizes-for-anti-circumcision...

they took it as an anti-semetic rant, my god, people rally are that stupid.

"if u feel it is yr right 2 cut things off yr babies"
indeed...we dont stop and think about what our real job is as parent!

I've been arguing with my former professor all day on Twitter about whether or not the remarks are anti-semetic. I certainly didn't view it as such when I first read them. And I still don't, though I can see how they can be construed as such.
But like I told my ex-professor:
I believe most practices based purely on a belief in god to be absurd (although people circumcise their children for reasons other than faith... for example, so they will fit in with the status-quo American penis). Just because this practice is also tied to the Jewish faith doesn't make it less absurd.

I love this. I agree with him wholeheartedly.

Whenever I talk about circumcision with my friends, it's NEVER about the religious aspect. It's about aesthetics. They want their sons to have "normal-looking penises." Oh, and the myth that the penis is impossible to keep clean with a foreskin intact. A ten second search on Google would disprove this notion.

Truly, I'd rather their reasons be based on religious faith. It's less absurd to me than "LOL, I want to mutilate my child so their genitals are to my visual liking. Yay for penile vanity!" They really think it's a necessary evil. Cultural brain washing is great. If I have a son, he will be left intact. Don't give a fuck what anyone else thinks.

VMB I wholeheartedly agree! Well said.
I'd rather their reasons be based on religious faith

Trying to spread the word on the horrors of routine infant circumcision is one of my life's missions these days. I am a serious intactivist (one who believes in leaving infants intact). So many little Jewish boys are crying wolf these days with this anti-Semitic bullshit. Here's why... only 3% of infant circumcisions in our country right now today are done on Jews. Furthermore, if I didn't care as much about leaving Jewish babies intact and allowing them the choice to decide what to do with their own bodies when they're old enough for such a decision just as much as I care about other babies who aren't Jewish, THAT would be anti-Semitic.

Also, some of the biggest intactivists in our country today are Jews. Here are some good links:

www.thewholenetwork.org
www.jewsagainstcircumcision.org

LOVE your comment VMB.

The only person who owns the foreskin is the person whose body is attached to it. It's normal, healthy, sensitive, functional, erogenous genital tissue, and it's there for a reason.

Who wants their parents making permanent fashion choices for them anyways? What if your dad got to permanently choose your hairstyle for the rest of your life?

I think it's just a lousy argument to pin his comments as anti-semitic. He's good friends with Jewish people, and supports them in EVERYTHING but non-consentual genital cutting. That's not the same thing as hating Jews. He doesn't hate Americans because they do it. Granted, he was being a bit rude, but that's his approach to talking about everything, including what he ate for breakfast. His Jewish friend that he was talking to on twitter is Jewish, and specifically attacked the media for calling Crowe anti-semitic.

Frankly, I think Freedom of Religion can ONLY apply to the individual when it includes permanent body alterations. I don't subscribe to the same religion as my parents, and I'm so glad they didn't have the option to permanently tattoo Jesus on my ass.. or scarify a cross on my chest. I'm glad that cutting off a pinky toe was not a religious tradition they had the option of performing on me.

...however, I believe I have the right to choose all of those things for myself in the name of religion if I so choose... or just for looks if I happen to like the 4-toed foot look.

I really think the same logic needs to be applied to the male genitals, not just the female genitals. We understand now that the foreskin has some of the MOST sensitive nerve endings on the entire body, and that the foreskin has both protective and sexual functionality. 

p.s. even religion isn't a good reason to cut a kid up. Barbarism is barbarism no matter who your god is. Many Muslims believe it's good to circumcise girls (not always extreme... sometimes just removing the female foreskin [the clitoral hood]) but it's been illegal in our country to even perform a ritual pinprick of the clitoris to draw even a single drop of blood since 1997. Is it anti-Muslim to believe it's not cool to cut up your girls? Besides, your god might not be your kid's god so you had him sliced up when he didn't have a voice to say no or the strength to push someone off as an offering to appease the deity of your choice. But the entire point is: his body, HIS choice.

Perfect example: http://www.thewholenetwork.org/3/post/2011/05/an-open-letter-to-mohel-michael-henesch.html

I really wish Crow had not made an apology. I want to meet the press agent that is running around the world, meeting with celebrites and politicians, and getting them say sorry for stuff they aren't, or shouldn't be, sorry for.

Joel: A Special request. Please post a picture of your dad or mom's ass tattoo. I'm trying to decide on one myself, so I'm checking out good examples for ideas. Why reinvent the wheel. Right?

I was circumcised, 37 years ago, in africa and I am hindu. And I am proud of my penis and never thought about it till i moved here when people started making a big fucking deal about it. Now I think about it.  Growing up I had friends who were circumcised, friends who weren't, it never occurred to me that there was a difference with the person. I am fine with my parent's decision, I am totally happy with the way my penis looks, feels, smells. And I would like to stuff it into Russell Crowe's face while telling him my parents were amazing people who were model humans, not stupid barbarians.
His comment about God turned his comment about circumcision into a religious comment. If he had stated his opinions as his own and not forced them onto others then it might be easier to get his point across, and he is right, who are WE to correct nature?(yet we do it with EVERYTHING) But who is HE to judge other people's beliefs?
to my knowledge Nobody has ever circumcised their sons to punish them. It is done for reasons that maybe they themselves do not fully understand.... like for example our continued occupation of the Arab world, which I think is a much bigger issue, and one Russell Crowe would never dare touch.

Hi Ravi,

I don't think that anyone is implying that parents who choose to circumcise
make poor parents as a whole. Nor did I read that men who have been circumcised
should be ashamed of how their penis looks sans foreskin. Just because you are
happy with your circumstance doesn’t make this debate or topic meaningless.

Yes bringing God into the fray made his comment religious. But he does have
the right to voice his opinion, and then must deal with the fallout and
reactions of others.

I am grateful he has spurred or fueled discussion of the issue.

It's in your best interest to like your penis the way it is. However, not all circumcised men are as "lucky" as you are to like what their parents chose for them.

http://www.udonet.com/circumcision/vincent/vulnerability_of_men.html

http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Survived-Mutilation/144739798928346

thank you Marias,
I agree, however the tone of what he has to say is very negative and full of vitriol, if I am reading it right. and You are correct nobody said anything about circumcised men being self conscious, that was my own comment. However this constant back and forth about circumcision is ridiculous, and can make one quite self conscious. I guess with regard to God the goddies have to realize what you said and  that that was his comment, they are always there to defend their nonsense whether it makes sense or not.
In the case of circumcision... i say we let the parents choose based on their best understanding at the time the decision is made, there are much worse things people do to their kids (like letting them watch tv 8 hours a day for their whole childhood), or feeding them drugged butchered rotting flesh daily, which i think is stupid and barbaric... and we should all be a little more accepting of people and their customs, regardless of what we believe.

When I say that I would rather hear someone's reason being related to religion, it's not because the act magically becomes right (because regardless, mutilating a child for (usually) no medical or practical benefit is barbaric, I don't give a fuck how you slice it (pun intended)), but at least it's centered around faith. I dunno, having a strong Christian background gives me a massive amount of compassion and leniency when it comes to things like this, even when
neither is due.

I don’t believe it’s up to the parents to make the choice for their son as to whether or not he is circumcised. Not only because it’s not their body, but because it’s just simply unnecessary. If I were to ask my friends if girls should be circumcised (in the US), they would respond in disgust and tell me how absolutely horrible it is. Just because something is widely practiced and usually accepted doesn’t make it okay or right, regardless of spiritual background. I’m not tired of the back and forth. I want this debate to go on until people realize that HURTING AND MAIMING AN INFANT IS NOT OKAY…. So I guess it’ll go on forever, because it’s still being downplayed as a "choice" or "necessary medical procedure" or (the worst reason I've heard) "no big deal." Babies are my favorite type of people. I'll always advocate for them.

God, I’m glad no one looked at my genitals at birth and thought something was fucking wrong with them, pulled out a Bible to prove how right they are, and started hacking away. God totally made the right move when He made me female, for this reason and millions of others.

Ravi,

I honestly think it's good news that you're happy the way your penis is, but not everyone is. Considering that a man who is not circumcised can always opt to have it done, but a man who IS circumcised can never get back was was lost, how many people need to feel victimized before we give their feelings respect?

The foreskin is a healthy, sensitive, functional, erogenous part of the body... and ALL healthy, sensitive, functional, erogenous parts of the body are to be PROTECTED as the property of ONLY the individual... NOT their parents. This is why we may not cut off the toes or the earlobes or the lips of our children.

It is not a convincing style of argument to argue that there are worse atrocities in the world. It is not necessary for us to solve every problem in the world before we may tackle this one. At least a person can choose to stop eating meat or stop watching television when they are older if they so choose.. with circumcision, the damage lasts forever.

Let the individual decide. That is the only FAIR choice. If circumcision is so great, people will not mind the effort it takes to choose it for themselves. 

Aha, Chris, you may have called my bluff on the Jesus Ass Tattoo, but I have to agree with you about the fact that an apology was unfortunate.

However, perhaps in retrospect, it wasn't a bad idea to show a kinder side to him after his comments were attacked. They were, despite being in fun, a little bit rude (sew your ass shut, go fuck yourself, etc.) so, if people take his apology as being sorry for the rudeness rather than the opinion, that's okay with me.

To be honest, I think the best way to speak to a circumcising culture about circumcision is not through insults.. it's through kind-hearted education. Most people just don't know the facts. It's surprising how many people come around after I tell them what i know. :P

P.S. I actually think Jesus ass tat would be pretty hilarious as long as you didn't do it to a baby.

Yes, we don't need the rude stuff.
Also agree that one should not do the Jesus tat on a baby, it will get all distorted as the baby grows.  That would be a shame ;)

Male circumcision is a safe, popular, healthy & beneficial procedure for individuals & parents to choose. It provides benefits such as 12x less likely for UTI, +22x less likely for cancer, 28% less risk for herpes, 35% for HPV & 60% for HIV/AIDS. The risks are about 0.2% and are typically minor & easily corrected.

Parents should research circumcision and make an informed decision for the health & well-being of their son.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/circumcision/MY01023/DSECTION=why-its-done

http://www.healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/prenatal/decisions-to-make/pages/Circumcision.aspx

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/circumcision.htm

I am so glad someone stood up and said something publicly.  The only thing I disagree with was the apology, it was completely un-needed.  Circ is barbaric and stupid.  A normal looking penis is intact, baby boys are born perfectly.  And for the handful of Christians that circ for religious reasons - re-read your bible, you're going AGAINST God's word.

For those here with half-formed ideas about what forced genital cutting (circumcision) is I recommend doing some research and taking off the cultural blinders.
Cutting into the genital organs of an infant or child,attacking his or her primary sexual zone with cutting instruments is not healthy, it is not holy, it is sick. And its fuck!ng obvious!
Russell Crowe spoke honestly about this and then, (most likely) his agent, publicist and others did immediate damage control. He has a career to think about in an industry with many Jewish Americans in positions of influence and signing his cheques. The media has spun this in many directions. What did he actually say? What did he actually apologize for?

It is time, long overdue actually for Americans to stop making pathetic excuses (make the baby "look like daddy", cleaner, healthier, bullsh!t) for forced genital cutting of children and start looking honestly at this. 

Do you want a great relationship with your child? Do you want your child to feel happy and secure in this world and in his own skin? Then protect his rights and do whatever you need to to become informed enough to do that.

Hatred for intact genitals is taught just like every other form of hatred and prejudice. If you think an intact penis (or vulva) looks "yukky" then perhaps you might examine why that is before you go making permanent and cruel body modifications on your children's sexual organs.

Just because a custom is old does not mean it should continue in an age where we know much more about anatomy and psychology.  Cutting into a baby boy's penis was wrong then, and it is still wrong now.  Circumcision ruins every penis sooner or later.  I know, mine was ruined and it is now of little use except for urination.  I can thrust for an hour and still not orgasm.   Regardless of your religious belief, remember that babies are atheist until they believe for themselves.  Little American girls are protected by law from genital mutilation, little American boys deserve nothing less.
Both Jewish and Muslim authorities admit that it is done to blunt the pleasure of sexual intercourse, it is done in America following the advice given by Dr Kellogg who said it was to stop boys masturbating, a great sin in the 19th century.  Not to mention the vast amount of money ($250,000,000) made by the circumcision industry, both in the cutting but also the selling of neonatal tissue to pharmaceutical companies.  Why does the harmful practice continue?  Ignorance, greed, lack of respect for others. It can and should be banned, it is banned in Finland, and occurs rarely in most other countries, except among Jews and Muslims.
Safe sex is the way to protect against STIs, penile cancer is very rare and only affects old men not little boys.  A numb penis and a condom is the worst combination, almost guaraneed to result in ED.

Popular!=exactly why it shouldn't be done.
Perhaps education for those uncut could also change these numbers.
and here come my flippant remark:
If we lop off breasts does that decrease a womans chances of gettign breast cancer?
Parents should research circumcision and make an informed decision for
the health & well-being of their son.
NO MEN SHOULD make an informed decision on their own as adults.
Those stats are really a concern to grown men, not kids and youth.

If Russell Crowe wants to make a statement against routine infant circumcision, he should write it at the computer then have his wife go over it critically. He should then post it as a Discussion under, say, Celebrities Against Circumcision in FaceBook. Better yet, as a Note in FaceBook, because the author of a Note can edit it at will.
To blow off on Twitter as he did, did not do him or the intactivist cause any favours. He had to apologise, because in the entertainment industry the merest appearance of bigotry is the kiss of death. Crowe came across as a sophomore frat boy, rather than as the seasoned Hollywood professional and as a married father nearing age 50. That his Jewish interlocutor, Eli Roth, was not offended has been lost in the brouhaha.

Really?
I respectfully disagree. I am QUITE happy with people being real and forthright. This is America no?..Land of free speech.... He has a right to his opinion and he has a right to voice it.
None of your words make any sense to me honestly. I think this whole situation served as a learning opportunity for many people, including Crowe.