As is expected, the ramifications of Miss California, Carrie Prejean's comments regarding traditional marriage or "non-opposite marriage" (whatever that may be) continue to be felt. While some may argue that Prejean's semi-nude photographs that have recently surfaced provide a major blow to her fight in favor of traditional marriage, I think the photographs serve as a great jumping off point for discussion on a few important issues.

When Mario Lavandeira (also known as Perez Hilton) asked Prejean to give her opinion on whether same-sex marriage should be legalized, it was no shocker that whatever answer she gave pro or con, was bound to make the press. But what shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone is how quickly many individuals would seek to discredit the messenger who spoke the shaky words, "I believe marriage should be defined as being between a man and a woman." It is interesting what the masses do when someone puts forth a personal opinion that is at odds with what many wrongly assume is the ethos of the majority. There is little that can be done to combat the opinion of another, so instead of going after the opinion, the adversary attempts to combat the integrity of the individual. That's where many messengers with valid points fall short -- lack of integrity (Rush Limbaugh, I'm talking to you).

For whatever inconceivable reason, Carrie Prejean posed for semi nude photographs. Was what she did when she was 18-years-old in conflict with her Christian beliefs? Though many would argue with me, I'd say so. While I don't care for the type of logic that implies tastefully done boudoir photos are less egregious than posing as a nude centerfold for Playboy, I do think that given the current age of sex tapes, sexting, and drunken revelry, Prejean's current art making the rounds on the Internet is far less incriminating than what you might find opening up an issue of Maxim or logging on to TMZ.com. Still, I've never been one to get behind the whole soft/hard classification of pornographic material. It all leads down a very bad path as far as I'm concerned. At age 21, is Prejean the same person she was at age 18? I'd hope not. Maybe these photos fall under the banner of "we all make mistakes." Unfortunately, that conclusion is entirely too cliche for my tastes.

If I were a betting woman, I'd wager that Ms. Prejean likely never imagined one day her answer during a beauty pageant would temporarily make her the face of a major moral and political debate. And had Ms. Prejean been privy to her future, I can pretty much guarantee she wouldn't have posed for those "modeling" shots either. The decisions we make in life are far more crucial to our future than we realize. Short-sightedness is familiar territory for many young Americans. Whether or not you believe Prejean is in the wrong for posing for those photos, the reality is, given her current platform, she executed poor judgment and is now reaping the consequences of that mistake. "To whom much is given, much is required" comes to mind. Are there many well-meaning people who pose for semi-nude photographs with no intent of ever releasing the photos to the public? Certainly. Unfortunately, some people will end up in places down the road where those very photos might call to question their integrity on an entirely separate issue. If you're one who likes to reason such consequences and double standards as unfair, let me remind you of two phrases my mother often said, "That's great for Johnson family, but you are not a Johnson," and my personal favorite, "Life is not fair. And then you die."

Continue reading "The Quest for Integrity">>>

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We've all seen it -- that beautiful, young woman bending over to pick something up only to reveal a strategically placed tattoo just above her buttcrack. The sight of her buttcrack notwithstanding, you can't help but feel slightly...violated.

I'm not one of those people who feels it's my place to go around telling others their decision to get a tattoo is a bad idea. If you're an adult, you can make whatever decision you like. It's your life and your body. I do have an opinion on the matter though. I happen to believe tattoos are incredibly shortsighted, but to each their own. If you want to be a sixty-five year old rocking an emblazoned scripture on your forearm, that's your bag. Old wrinkly tattoos though? Not a good look. Where I take issue with the tatting trend that seems to be running rampant among young people is when children are being evangelized that tattoos are all the rage.

It turns out these days even middle-aged women are getting tattoos. Last month, it was announced that at 50-years-old, Mattel's Barbie Doll is celebrating by getting a tattoo. The LA times reports:

"We begin in Southern California, where, just in time for spring, Mattel Inc. has released Totally Stylin' Tattoos Barbie. The doll comes with a set of more than 40 tiny tattoo stickers that can be placed on her body. Also included is a faux tattoo gun with wash-off tats that kids can use to ink themselves.

A spokeswoman for the El Segundo toy maker said it was a great way for youngsters to be creative with their pint-sized gal pal. But some parents are horrified by this body-art Barbie, labeling her the "tramp stamp" queen of playtime."

We can all thank the Bratz dolls for opening up the door to this madness. You'll recall that some time ago, makers of the Bratz dolls came under fire for their scantily clad, overly sexualized dolls targeting young girls of color. Bratz dolls were said to have been an effort to boost self esteem among girls of colors who don't see themselves represented in the doll industry. These dolls came complete with lace thongs, push up bras, and garter belts. If that's the best toy makers had to offer by way of culturally inclusive dolls, I'll pass.

Some parents are wishing toy makers would draw the line somewhere. The LA Times interviewed a mommyblogger on the new Tattoo-laced Barbie:

On her parenting blog, Telling It Like It Is, Texas mother Lin Burress sarcastically predicted that "Totally Pierced Barbie" would be the next to roll off the assembly line. Readers commenting on the blog chimed in with their own fictional "Divorce Barbie," who would take possession of Ken's accessories.

Burress, a 46-year-old mother of six, said she was fed up with companies pushing racy fare to kids to make a profit.

"It's just one more thing being added to the pile of junk, like push-up bras and Bratz dolls, being marketed to these ridiculously young kids," she said. "These so-called toys just create a sense of rebellion."

I think Lin Burress hit the nail on the head. It's hard enough raising young women in this society who don't arrive at age 12 without having been completely indoctrinated with thoughts of insufficiency, insecurity, rebelliousness and shallow self-worth. If the goal of society is to raise up a generation of young women who will make smart, informed decisions for themselves, this type of doll is a step in the wrong direction. The last thing we need is the future professionals of America being fed the hype that tattoos are commonplace. Maybe it's just me, but I think the world could use one less woman whose 18th birthday plans include an appointment at the Lucky Devil Tattoo salon for her very own tramp stamp, no?

Continue reading "Barbie Gets Tattoos">>>

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It seems women in bikinis are causing quite a stir these days. Sometimes folks just can't leave well enough alone. An interesting trend has emerged out in the Pacific Northwest of lingerie and bikini-clad baristas. If this trend hasn't found its way to your neck of the woods yet, I imagine it's just a matter of time. That is, unless you live in the south because Southern folks don't play that mess. Seattle is known for bringing Starbucks to the world, but even Starbucks has competition these days. Instead of Starbucks, many morning commuters have often opted for locally owned, roadside drive through coffee stands. Smaller coffee stands have that hometown feel where you see the same barista every day and they know your ordering habits. What if one day you pulled up and your barista was sporting what I like to call "bedroom attire?"

A huge number of privately owned (read: mafia-owned) espresso stands centered on this business model have been opening up across the Pacific Northwest. With catchy names like "Bikini Baristas" and "Cowgirls Espresso" these new coffee stands have made it quite clear they aren't selling coffee. They are selling sex. What started out as women in bikinis has now become women in full out lingerie, thongs and all. The reader boards outside these establishments read like the ones outside the strip club or the peep show "Something hot is cooking inside!" or "Meet the new barista, Candy - weekdays, 5pm-close." The clientele these businesses are after is of course, largely male, and in my opinion, largely unethical.

These types of establishments open up a hotbed of issues and the legality is entirely questionable. Selling sexual images under the guise of coffee should require some sort of licensing just as strip clubs and other "adult entertainment" joint must obtain. Seeing these girls strutting around in plain sight of children is indecent exposure. I also worry about the safety of the young women involved. Most often they are under age 20, and while no one forced them into a negligee at gunpoint, these girls are being put at risk by this business model. Flaunting their goods on a daily basis to men, many of whom lack self control opens up a door that is not easily shut. With no security and only one girl working a shift at a time, what happens when someone shows up one winter evening wanting more than just a double tall nonfat latte? It is common knowledge that the sex industry is a magnet for all types of other crime.

Continue reading "Bikini Baristas & The Miss USA Pageant">>>

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I'll never forget the day I went into the "student center" of my university and saw a flier on the wall that read "C#!t Club: celebrate your vagina." (Don't be prudish, we're all adults here, we can type the names of body parts without squeeling, right?) That's right folks. A university-sponsored organization that gathered around the topic of female masturbation. Self-gratification in more ways than one. That was one of many moments that shaped my ideas around the abuse of higher education.

While in the airport yesterday on my way down to the Silicon Valley, I stopped in the bookstore to pick up a copy of "Wired," my new favorite magazine, when I saw a shelf full of Ben Shapiro's new eye-catching book, "Porn Generation: how social liberalism is corrupting our future." Amen brother, Amen. I picked it up and read a few chapters, but since I'm not fond of marking up $26 books, I'm waiting on the paperback, annotation addict-friendly version to buy.

If the title is any indication, I once again grant Shapiro the award for being the youngest published nail hitter. And Ben's right; the ubiquitous nature of the pornography industry and a host of liberalists bent on forming policy around morally relative ideals is blatantly guiding the principles (or lack thereof) of an entire generation. The book synopsis reads:

A loaded topic indeed if you just turn on your television. For young unmarried types, media is rampant with images that lay an unhealthy foundation and "awaken love before its time." Incidentally, they are images that wouldn't have been allowed on television 20 years ago. The standard is steadily being lowered and we've created new terms to deal with our low standards. For example, what is "soft porn?" I say porn is porn, and it's all quite disgusting for many reasons. Among them, the manner in which it distorts and perverts our view of sex.

This particular topic is important because in the case of any generation, the mistakes of today will be seen in full tomorrow. Sin has wages and it's a "pay me now or pay me later" type deal. There is a root cause of AIDS sweeping the country, and it has little to do with poverty in Africa. The lesson here: if we don't get a grip on the worldview of the next generation (especially as it relates to the family structure), we will pay later.

The overwhelming critique of Shapiro's book, even among conservatives, is that instead of dealing with the root of temptation, he offers poor solutions (most of which includes complete government censorship). I'll reserve my thoughts until I finish reading the book, but I'm curious, in light of the discussion taking place in the media and in government about how to address the porn issue (in relation to those under 18), which direction do you suggest we head?

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I've completely avoided the Jennifer Wilbanks bruha because dagnabit, who cares? Who cares about that dumb blanket she used to cover her head? Who cares about how many people were invited to the wedding? And who in their right mind cares that she got caught shoplifting? These days I can't figure out if I'm watching CNN or E! Entertainment News. I expect next we'll be learning about what Wilbanks will be wearing to this year's Victim Card Awards Ceremony. When we do, I still won't care.

While I concur with the many who've suggested Ms. Wilbanks should be somehow forced to pay financially for lying to police about her abduction, I also believe the media needs to get a life. Sensationalism, sensationalism, sensationalism.

The latest claim being purported by news media? Chastity made her do it. The more the press learns about John Mason, (Wilbanks' intended), the more ridiculous the stories sound. The ever-credible New York Post reports:

Come again? Not being able to hold out for four days was just too hard eh? If that's not a stretch, I don't know what is. Suprisingly, I first heard this story on Fox News' "Heartland." Even they aren't exempt from wasting air time on foolish stories.

From the day Wilbanks was found alive and well, "analysts" (code for people who make stuff up and pull mysterious diseases out of their underarms) began speculating her motivation for running away. First she was distraught, then afraid, then diagnosed with a psychological disorder, and now she has abstinencephobia?

Today's Lesson on Race in America:

1. If you are a black woman in the South and you lie to the police, you have criminal charges.
   
2. If you are a white woman in the South and you lie to the police, first you have a pyschological disorder, then you might get charged.

Where were these pyschological analysts when I was 16-years-old and explaining to my parents why I was late for curfew? Enough trying to make excuses for this woman. Clearly she has issues to deal with (and if all goes well, a few checks to write). There will be no prize medal for figuring out why Wilbanks did what she did. My best guess? Her lies finally caught up with her. I feel sorry for her family and those she's dragged into her mess. I don't however, feel sorry for her. Not one bit.

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At the rebellious age of 14, the age at which doing homework takes a back seat to shopping and the entire hemisphere hinges on being "liked," I made a very wise decision. It was probably one of the better decisions of my formative years. Certainly a lot better than the time my friends and I decided to break into our neighbor's house to steal shampoo for kicks. One day, I solemnly decided that sex and I wouldn't meet each other's countenance until I had two circular objects firmly planted on my left ring finger. I think my mentor Lakita Garth said it best when she proclaimed, "No ringy. No dingy." Not exactly revolutionary or noteworthy, but certainly not the norm in the halls of insecurity also known as high school.

Was this decision deserving of special recognition? Applause? A gold medal? A cookie? A special seat in heaven? No siree Bob. Seeing as how sex was designed to be enjoyed within the confines of marriage, I always viewed abstinence as my reasonable service. You know, the least I could do with this here my one and only vessel on the earth. Amidst a society that fed me the lies that I couldn't do it, I was stubborn enough to follow through with my word, even if it killed me.

And it did. Curbing enthusiasm requires that some aspect of your own will be put to death. Any pious attitude or ego acquired by those who somehow feel morally superior for remaining abstinent will eventually have the crap beat out of it by the humility necessary to carry out the decision until the end (or rather, the beginning). It ain't easy. The longer you wait, the more humble you become. Just ask A.C. Green; he could write the book.

The odd thing is, today virginity is usually packaged as this unrealistic option we shouldn't be teaching and a reality for which most teenagers are ridiculed. Yet the truth is, adults who've chosen not to test drive the car probably have to endure more naysayers than the average pimple-faced teenager. Then again, high school is all about perspective so the small things become big and vice versa (read: everyone eventually grows up and realizes that high school was a joke).

As an adult, I've heard every defense in the book--everything from "How will you know you and your spouse will be sexually compatible?" to "But won't that make your wedding night awkward?" to threats that celibacy leads to geriatric ovaries. At 23, it's safe to say that I'm willing to suffer whatever "consequences" there may be if it means being without the excess baggage. You know, multiple partners, hurts, disappointments, soul ties, unwanted pregnancies, abortions, gonorrhea, and all that other fun stuff that accompanies having sex outside of marriage.

The unwritten rules of this modern-day dating game are advantageous to say least. And what a game it is. William Raspberry's Valentine's Day column in the Washington Post posed a very important question: "What ever happened to courtship?"

Continue reading "The Call to Purity, Part One">>>

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It has been in the media for quite some time, but yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration rejected over-the-counter sales of the "morning-after pill", the latest emergency contraceptive also known as "Plan B". Interestingly enough, the FDA added the two words, "possibly reconsider" into their statement. The FDA rejected the proposal merely on the grounds that there was "no evidence teens younger than 16 could safely use the pills without a doctor's guidance - and it thus was rejecting the move until Barr (the company behind the pill) could provide that evidence." Though they were charged with not having done enough research, the company is planning on coming back stronger next time. The FDA left the door open for Barr Laboratories to try again, which means this case is not closed in the least. This is about money and let's not think for one moment that Barr is going away with their tail between their legs.

From its inception, I knew the "morning-after pill" would spell trouble. It was only a matter of time before they'd lobby for it to be easily placed in the hands of the average Joe-sette.

The market for making Plan B over-the-counter is undoubtedly the teenage population. The average adult would have no problem getting a prescription from their gynecologist or a local clinic. The main group of people who would benefit (and I use that term loosely) from this proposal are teenage girls who want the pill but don't want their parents to know. I usually red flag anything that attempts to usurp the rights of parents.

This whole concept just has "evil, greedy, bastards" written all over it. I don't say that to be flippant. When I say "bastards", I mean it. These individuals who think up these schemes to further advance the moral decay of our society are nothing more than illegitimate children. One of the major arguments of Plan B proponents is that it will "significantly reduce the number of abortions each year". Help us sweet Jesus! This is just disastrous. I cannot believe that sane people actually follow this logic.

Let's all go back to kindergarten concepts for just a moment. Babies are made when a man and a woman have sex. That is the only way babies are made. Invetro fertilization, artificial insemination, and all other forms of impregnating women are generally procedures performed on women who assumedly want to become pregnant and are therefore void in this reasoning. Based on this logic, it would seem that the best way to reduce the numbers of abortions is to reduce the number of unmarried people having sex. A preschooler could figure this out.

Teach young men to exercise a little self control. Teach young ladies to keep the nickel between their knees. If you want teenagers to stop having abortions, teach them to stop having sex. Teach them to choose Plan A. This concept is so overly simplistic and basic and it leaves lots of room for creativity so let's think beyond just "Abstinence Education". The Judeo-Christian ethics sure do lack innovation as of late. Since it seems humanity is intent on trying to come up with every way possible to not not have sex, can we think out of the box as well?

Perhaps even more "coincidental" is the fact that last night's episode of ER highlighted this very issue on the very same day the FDA rejected the proposal. Gee what are the chances? I smell hot conflict of interest cooking in the oven.

On the show, one of the teenage characters named "Rachel" traveled to the state in which her former doctor/step-mother was located just to get a prescription for the pills. She did this because she didn't want her real mother to find out. And get this, the doctor wrote the prescription! It was a sly attempt to brainwash the viewer into thinking that legalizing the pill over-the-counter is really the right thing to do. I wouldn't be surprised if Barr Laboratories paid a hefty sum of money for that plug. Is it just me, or do pharmaceutical companies have a huge propensity to be horribly wicked?

I wrote a few months back on how "Jimmie Hatz" are planning on pushing out "hip-hop" condoms to the urban masses. This is a downward spiral folks and I plead that we not see the day when the morning-after pill is being packaged with glossy pink and polka dot wrappers or being given as a "gift with purchase" when you buy the latest Christina Aguilera album. I don't want to see "Pro-Choice Barbie" or "do-it-yourself abortion kits" in the store. Planned Parenthood must be licking their lips over this issue.

So what does the counter-culture do? I certainly propose we do something different than what's currently being done. People like to sit on their high horses and talk about Christians shouldn't be bringing the gospel through media and other forms of mass-commercialism, but I say we need to get in the game. Sit on the sidelines of the culture war if you like, but this is a multi-sensory generation, and if we're not infiltrating mediums with a contrary message, then we will do ourselves a huge disservice in battle. If ER can push their message, we sure as heck can push ours.

Posted in Abortion, Culture, Politics, Sex/Purity | Permanent Link