More Cultural Insensitivity, Please!
I recently posted a column, Nearly Beloved, in which the woman writing to me paralleled a husband's crack about having two wives to a Saudi Arabian's harem. Apparently, I've transgressed some rule of political correctness. A woman posted this comment:
what does saudi arabia and harems have to do with this...? i would really appreciate if we could leave cultural slurs out of unrelated-comments.
I was furious. I responded:
Do harems not exist in Saudi Arabia? If they don't, I'm sorry. But, how about this: Saudi Arabia is one of the more backward countries in the world, and a source of numerous terrorists and numerous barbaric practices and policies. Let's have it all out in the open, let's all talk about it as much as possible. In journalism, this is referred to as "sunshine laws" -- to open information to the public. I'll do a bit of sunshining here, to let you know how idiotically politically correct you are in making a comment like that.Here's how the primitive Saudis treat gays:
http://www.sodomylaws.org/world/saudi_arabia/saudi_arabia.htm
Here's how the primitive Saudis treat women:
http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/mideast/saudi.html
You can keep your lips zipped about the barbarians, but that doesn't mean they'll go away. In fact, information not aired tends to be much more damaging in the long run than information that is. And kudos to the Muslim woman from Los Angeles who recently spoke out about sick Muslim fundamentalism. Let's have more of that. Cultural insensitivity? I'm all for it.
I do, however, have a problem with people who email or post without caps. If you are not 10, and you're clear that I'm not, kindly hit the shift key at the beginning of a sentence.
Posted by aalkon at March 22, 2006 10:47 AM
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Comments
Natasha: "Gomez, darling, what is the penalty for bigamy?"
Gomez: "Two wives!"
sorry- couldn't resist.
Posted by: Eric (big E) at March 22, 2006 9:14 AM
With only this quotation, the spark in Astin's eye comes to mind. Brilliant actor.
Posted by: Crid at March 22, 2006 6:25 PM
As of 2002, it's still there
Posted by: Crid at March 22, 2006 6:27 PM
yes mistress alkon.
Posted by: Paul Hrissikopoulos at March 22, 2006 6:58 PM
Hmmm, I rather like that, Paul!
Posted by: Amy Alkon at March 22, 2006 7:16 PM
Come to CDA someday Crid- I'll introduce you to his widow.
Posted by: eric at March 22, 2006 7:51 PM
CDA = ?
(In that photo he looks like WF Buckley would look during a BJ [he's Catholic, after all])
Posted by: Crid at March 22, 2006 8:00 PM
Asshat comment regretted. PD is a good friends neighbor, but I got carried away. We need an eraser button.
Tom Waits is singing Tom Talberts Blues... Waltzing Matilda...
John Astin was the best though.
Ohp! Last Night,... thinkin about last night, she was dark & discreet, she was light on her feet...
Posted by: eric at March 22, 2006 8:01 PM
CDA- Coeur D'Alene, Idaho
Crid- are you talking about the camels?
Posted by: eric at March 22, 2006 8:09 PM
> the camels?
No, follow the tiny link. Doesn't he look like he just swallowed a canary?... Or had seen SOMETHING swallowed?
> I'll introduce you to his widow.
What widow? According to Wikipedia, the man lives.
Posted by: Crid at March 22, 2006 8:15 PM
Patty Duke was married to John Astin. He died back in the mid 80's- I remember I worked at the Albertsons in Huntington Beach on night crew when they said he had died.
94.7, a little bit of heaven, KMET, tweedly-dee.
I looked up Wikipedia, but they are about 20 years out of date....
Posted by: eric strollin down memory lane at March 22, 2006 8:32 PM
Too Creepy!
Are there 2 John Astins?? I am searching....
Posted by: eric at March 22, 2006 8:37 PM
Crid- you appear to be right, since I can't find any obituraries. I was sure he was dead, married to Patty Duke at the time. I was positive!
Mistress Amy can whoop me on a videocam should she so please.
Posted by: eric at March 22, 2006 8:48 PM
Way back in the day (1990-ish) I saw Patty in an Italian restaurant in a Brentwood. Her EYES were dead... But *everyone* thought the entrees were unexceptional. It was the minimall at Wilshire and Barrington. Anyway, in the 70's she was known for being manny-D.
Posted by: Crid at March 22, 2006 9:01 PM
According to IMDB John Astin has a movie currently in post-production. So I'm thinking he lives.
Posted by: Kimberly at March 22, 2006 9:19 PM
"With only this quotation, the spark in Astin's eye comes to mind. Brilliant actor."
Too bad it wasn't hereditary!
Posted by: Jim Treacher at March 23, 2006 7:45 AM
I guess he is alive and well around the Maryland area- good! I would like to see his Edgar Allan Poe one man play.
Posted by: eric at March 23, 2006 7:55 AM
The Riddler most definitely lives. His son and I attended the same high school.
Posted by: snakeman99 at March 23, 2006 8:04 AM
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