Comments on: Apparently Rape is Big Old Joke and a “Magical Experience”

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:57:46 +0000

We have an update from John Petroski at http://www.askingfirst.com.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 04:08:20 +0000

Silenced like Amanda Marcotte.

By: Rachel S.

Rachel S. — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 05:41:27 +0000

Mike thanks for engaging in this dialogue with John Petroski. I will repost your link.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 04:21:05 +0000

Help John Petroski hear the words of you and everyone across our country. At http://www.askingfirst.com, Petroski has agreed to receive e-mails from everyone he offended and he has promised he will read them. No one’s e-mail address is included when their comments are forwarded to him. Plus, he can only respond through our blog. This process is done to help insure he does not intentionally or accidentally hurt anymore people through this medium of communication.

Accoutability is a wonderful catalyst for change!!

By: Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:33:26 +0000

That’s certainly not how my friends and I talk, and I was offended by the article, but Mr. Petronski assures me it was satire and was not intended to demean women. Mr. Petronski will be joining my campaign as the newspaper outreach communicator.

Sincerely, Mitt Romney

P.S.: he double super secret promises not to discuss rape any more in any future articles. He is moving out of the opinion section and will take a job with the entertainment section reviewing movies or something.

By: Anna in Portland (was Cairo)

Anna in Portland (was Cairo) — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:32:05 +0000

The article by Beneke’s final paragraphs with quotes from men made me all the more scared of them as a gender. I am usually able to convince myself that men who think like this are a small minority and that most men are decent. Reading stuff like that really makes me wonder, are the decent ones the minority? Do most of them see beautiful women as enemies and foils for their vengeful fantasies?

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 16:44:26 +0000

Delurking to say, speaking of the Onion, this is how you write satire:

Candidate Turns To Focus Group For Position On Rape

In a strange way, I think what offends me the most is that the CCSU story is just not funny, or satirical at all.

By: Kate L.

Kate L. — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 16:37:35 +0000

I watched a part of his “apology” last night on the news. I was wondering when you would comment Rachel :)

These days I keep thinking to myself stuff like : “I would be so ashamed to be his mother.” It’s just appalling and I can’t believe anyone thought it would be ok to publish in the first place. They are right to examine the editorial process. This should have been scraps on the newsroom floor.

By: sailorman

sailorman — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 14:48:21 +0000

When I first saw the title I thought this was going to be something from the Onion. Sadly, it’s not.

By: Mitchell

Mitchell — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 05:43:31 +0000

“Mr. Petroski and Mr. Rowan simply don’t get it. By his own admission, Mr. Rowan says he’s being viewing the world only through his young white male vantage point, and I suppose that’s what college is for getting students to see not only their vantage points but the vantage points of others. If Petroski and Rowan could see the world through my eyes (and the eyes of billions of other women), would know that rape is no laughing matter; they would understand the paralysis and fear that rape causes for women, and they would have never written such an editorial.”

-dead on- they don’t get it, namly that rape happens and so humor on that subject is liable to be interpreted as evil.

But this, “Up until now, I had always seen the world from the narrow vantage point of a 21-year-old white male, but now I see that it needs to be broadened.”

Frankly, I’m offended as 21 year old white male.

The fact he’d try to pawn his ignorance off on his status as a 21 year old white male is telling; he’s not willing to take responsibility for his actions, let alone, ‘expand’ his views.

Rachels,

I’m a bit suprised that you say

“By his own admission, Mr. Rowan says he’s being viewing the world only through his young white male vantage point”

I challenge that view as predjudiced.

Rachels, If you think its not predjudiced, I am open to your logic. I’m not offended considering the context.

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 04:23:57 +0000

This article is offensive and in terrible taste. He knew it would be offensive. That’s why he did. He just didn’t think that people would take is seriously.

I wonder what impact South part et. al. have on the motivation to do this sort of thing. Were the writers truly only trying to be offensive and funny? Was this motivated by ignorance and privilege? Was this misogony and an urge to feel powerful by making women feel scared?

Or did he really just want to make point in the crudest way possible?

By: ChurchGal

ChurchGal — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

have been on a really great streak (must read them more regularly), writing about race, free speech, the kerfuffle involving the Catholic League and the blogger Amanda and there’s one particular post i’d like to draw attention to: the one about rape and men ‘getting it.’ it links to an excerpt from tim beneke’s book Men On Rape and it’s so worthwhile reading i heartily encourage folks to go there. (april is sexual assault awareness month, so be prepared. i’m gonna write about it.)

By: Chez Moi

Chez Moi — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Are men wired to rape? Do children suffer less because of rape? Men on rape Ampersand: Rape as a big joke and a “magical experience” ((double gag)) As Kenyans talk less and less about sex. In other news if you are a boy you may need to be circumcised to join some schools.(Can’t find the link where it was yesterday in EA Standard)