Miscarriage of Justice

It's bizarre that Purvi Patel could be charged with both feticide and neglect of a dependent. It's discouraging that a jury would find her guilty of both. And, its frightening that she has been sentenced to 20 years for having a miscarriage.

Purvi’s jury should make us all squirm

Their disdain so unfeeling and firm

All so righteous and pure

Consecratedly sure

That their daughters will carry to term

It is all men

In case you've been living under a rock for the past week, here is a link to a video titled "10 Hours Walking in New York City as a Woman". It's gone viral, as the say. The video documents the numerous catcalls and other forms of sexual harassment endured by a woman, just walking around town.

Disappointingly, but not surprising, the video generated a lot of controversy. "Most of these guys are just being nice." "It's racist! the white guys were edited out" "It's all in fun" and  "Boys will be boys". This is not to mention the hateful and ignorant comments posted by men who actually took offense at being called out for their sexist behavior.

I want to make the point right now that the responsibility for this anti-social behavior rests with all men. Not just men of color or white men or rich men or poor men or young men or old men; and it doesn't rest with women. The responsibility to treat women with respect lies with all men.

If you call after women on the street; stop it, you're not flirting and it's not harmless. If, while driving through town, your friends wolf whistle out the window; call them on it. They're acting like bullies. Most telling of all, if you witness street harassment and you're afraid to intervene, think about why. The purpose of catcalling is to intimidate. If you're intimidated, put yourself in her shoes. Most important of all; if you have a son. Teach him to treat women with respect. This is your responsibility.

There is no need to over intellectualize this discussion. I've seen too many online debates about this. "Is it inherent in our capitalist society", "Is it rooted in a particular culture", "Do we have to solve some other social problem before we can solve this one". All these discussions just detract from the point. Men are behaving badly and they should stop.

Here's a limerick that boils the issue down to its essence.

Out in midtown or up in the hood

Every "Baby, you're sure looking good"

Each "Hey Sweetie" and "Ciao"

Means "I'd fuck you right now"

Is there something I've misunderstood?

Controlled Release

This was 'inspired' by a medical journal article about the controlled release of medication. An FB friend suggested the magazine probably never came early. (So, I have some one else to blame for this)

Controlled Release

by Rick Lime

There is a young man, call him X

His release is controlled during sex

So, he comes every time

That his clock starts to chime

And, to Pavlov he pays his respects

A Quickie

A Quickie

by Rick Lime

He's a Bam thank you Ma'am kind of chap

He makes love and he's done in a snap

I'll resume my critique

Of his bedroom technique

But he'll first have to wake from his nap

Where did all these kids come from?

I'm sure men aren't quite as out of touch as the limerick suggests...are we?

Where did all these kids come from?

by Rick Lime

Of her children, a woman knows all

From their friends to their favorite doll

A man by compare

Might be vaguely aware

That some short people live down the hall

A fellow was making Franz Liszt

A fellow was making Franz Liszt

by Rick Lime

A fellow was making Franz Liszt

There've been rumors at least, of a tryst

But Chopin was his rival

And so this contrival

Holds no proof the men even kissed

check out Mad Kane's weekly limerick contest http://www.madkane.com/humor_blog/2012/12/30/list-limerick-off-monday/

If the milk is free ...

If the milk is free ...

by Rick Lime

If the milk is free don’t buy the goat

Paraphrases an adage of note

But, there's women who see

Things quite differently

They’ll have sausage and not buy the shoat

Going down in history

Going down in history

by Rick Lime

A butch from around Dawson Crick

Met an Irish femme in Limerick

So it came as no myst’ry

They went down in hist’ry

As Klon-dyke and little Gay-lick

He should have told Friday

He should have told Friday

by Rick Lime

For several years, maybe more

Robin Crusoe at night would implore

“Please god send me a date”

Then by luck or by fate

Halle Berry got washed up onshore

So, he rescued her out of the swell

And soon deep into love they both fell

Then one day Crusoe said

"May I please call you Ted

Maybe cut your hair shorter as well?"

Next evening while dinner was stewing

They walked down the beach two by two-ing

He took her aside

And he whispered with pride

“Ted, you’ll never believe who I’m doing”

Eye Contact

Eye Contact

by Rick Lime

On occasion I've heard her confess

Conversations with men cause her stress

She can't look in their eyes

Although that's no surprise

Cuz her eyes are not down on her breasts