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323 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 09:18 AM
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Moses: Here is proof that it shrinks as it warms up!
The Hiker: Wow ...that is really impressive!
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There's a land where the mountains are nameless...
Robert Service |
Edited by - Grey Hair on 01/18/2005 09:30 AM |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
160 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 09:37 AM
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It's the internet. You're going to find a lot worse than a giant penis sculpted out of snow. Surely a bigger crisis, more deserving of your attention, can be found than this, PF.
'Tis a funny photo, GH. Next snowfall, see if you can't get a giant snow-sheep sitting pretty next to it... err... 
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Life is one great network of trails blazed across the world. The path you choose makes all the difference. |
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 opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4644 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 09:40 AM
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Another rock erect....errr I mean formation care of Mother Nature
Liberty Cap, Yellowstone
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"My name is Hiker Boy and I approved this message" |
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 Buntzen roving stealthy beer mule and artist, aspiring weird image findmaster who loves BC
lower mainland
Canada
1647 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 09:58 AM
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Well, I thought it was good and funny too. Without PF saying much more than 'this is funny?', we're making all sorts of statements and assumptions though. Just a thought.
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Life is too short to believe I’m wasting time. |
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5378 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 10:18 AM
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I don't see how a snow penis really has anything to do at all with religion. It's more to do with a particular person views sexuality's place in society.
Not all religious people have issues with viewing phallic shaped objects. I really wish they weren't all pigeon-holed that way. I guess it's like anything I suppose - a person has one unhappy experience with a member of a certain group and all of a sudden the feelings related to that experience are projected on EVERYONE in that group.
A-well C'est la vie, I guess that's just the dark part of human nature.
And yes Peter, I too think you could lighten up a bit, the image was really very tame. It's just a penis, they're natural and they're everywhere case in point...look down
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ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7209 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 10:52 AM
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I'd like to hear what Peter has to say here, too many assumptions.
I didn't see him saying he was offended because of his religious values, perhaps Im missing something? |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
366 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 2:35 PM
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| What's offensive about an arrow pointing to the sky? I don't get it. Your son is obviously into UFOs and heavily influenced by the mash potato mountain in Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind. |
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Super botonist, hippie chick who cuddles thistles with glee
Langley, BC
Canada
1541 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 6:26 PM
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When my kids are old enough to not be mortally embarrassed by their mother, I think I will sculpt two breasts on my front lawn, size dependant on the amount of snowfall of course.
Or I could just go over to my friend's house and build a giant penis on her front lawn.  That would be much cooler than the buzzard birthday greetings, don't you think?  |
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323 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 6:54 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by trailflower
When my kids are old enough to not be mortally embarrassed by their mother, I think I will sculpt two breasts on my front lawn, size dependant on the amount of snowfall of course.
Or I could just go over to my friend's house and build a giant penis on her front lawn. That would be much cooler than the buzzard birthday greetings, don't you think?
Trailflower: They'll always be embarassed!
The funniest part was how shocked and horrified my son was at a "helpful" comment made by a middle aged female neighbour (dentist's wife) concerning exact anatomical correctness of the sculpture, as it made the transition from lighthouse to phallus 
Mothers aren't meant to know that stuff!
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There's a land where the mountains are nameless...
Robert Service |
Edited by - Grey Hair on 01/18/2005 7:13 PM |
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Manitoba's misadventurin' bushwhackin', dog sloggin', dehydratin', beer drinkin' biggie - who's eager to peak bag Mt Currie in a dress
Squamish
5057 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 7:05 PM
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I don't understand how religion got into this......... Are you all assuming Peter is religious? Just because he has a quote from a saint as his signature?
This has nothing to do with religion whatsoever, and frankly I'm surprised you guys are getting worked up about it anyway.
From my POV, I didn't think the sculpture was particularily funny, or even interesting for that matter. Perhaps I'm uptight but that is not something I would have on my front lawn. (if I had a lawn, I would tend to be more like Calvin and Hobbes, have a bunch of decapitated snowmen and one left standing holding a cleaver) No offence Grey Hair, I always enjoy what you have to say. What can I say..... Different strokes for different folks!
And Peter, please don't let any of the above discourage you from participating on this board. I also enjoy what you have to say, you are well written and thoughtful.
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Great minds think alike (and fools seldom differ) |
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Hope, B.C.
Canada
726 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 10:26 PM
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Well, I have thought about this, and decided to post.
First of all, there has certainly been a lot posted based on three words that I used three times: those words were: this is funny? Based on those nine words, (and three question marks,) I was referred to as part of the religious right, I was called a troll and a minority, and was called "St. Francis." (I thought the 'St. Francis' was said in a sardonic manner, but, to be fair, I could be wrong on that count - it is hard to tell how someone is meaning something when it is written down.)
I was called those things, based on three words, albeit repeated twice more. I ask you, are the names attributed to me fair?
However, I digress, as that is not the main focus of my protest. And, I really don't mind being called those things.
I seemed to notice that most who thought the picture was funny are people who don't have kids. (But I know that some, including the poster, are quite comfortable with it.) I think that is significant.
I know that I would be really angry if one of my three daughters was walking down the street and they saw something like that - they could handle it now, as they are 16, 17, and 25 - but if they were little kids, I would not be happy. Actually, I would still be mad if they encountered something like that now! Or to think of my grandaughter seeing something like that in a few years - well, it causes one to not be happy, to say the least.
And I am reasonably sure as I look around at my friends who have kids, they would not be happy either.
I have a son, now 27, who would not have dreamt of putting something like that in the yard - and nor would have his friends.
I also teach 25 Grade Four kids, and I can't think of one parent of those kids who would think something like that displayed in a yard would be funny - there would be a lot of angry parents.
Also, I don't know where the sculpture was displayed, and if the general public was able to see it. What one does in one's own yard is one's own business, but something different comes into play when something on private property can be seen by the public.
I am not a prude. Some of the pictures that I have seen in the humour section have almost caused me to fall off of my chair with laughter, and some of those pictures have included funny things in nature that resemble various parts of the human body.
However, having said that, I find that this picture is different. I find something disturbing about a person fashioning a phallic symbol in a yard, having someone take a picture of it (presumably an adult,)and then posting it on a public website. It is like the sculptor's behaviour is being applauded and encouraged - and I don't think it should be. At the risk of sounding old fashioned and small town - the picture of an erect penis in the snow was indecent.
One can say, "Well, don't look at it," and on one level, that is right. I choose not to look at a lot of stuff on the Internet. But, I couldn't help look at this picture, as I regularly check the humour section of this forum, and there "IT" was!
I am a mild mannered school teacher, and HATE to rock the boat, but if I feel something is wrong, I have to comment.
So, I have, and there you are.
Very sincerely,
Peter Flynn
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Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.
St. Francis of Asissi |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
444 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 10:49 PM
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quote:
Also, I don't know where the sculpture was displayed, and if the general public was able to see it.
Need you say more ?
All that verbosity about kids, potential grand-kids and what they *might* see ... and you have no idea *where* it was and *if* it was public.
quote:
It is like the sculptor's behaviour is being applauded and encouraged - and I don't think it should be.
So all the nude stuff, by the 17th century sculptors, that adorns trivial little backwaters like, say, Vatican City, you don't think the sculptors of those *practised* some ? And were or were they not applauded for their efforts ? And are, or are they not still applauded centuries later ?
It's a penis. 49.17%* of the population has one. Get over it.
* 1996 census data.
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Edited by - esb on 01/18/2005 10:53 PM |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
149 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 11:04 PM
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| It was made of snow...it represented what is part of about half the population's anatomy...it made some people laugh...laughter is good in this world...and for those of you who did not approve of it, well i think all this rain shrunk it all up by now |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13091 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2005 : 12:08 AM
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What would Robin Williams say?"Isn't it just like Mr.Happy to arrive in a big blaze of glory,delight some,annoy others,stir up some trouble,then shrink away leaving everyone wondering what the hell just happened?"
Good thing it doesn't snow around here too often.Though not offended I can understand either point of view-my daughter is 12 and would probably think it was some young guy's idea of fun,albeit a bit off kilter.Can you imagine watching him build it?He must have been laughing his head off.Wasn't hurting anyone either,I suppose,but it's a free country,and when you're that age,sometimes you do stuff to elicit a reaction.Funnier yet,I grew up in Montreal,and that's one of the few things I don't remember anyone making out of snow |
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Fleece thong wearin, Buntzen Lurkin, mystic poet mountain man and international spokesman of the friends of the white squirrel society
Port Moody, B.C.
Canada
5942 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2005 : 12:28 AM
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Thank you for your input Peter. It’s our diversity that makes us unique. I do not consider you a Troll or a Religious Zealot . For all we know this could have been in someone’s back yard. However as the ladies have stated 49% of us have one and due to it’s size it was meant as a joke. The fact that you or maybe your neighbors would find it indecent is understandable if they have small children. Could we call it Art ? No. You may just have to concede the fact that others find it funny and most people in this day and age are more comfortable with seeing body parts.
The recent “wardrobe malfunction “by Ms. Jackson, and the subsequent reaction by the media (driven by the right wing fundamentalist movement) was amusing for me to watch.
The outrage, the shock, the indignation of it all. “ My kids seen a boob” !!! Yet these very same parents let them watch Much Music. True you won’t see a bare breast there but you WILL see enough to make you want to take a cold shower.
Know what upsets me more? Look at page A6 of Tuesdays Province. There you will see a person sitting on the street. To me that’s indecent. I would have a harder time explaining that one to the kids rather than a big pee pee on a front lawn..
Grey Hair; Sorry for high jacking your post. Peter & I , both , had to get this off our chests . So let’s get on to better things shall we.
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"No Trail is Long with Good Company"
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opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4644 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2005 : 07:13 AM
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Peter, I respect your opinion but do not agree with it. Even though I and some others may not agree with you, I admire your convictions and encourage you to feel free to continue to post them.
As a parent with two small children, I don't want them to grow up thinking that parts of their bodies are shamefull. It is truly an ironic world we live in when one can watch violence on TV 24/7 yet when someone exposes a nipple during a wardrobe malfunction, people are mortally offended. This is the same sort of thing as the snow sculpture. Last week I saw a snowman which was created to look like it was impaled by a lampost...complete with a red dyed wound and an artistically modelled face which captured the agony of Frosty's demise. I am left to wonder why a penis gets all this attention (not that I mind, having one of my own ).
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"My name is Hiker Boy and I approved this message" |
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323 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2005 : 10:40 AM
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Peter’s remarks are thoughtful. If some part of the perceived name-calling is from me, I am truly sorry. The reference to being a “troll” however, was to myself. I had only just learnt the meaning of the term, and never meant to become one. Till now, I have kept my postings to such non-controversial topics as how to get somewhere, how to remove a compass bubble, and what to wear hiking in the jungle.
Once Peter made it clear that he objected by repeating “This is funny?”, I removed the photo for the sake of site harmony. It was Shakeyhands’ comment about “giving in to the minority …south of the 49th” that caused me to question whether he had the right to deprive a number of others of a chuckle, no matter how crude or in what “poor taste” that chuckle might have been. I believe a lot has gone wrong south of the 49th.
As with what is perceived as humourous, what is viewed as inappropriate or in need of censorship varies from culture to culture. We lived in Europe for three years, and it was clear to us that TV or movies there were rated/censored far more strongly for violence than for sexual content when compared to how content is rated in North America. On balance, I feel the European view is a healthier one that the North American; I would have had more difficulty with a series of decapitated snowmen and one holding a machete on my lawn (as per Calvin and Hobbs or Blackfly) than with an erect penis.
The public visibility of the sculpture, and whether young children were able to see it, is a valid question. Although it was in a front yard, it was not visible from the street due to a level change and a stone wall. If it had been right out on the boulevard, I probably would have put a stop to it when the evolution from the original lighthouse began. I even went as far as to ask the parents of the only young children who might have seen it if they minded. The children (9, 6) that the “sculptor” often baby-sits come to play in our yard (more often in summer), or to visit. I was prepared to expedite the removal of the sculpture if they would have been offended, but their mother only laughed and said that she would “Tell them it was modern art.”
As far as Peter’s perception of the division of opinion on this thread between those who do or do not have children, that is probably true ...in general terms. I know that Trailflower has three kids, though, and I applaud her cheeky sculpture proposals! As kids become adults, their relationship with their parents changes. If part of that change means that they become aware that their parents are capable of being irreverent, cheeky or just plain silly, or that (heaven forbid!) they know what genitals look like, then I believe that is a healthy process.
While a laugh or a chuckle is healthy, however, I agree it should never be at anyone’s expense. That is exploitive. I don’t believe anyone was emotionally scarred by accidentally viewing an image of the sculpture. I did post it only after a year and a half of watching this site, and seeing many postings in the humour section that could be viewed by some as bawdy, racy, crude or inappropriate. Personally, I thought the cartoon of Santa defecating down a chimney was in very poor taste and not my kind of humour. I forwarded it to my brother, though, as I knew it would give him a chuckle. Coping with Stage 4 of Parkinson’s, he needed a chuckle.
I will now remove the offending-to-some photograph in the hopes of some closure. I replace it here with a photo of what is left of “it”. The rain is doing its job as censor. GH
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Edited by - Grey Hair on 01/19/2005 10:49 AM |
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ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7209 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2005 : 11:18 AM
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thankyou Grey Hair, HikerBoy, the Hiker, and last but not least Peter Flynn for your thoughtful and well written posts. I have learned something from all of you.
I am the mother of an 8 year old girl, and at first I thought the picture was funny, then questioned myself after reading Peter's post. I wasn't so sure I'd like her to see that, my late husband was exposed to some things his own mother did that stayed with him. Not all bad, but there was an impact on him. However, we can't protect our children from this, and 'life lessons' (can't think of a better term) are going to teach them right from wrong, with the guidance from thier parents.
I appreciate these posts, since with these opinions varying from different thought structures and beliefs I can learn from them and draw my own conclusions as to how I want to raise my daughter. My goal being to do the best job I can.
I think what this boils down to is Peter has a right to his own opinions, how he wants to deal with things in life. His original post was not offensive, nor was he preaching, he merely asked "is this funny?" which in turn he was blatantly told to 'lighten up' and 'get over it', and then somehow an assumption that his opinion was based upon religion.
Certain things are to some offensive, and others not. We all come from different walks of life. Rather than preach to others what to do, I beleive it is better to learn from them, (unless of course they are causing harm to others, and yes I could go on and on with 'ifs and what ifs') and as Grey Hair mentioned in her post, maintain harmony amongst a wonderful community.
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Edited by - Shadee on 01/19/2005 11:20 AM |
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Cycling guru, Wig wearing, James Bond wannabe, answers to the call of "Eurobabe"
Langley
Canada
1231 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2005 : 12:10 PM
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I agree with Shadee on the point that your posts were well written, and thoughtful.
However, this is the world we live in and occasionally we will run across things we may find offensive. I grew up in Europe, and I agree with GreyHair, The North American culture tends to be more prudish.
Look at the response to the Sculpture that was put up in Penticton recently, that caused all sorts of responses to it being offensive. The human body is as natural as things get, (well for most anyway )
If you visit most cities in Europe you will have a hard time finding one that does not have a statue that shows genitalia.
We have 3 kids and we are open to discussion of what they see and hear, we use the correct vernacular, and our kids respect us for being honest when they have a question about something.
Luckily we live in part of the world that allows freedom of speech and expression.
Lets keep it that way!
GreyHair don’t let the fact that a few people found it not to their liking. You found it fit to post it in the first place. If everyone had been offended by it then maybe the pic should be removed. But that is not the case.
Peter, you’re free to express your opinion, and it’s appreciated that you posted it.
Isn’t that what a forum is all about?.
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Geez!!! damn pole is stuck again!!!!! |
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323 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2005 : 3:54 PM
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There's a land where the mountains are nameless...
Robert Service |
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Size Matters!
