Her screed on European anti-Semitism rather hits the nail on the head. Here’s an incident I had not heard of:
I find it shameful that the Catholic Church should permit a bishop, one with lodgings in the Vatican no less, an angel who was found in Jerusalem with an arsenal of arms and explosives hidden in the secret compartments of his sacred Mercedes, to participate in that procession and plant himself in front of a microphone to thank in the name of God the suicide bombers who massacre the Jews in pizzerias and supermarkets. To call them martyrs who go to their deaths as to a party.”
Who is this bishop?
DOWD GOES BLOGGING: The Beatrice of the New York Times op-ed page writes a column that essentially follows up on her last one, responding to input from readers, via 600 emails. Hmmm. Great idea, Maureen. Next up: MODO.com. Blog away, baby, blog away.
MEN ARE FROM MARS, PART XXXVIIB: Don’t miss Michael Lewis’ account of being present for the birth of his second daughter – this time, sober. My favorite passage? How about this one:
At some point in his private ordeal one of the hospital staff will turn to him and ask, sweetly, “And how is Dad doing?” He must understand that no one actually cares how Dad is doing. His fatigue, his worries, his tedium, his disappointment at the contents of hospital vending machinethese are better unmentioned. Above all, he must know that if his mask of perfect selflessness slips for even a moment he will be nabbed.
“Would a little food taste good to you right now?”
“I don’t think so.” (Muffled, through oxygen mask.)
“Because they have these Ring Dings in the vending machine. The kind with the vanilla icing.”
The fixed accusing stare. “You’re incredible.” Pause. A weary tone. “If you want something to eat, just go get something to eat.”
No one writes about being an ass better than Michael.
THE GREAT CIRCUMCISION DEBATE: Check out the Letters Page for some strenuous and informed pros and cons. But here’s an extract from a study published in the British Journal of Urology that really lays it on the line, and provides details I hadn’t seen elsewhere. It was sent to me by a reader. If you’re squeamish, I advise moving on. If you still think circumcision is a good or even a neutral thing, read on. Especially if you’re a heterosexual woman and like orgasms:
With their circumcised partners, women were more likely not to have a vaginal orgasm (4.62, 3.65.80). Conversely, women were more likely to have a vaginal orgasm with an unaltered partner. Their circumcised partners were more likely to have premature ejaculation (1.82, 1.42.27). Women were also more likely to state that they had vaginal discomfort with a circumcised partner either often (19.89, 5.966.22) or occasionally (7.00, 3.812.79) as opposed to rarely or never. More women reported that they never achieved vaginal orgasm with their circumcised partners (2.25, 1.14.50) than with their unaltered partners. Also, they were more likely to report never having had a multiple orgasm with their circumcised partners (2.22, 1.33.63). They were also more likely to report that vaginal secretions lessened as coitus progressed with their circumcised partners (16.75, 6.840.77).
So it isn’t just the men who lose sexual pleasure by being mutilated. Their partners do as well. Why? Because circumcision throws a wrench into nature’s way of combining pleasure with sexual intercourse:
When the anatomically complete penis thrusts in the vagina, it does not slide, but rather glides on its ownbeddin of movable skin, in much the same way that a turtls neck glides in and out on the folded layers of skin surrounding it. The underlying corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosum slide within the penile skin, while the skin juxtaposed against the vaginal wall moves very little. This sheath-within-a sheath alignment allows penile movement, and vaginal and penile stimulation, with minimal friction or loss of secretions. When the penile shaft is withdrawn slightly from the vagina, the foreskin bunches up behind the corona in a manner that allows the tip of the foreskin, which contains the highest density of fine-touch neuroreceptors in the penis [1], to contact the corona of the glans, which has the highest concentration of fine-touch neuroreceptors on the glans [18]. This intense stimulation discourages the penile shaft from further withdrawal, explaining the short-thrusting style that women noted in their unaltered partners. This juxtaposition of sensitive neuroreceptors is also seen in the clitoris and clitoral hood of the Rhesus monkey [19] and in the human clitoris [18].
So mutilated men have to go to far greater lengths to achieve orgasm – and they can damage their partner in the process:
As stated, circumcision removes 35% of the penile skin. With this skin missing, there is less tissue for the swollen corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosum to slide against. Instead, the skin of the circumcised penis rubs against the vaginal wall, increasing friction, abrasion and the need for artificial lubrication. Because of the tight penile skin, the corona of the glans, which is configured as a one-way valve, pulls the vaginal secretions out of the vagina when the shaft is withdrawn. Unlike the anatomically complete penis, there is no sensory input to limit withdrawal. Because the vast majority of the fine-touch receptors are missing from the circumcised penis, their role as ejaculatory triggers is also absent. The loss of these receptors creates an imbalance between the deep pressure sensed in the glans, corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosum and the missing fine-touch [20]. To compensate for this imbalance, to achieve orgasm, the circumcised man must stimulate the glans, corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosum by thrusting deeply in and out of the vagina. As a result, coitus with a circumcised partner reduces the amount of vaginal secretions in the vagina, and decreases continual stimulation of the mons pubis and clitoris.
Well, I just hope you’ve had your breakfast already.
ROPE A DOPE: How many times can a sane person write an article pointing out that our marijuana laws are simply, irrefutably, incontrovertibly, nuts? Deroy Murdock does it again – and very cogently, I must say. There are plenty of topics on which I hold strong views but completely respect the views of those who disagree with me. I simply, honestly, cannot respect anyone who believes alcohol should be legal but marijuana shouldn’t. Here’s a challenge: will one reader provide a short (less than 300 words) defense of that position? I will gladly publish it in the Dish, if it has a modicum of sense. And, please, no circular arguments about gateway drugs and the like. It’s only a gateway to shady, illegal characters if it’s illegal in the first place. Besides, if presidents and CEOs and House speakers and mayors of major cities enjoyed pot in the past, how on earth is this gateway to anything but success and responsibility? Someone – anyone – persuade me, please.
BENEDICKS AND, ER… : “This is where Europe really trumps America. [Circumcision] is an outdated ritualistic norm, and flies in the face of logic. If cleanliness is an issue, I suggest using a bit of soap and attempting to suppress the urge to second guess the intention of God. Personally, I find my husband’s
uncircumcised penis quite large and glorious.” The circumcision debate and reflections on Shakespeare’s Benedick – all on the Letters Page.
The Dish 