Or something along those lines. Actually, the first part of that is Gary Glitter so probably best not to quote too freely from him, given his illegal predilections. Anyway, for some unknown reason, I stopped blogging, and now, for some equally unknown reason, I decided to do some more.
I suspect part of it is to do with a story currently doing the rounds in North Devon about a piercing parlour that has opened up in Barnstaple. This is an issue that has got some people very hot under the collar arguing for an against. The other reason to re-enter the blogosphere (silly word) is another blog I read by a journalist called Keith Topping. He urges everyone in Britain to exercise their right of free speech (for so long as we still have it).
So, back to piercing. The argument going on among commentators on the North Devon Journal website seemed to split into two camps. Most of the anti-piercing people seemed to think 'the pierced' were weirdoes who were unemployed and who would never get a job. Meanwhile, the pro-piercers seemed to take the - not unreasonable - view that it was their choice to do to their bodies whatever they liked. They also pointed out that piercing and other body modifications were increasingly fashionable, and that many of them had a range of responsible jobs. Where their approach tended to fail slightly was when they suggested that those opposed to them should shut the f*ck up. Erm, wasn't all this about freedom of choice and so on?
On the basis that I've got an opinion (they are, after all, like arseholes - we all have one) I just wanted to give my two penn'orth and whether anyone is interested or not I really don't care - it's my blog. As far as I can see on this, if you want to have metal bits sticking out of your head, neck, back or genitals (if you so choose), or have lumps cut out of your flesh, or get branded, well. . .that's up to you. Whatever turns you on, baby, if indeed it does turn you on. Having said that, I do find the impression created by some piercings to be, quite frankly, rather threatening. Little metal horns poking out of someone's forehead are somewhat redolent of classic depictions of the devil - literally, the horned one.
The pierced persuasion argue that people should have an open mind about their appearance. Let's face it, if you were about to get jiggy with a man or a woman wearing a very sober business suit who, when they were in their birthday suit, suddenly revealed some spectacular genital piercing what effect would that have on your frame of mind? Would you suddenly decide you'd gone off the whole idea? Or would you go 'right on, let's do the wild thing'? Personally speaking I certainly wouldn't say 'Let's call the whole thing off'. But then on the quiet I am very broad-minded.
The question that crops up with being open-minded is that presumably that extends to people who want to use their right to be small-minded. Or does it? Am I clever enough to have stumbled on the classic liberal dilemma while whittering on about piercing? Obviously, the answer to that is YES, but isn't it all about that 'I disagree with what you say, but would defend to the death your right to say it'. I'm not sure who said that (Voltaire, maybe?) but surely he would have extended that to piercing. I dunno. However, I am sure on one thing, no piercing for me, thank you.
Oh, by the way, the man in the red Renault Megane estate who was living in a lay-by on the A39 has gone. Who knows where? Maybe with the changing of the seasons he moves on.
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