2008 Woodie Awards
Let's talk about sex
Dr. Greg Rabidoux
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: Perspectives
Sex sells, we know that. People tend to like it. We know that. People tend to do more than just talk when it comes to sex and probably don't say "No," as often (maybe Nancy "Just say no" Reagan got it right years ago) as they should. And we, as a society, continue to struggle with just what to do about these matters of fact. To whit, recently, the Georgia Supreme Court ordered the release of one Genarlow Wilson, who had been imprisoned the last two years as part of his 10-year jail sentence for (now get this), having engaged in consensual oral sex with another teenager. Those Georgians are really bulldogs when it comes to sex.
Wilson, who was 17 at the time of his crime, made a couple of critical mistakes that fateful New Year's Eve of 2003, far worse than say just mixing cheap champagne with even cheaper soda or wearing flat shoes with a glittery Vera Wang gown. No, he chose a sex partner who was two years younger than he, which made her 15 at the time. Mistake number one. He, apparently, was aware he and his gal pal were also being videotaped during this sexual encounter. Mistake number two. A brief aside if I may, my theory is that anyone, especially those named Paris, Kim, Nicole or Britney, who videotape their "sexcapades" actually want the people who weren't a party to their coupling to watch it. But back to Genarlow and the state of Georgia.
Georgia, you may recall, is home to the notorious Bowers v. Hardwick case, which sent a man to prison for engaging in sexual relations with another man. This was initially upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court mostly along the lines of respecting state sovereignty when it comes to regulating the sexual and moral behavior of its citizens as well as finding no constitutional right of homosexuality. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court, perhaps following our Canadian brethren to the north, "Oh Canada, indeed," who rejected such legal sanctions, went ahead and overturned Bowers v. Hardwick. Sodomites around the world rejoice, said critics of the decision. Basic human dignity, said supporters. Go back to my point above, said I.
Wilson, who was 17 at the time of his crime, made a couple of critical mistakes that fateful New Year's Eve of 2003, far worse than say just mixing cheap champagne with even cheaper soda or wearing flat shoes with a glittery Vera Wang gown. No, he chose a sex partner who was two years younger than he, which made her 15 at the time. Mistake number one. He, apparently, was aware he and his gal pal were also being videotaped during this sexual encounter. Mistake number two. A brief aside if I may, my theory is that anyone, especially those named Paris, Kim, Nicole or Britney, who videotape their "sexcapades" actually want the people who weren't a party to their coupling to watch it. But back to Genarlow and the state of Georgia.
Georgia, you may recall, is home to the notorious Bowers v. Hardwick case, which sent a man to prison for engaging in sexual relations with another man. This was initially upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court mostly along the lines of respecting state sovereignty when it comes to regulating the sexual and moral behavior of its citizens as well as finding no constitutional right of homosexuality. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court, perhaps following our Canadian brethren to the north, "Oh Canada, indeed," who rejected such legal sanctions, went ahead and overturned Bowers v. Hardwick. Sodomites around the world rejoice, said critics of the decision. Basic human dignity, said supporters. Go back to my point above, said I.
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