[zook]

or (c) he's trying to make a dramatic point in a gratuitously vulger and offensive fashion. (And note the absense of the phrase "an artist.")

Webb's problem -- and I think it's a significant one -- will be that although people may accept the idea of a novelist senator, they most likely will reject one who traffics in this kind of borderline obscenity. I mean, come on--"The Tin Drum" handled this with more class!

[Hemingway's Ghost]

or (c) he's trying to make a dramatic point in a gratuitously vulger and offensive fashion. (And note the absense of the phrase "an artist.")

How does one portray an incestuous homosexual pedophile without being vulgar or offensive?

[Alia]

I mean, come on--"The Tin Drum" handled this with more class!

Agreed. The "bits" were clearly not intended to titillate. Webb's bits are intended to titillate.