Mark Plotkin Podcast Archive (Webb Interview On His Sex Writing Passages)

washingtonpost.com ^ | October 27, 2006 | Radio's Mark Plotkin

[excludethis]

Discussion starts at 8:42 and ends at 17:55

"It's not a sexual act" Webb told Plotkin regarding the "Lost Soldiers" excerpt in which a man embraces his four-year-old son and places the boy's penis in his mouth. "I actually saw this happen in a slum in Bangkok when I was there as a journalist."

Washington Post Radio's Mark Plotkin and Hillary Howard host a discussion with Virginia Democratic Senate candidate James Webb.

http://cdn.washingtonpost.com/podcast/plotkinpodcast102706.mp3

[tongue-tied]

sigh...okay by me if you can't understand that it truly was not sex. That isn't a clintonism, but you'll miss that I feel sure.

Webb isn't someone I want to see elected. I want us to win everywhere we can, and maintain or increase our majority. But attacking him for this doesn't make sense to me.

I've gone where I was told for almost 27 years now and seen some crazy stuff. Some places I've enjoyed--others truly were the pits. But I learned pretty early on that everyone in the world doesn't follow our idea of the norm.

[tongue-tied]

That's the thing Miss Marple; to them it is NOT sexual. It is (guessing because I can't remember why she said they did it) for good luck in life or fertility and continuation of the family line or whatever.

[popdonnelly]

"I actually saw this happen in a slum in Bangkok"

Indeed, where else would an adult male put a four year olds' genitals in his mouth?

[tongue-tied]

From: "http://www.unexplainedstuff.com/Superstitions-Strange-Customs-Taboos-and-Urban-Legends/Strange-Customs-and-Taboos.html". (Sorry, can't make it a hot link, I am ignorant of the method.)

Barbara Crosette, writing in the March 8, 1999 issue of The New York Times, tells of a refugee from Afghanistan who was arrested in Maine when he was seen kissing his baby boy's genitals. The father was exhibiting a traditional expression of love that had long been practiced in his culture, but to his neighbors and the police, he was abusing his child.

[dr_who_2]

No, thanks.

[excludethis]

I Thank You For Your Service! Quite simply, the man writes such perverted trash for profit. It is relevant and the public has a right to know this about a man that wants be a US Senator. End of Subject!

[vox humana]

Indeed, where else would an adult male put a four year olds' genitals in his mouth?

Actually, in several Asian and Middle East countries. Americans in general and some FReepers are so shocked when they learn about customs in other countries. Blame it on our public school system which teaches almost nothing about anything.

ISLAMIC TRADITIONS TO SHOCK AND AWE

"An Egyptian mother would play with boy's genitals."

"The genitals of a baby are stroked by its brothers and sisters to amuse and please it".

"Among the Turks, infants' penises were kissed and stroked, grandparents and parents fondled their genitals."

Google for more shocking information.

[tcrlaf]

It's just a traditional Democrat Greeting, Doncha know.......

[excludethis]

Simply a bunch of backwards perverts!

[Kath]

Seems to me I read the character in the book didn't just kiss the boys penis but took it into his mouth. Kind of shoots your theory all to hell.

[Sloth]

but South Asia apparently does have some sort of custom in this area, which freaks Americans out because it is so strange to us.

Uh... so? It is not terribly uncommon in South Africa for a man to have intercourse with an infant girl, because sex with a virgin is rumored to cure AIDS/HIV. So instead of being 'freaked out', should we simply accept this as a harmless cultural difference? After all, the guy is simply seeking medical help by one of the few avenues known to him.

[agooga]

No, but you are all failing to separate the author who mentions the act as a means of presenting a culturally accurate story from the act itself.

I certainly doubt if Webb endorses, condones or practices this act, but the witch hunters would have him burn for mentioning it in a work of fiction.

Pathetic.