Dear List Friends:
O.K., I was going to let this one pass, but having seen it re-posted, I
am compelled to respond. I enjoy a good laugh as much as the next person,
but I am distressed by the cavalier attitude displayed in passing on this
"humor." First Ethel was described as "one sandwich short of a picnic." I
assume this means that she is incompetent. Given that, I find the sexual
nature of the joke tasteless at best.
To the sender of this "joke" and to those who think it's funny: Are you
aware that assault, including sexual assault is a serious problem for those
who are institutionalized? Are you aware that this type of behavior toward
someone who is legally incapable of consent (incompetent, mentally ill,
minors) is criminal? Would you laugh if Ethel were your
mother/wife/sister/daughter/father/husband/brother/son?
Would you laugh if this joke were about wife-beating, sex with children,
gay-bashing, or a sexual assault on a PWP? Have a little sensitivity here,
and consider what you are condoning. What we are talking about here is
victimization.
Patti
