Good manners and courtesy, or bending over backwards?

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

Rouhani in Europe: Italy covers nudes for Iran president

Italian hospitality for the visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has stretched to covering up nude statues.

Plywood boxes concealed the nude statues at the museum in Rome

We talked about political correctness, as in the attempt to bring courtesy to extremes for the sake of refraining from offending others' sensibilities. Some might argue that this is outright pandering to a potentially lucrative economic partner, others would say it's just basic diplomacy. What say you?

[Poll #2035303]

Personally, I'm rooting for F. Why? Because look at this.

I mean wow. How can he miss this great shot of the perfect male ass!? Just look how well formed it is! Those nice round cheeks, and those hollows in the middle that demonstrate that he's a hard worker. I know, I know - the ancient Greeks saw the display of the human body as a reflection of divine beauty, yada, yada, yada. Heh. Meanwhile, porn is an important part of European history too, because it makes regular people feel dirty about having ordinary bodies, and this reinforces the "original sin" meme that keeps everyone feeling guilty and working hard for approval. So there. Rouhani missed a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with the ancient version of the modern fashion and fitness magazines that make modern women and men respectively so depressed.

Meanwhile...

France cancels official dinner with Iran's President Rouhani... because he wants it to be wine-free

Who knew. Turns out there's another way, rather than pander to this nonsense.

Comments

[nairiporter.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure why in the world he would ever want to visit that museum, given the well-known fact that most ancient Greek and Roman art is nude.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

No surprise there. The European companies and governments are tripping over themselves to court the Iranians now.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

Respect is a two-way street. If the Italian president visits Iran, could he expect to talk with women face to face on the street? And the French president, could he expect to have some bacon with wine at a dinner in Tehran? Hell no. France is a secular society. Italy is a secular society. When you're visiting a secular society, you're going to encounter manifestations of secularism on every step. Period. This is complete and utter bullshit. Truly.

[stewstewstewdio.livejournal.com]

By the same token, American women fighting in Arab countries are required by our armed forces to cover up in order respect the Arab and Muslim culture. Covering up statues for visiting diplomats is an insult to the culture of the host country.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

Yes it is. Either the same token is used universally, or no token at all.

[fieryphoenix.livejournal.com]

So much for "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

[oportet.livejournal.com]

The slippery slope....if we're talking about internet arguments, it's a fallacy.

But in real life...shit leads to more shit. It isn't fallacy, it's fact. For the scientific minded, it's Newtons 3rd law.

If it's the most absurd thing you've ever heard, it'll be the least absurd thing you'll ever hear from this point forward.