Dear Peter Mac,

I did read about the man, aged 40, who was in the rare
position of having been both uncircumcised and
circumcised. He was cut at 33 because his foreskin
kept splitting, causing infections. The operation
didn't hurt, but when the anaesthetic wore off, he was
sore for about 24 hours and the stitches were in for a
month.

After the stitches were removed the man explained how
his sex life improved tremendously. However what I
found interesting was that despite this - he said that
he would not circumcise his son unless there were good
medical reasons for doing so.

Something to think about.

Dear Shadow Minister,

Thank You for being so open and honest. Both my sons have
been circumcised. They were born in Los Angeles - where we
lived and worked for about 10 years. And at the Cedars/Sinai
Hospital - this was done automatically (for health reasons)
we were not even asked. Americans firmly believe in circumcision
and their hospitals do it as a regular procedure. My
sons have not had a problem with it.

However, as I stated earlier - I shall present all the information
to my niece and leave the decision up to her and her husband.

Hi Hasbeen,

Yeah, tell me about it - how do they KNOW ?!

Dearest Lexi,

If circumcised blokes think about sex, on average, every eight seconds or so, I sometimes feel envious of the other guys who are safely and snugly tucked up, oblivious of the temptations of the outside (or inside?) world, thinking about sex perhaps once every couple of days or so.

I suppose the problem is that not many people have been in both situations, so neither the circumcised nor the un-circumcised amongst us can really know what it is like to be 'other'.

But, Lexi, you may be able to distinguish us on the street, as you approach us, by the light in our eyes - you may be right on the eight-second mark ;)

Love always, xxxxxx

Joe

Come on Joe, what do you think the ladies talk about at all those hens parties they are always going to?

Did you think Tupperware parties were all about kitchen gear, all these years?

How can one lead such a sheltered life, be so smart in some areas, but still be blind to all this?

Dear Joe (Loudmouth),

Wow - Eight-second urges? That must be some sort of record.

Dear Hasbeen,

Very few people can top eight seconds - even at tupperware
parties. ;-)

However - I've been known to reply when asked:

"What's your sexual preference?"

My answer was:

"Often!"

Now back on topic ...

Robert Darby, a medical historian and author of a book
about circumcision says that:

"The reasons presented are not anywhere near good enough.
The risk reduction factors are all highly exaggerated and
based on dubious studies that do not apply to Australia,
and there is no crisis to which a response of this kind is
required."

A report by Bond University psychology professor,
Gregory Boyle, argues that "circumcision can leave men
feeling traumatised, frustrated and violated."
In one article - Wayne Griffiths, co-founder of
The National Organisation of Restoring Men (NORM), an
anti-circumcision group, said, "You're neutered. It's
just a violation of human rights. It's cosmetic surgery
and you have to have the individual's consent to do
cosmetic surgery. You can't get that from a baby."

I shall be leaving the final decision to the parents.
It's all a bit complicated for me.

it's all a question of 'helmet or ant-eater'.

Perhaps my niece should just toss a coin.