What's the Big Deal about B. Bea's Boobs?
by Gazette Senior Editor Hardly Waite
Here at the Pure Water Gazette's corporate offices we mind our P's and Q's so we don't get a lot of critical mail. So when someone lays it on us, we pay attention. A young woman whose opinion we value highly wrote recently in regard to a B. Bee Sharper article that was headed by B. Bee's by-line picture. She told us that we should "get rid of the woman with the big boobs" and went on to refer to B. B.'s picture as "the blatant debasing of the female."
Since we've heard that criticism before, not often but on occasion, we thought we'd ask for readers' opinions on the issue. If it is an issue, since to us it really doesn't seem like one. Here's what Gene wrote in reply:
Artist Howard Musick drew Bee Bea at my request. I told him to make her "intelligent, attractive, and likeable" and I really think he did a great job. I wanted her to look like a red-blooded woman, not a bookworm, and I think he caught her well. For heaven's sake, she's a caricature. If her boobs are big, so are her glasses, her eyes, her beads, her fingers, and the pencil in her hand. I don't think her boobs (or anyone else's) are a political issue at all. I would say she probably shaves her underarms and her legs. I concede her the right to do that, just as I would concede to her the right not to do it. Or to wear or not to wear a figure-enhancing bra. Is feminism about being unattractive, or what? If it is, then Rush Limbaugh is right. With due respect, B. Bee is her own woman, and here at the Gazette everyone dresses however they want to.
Here's the picture in question:
We're taking a survey and will report the results. We'll also print your comments if you don't mind. Keep it clean. The Gazette is a classy publication. Is this a sexist picture? Does B. Bea Sharper's picture debase womankind? We don't think so, but we'll value your opinion.
While you're at it, if you've got any gripes or comments about our other regular columnist Tiger Tom, here's your chance. Is anyone offended by his picture? Do you hate his picture but fear to write because of his abrasive personality? So far we've had no animal rights complaints about his wearing fur, but now's your chance to lash out at him if you want to.
My picture, of course, is at the head of this article. There can obviously be no complaint about me--the very image of politically correct masculinity.
Please address email comments to pwp@pwgazette.com or write the old fashioned way to:
Hardly Waite, Senior Editor
The Pure Water Gazette
PO Box 2783
Denton, TX 76202
Editor's Note: For the exciting follow-up and report on readers' opinions, please go here.