So trivial, yet it really ticks you off.

[tonyb]

Both Havelock Ellis and Alfred Kinsey found ritualized spanking, caning, whipping, and paddling fetishes to be not at all uncommon among the adult males of the Era. Food for thought.

In any era, I’m guessing. But then, so is homicide and sexual assault and incest and ...

If all participants are consenting adults, well, okay, I suppose. But I gotta wonder just how consensual some of this stuff is. Could it be that people consent to coercion?

 

[Harp]

Both Havelock Ellis and Alfred Kinsey found ritualized spanking, caning, whipping, and paddling fetishes to be not at all uncommon among the adult males of the Era. Food for thought.

Within my corporal punishment experience, observing its classroom application through four years
tenure under the Christian Brothers of Ireland, I attribute it to Celtic culture, tradition as ancillary
to an educational philosophy embraced by this particular order.

 

[GHT]

Corporal punishment was always part of the culture in The British military, I just assumed that it spilled over into schools and was the way that the aristocracy, although small in number, kept the hoi polloi, large in number, firmly in their place.

 

[tonyb]

Plenty o’ kinks among the Irish, clergy and otherwise. But then, Harp, you’d probably know that better than I.

We in my mongrel order are no strangers to scandals of that sort. Even in the finest families ...

 

[ChiTownScion]

There speaks the voice of experience, most probably gained from hours of courtroom attendance.

That was a good five years before I was sworn in as a member of the bar, but from what I heard, he lived to a ripe old age and retired with full tenure. I don't think the man had a mean bone in him, so sometimes, I guess, things work out well for decent people.

 

[Harp]

Corporal punishment was always part of the culture in The British military, I just assumed that it spilled over into schools and was the way that the aristocracy, although small in number, kept the hoi polloi, large in number, firmly in their place.

Barracks discipline and drill instructor corporal punishment during the war was brutal and intolerant.
Blanket parties, felonious assaults, cadre working over a recalcitrant in the woods.
The enemy had little mercy and if caught dice rolled. Two guys were exhumed and by the condition
of their hands and fingers deduced they were forced to dig their own graves.

 

[Harp]

Saturday scratched. Louisiana Derby, other stakes writ to the wind, basketball and more basketball.

Took a look this morning on race results and the low betting handle indicates the Vid is still a factor.

 

[Hercule]

... grown accustomed to people deferring to him. It’s an occupational hazard among cops and schoolteachers and others in positions of authority.

THAT is the problem. All to often such people are blindly afforded the benefit of the doubt. Power does indeed corrupt.

 

[Trenchfriend]

But one question to our 55+, here.

What is it, with the old fashioned Asparagus/Spargel thing?? I still don't get it. What is so special and fabulous about that, that a whole Asparagus industry still exists? Who needs it so much, that a whole part of agriculture have to exist just for this special thing??

 

[LizzieMaine]

Asparagus exists soley to be used by grandparents trolling their grandchildren. "Whattaya MEAN you won't eat it? I didn't eat it when *I* was your age -- AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO ME!!!"

Or at least that's how my grandmother used it.

 

[Trenchfriend]

I mean, in old West-Germany it seemed to be a status symbol, like the older remember and in our old GDR, it was "currency". But these days are looong ago, so what's the point with this seasonal Asparagus-mania, today??

 

[tonyb]

THAT is the problem. All to often such people are blindly afforded the benefit of the doubt. Power does indeed corrupt.

I, too, have had to be reminded to take off my “boss” hat in the house.

It’s a human failing. Corruption gets tamped down but never quite extinguished.

 

[tonyb]

I mean, in old West-Germany it seemed to be a status symbol, like the older remember and in our old GDR, it was "currency". But these days are looong ago, so what's the point with this seasonal Asparagus-mania, today??

It’s not just seasonal over here in God’s Country. Asparagus is in the supermarkets all the year round, grown in Mexico and points south during our winter.

 

[Touchofevil]

I did not eat asparagus as a kid. I wasted so many years of my life. I love asparagus as an adult. I could eat it every day. I eat it as a snack quite often. Steamed, covered with butter and ground cracked pepper or just plain steamed and I am a very happy person.

 

[Haversack]

Asparagus/Spargel are one of the signs of Spring. Back when people lived closer to the seasons and spent the winter eating preserved foods, asparagus were some of the first fresh greens come to market. (Yes, I know Deutschland prefers the sun-deprived white variety). It became something to celebrate. Something I intend to do this week as local asparagus appeared at the farmers' market this weekend.

 

[tonyb]

I did not eat asparagus as a kid. I wasted so many years of my life. I love asparagus as an adult. I could eat it every day. I eat it as a snack quite often. Steamed, covered with butter and ground cracked pepper or just plain steamed and I am a very happy person.

Ever since I introduced the lovely missus to roasted asparagus she all but insists it be prepared that way. Marinate the spears in sesame oil and garlic powder, spread it in a single layer on a baking sheet. Nothin’ to it.

 

[Touchofevil]

Ever since I introduced the lovely missus to roasted asparagus she all but insists it be prepared that way. Marinate the spears in sesame oil and garlic powder, spread it in a single layer on a baking sheet. Nothin’ to it.

That is another great way to eat asparagus. But of course most anything with garlic, garlic salt, or garlic powder on it is better than it was. Garlic is magic!

 

[Trenchfriend]

Asparagus/Spargel are one of the signs of Spring. Back when people lived closer to the seasons and spent the winter eating preserved foods, asparagus were some of the first fresh greens come to market. (Yes, I know Deutschland prefers the sun-deprived white variety). It became something to celebrate. Something I intend to do this week as local asparagus appeared at the farmers' market this weekend.

Hah, then I'm right, that this curious Asparagus thing is a thing of the older people! Then, it will surely disappear with them, in old Germany. Then, the fields can finally be used for important products and not these first-world-problems!

 

[Hercule]

I simply ADORE asparagus! Just about cooked any which way, though raw would be at the bottom of the list (and why raw? There a so many wonderful ways to enjoy it). Sadly, VERY sadly I really can't eat it any more. As I have aged I find myself prone to gout, and asparagus, like many other things I've enjoyed throughout my life (liver being one of them), tends to trigger a gout attack.

 

[Harp]

Illinois fell to Loyola this weekend. I'm an alumnus of both, still hurts, maddingly.