Comments on: oakland teen draws fire at NPR for saying straight teen barebacking is the ‘new engagement ring’

By: Listening Comprehension

Listening Comprehension — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:46:42 +0000

This was a news radio story by NPR about a sexual practice that is astonishing. That is why it is news. Should they report only news that most listeners like? That is classic shooting the messenger, NPR.

John McCain wants to drill for oil offshore California. I do not like that and I am sure Violet Blue in San Francisco does not like that, but does that mean that oil development or anything else no longer is newsworthy?

20 to 25 years ago I enjoyed several serial monogamy relationships, and they all involved sex with no barrier and the woman using contraceptive pills.

By: violet

violet — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:20:35 +0000

Lux — good for pointing that out. NPR clearly states that he is a teen saying, “Pendarvis Harshaw, a teen who grew up in Oakland”. good catch.

By: Lux

Lux — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:20:51 +0000

To be fair, I don’t think he’s a teen — nor do I think he’s talking about teen behavior. From Youth Radio’s website:

“People in their early 20s have grown up with heightened awareness of HIV/AIDS, and the dangers of having sex without a condom. So Youth Radio’s Pendarvis Harshaw argues that when a couple decides to forego condoms, it’s a serious commitment…that’s replaced the engagement ring. “

By: MichaelK

MichaelK — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:30:37 +0000

Clearly, NPR is responsible for this reality, as reporting on it sent ripples back in the timestream and caused it in the first place.

Or they changed the outcome by observing it, or somesuch. Damn quantum.

Let the misdirected moral panic continue.