1. Comment #77205 by cssimeur on October 8, 2007 at 7:06 pm

The interview was fantastic. I thought that the second interview with AJ Jacobs was going to at least be interesting, but I completely misjudged that one. Glad they didn't bother to post such a huge waste of time.

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2. Comment #77289 by Shuggy on October 9, 2007 at 12:51 am

What's comic about it? I thought it was horrendous. His son didn't "become a Jew" when he was given a secular circumcision on about the second day in hospital, as I gather his family berated him with later. (He wouldn't have if it'd been done on the 8th day either - he was a member of the Jewish community by birth if his mother was, so the Orthodox say, or his father, according to the others) And to do it when he was still in an incubator....

I'm full of pity for the father, but more for the son. Auslander seems to think it's still all about him.

Here in New Zealand we've already noticed that the title is the same as a hit play of 1981 (Search on Greg McGee) - I wonder if he knew that, and if he's breaking copyright?

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3. Comment #77330 by tieInterceptor on October 9, 2007 at 4:32 am

I don't get it, why he says yes at the end? seems contradictory to me, the baby all in tubes, and he does not want to mess him up more, so he says, yes? wt?

or he meant, that if he is not cut the baby it will be messed up in the eyes of god or something, risking him more??

poor guy, indoctrination really does screw with your head... life is complicated enough, I can't imagine living with all that extra baggage on top of everything.

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4. Comment #77400 by ClemIsMe on October 9, 2007 at 7:54 am

For someone who experienced so many thing differently than I have, I found much common emotional ground. Anger at family and community and the emotional conditioning that undermines the intellectual. Great interview and at least one book sold. Terry kicks ass, BTW. Always has.

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5. Comment #79273 by LeeLeeOne on October 16, 2007 at 4:35 pm

For those persons wishing to find absolution in their personal decision to make a decision for their newborn or infant males - ultimately there is no "absolution."

All of us make a choice - to do or not to do, and based on religion - there may have been a reason for circumcision in pre-enlightenment times - because a few of the "elders" may have found urination or ejaculation difficult, nearly impossible, actually impossible, or even painful - thus they incorporated circumcision into their religious doctrine.

This choice is based on ignorance of humans at this level of understanding of anatomy, physiology, and prevention.

As a modern-day parent, we may or may not choose to have this procedure done regarding our newborn sons, also out of ignorance, which includes any religious basis.

But should modern-day mutilation practices be based upon ancient text, rites, rituals?

I think not.

This interview does not condone the practice of male circumcision, it merely demonstrates the vulnerability of parents who have a critically ill child - their previous education or indoctrination weighing heavily on their minds as they make a permanent decision, perhaps to give their child the edge to live if they follow what they've been brainwashed with, that this procedure will ensure their son's place, if not in life, but at least in death.

Is there any parent on this planet who, when reaching that horrific line - death - would not choose to do something, even if it is insane - to save the life or the "soul" of their child, out of desperation? How many of us can relate to the death/near death of a child?

I have no use for genital mutilation - I find the practice cruel and inhumane. But education is the key to stopping this horrific practice, and this means education of the MEDICAL FIELD as well as those who consider themselves a believer in a supernatural power. This relates to both male AND female practices of genital mutilation.

Keeping quiet - no. Understanding - yes. Educating - now that's prevention!

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