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Super Bowl LIV viewers: Am I a prude?

Uploaded: Feb 3, 2020
You can call me a prude, or out-of-fashion, but I was appalled at the half-time show at yesterday’s (Feb. 2) Super Bowl LIV half-time show.

And those 89 commercials weren’t really funny either, at a $5.6 million pop for 30-seconds of airtime. The nice part was a collection of ads focusing on togetherness – a sunny portrait of our country.

And BTW, the game itself, from a San Francisco perspective, was a loser – it never seemed to really come together with force and zest.

Now maybe if I were 15 or 25 or even 35 I might have liked the half-time show of legs, curves and constant pelvic movements that J Lo demonstrated during her chaotic and energetic dance. But her continuous hand thrusts toward her private part were crude from the start, and the thrusts continued throughout her exhaustive dance. That athletic agility was further displayed as she went up and down a pole, like those poles in strip joints.

It was only back in 2004 that Janet Jackson’s wardrobe mishap was the embarrassing item of the day. The top of her dress was torn in an awkward spot.

That wouldn’t have deserved a mention today.

Because in this 2020 performance, sex was the focus. And here’s where the parent-prude in me comes out.

What are we teaching our teenagers if this half-time show says it’s okay for this genital highlighting at the biggest sporting event of the year? What message do our young teen girls around the country get from watching this? And what does it tell our young men about women – that they are merely sex objects?

Are people enjoying this?

I know a lot in our area were watching because the grocery stores were jammed that morning with game fare buyers, and the streets were silent after 3 pm. Yes, many Palo
Altans were glued to their sets.

If you care to comment, and I hope you do, could you include your age range (e.g., 30s, 40s. 60s) in your response so it may help all of us determine if this is an age problem or a new American decency problem – or simply my problem.
Local Journalism.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by pearl, a resident of another community,
on Feb 3, 2020 at 5:29 pm
pearl is a registered user.

I am a 78-year-old female. I'm not a prude by any means, but I think the exaggerated pelvic moves were not anywhere close to being sexy, and in fact took away from their singing and incredible athleticism.

It reminded me of Michael Jackson always grabbing his crotch when performing, Was it o.k. with parents if their kids emulated his behavior?

Maybe this is some kind of a "cultural" thing. I don't know.


Posted by I agree Diana!, a resident of Mayfield,
on Feb 3, 2020 at 8:37 pm
I agree Diana! is a registered user.

I agree! I thought the show objectified women. Do we really need to keep doing that? And with our kids on the stage? Izh. I'd much prefer if it stuck to singing and dancing, fun costumes and staging, etc. I'm in my 50's, with a teenaged daughter and pre-teen son. I was surprised and disappointed to read all the positive reviews afterwards. I also thought the music itself was pretty uninspired (as did the kids).


Posted by In my 60s, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood,
on Feb 3, 2020 at 10:24 pm

I didn't watch the superbowl, not interested in football, the commercials or even the half time show.

Now it may be just because the 49ers didn't win, but the talking point that I have heard today was not the commercials but the half time show. I haven't heard anyone who said they enjoyed it, but I did hear plenty of complaints. From parents who were embarrassed with their pre-teen children watching, to women who felt it was soft porn, and men who weren't too sure what to say in fear their wives might not approve. Perhaps if the winning team was local the conversation would have been more celebrating and the half time show was the safe topic to discuss.

However, I found the most interesting comment was from Dave Rubin on Instagram who compared the 50 year old Golden Girls back in 1985 to the 50 year old J Lo in 2020. He showed a picture of a sparkly clad, shoulder padded Golden Girl to a sparkly barely covered 50 year old J Lo swinging from a pole. My, how times have changed!

No further comment from me.


Posted by Rick Moen, a resident of Menlo Park,
on Feb 4, 2020 at 8:01 am

I know that there's a televised Sports Ball competition, this time of year, involving some sort of professional gladiators, weak beer, and a great deal of advertising money, but have never even begun to find it interesting. Fortunately, in recent years, the Internet has come to the rescue, declaring it Superb Owl Sunday: People are encouraged to find and post spectacular photos and video clips of owls. So, I spent a couple of hours enjoying the Superbowl subReddit's peerless owl collection, read a novel, and, in the evening, walked around Sharon Heights Park to see if any of our local owls were in residence. (I didn't spot any.)

As to Ms. Lo's pubes, the week beer, the professional gladiators, and the expensive advertising: As Mr. Lincoln said, I'm sure that sort of thing will be enjoyed by those who enjoy that sort of thing. (I'm 61 years young.)

-- Rick Moen


Posted by Resident, a resident of Midtown,
on Feb 4, 2020 at 8:06 am

I'm just tired of all these mainstream celebrities
It seem that what passes for "music" since 2000 has become awfully low. No one plays an instrument. ALl these pop "musicians" are trash and stealing the spotlight from quality artists who actually play their instruments and record their music instead of people like J-Lo, Jay-Z, or whatever, Usher, Justin Timberlake and whatnot taking repetitive samples with auto-tuned vocals, explicit lyrics, "hip-hop choreography" and vapid content.
There is SO much stronger, better, more sophisticated, substanstial and multi-layered music out there that people should be exposed to instead of this same, safe trite top-10 playlist crap, in an event as big as the Superbowl no less. Shame on the people who chose J-Lo or Jay-Z or whoever it is. I guess everything on TV now including news, Oscars, Grammies, and even sporting events is now trash.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Midtown,
on Feb 4, 2020 at 8:09 am

By the way, I'm in my 30s and I have more of a problem with the awful uninspired unimaginative safe "music", the sexual stuff honestly doesn't bother me at all, but clearly to these people its about being sexy and trendy and popular, nevermind the actual music.


Posted by Graham cracker, a resident of Esther Clark Park,
on Feb 4, 2020 at 8:54 am

Well, we know that noted intolerant hater, Franklin graham agrees with you:
Web Link


Posted by Sally, a resident of Downtown North,
on Feb 4, 2020 at 12:08 pm

I am not at all a prude, but in my opinion everything has a time and place.

A Super Bowl halftime should be appropriate for elementary and middle school kids. I feel this one missed that mark by a long-shot.


Posted by Mike Alexander, a resident of St. Claire Gardens,
on Feb 4, 2020 at 1:59 pm

You may or may not be a prude, but in this case you're probably just out of touch with the tastes of the target demographic. Keeping viewers in place during half-time enhances revenue for the network and NFL. Barring a huge outrage, their strategy won't change.

Half-time is a good time to do other things -- to visit, to play, to walk, or even to watch something else. Life's too short -- and the options too many -- to spend breath complaining about things you don't like.


Posted by Mike Alexander, a resident of St. Claire Gardens,
on Feb 4, 2020 at 2:03 pm

Oh, right. I'm old enough to miss the days before there was a Stupor Bowl.


Posted by Tim, a resident of Palo Alto Hills,
on Feb 5, 2020 at 1:47 am

I would have to say that is the best Superbowl I've seen since I started watching them some 40+ years ago in looking at the total entertainment package (starting with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the league, to the little kid running onto the field to give the official the game ball). And then to see a celebration of latin music which was completely appropriate for Miami, well...Roger Goodell should be very happy. I applauded at the end of the halftime show and thought it was wonderful. Ultimately, I think most people that are complaining about it are ignorant as to some of the ways Latin people celebrate (I saw a few comments on the internet implying the sound Shakira was making was something sexual). To educate those that haven't a clue, it's called a zaghrouta, and it's an expression of happiness and celebration (it's really unfortunate to see some try and denigrate another nationality and then on the other hand, say they embrace diversity). As for those trying to claim that all these young children were watching the Superbowl, maybe you should really check the demographics on who actually watches football games (the young children you're referring to probably amount to 1/10 of 1%)...gimmee a break. Not to mention, life isn't “G" rated (nor should we have to make it that way because some can't handle it). If you're so concerned about children, take some personal responsibility as parents and either don't allow them to watch something you deem inappropriate or educate them (if you even understand it yourself). To simply focus on one part of the dancing (i.e. stripper pole), you're showing how one sided you are. There was a lot more than that to the halftime show, especially the wonderfully talented Shakira.


Posted by III, a resident of Midtown,
on Feb 5, 2020 at 7:49 am

Was not impressed with the soft porn event. But that is
today's music xtras. Not to mention in defense of the halftime.
I watched 2 minutes. If I wanted similar can buy a dvd with no singing LOL...
As we age, we simply become our parents regarding many subjects.
I remember reading how late 1950s Elvis Presley on Ed Sullivan show,
did not show him swinging his hips on TV because of the day/era sexual
connotation concerns.
And in 1970s was nothing to me sexually when I saw it. Just someone dancing.
I also disliked all the Superbowl ads, and admit again, would turn them off
after 15 seconds as so bad compared to years ago.....
That is the wonderful thing about today's technology, can just press a button
and presto, watch something else.....
You are not prude. Just aging like many of us and technology and fan tastes
changing in another direction..... Am sure the 12-23yr old loved it LOL....
III


Posted by Josie, a resident of Crescent Park,
on Feb 5, 2020 at 11:46 am

What did women attain in over the past 50 years to become equal. Whatever it's employment, jobs, salary, reproductive rights or parenting. We are a whole lot more that sexual temptress persona ! This half time show took the feminist movement back
40+ years............it was catering to the sexist male football audience and reflected porn move choreography !
Why would either of those family performers let their daughters idolize this specific form of self expression is beyond my comprehension.
Thanks for addressing this in your editorial........it would be a good discussion or debate topic to have in our local middle and high schools.


Posted by Kardashian effect, and 45's behavior not helping, a resident of another community,
on Feb 5, 2020 at 11:50 am

Seems coarse crude, sexually gratuitous behavior has been in vogue for some time now, we can attribute much of that to the Kardashian effect, over 13 years ago Kim became a 'start when a a 2002 sex made by Kim Kardashian and Ray J was leaked. She later approved release of the tape for $5M. That launched the reality TV series. A normal person would have been mortified but they have built an empire on bad behavior. Another well known reality actor, our own POTUS has objectified and demeaned women at every turn calling them ‘Horseface,' ‘Lowlife,' ‘Fat, Ugly': he has a well documented history of attacking women by mocking their bodily functions, demeaning their looks or comparing them to animals. A tape of him bragging about his ability to molest women was released, a normal person would have been disgraced. So two reality stars behaving badly have had a huge influence, paid off for them, but not for the rest of the country.


Posted by Novelera, a resident of Midtown,
on Feb 5, 2020 at 11:54 am
Novelera is a registered user.

Tim, you're the only comment I agree with! And, Diana, I think you're off base on this one.

The exuberant, sexy Latinas dancing gave me joy. And I'm mid 70's.

I also found the mostly Latin-flavored music to be one in the eye for a certain xenophobe in the White House.

There was also an idiotic opinion piece in the NY Times by some woman claiming that 50-year-old Jennifer Lopez was putting shade on her. Please. We're not in competition or we should not be.

I also thought the pole-dance move was a pretty obvious jab at the Academy Awards who overlooked her fine acting work in a movie where she portrayed a stripper. She's gotten great reviews for it. But, except for Cynthia Erivo playing Harriet Tubman, all the female nominees are lily white.

I do not think that Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, who do not live scandalous lives and who give back to their communities, should be criticized for expressing their culture.


Posted by DIana Diamond, a resident of Midtown,
on Feb 5, 2020 at 12:26 pm
DIana Diamond is a registered user.

Tim --

You said "Not to mention, life isn't “G" rated (nor should we have to make it that way because some can't handle it). If you're so concerned about children, take some personal responsibility as parents and either don't allow them to watch something you deem inappropriate or educate them (if you even understand it yourself). "

The real problem for me with the JLo dance is the hand thrust movements signifies that women really want it, and if they do, then men are entitled to do whatever they want to women, because, by these gestures, the women are signaling agreement to men

That's a terrible message and one that should not be advanced at a Super Bowl halftime performance.


Posted by Clay L, a resident of Fairmeadow,
on Feb 5, 2020 at 12:45 pm
Clay L is a registered user.

The writer must have missed the 1993 Super Bowl halftime performance, when a pedophile named Michael Jackson grabbed his crotch dozens of times. Or last year's, when that guy from Maroon 5 took off his shirt and gyrated around... Or is it just offensive when sexy (in this case middle-aged) women are confident in their bodies?

Sex sells the Doritos and Mercedes. There is nothing new under the sun.


Posted by In my 60's, a resident of Crescent Park,
on Feb 5, 2020 at 2:20 pm

My husband and I both agree with you, Diana. It was soft porn, giving message that women "want it" and as such are sex objects. Definitely not family fare. Flys in the face of Me-Too. I too am worried about all the young boys--and girls--who saw it. Messaging takes us back to the dark ages. My husband said it was Trumpian.


Posted by Curmudgeon, a resident of Downtown North,
on Feb 5, 2020 at 6:22 pm

It was perfectly aimed at its target audience. The game delivered their mayhem, the halftime served up their softcore porn, and both held their attention for the expensive commercials that beckoned them to spend their money.

Super Bowl LIV: Mission Accomplished.


Posted by Dolphin, a resident of Portola Valley,
on Feb 5, 2020 at 8:22 pm

I'm 57 and watched it with my 10-year-old daughter and used it as a teachable moment re scanty costumes and athletic dancing and sexual innuendo. That said, my Latino/Latina friends thought it was incredible that two Latinas were celebrated and headlining at the most mainstream American cultural event, and showing the Puerto Rican flag alongside the US flag during "Born in the USA" to boot. So it's all a matter of taste and perspective.

After nauseating pro-military jingoistic flag weaving for so much of the SB, having two Latinas center stage felt refreshing.


Posted by Tim, a resident of Palo Alto Hills,
on Feb 5, 2020 at 11:53 pm

Perhaps that's the message you took from it Diana, but certainly not what everyone did (clearly it wasn't mine as I already stated).

A friend of mine is a diversity director at a school and one of the male teachers responded in similar fashion to many of these posts (in regards to not empowering women). Her comment, which I thought was refreshing, was "if you don't think being able to do the physical feats JLo was doing isn't empowering, well I don't know what to tell you". She went on to say it was a double standard with men and women. As another poster mentioned (and my wife pointed out the same thing), if you wanted a strip tease, you got it last year when Adam Levine kept peeling off his clothes until his shirt was off and there wasn't nearly the uproar over that (in fact, most women I know loved it). I find it interesting how when a man does something like this, for the most part, it's fine. When a women does a sexy dance (and what many in the Latin culture look at as beautiful), then the women are sluts. I'm sorry, I don't agree. And FWIW, I salsa danced for years and found it exhilarating and fun. I never saw any kind of sexual crimes come of it and I seriously doubt that anything will come of this, despite the sensationalistic comments I see bandied about on the internet. We can agree to disagree. I thought it was sexy and beautiful and a wonderful celebration of the Latin culture.


Posted by cheer it on, a resident of Mayfield,
on Feb 6, 2020 at 6:25 am

uhhhhhhh, what did they do different than either of the teams cheer squads do every game? Pelvic moves?

So it's okay for the (mostly white) cheerleaders to kick their legs high, but a couple 40-something Latinx?

Not my thing (either one) but, c'mon.....


Posted by George, a resident of Old Palo Alto,
on Feb 6, 2020 at 7:14 am

Nothing less than a girlie show punctuated with a few stale moves from the gym, some really tedious music and all wrapped in a few petty political statements - the flag of Puerto Rico and a few cages - to show everyone "JLow" cares. On the one hand #meToo trying to elevate women and on the other - this! Nothing the kids should watch.
Much like Pelosi's ripping of the State of the Union Speech with the whole world watching, the assaults on our core values and institutions are getting way out of control. Whatever the merits, or intended statement, Pelosi's tantrum and JLow pole dance were cheap shots.
Seriously, what's wrong with people these days?


Posted by Martha Dogood, a resident of Old Palo Alto,
on Feb 6, 2020 at 8:23 am
Martha Dogood is a registered user.

Diana, you are right, the halftime show was a new cultural low and NOT good for children to see.

I'm in my 50s, my much younger sister in her 40s, older sister in 60s and my Mom in her 80s all thought the same. If my father were still alive he'd have thought the same. None of us have ever been “prudish" women, yet we do consider ourselves Christian and try to achieve grace and dignity. Leading a dignified life, and treating all people in your life with dignity and respect are great goals for all people. We may not be able to achieve this every day, at every moment, with every person, yet it is part of what makes a society civilized. Grace and dignity are required to achieve high civilization.

I thought both JLO and Shakira, and all their dancers, looked very angry and all the moves were either overly aggressive ungraceful gyrations, or explicit sexualized movements. The costumes only added to the whorish look of all the women. Add into this mix the pole dancing and why not just bring in a strip club of pole dancers from Tony Sopranos lounge? What's the difference? Even Tony's strip pole dancers looked happier than these angry women.

I also don't consider what they did dancing, its athletic alright, but it's not graceful dancing. What did these angry looking women achieve as an “art"? For us it simply looked like a bunch of angry women making over sexualized gyrations with their bodies, objectifying themselves in the process. They looked desperate, degenerate and very unwholesome. No joy was emanating from them. They most certainly were not a role model for any young girls or boys.

As for the music, what music?

It's fine if adults wish to go to strip clubs, some people really need that in their dreary lives. Yet it is totally unacceptable to bring Tony Sopranos strip club to the Super Bowl halftime show where millions of American families are gathered with friends to watch, including their children with them.

Even the dancers in Tony's strip club never looked so angry in their faces. There was no joy in the faces of these “dancers", only anger and aggression. It demonstrated a great loss of female beauty and grace, which seems to becoming deeply eroded in our culture. The “metoo" movement has not helped women and neither has this Super Bowl “dance" routine.

My mother grew up dancing in grand ballrooms to American big band music. We all grew up watching classic musicals and loved watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers glide gracefully together in beautiful costumes, or Gene Kelley dance in American in Paris. Yes, those were long ago American achievements of grace and dignity in the beautiful art of song and dance in a high culture. Yet it's never too late to create a new high culture again.

JLOW and shakira would clearly need a few more lessons in beauty, grace and charm to create high dance and high culture. I'm not suggesting a recreation of Ginger Rogers at a super bowl halftime show, but more fun, joyful and wholesome dancing, along with better music, would be far better than the animalistic and overly sexualized spectacle they produced.


Posted by SV Woman, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood,
on Feb 6, 2020 at 12:51 pm

I am a J Lo fan, not because I listen to her music so much as that I have a lot of respect for her as a strong woman, of a similar age, and have for decades. She was gaining weight after having twins and ran marathons until she could get back in shape. She works hard to be what she is as a 50-year-old woman and it's part of her brand. Goodness knows, the flip side, the postmenopausal transformation most of us make that makes us invisible and diminishes our power in his society is no fun. I celebrate a woman who isn't subject to that in her 50's, I don't feel like it has anything to do with the increasing difficulties I face as an aging mom, starting with so little recognition of the invisibility problem outside of women's circles. (I don't mean sexually, I mean in terms of power and respect in the world, as reflected in the serious loss of earning power for older women, and just the meanness in everyday interactions that comes from the lack of respect, etc) It's quite striking a change.

That said, I noticed what you noticed, Diana. I'm not really a prude either - Outlander fan alert (have to admit, that counts as soft porn, too). I would differentiate what some people refer to as sexiness as a characteristic of the dance from explicit sexual movements intended to elicit a reaction even shock. I think the show contained more of the latter, which was disappointing. When I am suddenly jolted out of being entertained by “wow, she must have had to get a good bikini wax for THAT move" it's just uncomfortable.

So, yes, I thought it could have been sexy without being made to shock in such an inelegant way. I liked the music, though. I thought it was really weird to bring in the kids singing for such a sexualized performance. Never saw Adam Levine. I tuned in because I admire J Lo and still do, even though I didnt appreciate the halftime show.



Posted by CrescentParkAnon., a resident of Crescent Park,
on Feb 6, 2020 at 8:19 pm

There is nothing wrong with what consenting people want to engage
in giving certain boundaries and without coercion or force, but the
forward face of the public domain has been getting more and more
revolting and offensive for a long time.

Why does sexuality, mostly objectifying women have to be constantly
pushed into our sensory bandwidth, using increasing technology that
we cannot avoid, and then on top of all that offensiveness it is called
Free Speech.

One thinks one would really have to be an idiot to not see the constant
wastage of mental bandwidth by these constant distractions, and always
subliminally stating .... something ... about the nature of our society,
which may or may not be true, or may or may not be positive.

Same with with crime on TV and in the movies. Seems like all the same
issue, that can never be broached or discussed because of the right of
Free Speech for enough money to place whatever they want in front of
people without question.


Posted by CrescentParkAnon., a resident of Crescent Park,
on Feb 6, 2020 at 8:32 pm

SV Woman,
> I have a lot of respect for her as a strong woman

How do you know she is a strong woman? How do you know you can
trust what is placed before you as the narrative of any particular celebrity
given the fact that there is no requirement for truth, and that when you
look at most celebrity narratives they are usually total fiction.

For that I'd reference our President's life story and PR campaign.

Or the Theranos lady who one would just natural assume go plenty or
investigation and vetting, and yet who didn't.

I question you not because I think you are wrong, but because you have
and idea that you are supporting virally here. These days you could very
well be a troll bot from some company looking to defend J-Lo, for
purpose of PR and advertising - it is a weird world.

The more we get that kind of advertising the more we thing, possibly
incorrectly that everyone wants to see this, or at least everyone is not
offended, and those who are we can call out of date prudes.

There is limited stuff in the world, so one way of selling junk is to just
churn it out and fill up human space with it so that people think it is
normal.

We are being programmed, with little to no understanding of it or say
about it. Our tendencies and algorithms we use to decide what is real
and what we like are being manipulated, and it is particularly powerful
for young people ( all of us at some point ) who it make take most of
our lives to realize what this is all doing to people and society.

I guess we are just not ready to have the discussion about it, so what
that ends up meaning is that like carbon in the atmosphere or plastic
in the ocean, or chemicals in our air and food - we will have to deal
with the problems after they are irreversible.


Posted by cheer it on, a resident of Mayfield,
on Feb 7, 2020 at 5:12 pm

[portion of post removed -- off topic]

Back to topic: next time, turn off the Fox network halftime show and continue your LifeTime channel movie binge. That'll show 'em!



Posted by cheer it on, a resident of Mayfield,
on Feb 8, 2020 at 8:39 am

Interesting.

I referenced this off-topic screed above "Much like Pelosi's ripping of the State of the Union Speech with the whole world watching..."

And was removed, but you left the original off-topic comment above?

Again: "Much like our impeached President refusing to shake the offered hand of friendship from his host, the Speaker of the House, during the State of the Union Speech with the whole world watching..."

"the assaults on our core values and institutions are getting way out of control."

/

Turn on a LifeTime movie for a safe place, George. This is the same thing they said about our generation (hippies!) and virtually every generation (look at Elvis! look at the Rat Pack! look at the Beats! Look at the drunks ignoring prohibition! look at Rudy Valentino!!) No respect for traditional values!


Posted by Reader, a resident of another community,
on Feb 8, 2020 at 11:08 am

Fat, frumpy, and 50s here. Grew up in Palo Alto but live in SMC. Don't watch militarized sports (including the Superbowl). But based on the comments I'm reading here, I gotta say that when a male entertainer (allegedly) grabs his crotch, women don't generally take that as license to see all men as moral degenerates who need to be controlled and otherwise abused. Unfortunately, the reverse is not true because all women are prey and some men use any excuse to abuse women. But then such men are enraged by the existence of women, so it doesn't matter what women do. As for impressionable children watching JLo do a pole dance, why worry? They're going to learn about sex at some point. Fred and Ginger's moves have been done, so it's time to try different moves, I guess.

* * *

Off topic, but here goes â€"

Resident says:

“ What passes for "music" since 2000 has become awfully low. ...There is SO much stronger, better, more sophisticated, substanstial and multi-layered music out there that people should be exposed to instead of this same, safe trite top-10 playlist crap."

Resident, I'd say the 1960s was the decade when most quality pop music was made. I still love 1970s punk, though. Still, I agree that the pop music of today seems to be pabulum for the masses.

Also, have you seen Tom Petty's Superbowl performance? Great stuff.

I'm curious; where can one find today's substantial and multi-layered music that matters? Yes, I'm seriously asking.


Posted by Trash, not entertainment, a resident of Old Palo Alto,
on Feb 8, 2020 at 1:30 pm

I have always considered JLo a porn star, and also Beonce. And the others who try to wear a little as possible.

Nakedness attracts eyeballs and it sells, hip wiggling sells even more, to the male audience enjoying a display of meaningless violence (called a game.)


Posted by SV Woman, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood,
on Feb 8, 2020 at 11:38 pm

@CrescentParkAnon,

"How do you know she is a strong woman?"

Turning it back on you, why would you automatically assume that I have an opinion with nothing to back it up, despite my having alluded to reasons that in and of themselves indicate strong woman (having twins, running marathons after having twins - I'll bet neither of us could do that and I used to be a distance runner). The rest of what I said speaks for itself.

Just making note of the fact that when I make a strong argument on this forum I am inevitably referred to as "he" and assumed to be a man, and when I indicate I am a woman, I get the usual assumption that I couldn't possibly have a reasoned opinion. Sheesh. No, I am not a " troll bot from some company." I can't answer the rest of what you said because it seems like what someone would say when they're in that twilight state between sleep and wakefulness. But it sounds like you have issues with the term "strong woman" and probably with strong women in general.


Posted by musical, a resident of Palo Verde,
on Feb 9, 2020 at 9:30 am

We naturally select for Darwinian behavior.


Posted by CrescentParkAnon., a resident of Crescent Park,
on Feb 9, 2020 at 10:50 am

musical, I see your point and don't mean to disregard what you are saying, but
> We naturally select for Darwinian behavior.

Maybe it is the "universe" that selected for Darwinian behavior before there was such a thing as intelligence; now, we, human beings, have brains so we can perceive and select for meanings invisible to the "blind watchmaker", and in the best of all possible worlds, define humanism and select for human behavior. It is alarming to see people who think regression to barbarism is somehow "making America great again".


Posted by You are a prude, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood,
on Feb 9, 2020 at 12:11 pm

Okay, Diane. To answer your original question, yes, you are a prude.


Posted by Prude or not a Prude. have a point, a resident of another community,
on Feb 10, 2020 at 12:57 am

[post removed]


Posted by Mark Weiss, a resident of Downtown North,
on Feb 10, 2020 at 12:56 pm
Mark Weiss is a registered user.

[posst removed)


Posted by Chip, a resident of Professorville,
on Feb 10, 2020 at 1:24 pm

I think the dancing/gyrating was in poor taste. Shakira's costume & moves clearly had sexual overtones & I was embarrassed.
J Lo worked the pole because she'd learned to do it for her latest movie - she's not a particularly good singer or actress & dancing is what she does best. I wonder if she's teaching her daughter the moves?

J Lo's personal life was messy before she hooked up with A Rod, so I don't consider her an appropriate role model for kids. Remember Caspar the 20-something back up dancer? He was the longest-lasting of her boy toys. I think she's worked hard to live that down, to her credit, but let's not glorify her behavioral standards or taste level. Exhibitionism has been part of her schtick for decades.

Many tweens & teens do watch the SB, particularly when the local team participates. I have kids in HS & college.


Posted by Resident, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood,
on Feb 10, 2020 at 2:32 pm

It matters not whether Latin culture is highly sexual or not. The Superbowl is billed as family entertainment and American culture is that it is watched by families together as a party environment. Many movies that have that type of content would be at least PG rating. Many other shows, PBS show, have parental warnings.

The fact that a half time show is allowed to do what other movies, tv shows, and entertainment would have to provide a warning for less sexual content shows that there is a double standard when it comes to sport. Likewise with the SI swimsuit issue and beach volleyball in the Olympics, if it comes under the heading of sport, TV Watchdogs give it a pass.

I read today that Superbowl viewership and Oscar viewership are both down. This must say something about viewing habits. Soft Porn should not be used to get the ratings back up.


Posted by Anon, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood,
on Feb 10, 2020 at 4:39 pm

>> Am I a prude?

The problem with TV is that high art and clownish entertainment are only a click away from each other. I'm not sure what was on KQED at the time, but, who knows-- perhaps it was Carmen? I think you should just have changed channels and watched something else. The Superbowl isn't really expected to be highbrow entertainment. Sportswise, the Australian Open was interesting this year, and, I'm sure you could have found a Sunday afternoon opera to watch instead of the Superbowl, with its inglorious halftime show.


Posted by Chip, a resident of Professorville,
on Feb 11, 2020 at 10:15 am

Many people would rather watch a football championship game than a repeated opera broadcast. I really don't think anyone (other than the performers' friends & families) watches the Super Bowl just for the half-time show.
Halftime is 15 minutes. How about skipping highly expensive pro celeb shows altogether & letting some local high school bands play music, in return for a donation to the schools' music programs?


Posted by charmi, a resident of Martens-Carmelita,
on Feb 20, 2020 at 11:06 pm

I am not here to tell you an inspirational story but perhaps about how you are mistaking when you are in school and not a clear examination in the first attempt.

When I was in school, I loved computers and by the help of free classifieds in Kolkata, I have found a channel that was providing online classes. I taught myself to program in higher secondary school and I thought I was absolutely good it. That is why I took admission into Computer Science at STCET (St. Thomas' College Of Engineering And Technology) and also doing a part-time job so that I can help my father financially.

I was not born in a rich family that is why I decided to help my father and by doing this, I wanted to lessen his burden. But I have the same enthusiasm at that time as well for computers. So, I have taken the decision to get enrolled in computer classes. I browsed the category of computer classes from free classifieds in Kolkata and found it near to N.R. Avenue where I was living.

In the beginning, I was having fun by doing coding and found myself busy but as time passed, I could not manage tuition, job, and college. The time was just not enough for me. And the effect was seen in my result. I didn't get sufficient marks and as a result, I dropped out of college. I have applied to too many colleges but my marks were not good enough to get in.

At last, I matched the merit of one university and that was also found through free classifieds in Kolkata portal. And then I stuck to my study and completed my graduation. I preferred to apply for the jobs on my own rather than sitting in a campus interview. However, I couldn't find one job.

My parents and elder sister were worried about me all the time. But I did not lose heart and tried until I get success. Besides, I applied to the company that not only focuses on marks but on testing knowledge, and that is Microsoft. And I was lucky enough to get a job at Microsoft. I have applied my skills over there which I have learned from computer classes. Since then, my career path is on line and getting many calls from top companies that are paying the highest salary package.

But, my goal is not to work in a company. I want to start my own company and that is why I took the help of free classifieds in Kolkata portal. I have posted requirements there and found not only employees but students also who wants to take training. Then I thought why not give training to the students as well? But for that firstly, I needed staff that's why I hired both freshers and experienced people.

Now the company is doing great business, having more than 50 employees. Even I am thinking about opening another office where I can provide training to students. So, I will implement this plan in the near future and will take the help of free classifieds in Kolkata portal to attract students.

So set your motto and stuck with it until you get succeed!!
Web Link


Posted by dorcamelda@gmail.com, a resident of Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks,
on Feb 21, 2020 at 4:08 am
dorcamelda@gmail.com is a registered user.

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Posted by Ellena, a resident of Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks,
on Mar 11, 2020 at 3:46 am

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