Of Babes And Poles
Pervy Stuff
Today we pay tribute to the internet meme. It’s always amazed me how quickly an idea or piece of content can rocket across to millions of computers around the world, yet still remain unknown to the so-called “mainstream”. One of my first experiences with this phenomenon was internet wrestling columnist Chris Hyatte, whom I blogged about here. Hyatte was an enormous star, read daily by hundreds of thousands of pro wrestling dorks like me, but chances are that none of you have heard of him.
More recently, there was the “lol cats” phenomenon, which I alluded to here. It’s still going strong, and is so sticky that it makes its way into unrelated content, such as Nasty Nicky B‘s instructive graph on poor statistics.
Of course, being the big perv that I am, my favourite current meme celebrity is American pole vaulter Allison Stokkes, who was vaulted (heh heh) into internet celebrity with the publication of photos of her doing her thing, i.e. competing in a pole vaulting match. Here are some photos of the exquisite Miss Stokkes:
This became an issue because she was all of 18 when these photos were taken, and her parents were quite peeved that an army of fan boys were pleasuring themselves to their daughter’s fine genes.
Now, 18 is an adult. At 18 in most places, you can vote, drive, drink, marry, have kids, be drafted into war where you can kill legally, be drafted into war where you can be killed legally, and be tried and executed by a court of law if you were to kill illegally. Surely, you’re also old enough to be perceived as a sexual being.
I certainly see the Stokkes’ point; I imagine no parent wants to perceive their child as a sex symbol. But folks, when you look that good, it’s gonna happen. Milk it while you can and maybe Allison’s good looks will put her through college.
Insert your own obvious “pole” jokes as needed.
She does kinda look like Amy Jo Johnson, the Pink Power Ranger, doesn’t she?
Bottom line: Allison Stokkes is the current meme queen. Next month we’ll be on to something else. Maybe talking spiders.
International Development Week
The week is nearly over and so far I’m pleased to say it’s been a tremendous success. Our two big speakers –Irwin Cotler and Stephen Lewis– really packed ’em in. Lewis, in particular, is always an inspiring person, and I defy anyone to have found a dry eye in the house.
But one thing bugged me about both presentations. The issue of the genocide in Darfur was a big topic for both men, yet neither dwelled on the factor that complicates that crisis: oil. Oil is the reason governments care more about Darfur than about Rwanda and East Timor, et al. Oil is the reason China vetoes UN military action against les genocidaires. Like so many of the world’s problems, this one is based on a global thirst for the black stuff; thus, solutions must be systemic and global and economic, not just local and military.
