[OilsNotWell]

In the spirit of bringing forth a controversial discussion on a topic that joins the concept of political expression with questions of decency, art, and cultural definitions of sexuality, a group has recently declared their intention to protest the war in Iraq by baring their breasts on the ground of the California State Capital. Now before you answer the poll question on whether or not you believe that exposure of breasts (female) in the context of a political protest is protected speech, I am offering up the following articles and images for you to consider.

For the sake of avoiding frustration with unduly large images, and for 'propriety' concerns, I have linked some of the images. Please do not click the linked images if you are offended by partial nudity (in this case tasteful images of 'artistic' images regarding the subject of 'liberty.' As you view them, consider the terms 'liberty', especially in the context of femaleness, country, war, patriotism, sexualization of war, motherhood, gender equality, and freedom, in the context that they are presented, and how that image has been constructed and defined and propagated, culturally, socially, and politically, and then cast your vote.


$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')
SACRAMENTO
Judge tosses a blanket on topless protest
Breasts Not Bombs told nudity not part of free-speech rights
- Lynda Gledhill, Greg Lucas, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau
Saturday, November 5, 2005

Sacramento -- A federal judge denied on Friday a request from a group of Mendocino women who wanted to protest topless on the grounds of the state Capitol.

U.S. District Judge Garland Burrell said the group made no compelling argument that showing their breasts constitutes free speech.

"Being topless is not inherently expressive" speech, Burrell said. The group, Breasts Not Bombs, had scheduled a protest for noon Monday. The California Highway Patrol threatened to arrest anyone who went topless.

SFGate

[rogerhb]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')s Breast Exposure a Political Statement?

[katkinkate]

Depends. If its a woman baring her own breasts in protest of something relevant, then yeah, its a valid protest.

In other situations (eg posters) it's probably more a way to attract attention to an issue through sex thinly disguised as something else.

[Daculling]

No, it's called attention whoring. But go ahead and do it anyway if you like, I really don't care...

[rogerhb]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('katkinkate', 'D')epends. If its a woman baring her own breasts in protest of something relevant, then yeah, its a valid protest.

In other situations (eg posters) it's probably more a way to attract attention to an issue through sex thinly disguised as something else.

[PenultimateManStanding]