I grant you that.

But see, that is exactly my point. Exactly! Whose discretion should it be?

not shifting. Adding to. Gigantic difference, and if you can't see that, more's the pity.

aside from the root words 'gentle' and 'man', you mean.

I skipped prom altogether, actually. Not my scene. And I skipped the after party largely because I knew there was going to be booze, and likely some trouble.

I'm kinda not. I'm sorry, but I don't think the idea that these are horrible people AND ALSO that they shouldn't have had access to these things are mutually exclusive.

I absolutely agree. But the legal drinking age in the US is 21, not 18. So someone sold them the booze. That's a crime.

Ah, but if you are going to talk about context, then you introduce a certain... fluidity. Whose context? Whose set of standards need apply? Bearing in mind that though school systems are delineated as 'districts', they obey national standards, which have to deal with what people in California think as well as New York.

Jezebel's on a roll today. Another incredibly well-written article. Thank you!

And to you, as well. Thank you again.

That's a really fair set of points. All those things have improved, and I am certain, as you say, the internet has helped. If for no other reason, for the sheer amount of awareness it brings.

Thank you. I'm a big boy, I can take flak. I am rather ashamed to admit, there was a time, 15 or so years ago when I was in my mid-20's, when I would not have responded to it so well.

I think the only reason I don't have an irrational fear of the internet is because I'm in IT. Kind of like being a sailor tempers your fear of the ocean.

I'm extremely liberal (actually more of a social libertarian; do whatever the hell you want as long as you aren't hurting others), and I want the world to change. I just hope we can achieve dialog, because that is what helps us get there.

There's a difference between reporting gossip, and making up gossip.

Gods, yes. My mother became a Wiccan when she was in her 30's. Not that there is anything wrong with that as a choice for religions, but she somehow decided the Necronomicon (yep, Cthulhu) was an actual account written by an actual person.

I'm not certain it's quite that clear-cut. Yes, children are children. But on the other hand, I found out Santa Claus wasn't real when I was six and deliberately kept that knowledge from my parents in order to continue being able to ask for the cool gifts. I did it so I could be guilt-free in my requests. Didn't…

No no, I meant the internet, with it's unfettered access to all the information (good and bad), didn't exist. I apologize if that wasn't clear.

Thank you!

"You cannot hit them in the South"