Carolyn Bennett & Federal Regulation of Adult Sex Toys

[capricorn]

I don't want to be casually interacting with hormone disrupters on a daily basis, I like my hormones all natural not screwed up due to chemical leaching from the foods I consume. It's bad enough having to drink womens excreated estrogen due to the expanded use of birth control pills. And I don't mean oral, I mean tap water. Leaves the dilema, do I drink the toxins in the tap water, or the toxins in the bottled water?

You know, if you use the ice cube trick properly, you don't even have to swallow it. Very safe and effective.

[Mr.Canada]

I fully support his initiative. I support womens safety and wish for them to be safe at all times. Women are very important to our social fabric and we cannot risk them being hurt in any fashion. Women need to be protected, from themselves if need be, this initiative does just that. Plus any regulation put on this filthy industry is a good thing. As of now they can make these things out of whatever material they'd like and don't have disclose any of it. This is clearly wrong and needs to brought up to speed. These manufacturers have been getting away with making women their paying victims for long enough. A vote against this is a vote against womens rights.

[Shakeyhands]

Maybe Parliament will raise the Funk...

I got it after the first reference... and I L-O-L'd accordingly. Gotta love GC.

[Argus]

http://www.examiner.com/x-14041-Charlotte-Health-and-Happiness-Examiner~y2009m6d30-Survey-shows-vibrator-use-common-among-women-and-men

Yeah, okay, but you have to look at what the survey actually said.

Over forty-four percent of men reported using a vibrator during sexual activity during their lives.

So at some point in their lives 44% of men have used one during sexual activity - most likely on their partner, let's face it.

Sex toys are largely a female phenomenon.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Yeah, okay, but you have to look at what the survey actually said.

Over forty-four percent of men reported using a vibrator during sexual activity during their lives.

So at some point in their lives 44% of men have used one during sexual activity - most likely on their partner, let's face it.

Sex toys are largely a female phenomenon.

Does that make a difference?

[cybercoma]

Does that make a difference?

Considering the hazard is exposure to the chemicals in the vibrators and those vibrators are used on or inserted in the female partner most times (although there are men both straight and gay that use them), then yeah. The point is that they're used mostly by women and the hazard is posed to mostly women. Does that make a difference? It shouldn't, except when you consider that only 22% MPs are female (who would be more likely to be concerned with a mostly female health concern). That's not to say that male politicians won't be concerned, but as you can tell from this thread, there are a number of men who think this is a non-issue, a business ploy, or partisan politics. Sexist much? It's tough to say, but I imagine if there were BPAs in condoms, they would be yanked from the shelves immediately and legislation would be passed tomorrow banning them.

[kimmy]

Does that make a difference?

Well, yes.

Dancer disputes the idea that this is a womens' health issue on the grounds that large numbers of men apparently use these too. Well, if the large numbers of men are only using them on their partners, then Dancer's point fails. Your skin is a formidable barrier... the internal tissues in areas which sex toys are typically used are far less so. (ie, you can get Tabasco sauce on your hands without discomfort, but try putting a drop on the inside of your cheek.) If 44% of men are actually putting these toys in contact with their own mucous membranes... then maybe Morris has a point, but I strongly doubt that's the case.

I'm a little perplexed at some of the responses in this thread. The premise that Ignatieff might feel inclined to kick Bennett out of the caucus for raising this issue? Ignatieff could kiss what's left of his political future goodbye if he did that. That it's embarrassing to the "Liberal Brand"? Why? Because sex toys make people giggle and blush?

I'm also perplexed at the theory that Bennett is only using this to raise her profile. Reading the sort of responses in this thread should be all anybody needs to see why this isn't a career-building position for a politician to take.

-k

[M.Dancer]

Well, yes.

Dancer disputes the idea that this is a womens' health issue on the grounds that large numbers of men apparently use these too. Well, if the large numbers of men are only using them on their partners, then Dancer's point fails. Your skin is a formidable barrier... the internal tissues in areas which sex toys are typically used are far less so. (ie, you can get Tabasco sauce on your hands without discomfort, but try putting a drop on the inside of your cheek.) If 44% of men are actually putting these toys in contact with their own mucous membranes... then maybe Morris has a point, but I strongly doubt that's the case.

I'm a little perplexed at some of the responses in this thread. The premise that Ignatieff might feel inclined to kick Bennett out of the caucus for raising this issue? Ignatieff could kiss what's left of his political future goodbye if he did that. That it's embarrassing to the "Liberal Brand"? Why? Because sex toys make people giggle and blush?

I'm also perplexed at the theory that Bennett is only using this to raise her profile. Reading the sort of responses in this thread should be all anybody needs to see why this isn't a career-building position for a politician to take.

-k

Gosh, how does someone who is obviously quick witted miss so much? I can only assume you didn'tg read enough.

I am not disputing that it is a women's health issue cause men stick dildoes up their bums or wrap their john handcocks in pocket pussies (and when they speak of using them, that's what they mean).

I am dubious it's a health issue at all.

1) I have seen nothing that shows that sex toys are made of the dastardly material. Walk into a sex shop...just about everything is made of silicone.

2) The pproducts that the shills who raised this are the mainstream products available today.

[M.Dancer]

Sex toys are largely a female phenomenon.

That's why so many sex shops cater to gays makes I assume....butt plugs, pocket pussys, etc, are a largley male merchandise.

I seem to remember you once saying that someone who had more than a small number of sex partners were depraved...well I got to tell you another revelation. Some men like to stick thing up their bums and and some women like to oblige them.

[Argus]

That's why so many sex shops cater to gays makes I assume....butt plugs, pocket pussys, etc, are a largley male merchandise.

I seem to remember you once saying that someone who had more than a small number of sex partners were depraved...well I got to tell you another revelation. Some men like to stick thing up their bums and and some women like to oblige them.

Your memory is innacruate.

And I'm not disputing that there are weird men out there. However, in my experience, women are far, far more likely to use sex toys than men - though I admit my acquaintance with the sexual habits of homosexual men is rather limited.

Men already have a built-in sex toy and it requires no batteries.

[cybercoma]

I'm sorry, Dancer, but you're entirely clueless here. Yes, men use sex toys; you're absolutely right about that. Men, however, don't use toys on themselves or have toys used on them to the extent that women do, regardless of what you may believe to be the case. That's beside the point however. Say, for argument's sake, MORE men used sex toys on themselves and had sex toys used on them than women. If there were BPAs in their sex toys and they were inserting them into the anus, should they not be afforded the protection of government regulation against hazardous chemicals in those devices? I'm not entirely sure what the point is that you're trying to make. It appears you're trying to argue against the data that holds BPA to be harmful is wrong. If that's what you're arguing, then the least you could do is support your argument with something showing that all the studies that indicate otherwise have been wrong.

Edited December 30, 2009 by cybercoma

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Lets look at this a little differently. As in these folks are doing these things to themselves for pleasure. They are legal, but not regulated. Pot is illegal and you go to jail for it. So lets think about how some pleasures are legal and some are not. Lets think about the how and the why of these things. Now lets consider what we should really being doing about it.

[kimmy]

Gosh, how does someone who is obviously quick witted miss so much? I can only assume you didn'tg read enough.

I am not disputing that it is a women's health issue cause men stick dildoes up their bums or wrap their john handcocks in pocket pussies (and when they speak of using them, that's what they mean).

Use of a mechanical device to stimulate external portions of the anatomy (how's that for finding a polite way to put things?) would not carry the same health risks as internal use (see my earlier comments regarding skin vs interior lining). If you're convinced that 44% of men are ...

nah, I just won't even bother. It's beside the point.

I am dubious it's a health issue at all.

I'm not convinced either, but I don't have the qualifications to dismiss it out of hand. I don't think you do either.

1) I have seen nothing that shows that sex toys are made of the dastardly material. Walk into a sex shop...just about everything is made of silicone.

2) The pproducts that the shills who raised this are the mainstream products available today.

I did some online shopping and found that as you say a considerable majority of what's available is made of silicone. Materials such as glass and stainless steel are also available.

However, I did find numerous products whose contents were described simply as "thermoplastic", which is so broad as to be almost meaningless. BPA is widely used as a component in making plastics, so I'm not convinced that toys containing BPA aren't being sold.

What would be wrong with at least finding out if there's a health issue?

-k

{I did not max out my credit card.}

[M.Dancer]

What would be wrong with at least finding out if there's a health issue?

Nothing. I'm sure there is a university out there simply champing at the bit for a research project...

-k

{I did not max out my credit card.}

A few years ago it was our 8th anniversary which as well as being the pottery and lace year, it's also appliance anniversary...so I ventured to Yorkville and paid a call to Linda's Love, Lace and Lingerie...I was gobsmacked. Not with the designs or functions but with the prices. I remember decades ago Consumer Distributors used to sell the ubiquitous plastic dildo (illustrated by a woman using it to massage the hard to reach places on her back) for about $10.

Times have changed. Something tasteful, (and by tasteful I mean without little devil heads on the head or esembling the member of a 15 foot purple alien...) something tasteful can start around $80 buckeroos....

Which is why you can see what two entrpreneurs would do to get publicity and business to their shop around Christmas

[M.Dancer]

And I'm not disputing that there are weird men out there.

Niether am I but we aren't talknig about weird men.

However, in my experience, women are far, far more likely to use sex toys than men -

Is this a survey of limited experiances?

though I admit my acquaintance with the sexual habits of homosexual men is rather limited. ]

Don't fib

Men already have a built-in sex toy and it requires no batteries.

So do women. But that ain't the point...

[M.Dancer]

I'm sorry, Dancer, but you're entirely clueless here. Yes, men use sex toys; you're absolutely right about that. Men, however, don't use toys on themselves or have toys used on them to the extent that women do, regardless of what you may believe to be the case. That's beside the point however. Say, for argument's sake, MORE men used sex toys on themselves and had sex toys used on them than women. If there were BPAs in their sex toys and they were inserting them into the anus, should they not be afforded the protection of government regulation against hazardous chemicals in those devices? I'm not entirely sure what the point is that you're trying to make. It appears you're trying to argue against the data that holds BPA to be harmful is wrong. If that's what you're arguing, then the least you could do is support your argument with something showing that all the studies that indicate otherwise have been wrong.

Get back to me with a list of products, stores and prices selling these BPA toys...

[Jerry J. Fortin]

I just don't see the issue as worthy of public debate or expense. If it is then I would suggest that there are implications to be considered which would mean a can of worms to open and resolve.

[M.Dancer]

I just don't see the issue as worthy of public debate or expense. If it is then I would suggest that there are implications to be considered which would mean a can of worms to open and resolve.

Or we can do what is usually advised and has been for years...put a condom on that late model male organ prosthesis...I realize that is a whole lot cheaper than a clinical study and a gaggle of lawyers debating the possible wording of a possible law....but where's the fun and outrage in that?

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Or we can do what is usually advised and has been for years...put a condom on that late model male organ prosthesis...I realize that is a whole lot cheaper than a clinical study and a gaggle of lawyers debating the possible wording of a possible law....but where's the fun and outrage in that?

Now that was a ten point response!

[cybercoma]

Get back to me with a list of products, stores and prices selling these BPA toys...

Will do. But I want you to hold your breath while I collect the data for you.

[cybercoma]

I stand by my original point afterall: sexism is alive and well in Canada. Let's not spend any money investigating a serious health issue because only women and "freaks" use sex toys, so it's a non-issue.

[bloodyminded]

I stand by my original point afterall: sexism is alive and well in Canada. Let's not spend any money investigating a serious health issue because only women and "freaks" use sex toys, so it's a non-issue.

It's not too friendly of you to push me into agreement with M. Dancer....

But I agree with him. It's not that the matter is not worth looking into; I think it certainly is. But in the meantime, roll a condom over that giggle-inducing little bastard. All is well.

[cybercoma]

So in other words it is an issue, people need to take steps to protect themselves, and the government ought to look into the problem and regulate it if necessary. I see. You agree with M.Dancer and M.Dancer agrees with me.

[M.Dancer]

So in other words it is an issue, people need to take steps to protect themselves, and the government ought to look into the problem and regulate it if necessary. I see. You agree with M.Dancer and M.Dancer agrees with me.

Of course it's an issue. Anything raised can be an issue. This issue if of gigantic picayune proportions...might even be of more importance that the issue of lead in cosmetics...

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Nonsense! This does not qualify as an "issue". Get real people! Sex toy legislation! There are hundreds of thousands of people without jobs in this nation, tens of thousands without homes, and very literally millions of working poor. The economy is in taters, we are at war with our citizens sacrificing their lives on foreign soil and we would dare to claim that legislation for the sexual habits of citizens rates as an "issue " for the government to resolve............ you people are pathetic.