Secrets of the City

” Why circumcise?”

Another vapid Strib lifestyle piece. But it raises valid questions.

GOP Neo-nazi die-hards are probably praying for Ford to croak, just before the elections this November, so they can save their own sorry-ass butts in power.

Gerald Fhord, torn apart today by a pahck of wohlves.

Omaha-native Gerald Ford, I think you mean.

If the Republicans play up Ford, I think the dems will just respond by pointing out that the only reason he was in the White House was that both the Republican Vice President and the Republican President had to resign in shame.

What a wonderful outpouring of compassion for a 93 year old sick man! I guess Politics is everything?

I was watching CNBC (at work) and during the AIDS conference in toronto i heard how being circumcised does in deed lower your chances in being infected with HIV. They are trying to get men circumcised in africa for that reason. What doctors was the Strib interviewing for this article?

Anyone who’d think the republicans would try to make hay out of Gerald Ford’s situation are too young to remember Gerald Ford. He’s the Denny Hastert of the 70s. He ain’t no Ronaldo Maximus with the GOP faithful. His passing will be politely acknowledged and nothing more.

Rod G did you read the article — it lists the doctors right in it.

If Ford needs an organ donor, I think Troy Gentry should be submitted for use. They could take his heart. Clearly he isn’t using it.

Yeah i know, the point is that they say it’s done for cosmetic reasons. On the other hand you now hear that circumcision can cut the HIV infection woman to man by 60%. That’s more than a cosmetic change imo.

I used to work in the medical field. In older uncircumcised men the foreskin can sometimes tighten up which does not allow the head of the penis to be exposed. It requires circumcision to repair it. When would you prefer your circumcision – age 1 week or age 67? Also, the uncircumcised penis can trap bacteria and requires more careful cleaning to avoid oder and infection.

in this country it is done for cultural/cosmetic reasons. since we have comparatively very effective STD prevention options, I doubt you are going to hear medical doctors recommend the procedure for this reason. although it may be a good benefit — and this is still not entirely proven (read your article) — i can’t see that it would ever be a primary reason for circumcision. there is also research that suggests it may cut down on cancer of the penis, but again, you don’t hear medical doctors recommending the procedure based on that.

And no mention anywhere of any possible downsides of cutting off the foreskin, such as possible complications and what has been termed “reduction in erogenous function” (though not even comparable to female circumcision…ugh).

As for the cosmetic argument, I don’t get it. Natural is hot.

I don’t know if I could handle any more erogenous function.

Tip snippers unite!