2:05 PM | Posted in ,
While I disagree with many or most of the issue positions taken by Mr. Behling, I do have to respect his willingness to answer back promptly on a recent post of mine.

Here is his response:

To be honest I had forgot about that blog. I haven't posted on it for some time now. I had tried to get into blogging a while ago as a way to help keep people informed as well as a way to vent frustration. Much like you seem to do. I found however that with a new family and work, I couldn't seem to find much time to devote to the blog, so it never really went anywhere. Since it was free and there was no renewal charge, I never thought much of closing it down. I think it's great that you are able to find the time to blog as often as you do; it looks like a hobby you really enjoy.

In response to the specific question you had for me. That picture was one that was emailed to me a long time ago. I was trying to remember when I got it, and I think it was when I was still working in Buffalo, which would have been sometime before 2003. I didn't create the picture, since to be honest I wouldn't have the slightest idea how to use Photoshop. That being said, I don't teach my son to use words like that. In case you are interested my son Hunter's first word was "Dada" his second was "deer" and his third was "duck". He doesn't talk a lot yet, but he sure does try hard. As a parent I'm sure you get as big of a kick out of kids trying to learn how to talk and experience life for the first time as much as I do. I know my wife, who I am in love with more and more each day gets as big of a kick out of it as you and I do. I would like to think that we have a great family, and a very happy home. Although I'm sure every father and husband thinks that about their family. Right? I don't support kids using bad language nor do I support hitting a woman. I'm sure my wife and anyone who knows me would say I am a great father and husband. (Or at least I hope so).

In the short 18 months I have been a father I have already tried to teach my son right from wrong. He knows that throwing his food on the floor is wrong, but sometimes kids do things that they think are funny that mom and dad don't. I know we learn at a pretty young age when things are meant to be a joke and when they are meant to be taken seriously. I'm sure you know also. I am very much pro-family, but I also understand that every now and again we need humor in our lives. Is hitting a woman humor? No. Is a child using bad language humor? No. Do I know when something is meant as outside of reality humor? Yes.

Thank you again for your email, please email me any time.

Enjoy the summer!

Thank you,

Joshua Behling

www.joshuabehling.com

I too realize when something is outside of reality humor. However, in this election season where every written word and spoken word of a known humorist/satirist is being used to portray him as a "pornographer" (in the immortal words of King Banaian) it seems that the Republican Party and its candidates should realize that they have made everything fair game.

Those that know me also know that there are a variety of reasons why I may not vote for Al Franken. However, that does not mean that I will not expose the hypocrisy of attacking his humor while claiming that the off color humor of Republican candidates is perfectly acceptable. If the Republican Party would like to play a game of faux outrage politics, then they must realize that the tables can be turned quite quickly. From "It's About Freedom" videos to photoshopped images disrespecting women, the Republican Party really ought to take a good look at their humor before chastising others.
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