# CMU parade controversy over naked woman, dressed as pope **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 30, 2013, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134 "2013-04-30T19:03:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/81 "2013-05-01T23:59:55Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And I would like to point out that I agree with him, at least on the legal issue. Laws against nudity are stupid. And if it weren’t for the laws, I wouldn’t really care if the school didn’t stop it (although I would support them if they did for PR reasons). > > I would stop this protest, but only because I think she’s doing more harm than good. She’s just convincing those on the fence that people who support birth control really are depraved assholes. > > It’s not because I don’t think she has a right to be classless for her political cause. It’s just that her protest is stupid. Really? Because all you have to reply with is, “The Catholic Church enables pedophiles.” Quite a difference, IMO. The sad truth is that few people will look that far into it, and probably take away the point you are suggesting. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/82 "2013-05-03T11:38:48Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > It’s not ridicule, it’s sexualized shaming, and the target is ALL women, not just this one. :rolleyes: No; no everyone who makes sex & nudity jokes has some grand scheme behind it. Males are not all part of some vast Illuminati-style conspiracy, where every remark they make is part of some huge plan against every woman alive. Yes, sometimes that _is_ why sexual jokes are aimed at women, but no it’s not the one and only reason. > [@Slypork](#): > > As to who considers it OK to attack the church: do I really have to spell it out? On this thread alone we have **The Great Sun Jester** and **Der Trihs**. In other threads on this board? On this board. There’s a world of difference between attacking the church on this message board and doing it IRL. Nobody’s going to waylay me and beat me bloody because I’ve said something on this board. Or even something milder like key my car. > [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Can we still “sexually shame” men? Sure. Accuse the man of being gay or not having sex. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/83 "2013-05-03T11:52:49Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > However, there is a point where ridicule becomes insulting. Ya think? I guess you’re right, in the sense that there is a point after which I’ve heard water becomes wet. Your post is a classic in the genre of “I support freedom of speech right up to the point I decide I don’t like what’s being said” variety. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/84 "2013-05-03T12:00:29Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Ya think? I guess you’re right, in the sense that there is a point after which I’ve heard water becomes wet. I hadn’t noticed that comment but yeah; ridicule is insulting more often than not. Not that there’s anything by nature wrong with being insulting, especially when the target in question has gone to such egregious lengths to deserve it. If anything they are being treated with kid gloves even now; I doubt that some non-religious organization that acted the way it has would still be permitted to exist. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/85 "2013-05-03T12:35:00Z")
In addition to the free speech issue, I object to the notion that people should take care not to he disrespectful towards Catholicism generally or towards the Catholic Church, as opposed to an individual person who happens to be Catholic. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/86 "2013-05-03T12:43:45Z")
My apologies, Doc Cathode - should have read further first. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/87 "2013-05-03T13:50:16Z")
> [@panaccione](#): > > About 2 million people in the city of Pittsburgh are well aware of it. I wasn’t aware of it until I saw this thread. It’s just not a huge deal here. I haven’t even seen anything in the Post-Gazette about it, presumably because it has nothing to do with the Penguins or the Steelers. Now, if she had insulted either of _those_ Pittsburgh religions, there would be hell to pay. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/88 "2013-05-03T15:39:12Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > :rolleyes: No; no everyone who makes sex & nudity jokes has some grand scheme behind it. Males are not all part of some vast Illuminati-style conspiracy, where every remark they make is part of some huge plan against every woman alive. > > Yes, sometimes that _is_ why sexual jokes are aimed at women, but no it’s not the one and only reason. Thank you, Der Trihs! So where has the SDMB posted the New PC Humor Rules? ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/89 "2013-05-03T16:20:12Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Thank you, Der Trihs! So where has the SDMB posted the New PC Humor Rules? There was an ATMB thread, but it got locked. ---
**Author:** ![Slypork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/90 "2013-05-03T16:56:16Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Ya think? I guess you’re right, in the sense that there is a point after which I’ve heard water becomes wet. > > Your post is a classic in the genre of “I support freedom of speech right up to the point I decide I don’t like what’s being said” variety. Wrong. I support her freedom of speech, just as I support the WBC, KKK or Nazi party being able to speak or protest. I may find them offensive as hell and wish they couldn’t do it but I will NEVER stop them. I just find her method insulting. If it didn’t break the law she could have done a naked hula up there while performing a Latin mass. If it was legally OK she could have shit on a communion wafer and stuck it to her forehead. I have no problem with the law. I just think she was tacky (not to mention sticky if she did the wafer trick). The Catholic Church, as I have said previously, is not immune from ridicule and definitely is deserving of it. I still laugh at Father Guido Sarducci’s “Find the Pope in the Pizza” and thought Robin William’s routine about the pedophile priest shell game was great. I just think she pushed it over the edge of good taste with the combination of her elements. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/91 "2013-05-05T12:57:19Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > There was an ATMB thread, but it got locked. Thanks. I found two of them. Dr. Tarr and Professor Feather, please call your office. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/92 "2013-05-11T05:49:02Z")
[Charges filed against 2 of the students for indecent exposure](http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/05/10/cmu-president-police-file-charges-in-naked-pope-incident/). I guess this will be their cross to bare. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/93 "2013-05-11T14:29:31Z")
If they’ve got representation, this is a good opportunity to put a dent in the public nudity law. The girl was clearly engaging in expression protected by the First Amendment. Now it’s just a matter of persuading some judges. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/94 "2013-05-11T15:10:30Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > If they’ve got representation, this is a good opportunity to put a dent in the public nudity law. The girl was clearly engaging in expression protected by the First Amendment. Now it’s just a matter of persuading some judges. The were also clearly breaking nudity laws. Freedom of expression is not a trump card over other laws. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/95 "2013-05-11T16:14:40Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > The were also clearly breaking nudity laws. Freedom of expression is not a trump card over other laws. Protection of free expression does in fact trump other governmental interests. Applying either the strict scrutiny test or the intermediate scrutiny test, I would strike down any anti-nudity law as applied to this kind of demonstration. Of course, I’m not a judge, so we would have to see. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134/96 "2013-05-11T19:36:27Z")
The linked article confused me, or was confused itself. Says 2 people charged in the headline. But the text mentions a third person was also charged. Why were 1 (or 2?) other people charged? For planning the incident with her, or somehow otherwise helping? Is there a crime of conspiracy or complicity, for minor (misdemeanor?) things like this? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cmu-parade-controversy-over-naked-woman-dressed-as-pope/657134.md?page=4)