I Screwed Up And I Apologize

The BBQ Pit
1

In the thread When to have children I posted a rather detailed reply that any meal was the right time. Warning this post is apparently more disturbing than I intended.

My intention was to write a post that caused people to think ‘That is sick, yet funny’. Reviews have been unanimous in that I overdid it, included too many details, and that the result is simply sick.

I have received an e-mail informing me that at least one reader was genuinely upset and disturbed.

I had intended to provide an odd laugh, something like Charles Addams. I had wanted to give people a grin and then feel slightly guilty for finding it funny. Iwent too far. I disgusted and repulsed people.

I had been wondering if I should post an apology. It became clear that I must when I realized that if the mothers and fathers on the SDMB characterized me by that post, I would never again be allowed to play with children at Dopefests. There would be no more sharing my cool toys, no Mister Wizard style demonstrations of science, no telling them folktales and old stories, no tickling them and making funny faces. That terrifies me.

I cannot live without the laughter of children (I also cannot live without chocolate, but that’s another post). If I posted something that made anybody think that I might ever hurt a child, then there are no words to describe how badly I screwed up or how sorry I am.

2

Could have been worse. You could have posted something about pedophilia.

:: runs for cover ::

3

You and Jonathan Swift, both.

4

FWIW, I think that kind of dark humor is funny.

I wonder if the difference between the folks who are sickened/offended by this type of thing and folks who are not is simply a matter of degree of imagination. Maybe I simply don’t imagine it in enough detail to be grossed out?

5

Nicely done, DocCathode. I have to admit, when I read the title of the thread my first thought was for the pun-potential. Then I noticed something shiny, and wandered off.

6

I thought it was pretty hilarious.

Until the dessert part. That was a bit over the top. But it was a net gain in humor.

7

It’s funny. Anyone who was offended should probably consider going ahead with that operation to get the stick removed from their ass.

8

When I read your comment above, it lacking in detail, it elicited a chuckle.

When I read the linked and lengthy actual comment, it quite abundant in detail, I more clearly understood how it might have generated some discomfort.

Your devil was in the details.

Still, darn good of you to come back in and be up front as to your actual intent. I’m thinkin’ folks will understand.

9

I laughed.

10

I thought it was going pretty good until the dessert, then it got just a bit too graphic for my taste.

Perhaps a quick “I prefer them for breakfast, myself.” would have sufficed.

11

Oh, for cryin’ out loud. I can’t accept your apology, because an apology is not warranted. It clearly was invective.

12

Got a chuckle out of me, imagined a loud “BAM!!” after each one was listed. :stuck_out_tongue:

People need thicker skins, IMHO.

13

My comment would be that your “Children Anytime” post was a little overdone, but that is why I use a timer.

As a parent I am not offended, and have to say that is pretty funny stuff.

14

That was absolutely horrific.

Hilarious, but horrific.

I usually reply with a simple “Breakfast.”

15

If somebody is offended by something that is so obviously not serious then it’s their problem and not yours.

You’ve nothing to apologise for IMO…

16

As another parent, and a fan of dark humor, I got a chuckle out of it. Given that since, you know, your post was absolutely and clearly a joke, I think that perhaps there are a few over-sensitive people out there.

17

Another parent fond of dark humor here, and I loved it. Well, until the desert. That was a little beyond my comfort-zone. But I certainly don’t blame you for that. I never for a moment supposed you were serious or trying to get a rise out of anyone. There were some great punnin’s going on there.

hee hee. “Children Marsala” tee hee hee hee hee…

You can hang out with my kids at Dopefest any time.

Except if you’re in charge of the BBQ! :smiley:

18

I thought it was pretty funny, if a bit too lengthy for one joke.

Kinda like a Swiftian SNL skit.

19

Well, I thought it was gross. Yet funny, none the less.

20

Apology unaccepted. Some people just cannot take a joke. I too vote for said person to take the stick out of their ass.