# Wife Swap, February 9 **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 10, 2005, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349 "2005-02-10T04:25:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/41 "2005-02-10T22:58:57Z")
> [@Nutty Bunny](#): > > I hear this argument a lot. Yes these shows are edited creatively, but they can’t show what you don’t give them. They didn’t string random words together from different conversations and put them in one hateful sentence after another. I know at least one “reality show” which is aboslutely, 100% staged. The participants are paid and read from scripts. The situations are not real. Think Jerry Springer. In fact, if you live in the Dallas area and want to be on this show I can hook you up. 300 bucks per person for a couple hours of shooting. They’re always looking for more faces because they can’t recycle people because it would destroy the “reality” facade the show relies on. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/42 "2005-02-10T23:38:42Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Everyone who is jumping on START: > > I think you guys are completely over complicating what he said. Unfortunately in our society, you are either “ok” with homosexuality or you aren’t. There’s a million reasons one way or another, but ultimately it has become a political issue. START just simplified the issue. In fact, I believe he was just trying to say that he respects the view of those who are “not ok” with gay marriage. Seems open minded to me. I know that this _shouldn’t_ be the case (the idea that some has to be “ok” with it or not), but that is how it has become. So we change it. When someone thinks it’s any of their goddamn business what two consenting adults do in their homes, we point out how completely stupid, self-righteous and inhuman that is, to them and to anyone who is listening. We do it over and over and over, every time we see it. We call them on it and call them on it and call them on it and we don’t stop until a reasonable majority of the population understands that if you’re not breaking any laws, it doesn’t matter who you fuck. It’s an uphill battle, but somebody has to do it, and if you’re too shy or whatever to get involved, then get out of the way and let us loudmouths do your work for you. I don’t expect everyone to be an activist, and even then some of us are more Ghandi than Goldman\*, but that’s the path I’m choosing and I’m not wavering from it. \*[Emma Goldman](http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Goldman/), my namesake. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/43 "2005-02-11T00:15:13Z")
> [@Mtgman](#): > > I know at least one “reality show” which is aboslutely, 100% staged. The participants are paid and read from scripts. The situations are not real. Think Jerry Springer. In fact, if you live in the Dallas area and want to be on this show I can hook you up. 300 bucks per person for a couple hours of shooting. They’re always looking for more faces because they can’t recycle people because it would destroy the “reality” facade the show relies on. Are you talking about Cheaters? If so, i’ve always thught it was amazing how many cheating people they manage to film in just one city. ---
**Author:** ![Brandus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Brandus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brandus)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/44 "2005-02-11T00:42:19Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > I thought that his wife’s constant harping on “excellence” was obnoxious in the extreme. It sounded like she was running a business, not raising children. You’re not going to believe this, but she actually does run a business. The name? Get this: [_Destination Excellence!_](http://www.destex.com/home.htm) Apparently, it’s registered in [Austin, Texas](http://xml.cisv.st.tx.publicbuy.net/mle-qisv-cgi/mle.exe?data/home?1742860492400-74283). Some more interesting facts: She ran for the House of Representatives, she’s the “OutReach Chairman” for the [NorthWest Austin Republican Women](http://www.traviscountygop.org/subpages/repSupportClubs.htm), and she’s written a book called “[When Mama Aint Happy, Aint Nobody Happy: 52 Rules Women Want Men To Know](http://www.netstoreusa.com/fabooks/097/0970559402.shtml)”. ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/45 "2005-02-11T00:48:48Z")
> [@Brandus](#): > > she’s written a book called “[When Mama Aint Happy, Aint Nobody Happy: 52 Rules Women Want Men To Know](http://www.netstoreusa.com/fabooks/097/0970559402.shtml)”. This does not surprise me. She certainly “rules” over her hub. What a henpecked little mouse he is. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/46 "2005-02-11T01:18:04Z")
They don’t even have SuperChristian’s exit interview posted to the site. They only have Kristine’s. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/47 "2005-02-11T01:24:43Z")
Just went to Amazon to see who published her" book". Destination Publications. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/48 "2005-02-11T02:32:20Z")
**kung fu lola** I completely agree with you, actually. I was simply saying that I understood why START may have worded himself the way he did. I love you though, Lola! ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/49 "2005-02-11T02:49:55Z")
I’ve watched Wife Swap before. Yes, the couples are usually opposites, but the drama is no where near this level. There are usually some good aspects to both wives. And usually, they both say they learned something from the experience that brought positive changes to their lives. I just want a house to fall on that hateful witch. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/50 "2005-02-11T03:29:41Z")
Interesting article about the episode: [http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2005/2/wifeswap.html](http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2005/2/wifeswap.html) I could not agree with the final paragraph more. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/51 "2005-02-11T03:38:02Z")
> [@JerH](#): > > Did you see the part where the black woman was talking about being turned away from lunch counters (or some equivalent) because she was black? That was special. Keep in mind that this woman is, maybe, 40 years old (i.e., too young to remember much of the civil rights movement or to have participated in it) and lives in Arizona (i.e., not the Deep South). She then somehow claimed this discrimination made it OK for her to be prejudiced against homosexuals. The only way that woman was turned away from a lunch counter is because she’s a complete, total screaming bitch. I wouldn’t be surprised if half the restaurants and lunch counters in her town now resume refusing her service, if they weren’t already. I can only imagine what it’s like to wait on Her Christian Majesty. _“Well, you can hide the fact you’re homosexual…”_ WTF? Is she saying she’d hide the fact she’s black if she could? I pity those poor children. 40 years of esteem building down the drain. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/52 "2005-02-11T03:41:09Z")
Well, well, well…lookie [here](http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:0Ch1lSgJkjwJ:www.nwaustinrepublicanwomen.org/press.htm+%22kris+gillespie%22&hl=en). Mrs. Gillespie’s email seems to be running around the internet unattended… ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/53 "2005-02-11T03:51:50Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > **kung fu lola** I completely agree with you, actually. I was simply saying that I understood why START may have worded himself the way he did. > > I love you though, Lola! It’s all cool. I just call it like I see it. Also, “recruiting” START would be an accomplishment, and I want my microwave, despite what Ellen says.\* (I got my toaster last year, so now I’m on Level 2). \*“Anything that gets that hot without fire, that’s from The Devil.” ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/54 "2005-02-11T09:46:35Z")
I think it is time for a new word. Homophobe doesn’t really describe these people. A homophobe would be someone who is just ignorant. Maybe someone who thinks he can catch gayness from gay microwaves or gay voodoo vibes… May I suggest “misophile”? From the Greek “miso” (hate) and “philo” (love). These people love to hate, and they hate love. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/55 "2005-02-11T10:37:16Z")
I was kind of curious about how this episode would work out. I’ve never seen the show, but it looked interesting. Now I’m glad I missed it. You know, it being Lent and all, I’ve taken to reading the lessons from the Bible appointed for the day. There was a section from Paul’s letter to Titus which seems particularly appropriate: > [@Titus 1:15-16](#): > > To the pure all things are pure; but nothing is pure to the tainted minds of disbelievers, tainted alike in reason and conscience. They profess to acknowledge God, but deny him by their actions. Their destable obstinacy disqualifies them for any good work. Of course, a few verses later Paul urges Titus to tell slaves to obey their masters; on the other hand, in between, he urges women to be chaste, kind, busy at home, and respecting the authority of their husbands. I’ve come across quite a few Christians who are very good at quoting the Bible, but I sometimes wonder if they’ve ever read anything beyond the verses they quote. How can someone so full of hate claim to worship a God who loves the world? CJ ---
**Author:** ![Proudest\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/proudest_monkey/32/13257_2.png) [@Proudest\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Proudest_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2005, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/56 "2005-02-12T00:20:32Z")
> [@kung fu lola](#): > > So we change it. When someone thinks it’s any of their goddamn business what two consenting adults do in their homes, we point out how completely stupid, self-righteous and inhuman that is, to them and to anyone who is listening. We do it over and over and over, every time we see it. We call them on it and call them on it and call them on it and we don’t stop until a reasonable majority of the population understands that if you’re not breaking any laws, it doesn’t matter who you fuck. It’s an uphill battle, but somebody has to do it, and if you’re too shy or whatever to get involved, then get out of the way and let us loudmouths do your work for you. > > I don’t expect everyone to be an activist, and even then some of us are more Ghandi than Goldman\*, but that’s the path I’m choosing and I’m not wavering from it. > \*[Emma Goldman](http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Goldman/), my namesake. I didn’t see the show (only the promos), and can’t comment on the content of it. But this post, **lola** , made me want to stand up and cheer. Or hug you. Your words inspire me. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2005, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/57 "2005-02-12T19:00:53Z")
I can’t take credit for my stance, really. My mom planted the seed (probably when she named me!), and I really caught the fire thanks to **matt\_mcl** ’s influence. I also wrote an e-mail to that awful Gillespie woman, telling her that she wasn’t doing Christianity any favours. I don’t know who would want to be a proud Christian when she was giving Jesus credit for the hateful bile she was spewing on tv. I reminded her of when He said “Whatsoever you do unto the least of my brethren; you do unto me”, and asked her to imagine telling Jesus to His shining face that He was depraved and a pervert. It probably won’t get through, but whatever. It’s not costing me anything either, so I either break even; or end up ahead, if by some miracle she actually listens. ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/58 "2005-02-12T20:58:34Z")
Another cheer for **kung fu lola** : About the microwave: You get the toaster oven when you’re a new recruit. To get to level two, you have to bring in someone new, then you get the microwave. Convert a former member of the other team, and you go to level three and get an [internet microwave](http://www.lge.com/products/homenetwork/internetproduct/microwaveoven/microwaveoven.jsp). I’d tell you about the higher levels, but you have to be level three before that information is released. ---
**Author:** ![kka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kka)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/59 "2005-02-13T03:34:55Z")
Was the white guy related to Ed Gillespie of the RNC? They are both named Gillespie and look alike. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349/60 "2005-02-13T17:09:10Z")
I am not a christian, a homosexual, or a homophobe and I didn’t watch the show. (One viewing a couple months ago was enough, thank you.) I guess you could say I don’t have a dog in this fight, except maybe **BubbaDog** , who recognizes that this is a contrived situation. So assume the women are real, and as depicted. All that indicates is that the show’s producers went out and found a cool lesbian mom and a total bitch for a christian mom and made their show based on those individuals. Maybe next week you’ll see the episode with the cool christian mom and the total bitch lesbian mom. Or not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-swap-february-9/289349.md?page=4)