I guess if you follow the Vatican’s no-contraception policy, you REALLY need the washing machine to keep up with the mountain of clothes the mountain of children you’ll have and to give you more free time to create more babies.
To mark International Women’s Day, L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican’s official newspaper, has graciously commented on women’s lib for us. Its editorial decrees that the washing machine has contributed more to the emancipation of western women than the pill, or the legalisation of abortion, or being able to work outside the home. But it would, wouldn’t it? Abortion and pills aren’t allowed over there. Washing machines are.
What a bizarre world L’Osservatore describes, with its “image of the superwoman, smiling, made-up and radiant among the appliances of her house”. It’s more than half a century ago, back in 1953, that the automatic washing machine took off and women apparently went mad in the suburbs, turning to drink and sex. Only I didn’t notice my mother and her chums being radiant and smiling. They may have got rid of their heavy mangles and twin-tubs, but it was still a fairly bleak life, stuck at home fiddling with these new machines. And it’s still a bore today; we’re still trying our best to perk up doing the housework (not so long ago, the Daily Mail discovered a new social phenomenon: “Countless British women … doing housework in the nude …”)
“Put in the powder, close the lid and relax,” reads L’Osservatore’s headline – but it isn’t that simple, Vatican, honestly it isn’t. Have you ever tried it? I thought everyone knew that the more time these new appliances saved us, the more tasks we found to fill that time.
I viewed it as more liberating because the washing machine would be considered a giant vibrator during self pleasure
(I’m really trying to ride the line between crass and clean humor here. [rimshot])
And the Catholic church wonders why no one takes them seriously. I’ve always been pretty embarrassed to say I was raised Catholic(now an Atheist), but this just furthers my shame about my “lost years”.
I gave up Catholicism for Lent decades ago.
The washing machine is a marvel of environmental friendliness. Does anyone ever think about how disposable clothing didn’t take off because of the ability to repeatedly wash cloth?
Honestly though, I think most of the Roman Catholic Church needs to get laid. With someone closer to their own age.
The washing machine is a fantastic device. Bought a couple of front loaders on pedestals. Don’t even have to bend over to load it up…
As for the BCP… what happened to good ole porno finishing: all over the place and wide of the mark. It seems that there are too many men out there who can’t time their finishing.
Of course a washing machine…which liberates women from hand washing clothing…is more liberating than being under a sweaty mate…
The former can move around, is liberated…the latter stuck in relatively one place…obligated.
@Mikey Twit
ditto
Even better humor is found in current events…folks supposed electing the benevolent Messiah Obama would bring about world peace…
Yet daily the drums of war and aggression are now beating…
Evidently just as Biden said…electing Obama would result in terrible events…
Could it be Bush wasn’t the reason our enemies hated us?…do you think?
How hilarious the drones voting for change…thinking the change was for the good…
The catholic church always falls short. What about ironing? Maybe the real liberation theology is “iron free fabric?”
Uncle Dave–you really need to clearly lable these sarcasm pieces from the Onion for the atheistic attacks on the church that they are.
No person of minimum intelligence would ever believe such a pronouncement came from a legitimate source.
Shame on you.
This ties in with the previous post “Religion in sharp decline in US”. Any wonder?
8,
What in tarnation are you blabbering about?
# 11 Named
What in tarnation are you blabbering about?
Its hilarious…humor, all the Jedi hand waved drones voting for change…for a new reign of peace occulting from our Dear Leader Obama…
See how much better the world is now….
on Drudge:
Tension rises as NKorea cuts off hotline; Pyongyang preparing to test-fire missile…
NKorea puts troops on alert, warns of war danger…
Roubini: Recession Could Last Up to 36 Months; Dow at 5000…
US intelligence chief says ‘difficult’ to halt Iran nuclear drive…
Biden says West ‘not winning’ in Afghanistan
etc.
12,
This is an article on washing machines and the birth control pill, not MKUltra.
#12, Alphie,
And what the eff does any of that blabbering have to do with the comment at hand? I realize schizophrenia is a serious disease. But damn, please take your meds and focus.
@Mr. Fusion
Alfred1 has ODS (Obama Derangement Syndrome). There is no cure except for the impeachment or the assassination of the president. It seems to be spreading among Rupuglicans and “conservatives”. It is related to Bush Derangement Syndrome. Luckily, now that Bush is out of office, cases of BDS are starting to wane.
Is this an attempt to troll? Or do you really think that having the pill and not the washing machine would make things so much better?
I’m fascinated.
Countries without religion have low birth rates.
Religious countries have high birth rates.
Evolution will take care of you atheists and wiseguys yet.
Seriously, working women has been a mixed bag at best for women and families. I see lots of two parent working families as a baseball coach and they don’t seem any better off than we were when I was a child except they have a lot less free time and time for the kids.
The Catholic church is not totally off base on this.
Is it just me or does the women in that pic look like she is trying to liberate a wedgy?
Apparently, men don’t know how to use a washing machine. Once again I’ve been insulted by the Most Holy Roman and Apostolic Church.
Fusion said: “And what the eff does any of that blabbering have to do…”
Well obviously he writes for the L’Osservatore Romano.
# 17 daveg said, “Countries without religion have low birth rates. Religious countries have high birth rates.”
Really? I guess you have never heard of Japan.