Topless photo now “internal family matter” Updated!
After the initial wondering of how the image of a topless woman got on the flash drive then was shown for a few seconds to a social studies class at Norwalk High School the latest news is reporting:
COLUMBUS — The inadvertent sex-ed lesson flashed before a Norwalk High School social studies class by a state representative Tuesday was apparently downloaded onto the lawmaker’s portable drive by one of his children.
“We want to put this behind us,” said Rep. Matt Barrett (D., Amherst) in a prepared statement. “From what we’ve learned thus far, this is an internal family matter. We would appreciate respect for our privacy as we deal with this situation.
From State Representative Matthew Barrett’s campaign website biography, he does have four children and things happen…I’ll never forget the time I opened my phone bill only to discover my son and his friends had had a bit too much fun with phone calls to 900 numbers for a bit of “sex chat”.
Update 12:42 p.m. – This was just received via email from Todd Hoffman Director of Online Communications for the Ohio Democratic Party:
House Democratic Leader Joyce Beatty
Leader Beatty Statement on Rep. Matthew Barrett Situation
The following statement is designed to be used IN FULL:
“Matt Barrett is a good legislator and a good friend. This situation is a matter between him, his teenaged son and his family. This is not legislative, this is not political; this is purely personal. We consider this matter a moot point and I look forward to continuing to work with Matt in serving the people of Ohio.”
Does Miss “I wanna Breast-feeding anywhere & anytime” Flores gonna defend State Rep Matthew Barrett on this incident?
October 4th, 2007 at 12:11 pmUh, Rockets Man…breastfeeding and topless photos — NOT in the same category. But, it’s comments like yours that just prove some people can’t think of breasts in any way other than a sexual one. It’s sick really.
October 4th, 2007 at 12:39 pmSorry to burst your bubble….but I don’t “dig” breasts. But again, don’t get so serious I’m just questioning Ms. Flores to come out and defend not so much hitting the topic that breast-feeding and topless is the same thing.
October 4th, 2007 at 12:48 pmI agree with TLC, the two have nothing to do with each other, and it doesn’t appear from the description of the photo/photos that briefly appeared that breastfeeding is involved.
October 4th, 2007 at 12:49 pmOK guys, I guess it was a bad joke to begin with. I was kinda hoping for some humor here. (cuts some tension with a butter knife)
October 4th, 2007 at 1:01 pmI think somebody is in big trouble at the Barrett household. What’s the deal with the breast feeding remark? Issues there?
October 4th, 2007 at 1:02 pmOh good
October 4th, 2007 at 1:02 pmThe one who should be in trouble is Mr. Barrett, how dare he shifts the blame for it. He should’ve been smart enough to check the laptop before leaving the house to protect the public.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:03 pmNot really. As the mother of several very intelligent children I can tell you that there is no human way to guess what the hell they’re going to do next.
And that’s the truth. I think kids ought to come with a warning label.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:10 pmRockets Man, I guess it depends on what your definition of “is” is. (lol)
You don’t have to be totally topless to breastfeed, it appears the photo in question was designed to create a sexual response to a woman being topless as opposed to the maternal/biological function of breastfeeding.
It’s the intent that matters to most and the intent of breastfeeding even if a breast is briefly visible is not the same as posing for a soft porn shot. Let’s look at that for a moment…
The topic of the showing of breasts and where it is appropriate and where it isn’t is full of hypocrisy. I was watching Roots the other day and there are women shown with bare breasts, yet I don’t recall any outcry over that display since it was cultural. Janet Jackson has a brief flashing moment and it’s the source of a major outcry.
A high school class gets a brief glimpse of a topless woman and it makes the news, yet I wonder if there are National Geographic Magazines in the high school that show bare breasts or art books that show statues of naked women.
Male nipples are perfectly acceptable to be shown in public, where women even some in the adult entertainment industry are required to cover their nipples up.
I could go on, but I think you see my point, hypocrisy does exist when it comes to breasts, male and female alike as far as what is “acceptable” and what is not acceptable.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:13 pmOk – I know I’m going to get into trouble here, but yesterday, the Columbus Dispatch wrote that Barrett said that he got the flash drive from the state library two weeks ago. How did Barrett’s son get that drive and how did it get mixed up again – are we saying that the son played a prank on the dad – or what? I don’t think everything is clear – no matter how much people want it to be. Clear is good, over is good. But what’s the story?
October 4th, 2007 at 1:36 pmFrom what I understand the flash drive was a gift so he did have it at his home after he received it from the state library.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:39 pmHe should have gone over his notes and checked what was on the memory stick before presenting it to a classroom.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:40 pmI guess I’m just fascinated by the possible “chain of custody” issues. But, as you say, as a parent – you know – anything’s possible. Just wouldn’t want that to be the easy excuse – for parent or child.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:43 pmPerhaps the discussion is moving a bit off point.
The picture shown, inadvertently or not, was inappropriate to the presention and the audience (though I suspect that it was not the first time that any of them had seen the female breast depicted in some fashion). The problem is that no matter who it happens to or which side they are on, that the opportunity to play “Gotcha” seems to be irresistable.
I do not excuse myself, as I can be just as guilty as anyone in this respect; but it certainly seems these days that there are no such things as accidents or mistakes. There are only opportunities to pile on and seek retribution.
I don’t want to sit in a circle and sing sad songs here, but neither do I want life ruled by the PC police. In the end, we may prevent people from seeking public office for fear of the overwhelming, neverending, and unrelenting scrutiny; combined with constant, malignant, and sometimes petulant criticism.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:49 pmRobin Said: on 10-4-2007 @1:40 pm
He should have gone over his notes and checked what was on the memory stick before presenting it to a classroom.
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Oh I bet he really wishes he had.
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Tim Higgins Said: on 10-4-2007 @1:49 pm
I don’t want to sit in a circle and sing sad songs here, but neither do I want life ruled by the PC police. In the end, we may prevent people from seeking public office for fear of the overwhelming, neverending, and unrelenting scrutiny; combined with constant, malignant, and sometimes petulant criticism.
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Very well said Tim. I wonder over time how many people who would have been great leaders have been unwilling to become part of this process – or to involve their family. How to estimate that loss?
October 4th, 2007 at 1:53 pmI second what Robin said.
Lisa, I have my shirt off right now showing off my manly nipples. You’re not going to be offended are ya?
October 4th, 2007 at 2:18 pmRockets, for all you know I could be blogging in the same state of undress.
October 4th, 2007 at 2:22 pmOH MY! SCANDAL!..LOL!
October 4th, 2007 at 2:24 pmThese are pictures that we so do not need to paint and information that belongs in the “way Too Much Information File”.
On the other hand, it does keep the discussion lively…
October 4th, 2007 at 2:39 pmTim, true, I like Rockets Man at times enjoy throwing some humor in. While I’m sure blogging naked or topless is probably legal, it’s not something I make a practice of doing.
The real issue as to breasts is the underlying issue whether it’s a matter of a mother breastfeeding, a picture being accidentally displayed, or a Janet Jackson moment. Even while Rockets was joking, he aptly demonstrated the society angle, a photo of him blogging with his “manly nipples” showing would not generate as much discussion as one of a female blogging topless would.
October 4th, 2007 at 2:50 pmTim Higgins – I like what you wrote. Thanks. Well said, good things to think about.
October 4th, 2007 at 3:29 pmmanly nipples…..lmao
October 4th, 2007 at 4:17 pmTangent – Was the Senators “gift” of a flash drive ……..pun……….properly disclosed, reported, and documented in triplicate. What influence are these “librarians” trying to garner.
The A-Hole.
October 4th, 2007 at 4:35 pmValid questions and cute pun.
October 4th, 2007 at 4:53 pm