Today's news.

[Byron]

Thanks for explanation - I think I can get my brain around that one now but still prefer the reasoned reply in post#3 as against an aggressive header for a "naive individual"
(interestingly changed to a more polite address by name second time - so does all this pent-up paranoia lead to some reassessments?)

Btw, you've missed one in the forum - poster says all men in the US are
shamed on their anatomy - but is this OK as he's from socal?

[Byron]

Re. post#2 Tony Abbott is the Aussie politician (NSW Liberal) I could not recall.

He is here in red speedos about to do his pier-to-pier charity race at Hervey Bay: http://resources0.news.com.au/images...7941f3673f.jpg

He is here told to put some clothes on: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...1225805230578#

As for the sports guys some of the Sydney Roosters (RFC) are here for training on the beach in their speedos: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWfZcyLQ_6...y+Roosters.jpg

[knikon]

While a blanket statement is usually only a half truth it does get a point across. Few american men I know take the speedo seriously. It is either disgusting, a joke/gag, or "my girlfriend thinks they look like bikini bottoms". Sure there must be tens of thousands of speedo friendly Americans but it pales in comparison to the female bikini friendly crowd. Iv'e even met women out here who hate the speedos merely because it takes attention away from them when they are in a bikini. Men out here are shamed for their anatomy. Some like me don't buy into the message but many if not most do. This trend of excessively baggy clothing is a complete farce. Look at the styles men are "told" to wear.

My solution is that I choose who I want to be. Some do, many don't.

[Torchwatch]

The joke/gag used to be boxer shorts, white with big red spots, worn by comedians on TV and in stage farces (re Brian Rix) when their trousers had to fall down. The objective was to create a titter from the audience without any sexual excitement or sensual satisfaction. Pity they became fashionable for young men in the mid 1980's.

[kumu]

That gang look looks so uncomfortable. I saw a kid maxed out in the gang look yesterday, a hot, muggy, uncomfortable day even in shorts and a t, but he was wearing black hoodie with hood up, long sleeves of course, long baggy jeans with the underwear showing of course. I don't understand, it does not compute.

[Torchwatch]

They spend a lot of money to get their clothes to fit so badly.

[Byron]

Perhaps a lot of money spent to look like this?
http://www.thisisyourconscience.com/...aggy-pants.jpg

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/a...er-chic-brands
This is both funny and sad (London summer riots 2011). The guy may be looting but better check first that it's his size before running off.
One sentence of the article is profound: "...pissing off a lot of older people will actually increase the brands' appeal to the young".

PS: You probably know NSFW on some blogs so I shall label this as NSFS
(S=Swimming): http://static1.businessinsider.com/i...his-summer.jpg

[Torchwatch]

If you are going to stock gangster chic then expect to be robbed during a riot.
The book shops never got touched during the last lot of UK riots.

[Byron]

I had better add a note of congratulation to that - the guy so often ridiculed has just become the new Australian PM with a good majority!