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Earth Island Journal / By Matt Leonard
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 205

Why My Vasectomy Will Help Save the Earth's Resources

"Any child I had would have been raised here and would consume (despite my best efforts) far more resources than I am comfortable accepting."
June 10, 2009  |  
 
 
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Last year, I became castrated impotent sterile. That is, I had a vasectomy. While it's actually a very common procedure (nearly 500,000 are performed every year in the US), it raises eyebrows -- and a lot of questions.

The first one is always simply: Why?

Although this was a very personal decision for me, it was also a choice I made out of larger societal, political, and environmental motivations. I consider the environmental ones paramount. In an economic system that demands infinite growth with finite resources, not doubling my own consumption is one small stone in a big river.

More importantly, I live in the US, and any child I had would have been raised here and would consume (despite my best efforts) far more resources than I am comfortable accepting. Living even a modest lifestyle in the US comes as a direct result of the oppression, domination, and deaths of many unseen people, not to mention the exploitation of natural resources at rates that threaten the ability of our planet to sustain life. These facts shouldn't be cause for guilt or shame; instead, they should spur us to organize to confront the systems and institutions that have created these problems. On a personal level, contributing another person to the system that I have spent my adult life fighting is just not something I'm willing to do.

The next question is usually: But what if you change your mind?

I view my decision as permanent. As I see it, I already made the decision years ago not to have children, based on sound, rational reasons. If I change my mind in the future, I believe that change would be fundamentally selfish, and I am comfortable committing myself to rational reasons now.

People typically follow up with: Aren't there other forms of birth control?

Yes, of course, and most of us here in the US are lucky to be able to choose the form that is best for our lifestyles, our preferences, and our relationships. A vasectomy fit my needs best.

I guess there's always abstinence, but that's no fun, right? I suppose the rhythm method is an option, but almost everyone knows how (in)effective that is. Condoms are fine and dandy in many situations, but they have their downsides as well, and can seem pointless if you are in a monogamous relationship.

All the other common birth control methods have one aspect in common: They place the onus on women. Not only does our society expect women to deal with the logistics of birth control, but these methods also have severe physiological drawbacks, from roller-coaster hormonal changes to intensifying menstruation cycles to weight and skin changes. Although these methods have come a long way in a few decades, they still burden women and their bodies. Is it any coincidence that in a male-dominated society, the medical establishment has thus far focused on birth control methods that leave the burden solely on women?

For men, vasectomies are simple. There are almost no side effects and no long-term impacts; it's a quick, low-cost, outpatient procedure. Having decided that I want to take an active role in birth control, a vasectomy is fair, easy, and it confronts my privilege on this issue.

What if you decide you want children in the future? people ask.

Many of my friends whom I deeply respect have chosen to have children or will do so in the future. Some people do feel that there is something special and important about having a blood-related child. I just don't share that feeling.

There are thousands of beautiful children all over the world who need parents, and if I ever decide that being a father is something I want in my life, I would be remiss to ignore the existing children needing support and love. For me, adoption is the best option. We need more parents in this world, not more kids.

Finally, But don't we need the smart, progressive people to reproduce?

I'm of the nurture-over-nature camp. I think the whole "passing on genes" obsession can sometimes border on eugenics. I'm fairly confident there is no gene that instructs your child to fight for justice, peace, and sustainability. That comes from living those values and instilling them in the communities we are a part of. That's what I want to prioritize in my life -- and I feel I can share those things more effectively without a child.

And besides -- I've got messed-up teeth, I'm legally blind, bald, and have a history of heart disease. Let Matt Damon pass on his genes instead.


Matt Leonard lives in San Francisco, where he works on climate justice and energy issues, rock climbs, rides his bike, and eats yummy vegan food. He currently works with Greenpeace and Rising Tide North America.
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Your life, your choice.
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Posted by: Honky the Nihilist VI on Jun 10, 2009 12:23 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Good for you. I tried to get a vasectomy at 22 and again at 25 but was turned down because I'm "too young".

When are the equal rights advocates going to give men the same post conception "out" that women have? Are women inferior to men and therefore need "separate but equal" policies that deny men equal protection under the law as guaranteed by the 14th amendment to the Constitution?

Karen Decrow, The only Feminist that was not a complete hypocrite stated:
"If women have the right to choose if they become
parents, men [should] have that right too. There is a
connection between legalizing abortion for women
and ending of paternity suits for men. Giving men their
own choices would not deny choices to women.
It would only eliminate their expectation
of having those choices financed by men."

I have seen pictures of female protesters holding signs that say "Take your laws out of my vagina and shove them up your ass". Change "Vagina" to "Wallet" and that sign expresses my sentiments.

I hate children and will never make a concession for them even if they have 23 of my chromosomes.

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» RE: Your life, your choice. Posted by: batmagoo
» RE: Your life, your choice. Posted by: Annarisse
» RE: Your life, your choice. Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Your life, your choice. Posted by: adriayna
» PITY Posted by: sirios
» GOOD NEWS! Posted by: sirios
» Selfish people... Posted by: RegK
» What would you need one for? Posted by: Quicksilver
» RE: What would you need one for? Posted by: Quicksilver
» RE: Your life, your choice. Posted by: daveysabboi

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Overpopulation: The Elephant in the room.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: batmagoo on Jun 10, 2009 2:02 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Good piece! It is refreshing to hear anyone at all mention his ( it's even more refreshing when it is a “her” ) awareness of the exponential Carbon Footprint generated ad-infinitum by Western childbirth.

It is as if the lid of self-censorship is sealed most tightly around the subject of human reproduction and population explosion. It is unclear what any of us have to do to focus the attention of so called watchdogs and whistle blowers onto the overarching issue of Human overpopulation: nobody wants to talk about it ( we run around recycling plastic bottles and holding-in our farts, instead of going for the jugular – Pollution comes from somewhere: Our cancerous expansion.)

This piece mentions vasectomy, which of course seems radical to some. To me, the idea of vasectomy points to the desperate realization that we are endlessly coerced by our chemistry and emotions, to say nothing about cultural propaganda, and further, the behavior of the opposite sex, thus it seems understandable that some men are let to taking such drastic measures once the penny begins to drop – that said, the ultimate way, if there is one, lies in population reduction through conscious choice, understanding, and education, because it is important to involve reasoning in this culture which is so prone to base emotionalism.

It is our cultural mindsets that have to change; for instance, our presumed Judeo-Christian belief that “God is in control,” or that “The value of human life is sacred.” A deeper and more insidious feeling of course is that notion that “because childbirth is ever so gratifying on a tactile and emotional level, it can only be beneficial.” It doesn’t seem to occur to many that if evolution is to be taken seriously, it also implies that all pleasure centers in the body and in our psyche are Trojan Horses through which automatic functions deploy their effective power of coercion; it follows that sacrifice of a certain kind or another is not only noble, but actually necessary in order to recover our humanity ( something that the sages told us long ago and that we do not want to hear.)

Most of our conservative humanity is writhing in a cult of self-delight, with little understanding of the very values which they so proclaim to worship, ad-nauseum. Some tough leaps forward and paradigm shifts are urgently needed in this human race, if we are to make it – ironic, isn’t it?

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» Well said and I agree! Posted by: Quist

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Classic quotes:
[Report this comment]
Posted by: kepstein7777 on Jun 10, 2009 2:28 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"We need more parents in this world, not more kids."

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» RE: ONE WORD:OCTOMOM Posted by: joeocho88

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Now if only
[Report this comment]
Posted by: uncertain on Jun 10, 2009 3:19 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
all the enviro-whackos would be as dedicated to their cause, we could be rid of the whole brainwashed mess of them within a single generation.

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» RE: Now if only Posted by: chariotdrvr14
» RE: Now if only Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Now if only Posted by: pomes
» RE: Now if only Posted by: cdmsr

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Disappearing males
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Posted by: myanh44 on Jun 10, 2009 3:58 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Not to worry - human males are disappearing through its own actions, so the human population will take care of itself as a matter of time....which is just as well for other life forms in the long run.....

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7530701744597358451

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» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: TheNamelessCity

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Prof Bob
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Posted by: ProfBob on Jun 10, 2009 4:11 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Congrats. I had mine in 1970. Since you are interested in our future ecology, let me suggest that you read the popular free ebook series "And Gulliver Returns" --In Search of Utopia-- at
http//andgulliverreturns.info

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If only
[Report this comment]
Posted by: dimityrose on Jun 10, 2009 4:23 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It is so refreshing to know that there are young men whom are being responsible for their sperm. It is about education and responsiblity.

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I'm childless myself, but let's be clear that there are downsides
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Jasonix on Jun 10, 2009 5:18 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I don't have children despite being married, and I resonate with the author's reasoning about limited resources. But I'd be dishonest if I told younger people that there's no trade-off.

The trade-off, very simply, is this - you aren't going to have someone to help you when you get old. The way the economy is, you certainly aren't going to save enough in your 401Ks or make good on investments to enable you to support yourself once you can't work anymore. More than likely, around age 70 or so, most Generation X'ers and Millennials who don't have kids today are going to be faced with the choice of committing suicide or suffering a slow, painful death due to malnutrition, neglect, and homelessness. A senile stroll into a freeway where you get hit by a car might be the best fate that could await most of you. (And no, being a vegan will not save you.)

Sure, a few of us will live independently well into our 90s, retaining limber joints and the cognitive prowess of people half our age. But that's very few of us. Most of us will be physically and mentally unable to work by the time we're in our early 70s, and landing a job at that age will be virtually impossible anyway.

Also, let's be clear that human beings are PHYSICAL creatures with hardwired biological natures. We don't have some "mental life" that's separate from our physical bodies - we don't make our decisions based on "rationality" alone. If you decide that you want kids later, you can't satisfy that urge by adopting (adoption is a great, but it isn't a substitute for having your own kids, if that's what your body yearns for).

That said, very few of you can really afford to raise kids now. To do so, you need to have two sets of healthy, fairly well-to-do grandparents to help you out with both time and money. Despite fairy tales of families that have nothing but are happy because "they have love," children raised in distressed circumstances turn out bad nine times out of ten (since their parents are always working and exhausted and aggravated when home, and the schools are substandard and their peers are from homes as screwed up as theirs). What's the point of raising a screwed-up kid who's just going to hurt other people and leave more of a mess behind him?

That's it in a nutshell.

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Yes, Population Control is Needed NOW
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Posted by: teritenn on Jun 10, 2009 5:27 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yes, let’s start sterilizing the women who give birth to drug/crack babies. Don’t let them have more litters.

Sterilize teen girls after the birth of their 1st baby not their 10th. Sterilize all biological parents whose children are in foster care. You want welfare? Well, get sterilized first.

Offer sterilization in return for early release from prisons.

Make sterilization FREE for ages 16 – 45.
All of these things will dramatically reduce future population

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good short piece...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ellie on Jun 10, 2009 5:37 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
on taking responsibility for your own biology... sad that it's such a fight for men and women to access sterilization when they do not want to have children at any cost in their lives... especially with those in their 20's who are refused procedures because 'you might want children in the future'...

not everyone wants to parent, not everyone is cut out to be a parent, nature sometimes forces parenthood, so why do we make it so hard, even for men to not parent??? it's not lack of technology or the old argument of go through with the pregnancy and use adoption...

there are thousands of kids in this country waiting for adoptions that never happen and the financial costs and emotional perils are astronomically high for our entire society for unplanned births...

it's about time ordinary people are allowed to make their own permanent decisions about reproduction and allow sterilization on demand at young ages (highest fertility rates)...

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» RE: good short piece... Posted by: VZEQICVA
» RE: good short piece... Posted by: ellie
» RE: good short piece... Posted by: pelican beak

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Don't paint yourself as a hero just because you don't.....
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Posted by: Allstar Cookie on Jun 10, 2009 6:00 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...want any children.

Most people don't want kids because they just don't want to take on the responsibilities and the liabilities of parenting.
That's fine. I don't have a problem with that....in fact....kudos for being responsible about your own reproductive rights. We could certainly use more of that...as some of the posters have already mentioned......too many kids....and not enough parenting going on nowadays.

That being said, however, I doubt there are any people out there who truly want children, but are sacrificing their wants for the greater human cause.
Stop that "I'm doing the world a favor" nonsense.......just admit that you don't want children....don't like children and get over it. It's nobody's business but your own.

Personally.......I'll admit. I love kids. I have a nine year old daughter and she's my world! I wish my wife and I could have had more.


Allstar Cookie

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» exactly Posted by: inverse_agonist

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Not making babies
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Posted by: SalB on Jun 10, 2009 6:42 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I made the decision last year to not make a baby. I do like kids, I just figure that I have so much more to give a child than my genetic material. I also figure that there are far too many people in the world as it is. If every couple that could afford infertility treatment would spend that money on adoption, we'd have a be a better place.

So I refuse to make a baby. I won't change my mind unless the population falls far below a billion people. It doesn't stop people from suggesting that "the man of my dreams" might want to make babies. That's impossible because then he wouldn't be the man of my dreams. If I never adopt a kid, so be it. At least I will not have added to the already overflowing pile of people.

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Wouldn't the pull-out method
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Posted by: Robba29 on Jun 10, 2009 6:58 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
or wearing a condom be easier? Or, hell, since its the level of consumption in the US you're worried about, move to Sudan, I hear they are in need of sterile males. Its sad that I used to believe as you do, I'm glad I woke up. Population decline, yes, forcing people to do and believe as you, idiotic and dangerous. And before someone takes issue with "forcing"--the rhetoric of these supporters can only be called that, read some of it before saying anything.

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» Rhetoric is not force Posted by: leafsong1

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HOW NOBLE!
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Posted by: VZEQICVA on Jun 10, 2009 7:03 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Anyone who doesn't what to have children for whatever reason should do everything to prevent it. But please don't pawn it off as some 'unselfish act for a higher purpose'. It's your choice and that's enough. ANNA

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» RE: HOW NOBLE! Posted by: batmagoo
» A bit defensive I see. Posted by: Quist
» RE: A bit defensive I see. Posted by: batmagoo
» RE: HOW NOBLE! Posted by: abstractedaway

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I have made the same decision...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ginny on Jun 10, 2009 7:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
except as a woman, so no vasectomy. I have all of the same reasons (and one additional reason), I answer all critics questions about the same way as you do. As a biologist, I think you are underestimating the power of DNA (it may not be one gene, but a group of genes, that influences a person's sense of empathy for others, justice for people, etc.), but I agree that the whole "smart people need to reproduce" argument is ridiculous. I don't think the earth really needs humans at all.

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LOL! No, it's *we* that will be rid of *you*...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ginny on Jun 10, 2009 7:06 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and your irresponsible overpopulation and destruction of the planet. Have fun! Hope your kids don't suffer too much, but I'm sure you are convinced they won't, or maybe you just don't care.

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the wierdest, most creepy far-out article ever on Alternet
[Report this comment]
Posted by: frantic1971 on Jun 10, 2009 7:47 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Holy (bleep)!! Alternet has had some corkers before, but THIS one takes the cake!

Go far enough to the Left, and you'll discover you've gone full circle and met-up with the Nazis.

Look--I don't believe in having a dozen kids (I myself am a single male aged 54 and no kids), and that overpopulation is a problem, but hey this article and many of the comments seem to advocate mass-sterialization.

What's next--obligatory suicide? I suggest the author of the article might want to try it first and then I'll see if I want to do it.

This goofus reminds me of the early Christians, who castrated themselves because the imminent end of the world was nigh.

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» "No birth growth" Posted by: mgmyers79

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Oh please..
[Report this comment]
Posted by: chariotdrvr14 on Jun 10, 2009 8:04 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Quit patting yourself on the back.

A good deed requires no witnesses.

I do agree though about living 'carbon imprint' consciously.

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» This "good deed" is a sideshow Posted by: mgmyers79

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rgd
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Posted by: rgd on Jun 10, 2009 8:05 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My econ. prof. in college wrote a book, spent time in China and addressed joint sessions of congress about overpopulation in the world. This was in the late '80's. Her findings were rather interesting. She stated that the so-called overpopulation was not that the world could not support billions of people, but rather the governments of the world HAVE FAILED IN THEIR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE. So the gov't along with certain scientist set out to prove the we are living in an unsustainable world. I don't remember the name of the book she wrote, but her name is Professor Jaquelyn Caisun.

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More for me
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Posted by: Ayla87 on Jun 10, 2009 8:14 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My goal is to hit the double digits when I'm done, but to be fair, I plan on adopting a few of them. I don't know how many pregancies I can handle, especially since twins run on both sides of my family. ouch.

The way I see it, merely not having kids is only a temporary solution to the problem. Just because the population drops doesn't mean the level of consumption will. And even if it does drop, it doesn't change the fact that we'll still be consuming at a rate and in ways that are detrimental to the enviornment. Instead, we should be focusing on ways to lower our impact on the planet as much as possible, while maintaining a decent standard of living in the process. We can't do that without more engineers,and scientists; We can't get more of those perfessionals unless more people are raised as children to have an interest in these fields. Simply put, we need more smart people in the world.

There are two ways of doing this: First, we can adopt the unwanted children of others, and raise them as our own. The only problem with this is that US adoption law is such a mess that it's next to impossible to raise someone elses child. Which is a real shame, because those children have the same potential as any other. They're just unlikely to recieve the same quality of enrichment and education that a child born into the middle or upper classes will.

The second alternative is to pop out our own children and raise them appropriately. Anyone who's smart enough recognize the problems in our world (not just environmental) is smart enough to raise a child to be aware of and find solutions to those same problems. But we don't, because the people who are smart enough to have these children are too busy being PC screaming, "The earth is over crowded, we're all going to die! Stop having kids!"

Not only do smart people have to breed more (or at least adopt), but they have to actually educate thier children to give a damn. Having a high IQ child doesn't mean anything if he's vegged out all the time watching spongebob or playing Halo. You need to show him the wonder of the world, and allow his curiosity to grow.

That is how we take care of the issue of over consumption. It doesn't matter how many people are in the world, but what type. Getting yourself snipped was just a cop out. It's like putting spare change in those Salvation Army buckets at Christmas time then saying you did your part. When in fact, all you really did was what required the least effort, and will have the least impact.

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» assumptions Posted by: inverse_agonist
» RE: assumptions Posted by: Ayla87
» RE: More for me Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: More for me Posted by: Ayla87

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I had a vasectomy for the same reasons...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: InkMeister on Jun 10, 2009 8:54 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I agree with the author of the article. I took the same steps nearly a year ago to the day, at the age of 24, and for many of the same reasons. I am child-free and will now be so for life (unless I adopt).

It is interesting to see the powerful responses an article like this provokes. When I read this article, I see a person talking about a decision they made, and the rationale for it. In response, I see people taking it personally, getting angry, agitated, and being generally rude and hostile (I get the same response when I speak of child-freedom as well). What that points out to me is that this is a really sensitive and PERSONAL issue for people, and people tend to be very invested in their position. So it is worth stepping back and reminding ourselves that the author here has not said that YOU or I should be sterilized. He is merely pointing out why he thought HE should be sterilized. He is not advocating forced sterilization as the Nazi's did.

I'll say that it is my opinion that if "breeders" (I don't mean to be offensive with the term) gave half the thought to having kids as child-free individuals give to remaining child-free, the world would be a better place. Seriously, it is largely taken for granted that we all ought to reproduce. There is often (there are exceptions) not a lot of thought that goes into that. Considering the consequences of creating a child compared to the consequences of being sterilized, I think this is a precisely backwards state of affairs.

I encourage those whose path leads to children to go ahead and have children, but not without great consideration and appreciation for the weight of that decision (and also to not forget that there are plenty of children that already exist who need love). It is my belief that the author of this article would say the same.

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WoW
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Posted by: Gilgamesh on Jun 10, 2009 9:27 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
so, you believe earth is over populated? then why dont you speed it up and just kill yourself.

your going to use up a lot of resources yourself because your still alive.

over population is not the problem. its the economic irresponsibility of not using money for people. if america didnt spend trillions on "defense" (war) think of how many more billions of people could be fed and clothed. imagine not using FOOD FOR FUEL. what a novel idea, food for people... who would have thought.

clean energy could reduce pollution and disease, and societies could function as they were meant to without false shortages and multi national corporations around to rape them of their land and money. and maybe down the road human beings could start to colonize space (if we dont blow ourselves up first).. then there would be even more room down here to grow food.

this is phony environmentalism and you have become de-humanized because you believe people are a problem when its just those in power who make it worse for all of us.

the earth can sustain 13 billion people at the maximum ... so why are we struggling with 7? so keep your george soros propaganda and government talking points to yourself, and let the real normal people keep their children and their families going.

just check out the georgia guidestones, the NWO does exist and they want massive depopulation and all you are doing is helping them. get your head out of your ass. i guess i should be thankful that you wont reproduce though, because after your gone thats one less brain-dead dumbed-down sub-human.

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» RE: WoW - WoW to you, that is! Posted by: batmagoo
» RE: WoW Posted by: sunnywater
» RE: WoW Posted by: Squarehead
» RE: WoW Posted by: Romantic Violence

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Choice
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Sanford on Jun 10, 2009 9:47 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Would an intelligent, compassionate, selfless, rational person choose to have a child after giving that choice the carefully reasoned examination that it deserves? For instance, "having" a child carries along with it a death sentence for that person.

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» RE: Choice Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Choice Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Choice Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Choice Posted by: Sanford
» RE: Choice Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Choice Posted by: Curio
» RE: Choice Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Choice Posted by: Sanford

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The Best Decision of My Life
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Posted by: raincascadia on Jun 10, 2009 10:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thank you so much for writing this! I got my vasectomy when I was 21 and have never looked back. It was the best decision of my life, thus far. Besides the obvious sexual benefits (a lot more womyn are interested in sex when there is no risk of pregnancy), I can rest assured that I am contributing to a better future for all species on this planet. This is the simplest thing you can do to save Gaia (and I've never seen it on such lists).

We need more funds for free vasectomies, with laws that protect the right of adult males to choose to get them. This is a civil rights issue!

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» RE: The Best Decision of My Life Posted by: sureshot45

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Adoption
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Posted by: kurtinvancouver on Jun 10, 2009 10:35 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A question for the author, will you be adopting a child? You mention that you may think about it but will you actually do it?

If so, good for you. You can raise a progressive mind, truly show you believe in nurture over nature, and bring a good home to one of our overpopulated world's underprivileged children. If not, you are simple a eco blow-hard that is trying to feel high and mighty about shirking your responsibility to the future of humanity.

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» RE: Adoption Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Adoption Posted by: kurtinvancouver
» RE: Adoption Posted by: cmaciain
» RE: Adoption Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Adoption Posted by: GEM-592
» Not at all... Posted by: mjabele
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: Col. of Truth
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: GEM-592
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: Col. of Truth
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: GEM-592
» Well done! Posted by: Curio
» RE: Well done! Posted by: Squarehead
» RE: Well done! Posted by: Curio
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: GEM-592
» Since you asked... Posted by: Col. of Truth
» Look at the mind-reader! Posted by: Curio
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: bornxeyed
» Actually, YOU talk of insanity Posted by: Col. of Truth
» And as for my misanthropy... Posted by: bornxeyed
» Of course, more insults Posted by: Col. of Truth
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: GEM-592
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: Curio
» RE: Adoption Posted by: GEM-592

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What's with the troll-fest?!
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Posted by: DaBear on Jun 10, 2009 12:36 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Great piece.

What's with the troll-boom in the comments?! Holy craptasmatrons!

The dude made a responsible choice. He wrote about it. Such a crime...

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nobody's touching MY balls!
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Posted by: raginghormones on Jun 10, 2009 1:09 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
So this Mr. Leonard guy gets a lot of pride having his gonads snipped and watching them wither like a grape that's been picked from the stem. And then posts an article bragging about how great he was for doing this? SICK!!

Nobody's touching MY babymakers! Mr. Leonard's just a neutered nothing now.

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» RE: nobody's touching MY balls! Posted by: bornxeyed

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Disappearing males
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Posted by: myanh44 on Jun 10, 2009 1:14 PM   
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It seems human males are disappearing at an unprecedented rate......which means the human over-population problem would take care of itself as a matter of time.

Watch the following documentary for more info

http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/doczone/

(Search for Disappearing Males)

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» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: bornxeyed

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Awesome!
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Posted by: John Freeman on Jun 10, 2009 2:38 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am 64 years old and am truly enjoying hearing of young men who are taking care of themselves in the way I did when I was 24. It was VERY difficult to get a vasectomy then unless one already had a passle of kids. Not having been trapped in the kid mill, I have had a pretty interesting life doing things it would have been impossible to do if supporting a family. Yes, I have been married most of the time, but got to sail a boat I built myself 50,000 miles around in the Pacific, have operated ship-docking tugboats and now run a hot air balloon company in Oregon. Paying for kids would have demanded holding a regular grinding job. Get yourself a vasectomy guys, there's a big world out there to explore!

Veteran '66-68

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» By reducing population, I can consume more. Posted by: Honky the Nihilist VI

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amazing...
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Posted by: danny6126 on Jun 10, 2009 3:32 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The reasoning behind this decision indicates cynicism, not hope. He envelops “person” within “consumer” so completely that there is no other possible consequence of living except for a new child to be scourge on the earth. No matter what this fictive person might have been or done could not, in Leonard’s mind, balance the pollution of existence. A contemptuous way to decrease carbon footprints...and handprints…and fingerprints. Why work on energy issues, or anything for that matter? Amazing.

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I appreciate the author's thoughtfulness,
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Posted by: Bliss Doubt on Jun 10, 2009 4:07 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
but I'm not sure that reducing population is everything. Yes, there are problem philosophies of breeding, like that of the Mormons, who have so many kids because they believe God wills it, like that of Catholics and protestants who believe that birth control is wrong (yes, the "abstinence only" crowd is beginning to preach that the pill is an abortifacient, and therefore sinful), and let's throw in those who believe that sex education is wrong for kids who are at an age to begin experiencing those urges.

I continue to read that birth rates in this country have been in continuous decline for the past decade or more.

At the end of the day, humans will do what comes naturally. Well to do and middle class people with access to health care tend to have fewer kids. In poverty conditions women have more babies than they can comfortably support because it is the end of the day, a long hard day, after which the comfort of intimacy is a blessing, though that day has not included a visit to a doctor for a check-up, much less for birth control methods.

Less population will consume less, but how much less? When I was growing up there was one bathroom in our house for mom, dad and three kids. We normally bathed every other day, except during really hot, sweaty weather. I washed my hair once a week. Most people lived that way. Nobody thought anything of it. In other countries people still live that way. People buy staples in bulk, and grow at least some of their own food. People use public transportation.

Consumption in this country will continue out of control as long as our subsidies keep their direction. Judging by taxpayer subsidies here, we have given no care to green energy companies, who have gone elsewhere to thrive, to become profitable, to earn Nobel prizes. I don't think that in our hundreds of thousands of years of evolution mankind was ever as much a threat to this planet as since we discovered the power of combustion. Now we're a menace, to ourselves and to all of life.

Combustion power is in our food. It isn't how much we eat as much as it is about how food is grown, involving petroleum based agri-chemicals and petroleum based transportation, petroleum based drive-thru dining.

I don't think we will change much until we can see ourselves living the way we have to live if we're to keep life sustainable on this planet. We love comfort, quick gratification, disposable, clean, sanitized.

In one of these forums somebody asked what would happen to the animals we eat if we went to a plant based diet. I didn't post on that one, but I remember thinking about the bears who get huge and aggressive by raiding picnic sites and garbage cans in national parks, as compared to the really wild bears who hunt their food from non-human sources, and who are consequently smaller and more nimble.

If we changed our habits and really became worthy of this planet, a life nurturing paradise that we've brought to the brink of destruction, we have to see ourselves as smaller, sweatier, greasier, more active and nimble, less settled. We'd reassess what kind of education we need. A few years ago there was a photo montage being pushed around the net, showing families from various countries sitting with their food for the week. It included a picture of a barefoot Ecuadorian family sitting on the ground, surrounded by burlap sacks full of vegetables, beans and grain.

Some people posting on this article have pointed out that the poisons we've released into the environment are decreasing the numbers of males. That will slow down human reproduction, but will also slow down the reproduction of all life forms here.

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Eugenics is
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Posted by: pomes on Jun 10, 2009 4:47 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's interesting that the author would accuse some of his detractors of "bordering on eugenics." Eugenics is more than just genocide and forced sterilization, it's also the use of propaganda against the targeted group to convince them that reproducing would be immoral and harmful to society. Some of us are not comfortable being judge, jury, and executioner of our future unborn, and don't assume our children will be condemned to make the same mistakes that we perceive ourselves and our culture as making.

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So what's wrong with your child consuming resources???
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Posted by: JohnTruth2001 on Jun 10, 2009 7:49 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There are abundant resources on this planet for EVERYONE to have clean water, food, shelter, decent jobs, medical care, etc.!!!

Severely corrupt governments + corporations are why so many people are suffering!!!

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I guess I'd be more impressed with the decision to self-sterilize...
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Posted by: mjabele on Jun 10, 2009 8:06 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...prior to siring one's own child if I actually saw a significant number of those individuals who do it - including the author of this article - subsequently adopt and raise children who are not biologically their own.

This seems to be rather rare, however. The individuals I know who've made the decision to self-sterilize prior to having their own biological child have remained childless thereafter. None have adopted a child. This seems to be true for the author as well, though admittedly he leaves open the option.

What I'm getting at is that it seems doubtful to me from viewing this behavior that such individuals are truly engaging in any kind of "sacrifice" - which in turn makes it difficult for those of us for whom it actually WOULD be a sacrifice (i.e., because we really want to raise and spend a significant portion of our lives in the more or less constant company of children) to somehow connect on an emotional level with such individuals.

I tend to agree with those who feel that the primary reason why individuals like the author have chosen not to have children isn't because they've attained a higher level of sensitivity to environmental concerns than the rest of us, but rather because they don't feel that for THEM, there's any special, wonderful, life-enhancing effect derived from raising and spending much if not most of one's free time in the company of children.

Frankly, I think that's fine, as long as one is honest about it. Obviously, individual wants and aspirations are defined differently for everyone, and what rocks my boat may not necessarily rock yours.

For those of us who truly do love and want children, however - around us, for most of the free hours of every one of our days - I often think the argument for self-sterilization would sound a lot more persuasive coming from someone who'd done it and then actually gone on to adopt and raise a couple of children himself, rather than merely talking, as some posters have, about how he or she "loved children" in abstract terms.

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Thank you, folks
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Posted by: pelican beak on Jun 10, 2009 8:31 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Occasionally, I have experiences that clarify with certainty why my choice to not genetically contribute to humanity's future was the right choice.

One of them has been reading these comments.

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» Exactly Posted by: bornxeyed

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vasectomy 40 years ago
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Posted by: zgregz on Jun 10, 2009 11:28 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
congrats Matt, you have done more to conserve the earth than any one who will have children ever will. Consider the parent who begets 2 kids, they later have 2 kids each those two have................ In not much time the home land turns into the crowded cage. In the short time that I've existed, it is difficult to express how the basic quality of existence seems to degrade. Nothing will turn this around, other than many more folks like yourself.

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It's not just Earth's resources in general you'll save.
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Posted by: monkeywrench on Jun 11, 2009 11:00 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You might just be saving your own life, financial and otherwise, as well. I've read that the number one reason for poverty and bankruptcy in America besides catastrophic illness is having children, and I can believe it. From healthcare costs to the cost of post-secondary education, raising children in America is far more expensive than in any other industrialized country – and, increasingly, for many middle-class families is becoming impossible to maintain.

Don't discount the negative health affects on parents, either. We're told constantly about how much our lives are shortened if we don't get adequate sleep; but being a parent often means getting by on about half the necessary sleep each night for years, if your kids don't sleep through the night in their first three years or so, as many don't. How many years of life does that take off? This is an area of health that has not been explored. Add to chronic sleep deprivation the constant worry about providing for their future in a dog-eat-dog culture such as ours, and health and well-being certainly can be compromised; and when they get driver's licenses and cars? Fuggetaboutit!

I realize that I'm flying in the face of the Cultural Imperative, so let me say that if you really, really want kids, knowing the responsibilities, terrific! However, no one, no couple, who opts not to have their own children should be made to feel guilty for their decision, as many often are today. (And, for those who want kids but don't want to add to overpopulation, there are thousands of wonderful kids just waiting to be adopted.) We live on a planet that currently has far more people on it than its environment can comfortably support, and we're looking to add another two billion or so in roughly the next 40 years, so going childless is an option that is long overdue. Besides, you just might live longer.

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Brief lesson on Eugenics
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Posted by: pomes on Jun 12, 2009 11:05 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Al Gore seems hypocritical on this issue having four children himself, but he's really not.

You see, the fit should survive and reproduce. Their children will be wise and compassionate stewards of the earth, living harmonious lives of virtue.

The unfit should die or be sterilized. Their children are a cancer that poison mother Gaia and deplete her of all life and natural resources.

Fit or unfit will be decided by the current corporate status quo, who are all falling all over themselves to greenwash their image.

If you want to learn more, pick up some Thomas Malthus when he made up all this nonsense in the 1700s as a justification to persecute and kill off the poor in poor houses and debtor's prisons which were designed to promote malnutrition, disease, and all of the other good things that shortens the lifespan of the unfit.

Overpopulation IS a problem -- when the masses become too much of a handful for the ruling class, that's a real problem.

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» RE: Brief lesson on Eugenics Posted by: Romantic Violence

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Vasectomy can be selfish
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Posted by: WarrenB on Jun 12, 2009 5:04 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I too had a vasectomy but only after reproducing myself 4 times.

Every child not made by a native American will be replaced by a member of the third world who also comes here to reproduce and consume. His reproduction may be many times more than yours.

Eventually, all these different cultures will be at each other’s throats. It is already happening in many part of the country and it can only get worse.

Remaining childless may serve a selfish purpose but does nothing for the nation of the Founding Fathers.

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Bravo!!!
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Posted by: MotherLodeBeth on Jun 15, 2009 4:49 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
BRAVO!!!!

Would love to see more men and women have permanent birth control, and admire anyone who gets 'clipped'. Thing is its usually Western lifestyles that are the problem.

Simply because a western lifestyle has for decades been about materialism and an attitude that 'we' are better than 'you' because we have more, consume more, throw away more.

Even publications like the magazine Real Simple, which suggests living more simple, is more about consumerism.

In the late 80's and early 90's my husband and I took in seven boys. We already had a teen age son at the time. These young boys were early teens and have family lives that were a problem. They needed a stable home.

Cannot tell you how great older children are. Was almost five when I was adopted. Its the environment that makes the child, not genes. That's my view. All these young men have grown into great men. Stability was the key.That and healthy food, and loving parents.

We wanted to be parents/mentors not a Mommy and Daddy. Which is why we didn't seek out babies. Again I applaud anyone who prevents a human from being created in the first place.

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We're Pleased, But You Forgot A Question
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Posted by: Red State Gal on Jun 15, 2009 8:47 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"A vasectomy fit my needs best." We are so pleased for you. A young man with no patience to practice periodic abstinence ("it's no fun!") has no business reproducing. Thank you!

But you forgot a question. Being as the above quote reveals your mindset, I am not the least bit surprised it didn't even occur to you to ask it: How do your Mom and Dad feel about your choice?

But then again, maybe they know you best and are as pleased as I.

Red State Gal
RedStateFeminists

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Vasectomy@#$%^&^%$#
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Posted by: Chuckster on Jun 17, 2009 3:48 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I must be on another planet, halucinating, or just 'out-to-lunch' Whata "SELFISH","VAIN","EGOTISTICAL","MORONIC" waste of thought,time,and web space!

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Why don't you read the article and comment?
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Posted by: Changling on Jun 18, 2009 10:40 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The only one hallucinating is yourself. The problems are real and they impact you no matter what you do. Even if you don't care to know it.

We need to work together, not just go selfish nihilist and blow it off. It is like a boomerang and it will hit us all.

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Alternet Comments:

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Your life, your choice.
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Posted by: Honky the Nihilist VI on Jun 10, 2009 12:23 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Good for you. I tried to get a vasectomy at 22 and again at 25 but was turned down because I'm "too young".

When are the equal rights advocates going to give men the same post conception "out" that women have? Are women inferior to men and therefore need "separate but equal" policies that deny men equal protection under the law as guaranteed by the 14th amendment to the Constitution?

Karen Decrow, The only Feminist that was not a complete hypocrite stated:
"If women have the right to choose if they become
parents, men [should] have that right too. There is a
connection between legalizing abortion for women
and ending of paternity suits for men. Giving men their
own choices would not deny choices to women.
It would only eliminate their expectation
of having those choices financed by men."

I have seen pictures of female protesters holding signs that say "Take your laws out of my vagina and shove them up your ass". Change "Vagina" to "Wallet" and that sign expresses my sentiments.

I hate children and will never make a concession for them even if they have 23 of my chromosomes.

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» RE: Your life, your choice. Posted by: batmagoo
» RE: Your life, your choice. Posted by: Annarisse
» RE: Your life, your choice. Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Your life, your choice. Posted by: adriayna
» PITY Posted by: sirios
» GOOD NEWS! Posted by: sirios
» Selfish people... Posted by: RegK
» What would you need one for? Posted by: Quicksilver
» RE: What would you need one for? Posted by: Quicksilver
» RE: Your life, your choice. Posted by: daveysabboi

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Overpopulation: The Elephant in the room.
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Posted by: batmagoo on Jun 10, 2009 2:02 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Good piece! It is refreshing to hear anyone at all mention his ( it's even more refreshing when it is a “her” ) awareness of the exponential Carbon Footprint generated ad-infinitum by Western childbirth.

It is as if the lid of self-censorship is sealed most tightly around the subject of human reproduction and population explosion. It is unclear what any of us have to do to focus the attention of so called watchdogs and whistle blowers onto the overarching issue of Human overpopulation: nobody wants to talk about it ( we run around recycling plastic bottles and holding-in our farts, instead of going for the jugular – Pollution comes from somewhere: Our cancerous expansion.)

This piece mentions vasectomy, which of course seems radical to some. To me, the idea of vasectomy points to the desperate realization that we are endlessly coerced by our chemistry and emotions, to say nothing about cultural propaganda, and further, the behavior of the opposite sex, thus it seems understandable that some men are let to taking such drastic measures once the penny begins to drop – that said, the ultimate way, if there is one, lies in population reduction through conscious choice, understanding, and education, because it is important to involve reasoning in this culture which is so prone to base emotionalism.

It is our cultural mindsets that have to change; for instance, our presumed Judeo-Christian belief that “God is in control,” or that “The value of human life is sacred.” A deeper and more insidious feeling of course is that notion that “because childbirth is ever so gratifying on a tactile and emotional level, it can only be beneficial.” It doesn’t seem to occur to many that if evolution is to be taken seriously, it also implies that all pleasure centers in the body and in our psyche are Trojan Horses through which automatic functions deploy their effective power of coercion; it follows that sacrifice of a certain kind or another is not only noble, but actually necessary in order to recover our humanity ( something that the sages told us long ago and that we do not want to hear.)

Most of our conservative humanity is writhing in a cult of self-delight, with little understanding of the very values which they so proclaim to worship, ad-nauseum. Some tough leaps forward and paradigm shifts are urgently needed in this human race, if we are to make it – ironic, isn’t it?

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» Well said and I agree! Posted by: Quist

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Classic quotes:
[Report this comment]
Posted by: kepstein7777 on Jun 10, 2009 2:28 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"We need more parents in this world, not more kids."

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» RE: ONE WORD:OCTOMOM Posted by: joeocho88

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Now if only
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Posted by: uncertain on Jun 10, 2009 3:19 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
all the enviro-whackos would be as dedicated to their cause, we could be rid of the whole brainwashed mess of them within a single generation.

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» RE: Now if only Posted by: chariotdrvr14
» RE: Now if only Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Now if only Posted by: pomes
» RE: Now if only Posted by: cdmsr

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Disappearing males
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Posted by: myanh44 on Jun 10, 2009 3:58 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Not to worry - human males are disappearing through its own actions, so the human population will take care of itself as a matter of time....which is just as well for other life forms in the long run.....

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7530701744597358451

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» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: TheNamelessCity

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Prof Bob
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Posted by: ProfBob on Jun 10, 2009 4:11 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Congrats. I had mine in 1970. Since you are interested in our future ecology, let me suggest that you read the popular free ebook series "And Gulliver Returns" --In Search of Utopia-- at
http//andgulliverreturns.info

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If only
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Posted by: dimityrose on Jun 10, 2009 4:23 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It is so refreshing to know that there are young men whom are being responsible for their sperm. It is about education and responsiblity.

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I'm childless myself, but let's be clear that there are downsides
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Posted by: Jasonix on Jun 10, 2009 5:18 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I don't have children despite being married, and I resonate with the author's reasoning about limited resources. But I'd be dishonest if I told younger people that there's no trade-off.

The trade-off, very simply, is this - you aren't going to have someone to help you when you get old. The way the economy is, you certainly aren't going to save enough in your 401Ks or make good on investments to enable you to support yourself once you can't work anymore. More than likely, around age 70 or so, most Generation X'ers and Millennials who don't have kids today are going to be faced with the choice of committing suicide or suffering a slow, painful death due to malnutrition, neglect, and homelessness. A senile stroll into a freeway where you get hit by a car might be the best fate that could await most of you. (And no, being a vegan will not save you.)

Sure, a few of us will live independently well into our 90s, retaining limber joints and the cognitive prowess of people half our age. But that's very few of us. Most of us will be physically and mentally unable to work by the time we're in our early 70s, and landing a job at that age will be virtually impossible anyway.

Also, let's be clear that human beings are PHYSICAL creatures with hardwired biological natures. We don't have some "mental life" that's separate from our physical bodies - we don't make our decisions based on "rationality" alone. If you decide that you want kids later, you can't satisfy that urge by adopting (adoption is a great, but it isn't a substitute for having your own kids, if that's what your body yearns for).

That said, very few of you can really afford to raise kids now. To do so, you need to have two sets of healthy, fairly well-to-do grandparents to help you out with both time and money. Despite fairy tales of families that have nothing but are happy because "they have love," children raised in distressed circumstances turn out bad nine times out of ten (since their parents are always working and exhausted and aggravated when home, and the schools are substandard and their peers are from homes as screwed up as theirs). What's the point of raising a screwed-up kid who's just going to hurt other people and leave more of a mess behind him?

That's it in a nutshell.

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Yes, Population Control is Needed NOW
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Posted by: teritenn on Jun 10, 2009 5:27 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yes, let’s start sterilizing the women who give birth to drug/crack babies. Don’t let them have more litters.

Sterilize teen girls after the birth of their 1st baby not their 10th. Sterilize all biological parents whose children are in foster care. You want welfare? Well, get sterilized first.

Offer sterilization in return for early release from prisons.

Make sterilization FREE for ages 16 – 45.
All of these things will dramatically reduce future population

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good short piece...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ellie on Jun 10, 2009 5:37 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
on taking responsibility for your own biology... sad that it's such a fight for men and women to access sterilization when they do not want to have children at any cost in their lives... especially with those in their 20's who are refused procedures because 'you might want children in the future'...

not everyone wants to parent, not everyone is cut out to be a parent, nature sometimes forces parenthood, so why do we make it so hard, even for men to not parent??? it's not lack of technology or the old argument of go through with the pregnancy and use adoption...

there are thousands of kids in this country waiting for adoptions that never happen and the financial costs and emotional perils are astronomically high for our entire society for unplanned births...

it's about time ordinary people are allowed to make their own permanent decisions about reproduction and allow sterilization on demand at young ages (highest fertility rates)...

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» RE: good short piece... Posted by: VZEQICVA
» RE: good short piece... Posted by: ellie
» RE: good short piece... Posted by: pelican beak

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Don't paint yourself as a hero just because you don't.....
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Posted by: Allstar Cookie on Jun 10, 2009 6:00 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...want any children.

Most people don't want kids because they just don't want to take on the responsibilities and the liabilities of parenting.
That's fine. I don't have a problem with that....in fact....kudos for being responsible about your own reproductive rights. We could certainly use more of that...as some of the posters have already mentioned......too many kids....and not enough parenting going on nowadays.

That being said, however, I doubt there are any people out there who truly want children, but are sacrificing their wants for the greater human cause.
Stop that "I'm doing the world a favor" nonsense.......just admit that you don't want children....don't like children and get over it. It's nobody's business but your own.

Personally.......I'll admit. I love kids. I have a nine year old daughter and she's my world! I wish my wife and I could have had more.


Allstar Cookie

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» exactly Posted by: inverse_agonist

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Not making babies
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Posted by: SalB on Jun 10, 2009 6:42 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I made the decision last year to not make a baby. I do like kids, I just figure that I have so much more to give a child than my genetic material. I also figure that there are far too many people in the world as it is. If every couple that could afford infertility treatment would spend that money on adoption, we'd have a be a better place.

So I refuse to make a baby. I won't change my mind unless the population falls far below a billion people. It doesn't stop people from suggesting that "the man of my dreams" might want to make babies. That's impossible because then he wouldn't be the man of my dreams. If I never adopt a kid, so be it. At least I will not have added to the already overflowing pile of people.

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Wouldn't the pull-out method
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Robba29 on Jun 10, 2009 6:58 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
or wearing a condom be easier? Or, hell, since its the level of consumption in the US you're worried about, move to Sudan, I hear they are in need of sterile males. Its sad that I used to believe as you do, I'm glad I woke up. Population decline, yes, forcing people to do and believe as you, idiotic and dangerous. And before someone takes issue with "forcing"--the rhetoric of these supporters can only be called that, read some of it before saying anything.

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» Rhetoric is not force Posted by: leafsong1

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HOW NOBLE!
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Posted by: VZEQICVA on Jun 10, 2009 7:03 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Anyone who doesn't what to have children for whatever reason should do everything to prevent it. But please don't pawn it off as some 'unselfish act for a higher purpose'. It's your choice and that's enough. ANNA

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» RE: HOW NOBLE! Posted by: batmagoo
» A bit defensive I see. Posted by: Quist
» RE: A bit defensive I see. Posted by: batmagoo
» RE: HOW NOBLE! Posted by: abstractedaway

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I have made the same decision...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ginny on Jun 10, 2009 7:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
except as a woman, so no vasectomy. I have all of the same reasons (and one additional reason), I answer all critics questions about the same way as you do. As a biologist, I think you are underestimating the power of DNA (it may not be one gene, but a group of genes, that influences a person's sense of empathy for others, justice for people, etc.), but I agree that the whole "smart people need to reproduce" argument is ridiculous. I don't think the earth really needs humans at all.

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LOL! No, it's *we* that will be rid of *you*...
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Posted by: ginny on Jun 10, 2009 7:06 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and your irresponsible overpopulation and destruction of the planet. Have fun! Hope your kids don't suffer too much, but I'm sure you are convinced they won't, or maybe you just don't care.

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the wierdest, most creepy far-out article ever on Alternet
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Posted by: frantic1971 on Jun 10, 2009 7:47 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Holy (bleep)!! Alternet has had some corkers before, but THIS one takes the cake!

Go far enough to the Left, and you'll discover you've gone full circle and met-up with the Nazis.

Look--I don't believe in having a dozen kids (I myself am a single male aged 54 and no kids), and that overpopulation is a problem, but hey this article and many of the comments seem to advocate mass-sterialization.

What's next--obligatory suicide? I suggest the author of the article might want to try it first and then I'll see if I want to do it.

This goofus reminds me of the early Christians, who castrated themselves because the imminent end of the world was nigh.

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» "No birth growth" Posted by: mgmyers79

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Oh please..
[Report this comment]
Posted by: chariotdrvr14 on Jun 10, 2009 8:04 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Quit patting yourself on the back.

A good deed requires no witnesses.

I do agree though about living 'carbon imprint' consciously.

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» This "good deed" is a sideshow Posted by: mgmyers79

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rgd
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Posted by: rgd on Jun 10, 2009 8:05 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My econ. prof. in college wrote a book, spent time in China and addressed joint sessions of congress about overpopulation in the world. This was in the late '80's. Her findings were rather interesting. She stated that the so-called overpopulation was not that the world could not support billions of people, but rather the governments of the world HAVE FAILED IN THEIR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE. So the gov't along with certain scientist set out to prove the we are living in an unsustainable world. I don't remember the name of the book she wrote, but her name is Professor Jaquelyn Caisun.

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More for me
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Posted by: Ayla87 on Jun 10, 2009 8:14 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My goal is to hit the double digits when I'm done, but to be fair, I plan on adopting a few of them. I don't know how many pregancies I can handle, especially since twins run on both sides of my family. ouch.

The way I see it, merely not having kids is only a temporary solution to the problem. Just because the population drops doesn't mean the level of consumption will. And even if it does drop, it doesn't change the fact that we'll still be consuming at a rate and in ways that are detrimental to the enviornment. Instead, we should be focusing on ways to lower our impact on the planet as much as possible, while maintaining a decent standard of living in the process. We can't do that without more engineers,and scientists; We can't get more of those perfessionals unless more people are raised as children to have an interest in these fields. Simply put, we need more smart people in the world.

There are two ways of doing this: First, we can adopt the unwanted children of others, and raise them as our own. The only problem with this is that US adoption law is such a mess that it's next to impossible to raise someone elses child. Which is a real shame, because those children have the same potential as any other. They're just unlikely to recieve the same quality of enrichment and education that a child born into the middle or upper classes will.

The second alternative is to pop out our own children and raise them appropriately. Anyone who's smart enough recognize the problems in our world (not just environmental) is smart enough to raise a child to be aware of and find solutions to those same problems. But we don't, because the people who are smart enough to have these children are too busy being PC screaming, "The earth is over crowded, we're all going to die! Stop having kids!"

Not only do smart people have to breed more (or at least adopt), but they have to actually educate thier children to give a damn. Having a high IQ child doesn't mean anything if he's vegged out all the time watching spongebob or playing Halo. You need to show him the wonder of the world, and allow his curiosity to grow.

That is how we take care of the issue of over consumption. It doesn't matter how many people are in the world, but what type. Getting yourself snipped was just a cop out. It's like putting spare change in those Salvation Army buckets at Christmas time then saying you did your part. When in fact, all you really did was what required the least effort, and will have the least impact.

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» assumptions Posted by: inverse_agonist
» RE: assumptions Posted by: Ayla87
» RE: More for me Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: More for me Posted by: Ayla87

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I had a vasectomy for the same reasons...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: InkMeister on Jun 10, 2009 8:54 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I agree with the author of the article. I took the same steps nearly a year ago to the day, at the age of 24, and for many of the same reasons. I am child-free and will now be so for life (unless I adopt).

It is interesting to see the powerful responses an article like this provokes. When I read this article, I see a person talking about a decision they made, and the rationale for it. In response, I see people taking it personally, getting angry, agitated, and being generally rude and hostile (I get the same response when I speak of child-freedom as well). What that points out to me is that this is a really sensitive and PERSONAL issue for people, and people tend to be very invested in their position. So it is worth stepping back and reminding ourselves that the author here has not said that YOU or I should be sterilized. He is merely pointing out why he thought HE should be sterilized. He is not advocating forced sterilization as the Nazi's did.

I'll say that it is my opinion that if "breeders" (I don't mean to be offensive with the term) gave half the thought to having kids as child-free individuals give to remaining child-free, the world would be a better place. Seriously, it is largely taken for granted that we all ought to reproduce. There is often (there are exceptions) not a lot of thought that goes into that. Considering the consequences of creating a child compared to the consequences of being sterilized, I think this is a precisely backwards state of affairs.

I encourage those whose path leads to children to go ahead and have children, but not without great consideration and appreciation for the weight of that decision (and also to not forget that there are plenty of children that already exist who need love). It is my belief that the author of this article would say the same.

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WoW
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Gilgamesh on Jun 10, 2009 9:27 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
so, you believe earth is over populated? then why dont you speed it up and just kill yourself.

your going to use up a lot of resources yourself because your still alive.

over population is not the problem. its the economic irresponsibility of not using money for people. if america didnt spend trillions on "defense" (war) think of how many more billions of people could be fed and clothed. imagine not using FOOD FOR FUEL. what a novel idea, food for people... who would have thought.

clean energy could reduce pollution and disease, and societies could function as they were meant to without false shortages and multi national corporations around to rape them of their land and money. and maybe down the road human beings could start to colonize space (if we dont blow ourselves up first).. then there would be even more room down here to grow food.

this is phony environmentalism and you have become de-humanized because you believe people are a problem when its just those in power who make it worse for all of us.

the earth can sustain 13 billion people at the maximum ... so why are we struggling with 7? so keep your george soros propaganda and government talking points to yourself, and let the real normal people keep their children and their families going.

just check out the georgia guidestones, the NWO does exist and they want massive depopulation and all you are doing is helping them. get your head out of your ass. i guess i should be thankful that you wont reproduce though, because after your gone thats one less brain-dead dumbed-down sub-human.

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» RE: WoW - WoW to you, that is! Posted by: batmagoo
» RE: WoW Posted by: sunnywater
» RE: WoW Posted by: Squarehead
» RE: WoW Posted by: Romantic Violence

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Choice
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Posted by: Sanford on Jun 10, 2009 9:47 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Would an intelligent, compassionate, selfless, rational person choose to have a child after giving that choice the carefully reasoned examination that it deserves? For instance, "having" a child carries along with it a death sentence for that person.

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» RE: Choice Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Choice Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Choice Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Choice Posted by: Sanford
» RE: Choice Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Choice Posted by: Curio
» RE: Choice Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Choice Posted by: Sanford

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The Best Decision of My Life
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Posted by: raincascadia on Jun 10, 2009 10:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thank you so much for writing this! I got my vasectomy when I was 21 and have never looked back. It was the best decision of my life, thus far. Besides the obvious sexual benefits (a lot more womyn are interested in sex when there is no risk of pregnancy), I can rest assured that I am contributing to a better future for all species on this planet. This is the simplest thing you can do to save Gaia (and I've never seen it on such lists).

We need more funds for free vasectomies, with laws that protect the right of adult males to choose to get them. This is a civil rights issue!

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» RE: The Best Decision of My Life Posted by: sureshot45

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Adoption
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Posted by: kurtinvancouver on Jun 10, 2009 10:35 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A question for the author, will you be adopting a child? You mention that you may think about it but will you actually do it?

If so, good for you. You can raise a progressive mind, truly show you believe in nurture over nature, and bring a good home to one of our overpopulated world's underprivileged children. If not, you are simple a eco blow-hard that is trying to feel high and mighty about shirking your responsibility to the future of humanity.

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» RE: Adoption Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Adoption Posted by: kurtinvancouver
» RE: Adoption Posted by: cmaciain
» RE: Adoption Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Adoption Posted by: GEM-592
» Not at all... Posted by: mjabele
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: Col. of Truth
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: GEM-592
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: Col. of Truth
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: GEM-592
» Well done! Posted by: Curio
» RE: Well done! Posted by: Squarehead
» RE: Well done! Posted by: Curio
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: GEM-592
» Since you asked... Posted by: Col. of Truth
» Look at the mind-reader! Posted by: Curio
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: bornxeyed
» Actually, YOU talk of insanity Posted by: Col. of Truth
» And as for my misanthropy... Posted by: bornxeyed
» Of course, more insults Posted by: Col. of Truth
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: GEM-592
» RE: Not at all... Posted by: Curio
» RE: Adoption Posted by: GEM-592

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What's with the troll-fest?!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: DaBear on Jun 10, 2009 12:36 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Great piece.

What's with the troll-boom in the comments?! Holy craptasmatrons!

The dude made a responsible choice. He wrote about it. Such a crime...

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nobody's touching MY balls!
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Posted by: raginghormones on Jun 10, 2009 1:09 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
So this Mr. Leonard guy gets a lot of pride having his gonads snipped and watching them wither like a grape that's been picked from the stem. And then posts an article bragging about how great he was for doing this? SICK!!

Nobody's touching MY babymakers! Mr. Leonard's just a neutered nothing now.

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» RE: nobody's touching MY balls! Posted by: bornxeyed

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Disappearing males
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Posted by: myanh44 on Jun 10, 2009 1:14 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It seems human males are disappearing at an unprecedented rate......which means the human over-population problem would take care of itself as a matter of time.

Watch the following documentary for more info

http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/doczone/

(Search for Disappearing Males)

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» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: bornxeyed
» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: pelican beak
» RE: Disappearing males Posted by: bornxeyed

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Awesome!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: John Freeman on Jun 10, 2009 2:38 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am 64 years old and am truly enjoying hearing of young men who are taking care of themselves in the way I did when I was 24. It was VERY difficult to get a vasectomy then unless one already had a passle of kids. Not having been trapped in the kid mill, I have had a pretty interesting life doing things it would have been impossible to do if supporting a family. Yes, I have been married most of the time, but got to sail a boat I built myself 50,000 miles around in the Pacific, have operated ship-docking tugboats and now run a hot air balloon company in Oregon. Paying for kids would have demanded holding a regular grinding job. Get yourself a vasectomy guys, there's a big world out there to explore!

Veteran '66-68

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» By reducing population, I can consume more. Posted by: Honky the Nihilist VI

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amazing...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: danny6126 on Jun 10, 2009 3:32 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The reasoning behind this decision indicates cynicism, not hope. He envelops “person” within “consumer” so completely that there is no other possible consequence of living except for a new child to be scourge on the earth. No matter what this fictive person might have been or done could not, in Leonard’s mind, balance the pollution of existence. A contemptuous way to decrease carbon footprints...and handprints…and fingerprints. Why work on energy issues, or anything for that matter? Amazing.

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I appreciate the author's thoughtfulness,
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Bliss Doubt on Jun 10, 2009 4:07 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
but I'm not sure that reducing population is everything. Yes, there are problem philosophies of breeding, like that of the Mormons, who have so many kids because they believe God wills it, like that of Catholics and protestants who believe that birth control is wrong (yes, the "abstinence only" crowd is beginning to preach that the pill is an abortifacient, and therefore sinful), and let's throw in those who believe that sex education is wrong for kids who are at an age to begin experiencing those urges.

I continue to read that birth rates in this country have been in continuous decline for the past decade or more.

At the end of the day, humans will do what comes naturally. Well to do and middle class people with access to health care tend to have fewer kids. In poverty conditions women have more babies than they can comfortably support because it is the end of the day, a long hard day, after which the comfort of intimacy is a blessing, though that day has not included a visit to a doctor for a check-up, much less for birth control methods.

Less population will consume less, but how much less? When I was growing up there was one bathroom in our house for mom, dad and three kids. We normally bathed every other day, except during really hot, sweaty weather. I washed my hair once a week. Most people lived that way. Nobody thought anything of it. In other countries people still live that way. People buy staples in bulk, and grow at least some of their own food. People use public transportation.

Consumption in this country will continue out of control as long as our subsidies keep their direction. Judging by taxpayer subsidies here, we have given no care to green energy companies, who have gone elsewhere to thrive, to become profitable, to earn Nobel prizes. I don't think that in our hundreds of thousands of years of evolution mankind was ever as much a threat to this planet as since we discovered the power of combustion. Now we're a menace, to ourselves and to all of life.

Combustion power is in our food. It isn't how much we eat as much as it is about how food is grown, involving petroleum based agri-chemicals and petroleum based transportation, petroleum based drive-thru dining.

I don't think we will change much until we can see ourselves living the way we have to live if we're to keep life sustainable on this planet. We love comfort, quick gratification, disposable, clean, sanitized.

In one of these forums somebody asked what would happen to the animals we eat if we went to a plant based diet. I didn't post on that one, but I remember thinking about the bears who get huge and aggressive by raiding picnic sites and garbage cans in national parks, as compared to the really wild bears who hunt their food from non-human sources, and who are consequently smaller and more nimble.

If we changed our habits and really became worthy of this planet, a life nurturing paradise that we've brought to the brink of destruction, we have to see ourselves as smaller, sweatier, greasier, more active and nimble, less settled. We'd reassess what kind of education we need. A few years ago there was a photo montage being pushed around the net, showing families from various countries sitting with their food for the week. It included a picture of a barefoot Ecuadorian family sitting on the ground, surrounded by burlap sacks full of vegetables, beans and grain.

Some people posting on this article have pointed out that the poisons we've released into the environment are decreasing the numbers of males. That will slow down human reproduction, but will also slow down the reproduction of all life forms here.

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Eugenics is
[Report this comment]
Posted by: pomes on Jun 10, 2009 4:47 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's interesting that the author would accuse some of his detractors of "bordering on eugenics." Eugenics is more than just genocide and forced sterilization, it's also the use of propaganda against the targeted group to convince them that reproducing would be immoral and harmful to society. Some of us are not comfortable being judge, jury, and executioner of our future unborn, and don't assume our children will be condemned to make the same mistakes that we perceive ourselves and our culture as making.

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So what's wrong with your child consuming resources???
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JohnTruth2001 on Jun 10, 2009 7:49 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There are abundant resources on this planet for EVERYONE to have clean water, food, shelter, decent jobs, medical care, etc.!!!

Severely corrupt governments + corporations are why so many people are suffering!!!

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I guess I'd be more impressed with the decision to self-sterilize...
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Posted by: mjabele on Jun 10, 2009 8:06 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...prior to siring one's own child if I actually saw a significant number of those individuals who do it - including the author of this article - subsequently adopt and raise children who are not biologically their own.

This seems to be rather rare, however. The individuals I know who've made the decision to self-sterilize prior to having their own biological child have remained childless thereafter. None have adopted a child. This seems to be true for the author as well, though admittedly he leaves open the option.

What I'm getting at is that it seems doubtful to me from viewing this behavior that such individuals are truly engaging in any kind of "sacrifice" - which in turn makes it difficult for those of us for whom it actually WOULD be a sacrifice (i.e., because we really want to raise and spend a significant portion of our lives in the more or less constant company of children) to somehow connect on an emotional level with such individuals.

I tend to agree with those who feel that the primary reason why individuals like the author have chosen not to have children isn't because they've attained a higher level of sensitivity to environmental concerns than the rest of us, but rather because they don't feel that for THEM, there's any special, wonderful, life-enhancing effect derived from raising and spending much if not most of one's free time in the company of children.

Frankly, I think that's fine, as long as one is honest about it. Obviously, individual wants and aspirations are defined differently for everyone, and what rocks my boat may not necessarily rock yours.

For those of us who truly do love and want children, however - around us, for most of the free hours of every one of our days - I often think the argument for self-sterilization would sound a lot more persuasive coming from someone who'd done it and then actually gone on to adopt and raise a couple of children himself, rather than merely talking, as some posters have, about how he or she "loved children" in abstract terms.

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Thank you, folks
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Posted by: pelican beak on Jun 10, 2009 8:31 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Occasionally, I have experiences that clarify with certainty why my choice to not genetically contribute to humanity's future was the right choice.

One of them has been reading these comments.

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» Exactly Posted by: bornxeyed

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vasectomy 40 years ago
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Posted by: zgregz on Jun 10, 2009 11:28 PM   
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congrats Matt, you have done more to conserve the earth than any one who will have children ever will. Consider the parent who begets 2 kids, they later have 2 kids each those two have................ In not much time the home land turns into the crowded cage. In the short time that I've existed, it is difficult to express how the basic quality of existence seems to degrade. Nothing will turn this around, other than many more folks like yourself.

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It's not just Earth's resources in general you'll save.
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Posted by: monkeywrench on Jun 11, 2009 11:00 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You might just be saving your own life, financial and otherwise, as well. I've read that the number one reason for poverty and bankruptcy in America besides catastrophic illness is having children, and I can believe it. From healthcare costs to the cost of post-secondary education, raising children in America is far more expensive than in any other industrialized country – and, increasingly, for many middle-class families is becoming impossible to maintain.

Don't discount the negative health affects on parents, either. We're told constantly about how much our lives are shortened if we don't get adequate sleep; but being a parent often means getting by on about half the necessary sleep each night for years, if your kids don't sleep through the night in their first three years or so, as many don't. How many years of life does that take off? This is an area of health that has not been explored. Add to chronic sleep deprivation the constant worry about providing for their future in a dog-eat-dog culture such as ours, and health and well-being certainly can be compromised; and when they get driver's licenses and cars? Fuggetaboutit!

I realize that I'm flying in the face of the Cultural Imperative, so let me say that if you really, really want kids, knowing the responsibilities, terrific! However, no one, no couple, who opts not to have their own children should be made to feel guilty for their decision, as many often are today. (And, for those who want kids but don't want to add to overpopulation, there are thousands of wonderful kids just waiting to be adopted.) We live on a planet that currently has far more people on it than its environment can comfortably support, and we're looking to add another two billion or so in roughly the next 40 years, so going childless is an option that is long overdue. Besides, you just might live longer.

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Brief lesson on Eugenics
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Posted by: pomes on Jun 12, 2009 11:05 AM   
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Al Gore seems hypocritical on this issue having four children himself, but he's really not.

You see, the fit should survive and reproduce. Their children will be wise and compassionate stewards of the earth, living harmonious lives of virtue.

The unfit should die or be sterilized. Their children are a cancer that poison mother Gaia and deplete her of all life and natural resources.

Fit or unfit will be decided by the current corporate status quo, who are all falling all over themselves to greenwash their image.

If you want to learn more, pick up some Thomas Malthus when he made up all this nonsense in the 1700s as a justification to persecute and kill off the poor in poor houses and debtor's prisons which were designed to promote malnutrition, disease, and all of the other good things that shortens the lifespan of the unfit.

Overpopulation IS a problem -- when the masses become too much of a handful for the ruling class, that's a real problem.

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» RE: Brief lesson on Eugenics Posted by: Romantic Violence

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Vasectomy can be selfish
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Posted by: WarrenB on Jun 12, 2009 5:04 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I too had a vasectomy but only after reproducing myself 4 times.

Every child not made by a native American will be replaced by a member of the third world who also comes here to reproduce and consume. His reproduction may be many times more than yours.

Eventually, all these different cultures will be at each other’s throats. It is already happening in many part of the country and it can only get worse.

Remaining childless may serve a selfish purpose but does nothing for the nation of the Founding Fathers.

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Bravo!!!
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Posted by: MotherLodeBeth on Jun 15, 2009 4:49 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
BRAVO!!!!

Would love to see more men and women have permanent birth control, and admire anyone who gets 'clipped'. Thing is its usually Western lifestyles that are the problem.

Simply because a western lifestyle has for decades been about materialism and an attitude that 'we' are better than 'you' because we have more, consume more, throw away more.

Even publications like the magazine Real Simple, which suggests living more simple, is more about consumerism.

In the late 80's and early 90's my husband and I took in seven boys. We already had a teen age son at the time. These young boys were early teens and have family lives that were a problem. They needed a stable home.

Cannot tell you how great older children are. Was almost five when I was adopted. Its the environment that makes the child, not genes. That's my view. All these young men have grown into great men. Stability was the key.That and healthy food, and loving parents.

We wanted to be parents/mentors not a Mommy and Daddy. Which is why we didn't seek out babies. Again I applaud anyone who prevents a human from being created in the first place.

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We're Pleased, But You Forgot A Question
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Posted by: Red State Gal on Jun 15, 2009 8:47 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"A vasectomy fit my needs best." We are so pleased for you. A young man with no patience to practice periodic abstinence ("it's no fun!") has no business reproducing. Thank you!

But you forgot a question. Being as the above quote reveals your mindset, I am not the least bit surprised it didn't even occur to you to ask it: How do your Mom and Dad feel about your choice?

But then again, maybe they know you best and are as pleased as I.

Red State Gal
RedStateFeminists

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Vasectomy@#$%^&^%$#
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Posted by: Chuckster on Jun 17, 2009 3:48 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I must be on another planet, halucinating, or just 'out-to-lunch' Whata "SELFISH","VAIN","EGOTISTICAL","MORONIC" waste of thought,time,and web space!

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Why don't you read the article and comment?
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Posted by: Changling on Jun 18, 2009 10:40 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The only one hallucinating is yourself. The problems are real and they impact you no matter what you do. Even if you don't care to know it.

We need to work together, not just go selfish nihilist and blow it off. It is like a boomerang and it will hit us all.

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