When I first stopped eating meat last year, I looked at a lot of sites about being a vegetarian for tips, recipes, etc.  Through one of those, I was able to make contact with some local vegetarians.  It was really helpful.  I was able to find out about specialty food markets, veg-friendly restaurants, which manufacturers don't use chicken broth as a base for soups, etc.  I even continue to send/receive email from some of them.  All good, right?

As one might suspect, a number of local vegetarians are passionate about other issues.  I've been invited to attend events to protest war, death penalty, and animal testing.  Local wiccans (white magic, not black) have invited me to learn about their religion.  Environmentalists contact me about everything from recycling to giving up the use of toilet paper.  Earth mother types send information about the evils of vaccinations, circumcision, and hospital birth.  Some of these I support, some I don't.  I have a delete button, so live and let live, right?

Until today...

Today I got an email from a woman who wants me to help her put her unassisted home waterbirth into story form, so she can submit it to some website.  In the email, she gave lots of details.  She gave birth in a wading pool set up in the living room, with only friends and family to assist.  Her husband was in the wading pool with her to catch the baby and so they could engage in sexual activities in between contractions because certain stimulations and subsequent substances supposedly make labor faster and easier.  All of this was done right in front of the family and friends.  She was far more explicit about the exact details than I have been in this post.  She offered photos and a video of the whole thing, saying that seeing it all would make it easier to write her story. 

Anyway, just as I was composing my reply in my head (definitely planning to decline), it got worse.  A photo.  Right there in the email.  It wasn't a thumbnail I could download for more detail.  It was a huge image pasted right into the email.  She was totally naked and on hands and knees in the wading pool, the water up to mid thigh level.  The photo was taken from behind, with all of her private parts on full display.  It would have been a classic porn position if not for the bloody, half emerged head.  Next to her squatted the husband (I'm assuming it was the husband), also completely nude.  I don't think I am a prude, but I still haven't recovered from the shock.

I realize that she, completely enraptured by the birth and her new baby, probably considers this photo (and all of the details) beautiful.  The method she chooses for childbirth is her own business.  Honestly, I don't care if she chooses to give birth while suspended from a tree branch overhanging the Mississippi River.  But, I am a complete stranger and I don't want an unsolicited photo of it.

Seriously, what kind of person sends this to a complete stranger?  For all she knew, I might open it at work or be one of those people who pass out at the sight of blood.  I might be some pervert who would immediately send the photo to some fetish website.  I might just be a person who doesn't want to unexpectedly see her genitals (and hear about her sexual activities) while trying to enjoy my first cup of coffee of the morning.

Sheesh....

Yeah... It starts with one little step - vegetarian life style. One step closer to simplicity. It ends here 

---

Leah:

Seriously, what kind of person sends this to a complete stranger?

One who is too wrapped up in herself to think about what anyone else might or might not want to do, see, etc. I don't think she's like that only in this case. She probably is just as careless in other respects. Anyway, my condolences, I would certainly not want that picture to be plastered all over my screen. I'm not the prudish type but that's just TMI.

---

 I just read your post, Leah – this is so awful, the lady and her gang are just perverts.

 This is the very ugly side of the Internet – anybody can send us anything. Do we have the right to complain? Probably not, if we are over 18.

---

Nice....

So, what did you told them ? 

---

- Независимость - это когда в 20-й раз наступаешь на одни и те же грабли, а русские уже ни при чем....

_Sergey_:

Yeah... It starts with one little step - vegetarian life style. One step closer to simplicity. It ends here 

 

It is a slippery slope, isn't it?  One minute you are happily munching on a veggie burger, then, before you know it, you are up to your eyeballs in cocaine and polygamy.  ;)

KGBMan:

Nice....

So, what did you told them ? 

Nothing.  I decided the photo negates any obligation to respond politely.  I put the email address on my blocked list.

Another thing I'm wondering about...

If she will send this information and photo to a stranger, and plans to post it all on some website, is she also likely to show these pics and video to the child?  And at what age?  Of course, I don't think any age is old enough.  My mother and I are fairly open, but that is not something I'd ever be able to get out of my head.

can i see the video??

---

pomidorchik:

can i see the video??

I was waiting for this one ;))) 

---

- Независимость - это когда в 20-й раз наступаешь на одни и те же грабли, а русские уже ни при чем....

stop pretending you couldn;t find something like this on google

---

________________________________________
"Я это понимаю на рациональном уровне, но не могу принять на эмоциональном" --Бизнесмен Борис Березовский

Egor:

stop pretending you couldn;t find something like this on google

why searching when we have a distribution channel right here ;)

---

- Независимость - это когда в 20-й раз наступаешь на одни и те же грабли, а русские уже ни при чем....

pomidorchik:

can i see the video??

I never had the video, just a single photo.  The video was offered to assist me if I helped her with her story, which I most certainly am not.

P.S.  Ewwww!  You want to see birth porn?

Leah,    I had a guy ask me if I wanted to see a picture of his wife.   When he showed me the picture, she was lying on the bed spread eagle to the camera completely naked, showing all that God gave her.   I just kinda gulped and said she was pretty and turned away as quickly as possible.  I had never seen a man treat his wife with so much disrespect. 

Your story reminded me of that incident.    Course, I never got close to this guy again and made sure he knew I didn't want to be friends.   What was I supposed to do if I ever met his wife face to face?   What would be appropriate to say?   This guy was sick.   So is your lady.

---

Make each day count to improve yourself and those around you

Such people are not just "wrapped up", but definitely have some psychological problem (that can be compared to excibitionism - sorry for spelling, don't remember the correct one).