Marines Rush to Get Tattoos Before Ban

[Rhino]

Marines Rush to Get Tattoos Before Ban on Big Body Art Kicks In

Thursday, March 29, 2007

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Five tattooed skulls stretch from Marine Cpl. Jeremy Slaton's right elbow to his wrist, spelling out the word "Death." He planned to add a tattoo spelling "Life" on his left arm, but that's on hold because of a Marine policy taking effect Sunday.

The Marines are banning any new, extra-large tattoos below the elbow or the knee, saying such body art is harmful to the Corps' spit-and-polish image.

Slaton and other grunts are not pleased.

"I guess I'll get the other half later," grumbled the 24-year-old leatherneck from Eden Prairie, Minn. "It's kind of messed up."

For many Marines, getting a tattoo is a rite of passage. They commonly get their forearms inscribed to remember fallen comrades, combat tours or loved ones, and often ask for exotic designs that incorporate the Marine motto, Semper Fi, or "Always faithful."

Dozens of Marines from Camp Pendleton, the West Coast's biggest Marine base, made last-minute trips to tattoo parlors in nearby Oceanside before the ban kicked in.....http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,262080,00.html

[DeclinetoState]

Yeah, a marine without a tattoo is like . . .

A liberal without an annoying voice
A western without horses
Ted Kennedy without a red face
James Bond without beautiful woman
Congressman Waxman without nose hair

[Wolfcounsel]

What type of Military member wants to look like a fruitloop with large tattoos covering his arms and legs? Sounds like a pretty-boy type, the one who wears earrings off-duty.

[DeclinetoState]

Men who wear earrings don't seem all that macho to me.

Much as women with tattoos (in most places) don't strike me as all that feminine.

[Wolfcounsel]

Declined, don't you mean, a Marine without a tattoo is like a liberal with an annoying voice? Then it would fit perfectly with the rest.

Oh. Never mind. I get it.

[libertyman]

What type of Military member wants to look like a fruitloop with large tattoos covering his arms and legs? Sounds like a pretty-boy type, the one who wears earrings off-duty.

Doesn't the latest tattoo craze have a lot to do w/ today's rap & gang culture? I'm probably mistaken on that point, but am curious. I know that opinions r like a**holes, but I think tattoos are disgusting--ESPECIALLY when they cover an entire arm, the neck & face, or who knows what else....u couldn't pay me enuff $ to get one.

[DoctorDoom]

So you don't like these beautiful people?

<center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/DocDoom777/Uglies.jpg" border="1" /></center>

[Wolfcounsel]

I call it a "pretty-boy" syndrome in men, and a "dumbass" syndrome in women, and by pretty-boy, I mean something close to momma's boy.

[BEST45CAL]

Man or woman, extreme tattoos or piercings are self-hate. (BDD)

Marines and tats go back a long time, but the excuse that guys used to give when they got one is that they were DRUNK!

They'd stumble into the barracks and wake up from a night of boozing and discover that their arm hurt like hell and had a big, greasy bandage on it. When they took it off, you can imagine their surprise as I have witnessed this on more than one occasion. At least they had the good judgement to have "USMC" or the EGA permanently emblazoned on their upper arm.

If you went into bootcamp with a USMC tat, you could expect to catch hell from the drill instructors because you had no right to wear it.

They would make you scrub it off. In the mean time, they made sure to make your life especially harsh because in your stupidity, you tried to claim 200 years of history without putting in the sacrifice. Yes, they would **** you up. Not even God could help you then.

Those people usually did not successfully complete Marine Corps recruit training. And they left "The Island" with fresh scar tissue...where their USMC tat used to be.

There may have been a few who made it, but going into bootcamp with a Marine Corps tat is NOT the thing to do. That's like asking for death.

Marine Officers generally do not wear tattoos. That's more of a lower class societal anomaly that exists within the enlisted ranks.

[omegatrump]

I call it Graffiti, Tatoos on goons is sort of like watching box cars go buy at a train stop, or looking at graffiti in the wrong part of town, or...

[buckeyepete]

1963.......Hotel Street, Honolulu, Hawaii. Yep, first time really away from home and on my own. I can do what the hell I want. Ma and Pop had no hold on me anymore. Got a tatoo of a 'Tall Ship' with the letters USN underneath, on my right upper arm near the shoulder.

Drunk?.......Yep, afterwards.
Regrets?.....Nope.
Pay you to get one?.........Didn't make enough $.
Pretty-boy, Mama's-boy?.........Not a fruitloop neither.

Reason?.......Young and PROUD to be in the Navy.
Rite of passage?.......You can bet your ass on that.You'd be proud if your home port was "Pearl" and your permanent berth gave you visual view of the USS ARIZONA both at high tide as well as low tide.

How many of the FC'rs have tats, and are you ashamed?

[DesertFox]

Tats used to be rite of passage to manhood. Today they're a narcissistic ritual of much different stripe.

I never got any and am glad I didn't.

[DeclinetoState]

You should get a tat of your avatar, DF.

:grin:

[Suzie]

You should get a tat of your avatar, DF.

:grin:
I can't do tattoos. :lol: I could try to run his arm thru the printer maybe.

[BEST45CAL]

<-- tat-less

[Wolfcounsel]

None here. Never will be.

[Timberwolf]

In my "wilder" days, I once thought of getting a tattoo of Foghorn Leghorn (I say, I say, I say, BOY!!), with a noose around his neck, on the inside of my lower leg, just below the knee. (My best friend had been buggin' me to get one for about 4 years)...when I told him of my plans, he said, "Dayum! That would hurt like holy living hell!! Why would you get one THERE??"

I replied, "Cuz, then when I told women I had a cock hung down below my knees, I wouldn't be lying."

I guess Dr. Pepper REALLY hurts when it shoots out yer nose like that. :D

[DeclinetoState]

If you could get a prominent liberal's mug tattooed onto your rear end, whose would it be--and why?

[Riverboat]

What type of Military member wants to look like a fruitloop with large tattoos covering his arms and legs? Sounds like a pretty-boy type, the one who wears earrings off-duty.I'm definitely with the No-tats crowd. Whenever I see someone sporting one of those, I automatically knock off fifty points from his probable I.Q.

Of course, most of the tats I see are on HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, and those are the shaved-head, baggy-pants-wearing, knuckledragging, graffiti-scrawling morons.

[DoctorDoom]

"If you've ever financed a tattoo, you might be a redneck."
-- Jeff Foxworthy

"If you need one more hole punched in your card to get a freebie at the House of Tattoos, you might be a redneck."
-- Jeff Foxworthy

"If you select a date’s corsage to match her tattoo, you might be a redneck."
-- Jeff Foxworthy

[Timberwolf]

If you could get a prominent liberal's mug tattooed onto your rear end, whose would it be--and why?
I wouldn't defile my hinder in such a heinous way....bite your tongue!! :D

[CzechPrince]

1963.......Hotel Street, Honolulu, Hawaii. Yep, first time really away from home and on my own. I can do what the hell I want. Ma and Pop had no hold on me anymore. Got a tatoo of a 'Tall Ship' with the letters USN underneath, on my right upper arm near the shoulder.

Drunk?.......Yep, afterwards.
Regrets?.....Nope.
Pay you to get one?.........Didn't make enough $.
Pretty-boy, Mama's-boy?.........Not a fruitloop neither.

Reason?.......Young and PROUD to be in the Navy.
Rite of passage?.......You can bet your ass on that.You'd be proud if your home port was "Pearl" and your permanent berth gave you visual view of the USS ARIZONA both at high tide as well as low tide.

How many of the FC'rs have tats, and are you ashamed?


Exactly.

I have a tattoo of an icon of The Virgin Mary and infant Christ on my left shoulder, and my last name in Cyrillic on my right arm.

[Wolfcounsel]

"Pretty-boy, Mama's-boy?.........Not a fruitloop neither.

Reason?.......Young and PROUD to be in the Navy.
Rite of passage?.......You can bet your ass on that.You'd be proud if your home port was "Pearl" and your permanent berth gave you visual view of the USS ARIZONA both at high tide as well as low tide." --buckeyepete

I was young (still am) and proud to be in the Navy also. Stationed at Pearl Harbor also. I didn't need a rite of passage to tell me I'm grown-up. I meant, if you're in the Military and your undying desire is to cover your ass in tattoos and earrings, then you are a fruit loop, pretty boy, or anything else besides Military. Reminds me of those things who join the Military for the college benefits.

One joins the Armed Forces to learn how to kill the enemy and destroy his war machine. One can look like an ogre's butthole when he gets out.

[DeclinetoState]

I meant, if you're in the Military and your undying desire is to cover your ass in tattoos and earrings . . .

How does one cover one's ass in earrings? I'm getting a very bizarre visual here.

It would make sitting rather uncomfortable, no?

[buckeyepete]

"Pretty-boy, Mama's-boy?.........Not a fruitloop neither.

Reason?.......Young and PROUD to be in the Navy.
Rite of passage?.......You can bet your ass on that.You'd be proud if your home port was "Pearl" and your permanent berth gave you visual view of the USS ARIZONA both at high tide as well as low tide." --buckeyepete

I was young (still am) and proud to be in the Navy also. Stationed at Pearl Harbor also. I didn't need a rite of passage to tell me I'm grown-up. I meant, if you're in the Military and your undying desire is to cover your ass in tattoos and earrings, then you are a fruit loop, pretty boy, or anything else besides Military. Reminds me of those things who join the Military for the college benefits.

One joins the Armed Forces to learn how to kill the enemy and destroy his war machine. One can look like an ogre's butthole when he gets out.

WOW Wolfie! Sure got your shorts in a knot don't ya? But, to resort to name calling (fruit loop, pretty boy,mama's boy) and saying I was not MILITARY, tells me that yes you are "still am" young.

I left the service in October, 1965. That was 41+ years ago. Times were different then. And yes, I was and still am proud. Not even you with your high and mighty denunciation of a tattoo wearer can change that. And did you notice where I had it put. Upper right arm at the shoulder. A T-shirt covers it so as not to offend the "real military that will kill the enemy and destroy his war machine."

If you are still in the military, my hat's off to you, and you have my best wishes. And if my having a tattoo upsets you too much, I appologize.

Pete...........Not a pussy, and still proud...

PS.. Honorable discharge by the way.

[Wolfcounsel]

"If you are still in the military, my hat's off to you, and you have my best wishes. And if my having a tattoo upsets you too much, I appologize." --buckeyepete

I'm not going to have a shit pie-throwing contest over tattoos here or anywhere. Or maybe I will.:evilgrin:

I am saying that if you think tattoos and earrings are your life while you are in the Military, then yes, you are strange, whether or not you can shoot the camel fly off a coward at 1000 meters without a scope, like I can. You can get as butt-ugly as you like outside the war profession, and no, tattoos don't upset me, unless they say something offensive, like "John Kerry's No.1 Fan" or something along those lines.

[Wolfcounsel]

"How does one cover one's ass in earrings? I'm getting a very bizarre visual here.

It would make sitting rather uncomfortable, no?" --DeclinetoState

No. Those are buttrings, and they cause a wearer to sit with wide eyes all the time.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[DeclinetoState]

"How does one cover one's ass in earrings? I'm getting a very bizarre visual here.

It would make sitting rather uncomfortable, no?" --DeclinetoState

No. Those are buttrings, and they cause a wearer to sit with wide eyes all the time.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Nancy_Pelosi_official_portrait.jpg/442px-Nancy_Pelosi_official_portrait.jpg

I think I understand now.

[DeclinetoState]

Originally Posted by DeclinetoState http://www.freeconservatives.com/vb/images/white/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.freeconservatives.com/vb/showthread.php?p=536447#post536447)
If you could get a prominent liberal's mug tattooed onto your rear end, whose would it be--and why?
I wouldn't defile my hinder in such a heinous way....bite your tongue!! :D
I'm not sure I would either. Since my butt is kind of hairy, though, I suppose the miserable failure (http://www.michaelmoore.com)'s face would work there. Of course, you know where the mouth would be.

[Wolfcounsel]

I predict buttrings will be the fad of the times, with special clothing tailored to show them off. Tattoos will act like frames around them.

[Suzie]

I saw a girl a while back with a HUGE marijuana leaf on the back of her neck that wrapped around to the sides. I tried to picture her at age 80 with grandma hair and her wilted leaf.

[MrsJacks]

When my husband was serving in the Marines, you were not permitted to have any tattoos that were visible while wearing your dress uniform. He has a few, but they are not visible, save for the one on the inside of his wrist that he had done a few years ago. I have a couple myself. I would agree, however, that if you are serving in any branch of defense or law enforcement that you shouldn't have visible tattoos. I think it sort of tarnishes the image.

[omegatrump]

Some folks like graffiti. There was one of these graffiti artist working the school kids here for a while, he was an art teacher at the school and run the 'body shop' after school. He even got into a couple of churches and was spreading his graffiti every where he could.

I ask one of these kids from the church if he knew what his body was. Of course, most people these days don't have a clue. I said whose body is that anyhow? He said, It's my body and I can do what I want with it. I said, Not if you are a Christian. According to the scripture, "your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit". I said, what do you think the pastor of your church would say if you got a can of paint and started painting that crap on the side of the church? He looked at me sort of dazed.

I think it is sad that this generation has fallen into this state of degredation.

[MrsJacks]

While I think people covered in tattoos and poked full of holes look ridiculous, I don't think there's anything wrong with a few tastefully placed tattoos. I don't think I am a bad Christian because I have a couple. I've always understood that the verse about your body being a temple of the Holy Spirit was about being sexually immoral, hence why it is prefaced by the verse that says: "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." Prior to that verse it speaks against taking up with harlots (prostitutes). *shrugs* I don't know. To each his own. I just find that the passage in 1 Corinthians is oftentimes used to condemn many things that are not otherwise explicitly condemned in the Word such as having the occasional glass of wine or smoking cigarettes.

[BuckeyeMike]

Damn straight.....Landing Eagle....High left shoulder...............somebody got a problem with that?
why I did it? nobody's business but mine.
Wanna call me names 'cause I have one? Sticks and stones!
Wanna demean my character because I have one? Bite me!


edit: damn near 50 years ago!

[Rhino]

Damn straight.....Landing Eagle....High left shoulder...............somebody got a problem with that?Large chip........High right shoulder?

[BuckeyeMike]

LOL

[Rhino]

:D Some people do overdo it, Mike. I think that's what they are trying to address here. I don't really care for tattoos myself, but I don't think less of you for having one. Some folks though........

[MrsJacks]

Exactly, Rhino. And in my opinion, people who are responsible for defending our lives and freedoms should demonstrate a level of decorum that is not possible if they are covered in visible body modifications. It doesn't mean that those who have tattoos are bad people (even those serving our country). It just means keep them out of sight.

[Wolfcounsel]

Okay. For the last time, I don't give a rat's ass if you have tattoos or earrings, buckeyepete and BuckeyeMike. But if that is the paramount thing on your mind while you are a serviceman, then you should try to get out and go home to mommy. Me, I'm 20 years retired Navy, Fleet Sailor and combat veteran. Enough said about me.
:patriot:

[Charity]

LOL
DD those pics are a hoot.

[BuckeyeMike]

Who the hell said tattoos were a "paramount thing on our minds"?That's one hell of a stretch!

Oh, by the way, Thank you for YOUR service...tatooed or not!!!

[Wolfcounsel]

"Who the hell said tattoos were a "paramount thing on our minds"?That's one hell of a stretch!" --BuckeyeMike

Let me know and I'll give him wall-to-wall COUNSELing!:bigteeth:

[buckeyepete]

OK Wolf, enough said. Tattoos do not make the man. But I felt I was demeaned for having one. I took offense and maybe shouldn't have. As for your 20 years, I applaud you and am ever greatful. A fleet sailor, combat veteran, and service to our country is admirable. Thank you.

Mike Kessler, USAF
Pete Kessler, USN-- USS George Eastmen, AG39--Operation Shad. Google it, it might shock you to know what harm the "guinie pigs" were subjected to in those times and operations. And, this was so called peace time.
John Kessler, USN, attached to the Marines, and sent to Viet Nam twice. A corpsman, John took care of the wounded. His brother Bill was one of them. John, a 20+year Navy man, is retired also. FRONT LINE.
Bill Kessler, USMC, two tours Viet Nam. Wounded twice, and then declared section 8 because he liked to kill. Sent home and turned loose on society.FRONT LINE SOLDIER.

All wear 'tattoos' of their branch of service. PROUD, NEVER TO FORGET.

So, you see, Wolf, you struck a nerve when you slammed those who sport a tattoo. And demeaning all my biological brothers as pussy's, you slammed me too.

Mike and I both showed our appreciation for your service, and I also appologized if I offended you.

But, You still slammed us. As for "going back to Mommy," look at your past post. As for you Wolf, I'll say it one more time. I have appologized, and praised your service. I still do. But, I don't think you're man enough to appologize in return.

Peter L. Kessler
One hitch USN
and goddamn proud of it. And of my brothers.

[Eagle1]

always thought about getting a tat of Roy Orbison on my right cheek (not on my face)

[Wolfcounsel]

"So, you see, Wolf, you struck a nerve when you slammed those who sport a tattoo. And demeaning all my biological brothers as pussy's, you slammed me too.

Mike and I both showed our appreciation for your service, and I also appologized if I offended you.

But, You still slammed us. As for "going back to Mommy," look at your past post. As for you Wolf, I'll say it one more time. I have appologized, and praised your service. I still do. But, I don't think you're man enough to appologize in return." --buckeyepete

AY CHIHUAHUA! get over it, pete. I'm not going to write a book about servicemen wearing tattoos versus "servicemen" sporting tattoos all over their bodies and then "whining to the ACLU" if their tattoo privileges are taken away. I apologize to you and all the warriors who might have misinterpreted the tattoo shit I posted.
:patriot:

"You didn't have to apologize to me, but I don't think you're man enough to accept my apology." We're all grown-ups here. That last remark of yours was uncalled for.

[buckeyepete]

Thanks Wolf, but I want one last favor. Get on GONZO67's ass, my son. He was USN also, but his tat is on his forearm. But , no wait, he's bigger than me, younger too. I don't need an ass beating at my age.

Let's bury this shit and get on with the liberals, demonazi's, and finding a good candidate for "08".

Peace brother.............................:thumb:

[Wolfcounsel]

Some time ago in Playboy, a group of librarians (women) were polled as to what their favorite reading material would be if they were stuck on a desert island. The majority chose a tattooed Sailor.

[Wolfcounsel]

"Thanks Wolf, but I want one last favor. Get on GONZO67's ass, my son. He was USN also, but his tat is on his forearm. But , no wait, he's bigger than me, younger too. I don't need an ass beating at my age.

Let's bury this shit and get on with the liberals, demonazi's, and finding a good candidate for "08".

Peace brother.............................:thumb:" --buckeyepete


Wow! lots of family here. That's not how it's done. You want the headlines of the future to read something like

Elderly Man Arrested for Assault

An elderly man was arrested late Friday evenng for beating the crap out of his three great-grandsons after they tried to put him and their great-grandmother into a nursing home.

[Towerpainter]

The only one I have ever considered getting is one of my family coat-of-arms,....

[DesertFox]

Hey, fie ever pork Pam Anderson, I'll get a tattoo that says, "I porked Pam Anderson" in great big letters. I won't say where.

[Riverboat]

Hey, fie ever pork Pam Anderson, I'll get a tattoo that says, "I porked Pam Anderson" in great big letters. I won't say where.Where you porked her, or where the letters are going?

[Rhino]

Where you porked her, or where the letters are going?:rotflmbo: :rotflmbo: :rotflmbo:

[Rhino]

If I ever porked Pamela Anderson, my wife would give me a permanent tattoo, and a very painful one at that.

[Wolfcounsel]

What is the difference between a Barbie doll and that bimbo?

[altekruge]

Once upon a time a tattoo would disqualify you from becoming an officer. I'm sure some exceptions were made during WWII because of necessary field promotions. If the rule is no longer in effect, I have no idea when it changed.

Question: How does one scrub off a tattoo?

Body art never interested me.

[DesertFox]

Where you porked her, or where the letters are going?Yes, he replied stiffly (sic). What is the difference between a Barbie doll and that bimbo?Barbie ain't no bimbo.

[Gonzo67]

Believe it or not, Most people don't get a tat because it's a "coming of age" thing, or because they think it signifies that they are "grown up". I'm not speaking for the collection of misguided high school punks that get them, in my opinion, thats far too early an age.

But most adults who get them, and I was already an adult when I got mine, get them to signify, commemorate, or honor a specific thing, event, or date.

Those that get them when they are in the service, for what ever reason, I do not feel you can say they're trying to "prove they are grown up". I believe joining the military and serving this country proved that for them already.

My reason for getting my tat is my own. Just as my fathers reason is his, and all my uncles reasons are theirs. Having grown up in my family, I would know better than most, no one in my family does anything to "prove" a damn thing to anyone else. My family is bred with the attitude of "deal with it or get the f**k out of my face". Thats how we all are, thats how we'll be when they plant our asses.

If my tat offends someone (and thinking back to the parents of some of the women I dated after the service it has on more than one occasion) then the solution, at least in my opinion, was quite simple.. Close your eyes, look away, walk away, I don't give a shit what you do to cope with it. I'm the one that wears it every day, not you, not them, not him or her. It doesn't bother me a bit seeing it. It doesn't burn every time someone looks at it, and it doesn't fade every time someone wrinkles their nose and glares at the long hair bearded weirdo freak sporting it. That's someone else's hang up, not mine.

I have always said, there is only one single, fundamental difference between people with tat's and people without them. Those of us WITH tat's couldn't give two shits less if you have one or not.

But that's just my opinion... I could be wrong.

**Edit: And so that you know I did not "misunderstand" any of the comments, I too don't see the need for the full body covering. The people that cover every available inch of skin, I don't think it's "attractive" or appealing in the least. But, just as my tat is my business, their tat's are their business. And though I would not choose that for myself, I won't condemn them for making their own choice.

[DoctorDoom]

I won't say where.Hint: around Helen, Hillary or Rosie, the tattoo reads IPPA.

[DesertFox]

I won't condemn them for making their own choice.Me, neither. But I'll sure as hell condemn the choice. :lol:

[Gonzo67]

Me, neither. But I'll sure as hell condemn the choice. :lol:


I don't get why you would "condemn the choice" when their choice does not affect you.

As a Christian, do you "Condemn The Choice" of the Jew who follows his religion? In a restaurant, while you're enjoying your steak, do you "condemn the choice" of the person who orders the chicken? As an American, do you "condemn the choice" of the Frenchman who.... ok, I'll give you that one... The French suck.

But anyway, I fail to see how the ink on another man's arm affects your daily life. I fail to see how a heart with "I Love Bertha" written under it on the Bicep of some guy that must really love Bertha, in any way, makes living so unbearable for anyone that they have to scorn the man.

Perhaps I never got the hang of looking down on someone that's a little different than me. Perhaps I never mastered the art of thinking my self, and my choices are superior to another's because I feel everyone should live up to my morals and standards. I don't know. I just don't get it. Probably never will either. Guess I'll just have to shuffle along with the "inferior" crowd and make the best of it. But I'll manage. I always have. ;)

[Rhino]

Geez. I never shudda posted this. LOL!

[omegatrump]

Gonzo, forgive me for expressing my opinion. My opinion is my opinion.

I have gone into several tattoo parlors looking for the root reason for why we have this massive movement toward tattoo's. I visited one in Central America and talked to the proprietor to whom I proposed the question "Why"?

His answer was simpler than I had expected. He said it was a 'search for identity', 'people are looking for their roots or something to identify with'. I think he has something there. As per your explanation, or reason.

My father had a tattoo, Army, WWII, Drunk, Germany.... Different day different reasons.

[Gonzo67]

Gonzo, forgive me for expressing my opinion. My opinion is my opinion.

I have gone into several tattoo parlors looking for the root reason for why we have this massive movement toward tattoo's. I visited one in Central America and talked to the proprietor to whom I proposed the question "Why"?

His answer was simpler than I had expected. He said it was a 'search for identity', 'people are looking for their roots or something to identify with'. I think he has something there. As per your explanation, or reason.

My father had a tattoo, Army, WWII, Drunk, Germany.... Different day different reasons.


Ok, granted, your opinion is your own. Thats perfectly fine.

So in turn, you'll forgive me MY opinion.

I would like to know WHY you felt you needed to go into a Tattoo parlor (if you have no interest in getting a tattoo) to learn why I or anyone else wants one. Is your life so empty that you feel you must spend all your time examining mine? Do you not have anything in your life that YOU enjoy doing? If so, why are you wasting all that time and energy digging for reasons to find fault with someone else's decision?

The way some people act toward tattoos and people that have tattoos, you would think some renegade tattoo artist kidnapped them, tied them up, and forcibly tattooed something on them.

If you take pleasure in going into places that you otherwise would have no interest in visiting, just to check out the "freaks" and know in your heart that your life and your world is so much better than theirs, then you truly have my sympathy.

For myself, I can find FAR more enjoyable activities and FAR better ways to expend my time and energy, than standing next to a fence peering through a knot hole worrying about what shows, or what magazines my neighbor enjoys. I will spend my time doing what I enjoy, rather than waste all my time trying to tell others they're wrong for doing what THEY enjoy.

But again, that's just MY opinion... I do hope you'll forgive me for having it.

**Edit: As for the "Central American Tattoo Artist's theory on "why people get tattoo's, theories are like hemmoroids... every asshole has one at one time or another. Based on MY reason for getting MY tattoo... his theory is utterly wrong.

[lovemycountry]

I do think tats make you appear more edgy,intriguing, and at times a little scary. I don't have one,but I don't mind that others do. I don't think the rule is too restrictive since they aren't OUTLAWING tats.

[omegatrump]

...Central American tattoo parlors opinion...

I agree Gonzo, he may have been incomplete. I think you could ad 'statement' to those reasons. Maybe making a statement is more an American thing.

LOL, I guess I can go anywhere I want, to study what ever phenomena I wish, for what ever reason I may find to my liking. There is no need to ask for my forgiveness. I don't need to stand at a fence and look through a not hole at what is on open display all around me.