'Topless' organizer reflects on fallout
Ty MacDowell says the negativity the march generated is balanced by those who called it 'transformative.'
By Edward D. Murphy emurphy@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
PORTLAND — The woman who organized the topless march through downtown Portland earlier this month said she doesn't regret the demonstration, but the fallout has still been difficult for the 20-year-old Westbrook resident to deal with.
Ty MacDowell, 20, of Westbrook, who organized the April 3 topless march in Portland, says she has been contacted by a UMF student who wants to stage the same kind of event in Farmington.
Jill Brady/Staff Photographer
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"I'm trying to focus on the positive, but it's hard when I see all the people who call me a naive feminist," Ty MacDowell said. "It's balanced out by the people, especially strangers, saying that day was really transformative to them."
MacDowell organized the event to promote her belief that a woman walking down the street topless should cause no more of a stir than when a man takes off his shirt in public.
The "naive" label, she said, was attached when she said she was "enraged" by the number of people, mostly young men, who turned out to watch a group of about two dozen topless women, joined by a few topless male sympathizers, march from the base of Longfellow's statue to Tommy's Park on April 3.
MacDowell said she should have gone on to say that it was the way the male bystanders were acting -- crowding around the marchers and taking pictures -- that enraged her, more than the fact that they just showed up.
"I was shocked at the number of people," she admitted. "I expected that (people would watch), but not to the extent that it was.
"You can still be respectful and back off," MacDowell added. "It felt to me like those men felt like they had the privilege, the right, to do that."
MacDowell said she has been interviewed mostly by local media after the march. She declined a radio interview sought by a station in Iowa, and apparently the BBC had turned its attention elsewhere by the time she got back to the network.
The migration of all those photos taken by strangers that day to the Web has taken place, but MacDowell said what most disturbed her was a video accompanied by a notation that not all of it could be shown online.
"They treated it like porn," she said, the exact opposite of the kind of reaction she hoped to elicit. "It felt like total objectification."
One incident that still bothers her, she said, was when the marchers passed a woman who was downtown with her niece. The woman covered the young girl's eyes as they walked by.
"I can't understand why someone female-bodied would dismiss it as something disgusting," MacDowell said. "I'm thinking, 'She has the same parts, and there's nothing inherently sexual about nudity, and I can't understand the disgust.' "
On the other hand, MacDowell said she was contacted by a University of Maine at Farmington student who wants to stage the same type of topless walk there, and that's supportive.
"There's definitely things here and there," she said, referring to other opportunities to push her message. "I'm just trying to be selective."
In Portland, MacDowell said she and friends have been talking about organizing a topless game day on the city's East End. But she'll attempt to avoid the circus atmosphere that the march created by trying to keep any mention of the event off social networking sites, where word about the march spread quickly last month.
"We'll make it more grass-roots and rely on word of mouth through friends," she said.
Staff Writer Edward D. Murphy can be contacted at 791-6465 or at:
emurphy@pressherald.com
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99 COMMENTS
shiprex said...
Go Girl, you'll always have idiots saying crap about everything. I commend you on following your beliefs no matter what. That is what America is all about.
April 11, 2010 at 3:56 AM Report abuse
Player said...
Pointless.
April 11, 2010 at 4:45 AM Report abuse
jake007 said...
no shirt-no shoes-no service! A very big yawn to this PPH story. This is something the old "Casco Bay Weekly" would pound on for 2 or 3 issues. Player said it best!
April 11, 2010 at 5:14 AM Report abuse
null said...
Its folks that don't take kindly to nudity that complain the most. I could care less who you are the size male or female. Nudity is a part of life. All I can say to those folks against it... Get a Life!! Go on with your daily routine.read the news, watch tv,water your plants,Chat on the Phone,gossip bout other folks... its sad but true.Some folks just din't have anything better to do..
April 11, 2010 at 6:31 AM Report abuse
nomad said...
You go girl.Your right to bare your chest being every bit as legal and rightious as a pot bellied man. What ever happened to the lady in Palmyra who dared to mow her lawn without her chest covered? Is'nt freedom grand?
April 11, 2010 at 7:27 AM Report abuse
brightOne said...
Very interesting. The right doesn't want to touch this because it means thinking - something they fear doing because it puts their dogma at risk. But the question remains - from an anthropological and historical view, why must women cover their breasts in public and men don't have to? I have a feeling the answer will be somewhere between male domination of women and their religious enablers.
April 11, 2010 at 7:31 AM Report abuse
c2hpcG1hdGU%3D said...
I may not agree with Ty's views, but I do not think she deserves such nasty remarks posted here. Body image is not the point of her demonstration. Although I agree that she used the wrong approach to exercise her legal rights to expose breasts, there is no need to berate her body. I know, I know... freedom of speech is another right and many people are using it here today. America, gotta love it.
April 11, 2010 at 7:56 AM Report abuse
crackhead said...
Is she on drugs?
April 11, 2010 at 8:05 AM Report abuse
tomthefirst said...
willie and tech, you're further proving that the only thing you're interested in is the sexual gratification of seeing some woman's breasts. You say that she should keep her shirt on, but you won't do anything against a 300 pound shirtless male who's enjoying a day at the beach. -Dylan Martin, Portland, ME
April 11, 2010 at 8:28 AM Report abuse
Player said...
Gee what an erudite comment, DimOne. And by the way, they don't have to cover their chests in public.
April 11, 2010 at 8:35 AM Report abuse
Relax said...
Tick, tick, tick that’s it your fifteen minutes of fame are up. Please move on to whatever it was you were doing before. You go girl! I mean it, really just go.
April 11, 2010 at 8:39 AM Report abuse
bebopredux said...
Yes sir. This is news. This is becoming a monumental problem in the world. Calling it "transformative" is laughable. Now that this hooterhead has her 10 seconds, she'll no doubt try and "transform" the rest of the Maine collective by "organizing" other hooterfests whilst decrying the attention it garners. She's figured out a way to get the press interested but, laments it. "Here we are! Topless and walking down the streets...look at us!" "Why, look at everyone looking at us! It's disgusting!" What more important issues facing Mainers are elbowed aside in order to publicize this?
April 11, 2010 at 8:53 AM Report abuse
Rick+Blaine said...
The woman who covered her daughters' eyes was not ashamed of the female form... she just wanted to shield them from watching a bunch of IDIOTS making total fools of themselves (and. pathetically, thinking they were embarking on some profound statement of freedom instead of what it really was.)
April 11, 2010 at 8:57 AM Report abuse
Ym9ybmN5bmlj said...
For the most part, the usual crowd of intellectually challenged has shown up to comment. No need for hurtful, nasty remarks. I'm sure y'all look like Brad Pitt or Gerald Butler, right? and your significant others look like Jolie and JLo et al, eh? You're pathetic. You think the march was pointless? Say so. No need to cast about your insipid remarks. How juvenile.
April 11, 2010 at 9:18 AM Report abuse
Chrissy said...
Too bad we can't see pictures of all of the people posting mean things about Ty's looks... what a bunch of bullies, hiding behind a computer screen, pathetic
April 11, 2010 at 9:19 AM Report abuse
Katie said...
"But she'll attempt to avoid the circus atmosphere that the march created by trying to keep any mention of the event off social networking sites, where word about the march spread quickly last month. 'We'll make it more grass-roots and rely on word of mouth through friends,' she said." Actually, Ty, the social media revolution is here to stay - you can't have it both ways. You can't just play topless in the street and hope nobody will notice because those who ARE upset about this WILL post to social media, and the circus will begin. If the "fight" is that important to you, you'll have to deal with all the positive AND negative results. And last I checked, breasts were sexualized. When stimulated they cause sexual excitement. Breasts are natural, beautiful, and part of the human form, yes, but so are penises.
April 11, 2010 at 9:26 AM Report abuse
Hipupchuck said...
If airline passengers were required to travel nude it would save billions in electronic gadgets to scan people.
April 11, 2010 at 9:49 AM Report abuse
pete said...
What is the defination of EXHIBITIONISM? What is BAD TASTE or OBSCENE? What would Paul Rubens say-the artist or Pee wee herman? What is the point of all of this-nothing illegal to protest .What is the statement the 250 pound woman wearing a thong at OBB? I am missing or should I being smoking the same stuff as Ty to see TRANSFORMATIVE experience. BOY-this is a FALLOUT!!!this is apt lookout!
April 11, 2010 at 10:03 AM Report abuse
DeathCultt said...
A cup 2 Z cup...all breasts rock, so the chic is a BBW and as far as beig ugly, I do not C it.True uglyness is making the comment she is ugly.
April 11, 2010 at 10:05 AM Report abuse
sapereaude1 said...
women whose waist size is within 10 inches of their bust size are no more attractive topless than hairy obese men. The place for toplessness is on the beach in in the home, not on the street. Remember, the best birth control is unattractive nudity.
April 11, 2010 at 10:06 AM Report abuse
RotundaBoy said...
The truth is... when most guys hear "Topless Protest March" they immediately imagine they'll see Jennifer Aniston, Megan Fox and a dozen SPORTS ILLUSTRATED swimsuit models............ the reality is that the "protesters" look more like Roseanne Barr, Janet Reno, Paula Dean, Hillary Clinton, Aunt Bea and the cast of "The Golden Girls." - - - - no wonder the young gentlemen were frustrated........TRUTH IS: Good Looking Women Can Keep Their Clothes ON and Still Get Attention From Guys!!!
April 11, 2010 at 10:35 AM Report abuse
nikonwilly said...
Ty, don't take the naive comments to heart...I'm much older and have traveled this Country and Europe and would have thought the same as you, there will be lookers and stares without doubt, but from what I heard ( wasn't in Portland that day) it was a real idiot circus. Take heart, you may have found a unique way for our Government to gauge the real unemployment rate in this Country! For the commenter's that attack another about their physical appearance, you have much to learn, I can only hope your never in a position that requires thought.
April 11, 2010 at 10:57 AM Report abuse
mom said...
I got excited when I heard about this march, until I realized what it was for. I was thinking perhaps it was for a larger cause than women fighting for their right to go topless. They already have the right. So what is the point? Find a bigger cause for womens rights. You live in a country where we have a voice, a voice that can be used to serve the great good worldwide. Come on their are women that cannot feed their children, women who sell their children in hopes that they find a better life, often these kids end up being sold into the sex slave industry. I mean really, I just don't understand, find a bigger problem, and use your voice to make a difference in the lives of others.
April 11, 2010 at 11:04 AM Report abuse
rushme said...
Why the Heck are we still talking about this? PHD is the news that slow up there? Woo hoo they walked down Congress st Topless BIG DEAL!!
April 11, 2010 at 11:25 AM Report abuse
joey1947 said...
Did anybody get any pictures of the girl in the tree?
April 11, 2010 at 11:34 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
I bet the PPH wouldn't have 'handled' this 'titulating' story were there a gaggle of pre teen and teen aged girls exposing their breast buds. Legal..probably...but where's the advocacy end and censorship begin...yo, bright one, what's your response?
April 11, 2010 at 11:50 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
But suppose it was topless pre-teens? Then do Liberals like 'bright one' still advocate 'everyone has the same right'? Maine isn't CORFU.
April 11, 2010 at 11:57 AM Report abuse
y2kflh said...
Just watched the video. Glad to see most of them had nice tatas. How could MacDowell not expect people to react the way they did? Wasn't that the whole point, to protest the way people react to nude women? Duh http://vimeo.com/10683927
April 11, 2010 at 12:28 PM Report abuse
Integrity said...
what is the big deal, either the woman has nice breasts or she doesn't,
April 11, 2010 at 12:53 PM Report abuse
null said...
If topless women have rights on city streets, so do male photographers. MacDowell can't have it both ways. More at: www.eightfits.blogspot.com
April 11, 2010 at 1:10 PM Report abuse
heyjoe said...
Time to reflect on getting a life!!!!
April 11, 2010 at 2:05 PM Report abuse
Biddy said...
Getting close to impossible to resist the obvious Republican jokes with this story. But seriously our society has become sexualized to the point where every issue, even non issue, is rated on the hormone factor. While it is questionable in light of our social norms if the walk was wise, the behavior of the adult men was equally offensive. Some of these guys need to grow up. Life isn't a constant flow of locker room banter. But obviously if one parades down Main Street topless, regardless if man or woman someone's going to look.
April 11, 2010 at 2:24 PM Report abuse
DeathCultt said...
Take a look @ the video, more then just the men were acting up.........
April 11, 2010 at 3:49 PM Report abuse
Jack said...
Hike 'em up Ty, hike 'em up.
April 11, 2010 at 3:57 PM Report abuse
Biddy said...
It's sad to see that some of my fellow males have so few opportunities at excitement that they have to resort to acting like a bunch of teenagers on an early spring day. Restraint seems to be a forgotten art in today's world. Judging by some of these comments so does courtesy and compassion. Vulgarity seems to be in ample supply though.
April 11, 2010 at 4:19 PM Report abuse
66maine said...
This is all very tiresome. Why isn't a 20 year old doing something positive in society? She must be very needy for attention. The photos were discusting from the rear; can't imagine how ugly from the front.
April 11, 2010 at 4:30 PM Report abuse
common_cents said...
just rename Congress Street, THE MILKY WAY
April 11, 2010 at 4:55 PM Report abuse
Uvebenhad said...
She kinda looks like the Michelin Man.....I dont want to see hers.
April 11, 2010 at 4:59 PM Report abuse
Sirisaac said...
We live in a pluralistic society with conflicting beliefs. You have the right to believe that you should be able to walk down the street without a top on. At the same time other people believe that they can ogle and take pictures. These people need to understand that other people disagree with you. Of course walking down the street topless is pointless for men and women when you need to have a shirt on to go in most business on the street. when we live in a society where it is acceptable for people to pay to see women topless then you have to expect people to ogle when you walk down the street. Not every protest is going to change things. Actually most protest don't change anything.
April 11, 2010 at 5:11 PM Report abuse
David said...
It was a silly, pointless event. Transformative? How? It turned attention away for serious issues towards "nudity" and the superficial display of skin. Because so few people look attractive naked, it became a spectacle that generated more negative reactions than positive. Whose cause does it advance, exactly, to see flabby bodies of any age in a state of undress? Yes, everyone might have the right to bare their chests, but so what? Most of us, men and women included, don't want men walking around without their shirts on either. This only proves that women have the right to be as boorish and flamboyant as men. Wow.
April 11, 2010 at 5:36 PM Report abuse
Ladydiodes2 said...
What did this girl expect, that people wanted to see a bunch of ugly over-weight women walking around topless? She might want to try pole dancing if she wants to flaunt her boobies around. Give me a break, whatever happened to a little modesty and respect for ones self? I guess she doesn't have any respect for herself anyway.
April 11, 2010 at 6:47 PM Report abuse
Adam180 said...
It’s been very entertaining following this story! To Ms. Macdowell… Welcome to the real world, and reality! Like it or not, it is what it is! Men and woman are inherently different, and double standards do exist because life isn’t fair! This should be a more valuable lesson to you compared to a lot of the garbage you’ve learned at college. Unfortunately, after you’ve graduated from a public school system that‘s controlled by feminist, and then spend four years getting brainwashed at our institutes of higher learning to see the world through a super-left leaning, progressive, and feminist lens, you’re shielded from ever being exposed to another point of view, and the reality that is our society escapes you guys. This isn’t Europe, in the USA breasts are considered obscene. Ridicules, yes, but that’s just the way it is!
April 11, 2010 at 8:03 PM Report abuse
Adam180 said...
You wanted to draw attention to your cause and you got it! Men are visual creatures, woman are more attracted by emotional means. That’s just reality! If men weren’t “pigs” then nobody would ever marry and procreate, because since double standards exist, woman wouldn’t ever approach a potential mate first, because they thought a guy had a cute butt! That first move is expected to be made by the man! 90% of the time that happens after a man a visually attracted. That’s just nature! Let me guess Ms. Macdowell, you’d be offended if a man held the door open for you, yet you’d never take the initiative to approach a man first, or be the one to propose because that’s what the man is suppose to do? Isn’t that a double standard, too?
April 11, 2010 at 8:04 PM Report abuse
JST said...
I don't want to see flabby men or women topless. She got her 15 min. of fame, no she can go away.
April 11, 2010 at 8:31 PM Report abuse
Chew said...
I simply do not understand hiw she could not have predicted the reaction of people to topless ladies... Human nature, from what little I know, has not changed in thousands of years. I remember eading Shakespeare in college and what the topless march proved in Portland is that people are still predominently human regardless of the societal rules we impose upon ourselves.
April 11, 2010 at 8:59 PM Report abuse
UofA said...
Mr./Ms. Ty (I can't tell which)please remain fully dressed! You disgrace the females that keep their bodies worth looking at. Some people have the bodies to be fully clothed when in public. You do not. Try another trick for whatever rights you flaunt. By trhe way, tuck in your shirt tail.
April 11, 2010 at 9:32 PM Report abuse
williealso said...
Why was my comment removed? all I said the she should keep her shirt on.
April 11, 2010 at 11:12 PM Report abuse
heyjoe said...
Pat or Patricia???.... Oh! It's just "Pat"
April 12, 2010 at 12:48 AM Report abuse
limeade said...
America has lots of haters but I really support her! Most of you guys were too embarrassed to take your shirt off. still a few years to go making equal rights normal
April 12, 2010 at 1:14 AM Report abuse
brightOne said...
"This isn’t Europe, in the USA breasts are considered obscene. Ridicules, yes, but that’s just the way it is!" - - - - - - - Adam, ignorance is obscene. Breasts are beautiful. It wasn't too long ago women could not vote. Why don't exercise your civil rights and go back to school?
April 12, 2010 at 8:00 AM Report abuse
Oak said...
Does she prefer carpet or hardwood? My guess is carpet.
April 12, 2010 at 8:00 AM Report abuse
Since1710 said...
Brainless organizer reflects on joining Curves for Women.
April 12, 2010 at 8:39 AM Report abuse
Since1710 said...
Ha Ha Oak. Don't you think she prefers it behind a parking meter on Congress Street?
April 12, 2010 at 9:00 AM Report abuse
bfrank said...
amazing where people put their time and energy. how about doing something more beneficial to society, Ty, such as....spending pointless hours building up your Farmville, or getting to 500,000 on Bejeweled ? sheesh
April 12, 2010 at 9:11 AM Report abuse
poboy said...
Oak - Loved your comment. You da man.
April 12, 2010 at 9:23 AM Report abuse
Oak said...
poboy - Care to place any bets on how long it takes for the preachers of tolerance to censor my comment?
April 12, 2010 at 9:33 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
I would hope the PPH wins a Press award for 'milking' a story for the longest period of time...I'm for 'carpet'.
April 12, 2010 at 10:04 AM Report abuse
constrict said...
I'm curious if anyone posting comments in here as an IQ above 85? Doubtful.
April 12, 2010 at 10:14 AM Report abuse
constrict said...
I'm curious if anyone posting comments in here has an IQ above 85? Doubtful.
April 12, 2010 at 10:20 AM Report abuse
Oak said...
What kind of IQ does it take to double post? Less than 85 I would imagine.
April 12, 2010 at 10:40 AM Report abuse
pablisimo said...
Ty said, "You can still be respectful and back off," MacDowell added. "It felt to me like those men felt like they had the privilege, the right, to do that." Not only does this statement reinforce the notion that this young woman is, in fact, naive, she also fails as a protester in that she has squandered an opportunity to spin this to her cause's advantage, which is beyond naive. By stubbornly refusing to accept the outcome of the current status quo -- in this case, that a significant majority of heterosexual American men rather automatically sexualize the bare breasts of women -- while simultaneously protesting against this same outcome, makes it difficult to take her seriously. She would have been much better off taking pictures of the men taking pictures of her and her cohort, to illustrate her point's validity, rather that childishly whining about it.
April 12, 2010 at 10:41 AM Report abuse
pablisimo said...
That said, I agree with her cause!
April 12, 2010 at 10:43 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Pants on the ground; bras on the carpet...wheeeeeee SPRING IN MAINE!
April 12, 2010 at 10:47 AM Report abuse
constrict said...
@Oak - Retaliation FAIL.
April 12, 2010 at 11:08 AM Report abuse
Portcitylive said...
Does the concept "public" mean anything to this young person? If you do something in "public" it means that people are free to watch, ogle, leer and take photos. It may not be pretty but that is what "public" is about. If you do not want any of the above to happen to you then keep your activities "private"
April 12, 2010 at 11:43 AM Report abuse
august1 said...
Pete, Someone else posted about IQ's earlier and Oak was responding.
April 12, 2010 at 11:44 AM Report abuse
SL said...
15 minutes....just about up?
April 12, 2010 at 12:05 PM Report abuse
Badoog said...
Funny, I didn't notice the tattoo during the March.
April 12, 2010 at 12:41 PM Report abuse
NancyJ said...
Next event, someone should offer an open invitation for breast cancer survivors to join in a march. Maybe nursing moms and their babies too. If the message is that breasts are not simply objects of lust, why not make some effort to show what other function they serve abd also show that women are still themselves no matter what terrible things have happened to their breasts? I'd think that would be a more worthwhile message than just walking around topless.
April 12, 2010 at 1:23 PM Report abuse
JST said...
What a bunch of shallow bubbleheads. There are so many people that are hurting and suffering in this world and this is the cause they take up. They have taken women back 100 years. How stupid to not expect men would swarm like flies then(which of course they did-that was the only purpose for this). I hope none of them have kids. What a horrible example to set. Find something that actually benefits someone other than your pathetic attention seeking selves.
April 12, 2010 at 1:24 PM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
It's amazing how shallow bubbleheads are the first to charge someone with being a "shallow bubblehead." We need to talk about women's rights and issues of equality in America. We might think we have achieved equality but we're not even close. Besides, a conversation that respects difference as well as equal protection under the law just doesn't seem to even occur to so many of the "libertarians" out there who think that small government means you have to have a small mind to match it. I have been reading posts by certain folks here who keep saying over and over and over and over how this is such a non-issue: But they can't stop talking about it to tell us how much of a non-issue this really is. Equality and bigotry are major issues in America. We don't like them because we want to maintain some myopic myth that we are the freest and best country in the world - even though we have a disgusting track record with slavery, women's suffrage and a range of other issues.
April 12, 2010 at 1:35 PM Report abuse
pphreader said...
There is a big difference in a woman exposing her breasts to feed a baby as opposed to walking down the street with the tatas in full view.By all means,feed the baby.Other than that,male and female...if you aren't on the beach,keep em' covered.
April 12, 2010 at 1:38 PM Report abuse
Dino90000000 said...
Truth is she got exactly the reaction she anticipated getting.
April 12, 2010 at 1:59 PM Report abuse
Oak said...
...many of the "libertarians" out there who think that small government means you have to have a small mind to match it. The small minded ones are liberals like yourself who see government as the single solitary solution to every single problem that we might face in our existence. If you only have one tool in your toolbox, the world is a nail. Get some more tools, and a brain while you're at it.
April 12, 2010 at 2:01 PM Report abuse
Oak said...
I meant to say if you only have a hammer in your toolbox.
April 12, 2010 at 2:02 PM Report abuse
LBJ said...
14:59:59..... ENOUGH. Ty, if you were actually good looking, you wouldnt be complaining.
April 12, 2010 at 2:29 PM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
"If you only have one tool in your toolbox, the world is a nail. Get some more tools, and a brain while you're at it." *snort!* LBJ complains: "if you were actually good looking, you wouldnt be complaining." *snort!* "Other than that,male and female...if you aren't on the beach,keep em' covered." Ah yes, another conservative argument for taking away freedoms and increasing the reach of the law. Oak jokes "Does she prefer carpet or hardwood? My guess is carpet." And yet I bet Oak thinks that wasn't sexist. Hard wood? Or hardly would?
April 12, 2010 at 2:44 PM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
"There is a big difference in a woman exposing her breasts to feed a baby as opposed to walking down the street with the tatas in full view.By all means,feed the baby." Why? Because of what SHE thinks? Or what YOU think? We could save $13 billion and about a thousand lives annually if women breast fed to the extent suggested by the AMA. On the other hand, what do we actually gain by denying women the freedom to choose? Why take the road that pushes for more laws to further limit our freedoms - especially when it comes a health cost? If we want more laws, why don't we pass more laws prosecuting people who mess with the bodies and freedoms of others? Europeans go topless on the beach and their rape and sexual assault rates are way, way below ours. If our goals aren't safety and defending freedom, then what are they?
April 12, 2010 at 2:49 PM Report abuse
Oak said...
*snort!* That's the level of intelligence I expect from a liberal.
April 12, 2010 at 2:52 PM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
So many of the self-proclaimed "libertarians" are posting here against women demonstrating for freedoms they already have here in Maine. These same folks come out in droves to support the rights of gun owners to display their weapons in public. But it's not really about freedom, is it? It's about the politics of social conservatives. Shhhhh! The real libertarians are catching on and walking away from the GOP!
April 12, 2010 at 3:01 PM Report abuse
Oak said...
grumblestilt - Libertarians and others are marveling at the naivety of these young women who didn't think that they would draw a crowd of hormonal men in their topless march. It has nothing to do with supporting or opposing their rights. It has to do with their complete and total lack of forethought. All they seem to consider is feelings and intentions, not thoughts and results. In other words they're typical liberals.
April 12, 2010 at 3:13 PM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
I don't think hormones have anything to do with why the gawkers were seen as offensive: It's about power and oppression and intimidation. The organizers were shocked by how many angry and broken individuals would set out to intentionally intimidate a group of people seeking to press for freedom, rights and health issues. If you really think they were naive, then you are proving they were exactly right to bring this issue to the public's attention. From a demonstration standpoint, they have certainly gotten a lot of bang for their buck. People like you are furthering the intimidation by mocking them and calling them names. If you valued freedom more than you valued opposing liberals, you would be probably striking a very different tune here. They showed up to celebrate freedom and met a bunch of intimidating bullies - and you guys think that's great. Typical social conservatives.
April 12, 2010 at 3:30 PM Report abuse
NickName123 said...
this embodies & symbolizes all the simplistic aka loopy left wing thought processes & templates. Naive is just a component of it. Choose your topic: afganistan, gitmo, windmill power.....some naive is alot more dangerous than other....unfortunately these people do not stick to just nudity but project all their loopy ideas via a supportive left wing media..... what happens when the "wow was I wrong" admission isn't about nudity but instead about healthcare or trying terrorists in NYC or letting Iran get nukes. Yet even in this article the 'bad' (i.e. the unenlightened) people are those that don't subscribe to her views....
April 12, 2010 at 3:46 PM Report abuse
JST said...
"grumblestilt said...- even though we have a disgusting track record with slavery, women's suffrage and a range of other issues." So walking around topless will be the cure? Find a real issue to spout about that actually benefits people. The bubbleheads are too wrapped up in making women look like mindless bimbos. Don't encourage them.
April 12, 2010 at 4:06 PM Report abuse
Eiron said...
Liberty is in danger from the far left and right. "That principle is, that the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil in case he do otherwise." ~John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty"
April 12, 2010 at 4:26 PM Report abuse
BarryNobama said...
I hope this bovine shes all the comments laughing at her...hahahahaahaha
April 12, 2010 at 4:39 PM Report abuse
JustLiberty said...
The mindless drivel: Typical The Headline: PRICELESS!!
April 12, 2010 at 5:23 PM Report abuse
b25nb2luZw%3D%3D said...
I was just wondering if this was the only way Ty can get attention from guys. Pathetic!
April 12, 2010 at 5:28 PM Report abuse
Eiron said...
I have been reading John Stuart Mill's "On Liberty" this week. I highly recommend others read it too. I think it is brilliant writing about a topic little understood in a country that claims individual liberty as one of it's core virtues. "The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign." ~John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty" So... keep taking those shirts off girls! Maybe, if we are very lucky, the trend will become very popular with college cheerleaders. ;O)
April 12, 2010 at 5:33 PM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
"The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign." ~John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty" Funny that Eiron uses a statement about liberty to mock someone else's statement about liberty. This group set out to get some attention about freedoms under the rule of law and boy are they getting a lot of attention. Of course others are going to to reaction against them by trying to intimidate them - simple proof these people are barking up the right tree.
April 12, 2010 at 5:59 PM Report abuse
Eiron said...
grumblestilt, I was not mocking. If you think that was mocking, I suggest you not get on my mocking side. It could get ugly.
April 12, 2010 at 6:14 PM Report abuse
Davedubya said...
As I said yesterday before it was removed if they all look like that it might be a good time to open a shade shop.
April 12, 2010 at 7:23 PM Report abuse
Ayuh23 said...
Ms MacDowell might consider another approach. Instead of a full scale march, how about recruiting some women to visit Congress Square a few days a week to sit in the sun with their tops off? Included should be breast cancer survivors and nursing moms. That being said, I really don't see a lot of men wandering around in public places without shirts, other than the beach. So what's the point? If women want the right to take their shirts off in public, they should start where the men are topless too.
April 12, 2010 at 8:00 PM Report abuse
ozzie said...
why is this news...of course people are going to gawk. why wouldn't they??? it's funny They will prob. spoof it on SNL
April 13, 2010 at 6:32 AM Report abuse
Cartman said...
Has anyone done a facebook search of the subject of this story ?....she's listed as a male,with what appears to be a male's picture...wrap your mind around that one !
April 13, 2010 at 6:33 AM Report abuse
T3V0aG91c2VSYXQ%3D said...
This could be a great spring tradition in Portland. Just like the swallows returning to Capastrano, we could have the Ta Ta's returning to Congress St.
April 13, 2010 at 9:28 AM Report abuse
David said...
I'm just glad neither men nor women show their butt cheeks in the Old Port. Even fewer of those are worthy of display.
April 13, 2010 at 11:10 AM Report abuse
Blanco said...
Get this woman to a gym......
April 13, 2010 at 12:07 PM Report abuse
LBJ said...
*snort*???? Are you friggin serious? *SNORT*???? Holy crap grumblestilt you are one pathetic loser
April 13, 2010 at 12:43 PM Report abuse