This piece is based on the flawed premise that there is somehow one national 'we' that is massively conflicted. Nothing could be further from the truth in this wonderfully, wacky, and wildly kaleidescopic culture. Citing two media-hyped and isolated examples from distant outposts of American society and drawing a non-existant link may fill the page, but it does not fill the mind. / JW - Turn off the TV, and walk the streets of Boston and talk to people, or better yet, drive across the country and talk to people. Tell us what you find.

Geolovely has a good point, and that is the isolated job of a Globe columnist who sits and pontificates on imagery instead of cultivating real experiences. The Oscars, and Ms. Jolie, may have garnered a plethora of Tweets, but so what? It's Hollywood, Tinsel Town, fantasy, glam gowns and bling that cost more than the GNP of many small countries. We've always h ad this as part of our culture, it allows us to forget about our own shortcomings (and shortfalls). But it doesn't teach us anything, which is Geolovely's point exactly about Ms. Weiss' work here.

I think you are both missing the point of the article...As a culture we are okay with seeing women's bodies as objects, usually sexualized and often used to sell products and to titilate, and as political volley balls. As a result when women experience issues in real life that involve their bodies they are balked at or not taken seriously. Current political events surrounding womens health are perfect examples. Mitt Romney said he supported Personhood Amendments and he didnt even know that these amendments would outlaw most forms of birth control...he was willing to support a wildly extreme position without even realizing the ramifications to women. As stated in the article, politicians are willing to subject women to invasive procedures to score political points and they cant even utter the anatomically correct words for our "lady parts"! Another wonderful example in this article is breastfeeding. As a nursing mother I cant believe some of the horrendous comments I have read about people thinking its disgusting. Luckily, while I breastfeed where ever and whenever my daughter is hungry I havent encountered any of this in person but I know many other moms who have. Basically womens bodies are okay in the abstract as fantasy, sexualized objects or a political wedge issue but not in reality. This is a great article!!!!

Well I remember who won the best screenplay award. It was Jim Rash, aka Dean Pelton on "Community", who instantly struck a pose that mimicked and deflated Ms. Jolie's pretensions.

Wow. What a great article. I was just going to respond to your wonderful headline, but the whole article grabbed my attention. Very sad for the woman in the GA church. Very short-sighted of that pastor, and churches in general wonder why they are losing congregants.

Can't add anything to the last 2 comments, but I did get a chuckle out of the idea that Jennifer Lopez (and so many others!) might have been trying to draw attention to a world-wide fabric shortage.

Righteousway: This is an article about how womens bodies are perceived and treated in society and how backwards this war on womens health is. You may see it as a "social issue" but that is part of the problem. Its our bodies NOT a fresking socail issue!!!!

Ooops...sorry for the typos!

You make it sound like women have the right to vote or something. You mean they are allowed to vote? It's not 1919 when men could do anything they wanted and women were property? Oh wait...that's just the Republican Culture War Machine telling me it's 1919.