"But don't blame Rendo, blame the whackjobs who haunt the halls." 

Blame has nothing to do with this. Staying conscious enough to mark what is happening in front of your face is more to the point. 

I fully understand that this is a socio-economic-political issue in a teapot. I totally "get it" that radical, reactionary, theocratic right wing influences have invaded economic and political institutions, with the full cooperation of the private sector of the economy and the general public - who naturally surrender to the economic bottom line. 

But I just call 'em as I see 'em.  No offense intended.  Somebody told me my cupids wouldn't pass testing here at Rendo and I didn't believe it was possible, so I read the entire thread to convince myself that such a thing was really possible.  I'm not a "community member", just a vendor who has other irons in the fire, so I don't follow these Threads of Mindlessness very closely.  In spite of all the other products in my store, something this ridiculous was surprising to me. 

There are good reasons why people make seemingly hyperbolic references to Nazi Germany when discussing silly things like this. It only seems like a far out allusion, LOL. The truth is, this is exactly how common sense is gradually eroded and before you know it, credit card companies are dictating a broad range of social influences and are in turn being controlled by a radical right wing agenda. And companies like Renderosity are just trying to survive in the pretense of a freemarket economy, when they are in reality being manipulated in a highly controlled economy and political system. Yes, I get that. 

Hide images of rosy, chubby little baby bodies, but send your tax money to build a million cluster bombs to rain on children.  Yep, that sure makes sense, har de har har!  This is what this country has come to. No blame to Renderosity, they are in the Mainstream of Mindlessness in which we are all swimming for our lives.

The attraction of mindlessness is very subtle . . .usually it takes brilliant but bitter comedians to notice when it's happening right in front of an entire nation. Cultivating body shame by labelling nude images of cupids - or children - as somehow dangerous . . .this is all part of the broader culture of fear which justifies a whole lotta mindless crap which we really should be afraid of. And I am. That is to say, I am not afraid of nudity but I'm really afraid of mindlessness like this. And I'm appropriately afraid of businesses and organizations which embrace mindlessness because . . .because . . .well just because they gotta do it to stay alive as an organization. A mindless organization's gotta do what a mindless organization's gotta do.  That's a classic danger sign for everybody.

Oh well, gotta go figure out some stuff to make money.  I hope I haven't said anything offensive . . .but I sure wish I could be John Stewart when I grow up. 

Dana Sitarzewski
Jaguarwoman Designs
http://www.jaguarwoman.com