🚀 go-pugleaf

> I get the impression that much of the cntroversy over this joke centers  on
> the  use  of  the  loaded word "rape" in the punch line.  Let me propose an
> alternative:
>
>                         "Damn!  I've been seduced!"
>
> This is the way I originally heard the joke told, mumble  years  ago.  Does
> this version moderate anyone's opinions?

I like it.  It's still funny (even more so to my taste).  In particular,
it moves the joke more towards "pure" wordplay, and I like wordplay
better than jokes where people get hurt.  And I could be wrong, but the
fact that in this version the woman mistakes breach of contract for
seduction doesn't play into any dangerous stereotypes.  (If I'm wrong, I
suppose I'll be flamed into awareness of this fact. :-)

Taking the analogous version of the joke where the punchline was

        "Damn!  I'm a slave!"

this would make the analogous punchline

        "Damn!  I'm a volunteer!"

or something to that effect.  Again, an improvement in the joke, since
there is less of an element of perceived coersion.
-- 
Wayne Throop at Data General, RTP, NC
<the-known-world>!mcnc!rti-sel!dg_rtp!throopw