Comic rubs newspapers the wrong way

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, along with 18 other newspapers – out of 34 surveyed- took a… The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, along with 18 other newspapers – out of 34 surveyed- took a hands-off approach to public health when it decided not to run a “Doonesbury” comic strip that discussed the potential benefits of masturbation.

In Gary Trudeau’s comic, characters discuss a recent Australian study that found that men who ejaculated five or more times a week – whether masturbating or otherwise – were 30 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than their less explorative peers.

According to the Hartford Courant, Trudeau uses the word “masturbation” and the euphemism “self-dating,” directly in reference to the study. No logs are flogged, nor chickens choked, nor meats beaten. It’s definitely more public service than Penthouse Forum.

Newspapers have editorial discretion, and they alone should be able to control their presses. Of the 34 surveyed, 13 chose to run the comic, and three were not sure.

Still, if they refused to print comics that contain a word readily found in a biology book or a dictionary because children are not equipped to handle its ramifications, they were being silly. The comics page publishes commentary on war, politics and race. Why not health?

And seeing that they are exposed to other “dangerous” words – see Sen. Rick Santorum’s grocery-list of no-no’s – shouldn’t they also hear the good things that arise from masturbation?

Trudeau certainly didn’t write a guide to wrist-strengthening exercises. His comic was tasteful and timely. And if it provides a public service, all the better.

Leaving men blind about masturbation will lead to a potentially hairy situation. The American Cancer Society reports that prostate cancer is second only to skin cancer as the most common type of cancer afflicting American men. New Scientist magazine reported that masturbation could help to “flush out” the prostate, one of the glands that makes the fluid found in semen.

Of course, the Post-Gazette was not alone in its decision. Trudeau’s syndicate, Universal Press Syndicate, offered another comic as an alternative to “Doonesbury.” This was also not Trudeau’s first time getting pulled. Some of his other banned works were featured at this summer’s exhibit, “Too Hot to Handle: Creating Controversy through Political Cartoons” at the Andy Warhol Museum.

Masturbation shouldn’t be too hot to handle, and it’s disappointing that so many newspapers don’t see it that way.