Miley Cyrus a diversion from the real issue: Robin Thicke's lyrics

Miley Cyrus inappropriate performance at the VMAs shouldn't have been the media focus. She will probably be calling herself a feminist soon. But rather than  'worrying' about about twerking, she has been roundly criticized, the focus of criticism should have been on the "Blurried Lines" lyrics. A sample:

"One thing I ask of you
Let me be the one you back that ass to
Go, from Malibu, to Paris, boo
Yeah, I had a bitch, but she ain't bad as you
So hit me up when you passing through
I'll give you something big enough to tear your ass in two.

What kind of story is Thicke telling?

Cyndi Lauper:

"In a recent interview, Cyndi explained that, in her opinion, the basic intent of the controversial performance was to glorify rape. “[Miley's] in a song that literally says that the blurred lines allowed you to – when a woman says no, she means yes – and that’s frightful because that’s date rape.” [Cyndi Lauper: Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines Glorifies Date Rape].

Some artists grasp the role model responsibility that comes with taking money from the fans. However, it appears that some like Robin Thicke cannot get over their own self-importance. And their attitudes are reinforced by the media that gives him and others like him a free pass. It is the commercialization that drives many artists - it is about the money not the song. The media plays to that. It matters not the artistry - it matters only if money is to be made.

EOnline

NY Daily News

However, it is more than making a buck. It is evidence of values that denigrate women. In the picture to the left - Thicke's hand is on her butt. See the reflection in the mirror. It is doubtful she cares one hoot. On the right, not his first encounter with her that night.

But the fact that his hand got there in the first place indicates what is important to him. It is unlikely that he thought that he didn't have the right to do it. If she had said 'no' she would have meant 'yes.' And the media seemed only to chuckle with that 'boys will be boys' attitude. See Eonline story where Mystery Girl Confirms Butt-Grabbing Photo Is Real.

And the "Blurred Lines" video - what does it say about his view of women and morality? The "Blurred Lines" video was banned from YouTube. Thicke responded in GQ magazine to the criticism of the video by saying: “We tried to do everything that was taboo. Bestiality, drug injections and everything that is completely derogatory towards women. Because all three of us are happily married with children, we were like, “We’re the perfect guys to make fun of this." [Robin Thicke’s ‘rapey’ song - Music].

Because Thicke,  Pharrell and T.I., "are happily married with children," they argue that "they are the perfect ones to make fun of this." Really? Bestiality, drug injections and everything that is completely derogatory towards women are elements of parody? Where is the humor or satire? Does he wants us to believe that the lyrics and video were for the purpose of  mocking bestially and drug injections? His defense is an after thought arising out of the criticism.

Shouldn't the "perfect guys" be exhibiting moral excellence in their work product that shows respect for women? I am not talking about religious values or about being squeaky clean. The video and lyrics are so far over the red line as approaching moral depravity. But hey - it makes a buck, and what else counts?

One wonders if the "happily married guys" and their spouses, you know parents, would ever let their children listen to "Blurred Lines," watch the video, or watch the MTV video with him and Cyrus?

A culture with no moral red lines is no culture.