planetdan

Wednesday, March 08, 2006 :::

Midget Wrestling : A Moral Quandary

The other day I got a phone call from T-bone:

"Midget wrestling. Wednesday night. You in?"

I'm torn. On the one hand, I'm intrigued. I'm sure that midget wrestling would be quite a spectacle. And it seems like an opportunity that might not come around too often. But on the other hand, I'm disturbed. What kind of circus sideshow are they selling? Can I, in good conscience, pay a three dollar cover to watch midgets wrestle? There seems to be something inherently distasteful about that concept.

It reminds me of the circus sideshows at the old Midway at the Minnesota State Fair. Most of them were fakeries or mirror tricks like ape men and snake ladies, but one of them featured the "World's Tiniest Lady." I remember we paid our two dollars, walked up into a trailer, and looked into an oven-sized box, where a tiny little woman sat on a stool, knitting and watching TV, ignoring the crowds of people staring down at her. I instantly felt sick that I had paid to get a peek at a midget. And she clearly didn't like being gawked at, because she was quite surly. Not that I blame her, but when someone asked her to stand up, she angrily snapped that it would cost another dollar.

But it's possible that these midgets make a good living, taking their wrestling show on the road. I still can't decide how exploitive the whole thing is. So I did a Google image search for Midget Wrestlers, and found this picture:

Afros and mowhawks to boot! Sadly, the decision will probably be made for me, as I am still sick as a dog and really can't leave the house for any reason whatsoever. But what do you think? Midget wrestling: good for midgets or bad for midgets?

::: posted by dan at 12:40 PM :: [ link ] :: (40) comments

Comments are Closed On this Post

40 previous comments:

You've got to be kidding.

Of course, you're going.

How could you pass up this opportunity?

Once, I had the misfortune to attend a Clipper game in LA, and the halftime entertainment was a short, full-court midget basketballgame, replete with mini-hoops.

I have to say, it was the most entertaining five minutes of basketball I have ever seen.

Go.

Enjoy.

By

Joe, at 12:48 PM

Dude,

I actually struggled with this over the weekend. We heard about it last week.

Conclusion - Don't think we're going. But I'm still undecided

Maybe I'll see you there.

By

BigDubb, at 12:54 PM

It's got to be better for them than midget bowling...

By

Anonymous, at 1:04 PM

It can't be bad for them. They are adults and can make decisions on their own. Hell, check out this http://mikesundance.com/midgets.htm Go go midgets!!

By

TracyD, at 1:12 PM

Tee Hee, Yes you can in good conscience pay three dollars to watch midgets wrestle. A family friend was once part of these little men and I was invited to the fair (I think in Lake City) they were at. I too thought, what kind of Circus sideshow am I going to be a part of, but I had a blast and the midgets love it too. However you should know that very much like The WWF there is a pre-determind winner.

By

Kohn, at 1:13 PM

Put it this way, if you don't go, they might lose their job and be unemployed. You wouldn't want that weighing on you, would you?

By

Anonymous, at 1:46 PM

OMG I would have someone wheel my hospital bed to see that. You're going... because I can't and want to SO bad...

By

the other sarah, at 2:21 PM

I think TracyD is right - they are deciding for themselves to do the wrestling thing, and I can only expect they would want good attendance. And if you were to go, you'd be taking the seat of some asshole who maybe would be mean to the midgets. It did occur to me that I probably wouldn't like want to take my children to see that or something. If I had children. Your story about the sideshow sounds like it was traumatic.

With the price being only $3 though, I wonder if that is like an insult to the midgets, it sounds super cheap to me!

Feel better soon Dan!

By

Christine, at 2:29 PM

I don't like the idea...but I was present that day at the fair so I may have been tramatized.

Remember she posted about wanting a penpal and I said I would love to...to which she replied *rather harshly* IT'S NOT FOR ME!IT IS FOR MY DAUGHTER!!
Funny~ when I tell that story I say she said she would do a cartwheel for 5 more dollars...did I make that up?

By

Stacy, at 2:40 PM

It's definitely worth trying. I don't comment much, but I have to give you the opportunity to see this post.

By

benny, at 4:48 PM

Dan, did you know midgets are rarely alcoholics and even more rarely gay? You should go. Maybe you can learn something from their example to help you recognize your problems and seek help. Remember Jesus loves everyone, even the AA Guy Everyone Loves to Hates. And he loves you too!

By

The AA Guy Everyone Loves to Hate, at 5:04 PM

Yeah AA guy, jesus loves you. Everyone else thinks you're an asshat.

Go Dan. As much as the post made me cringe at the thought, hey, they gotta make a living too. {{{cringe}}}.

By

Colleen, at 6:27 PM

i've attended midget wrestling twice (i think it was done by r&r wrestling - the main guy was rock & roll rick, some washed up ex-pro-wrestler) and it wasn't just midgets. there was a giant, there were girls. good fun and the midgets seem to love it. plus they work really hard for it, and drove around in a really crappy van, and only charge like $6/person so they can't be making that much from it. so, yes, you should go and not feel like you're being immoral. :)

By

Karyn, at 6:40 PM

I know tons of drunk midgets. It's the rare one that doesn't drink.

By

Erik, at 6:55 PM

I definitely think it's on the exploitative side. Mostly because it only costs $3! I can't even get a beer for that much!

By

Anonymous, at 7:25 PM

You are all spending way too much time reacting to AA's comments. Theoretically, if you ignore him he'll go away. I have my doubts, though. I have the strangest feeling that AA knows Dan outside of Planetdan. Either way, everyone is giving him way too much credit by actually acknowledging him.

Oh, and I vote yes on going to see midget wrestling.

By

Sissy, at 7:45 PM

agreed sissy. he's a tool but a tool seeking attention... which he's getting. i guess he never grew out of that age where ANY attention is good attention.

i agree that they are adults and can make decisions but i think the whole 3 buck thing kinda makes me feel bad about it... not to mention that i doubt most people would be interested in non-midget wrestling (except for those strange people that actually like wwf)

By

aisy, at 8:32 PM

Dan, I am DEATHLY afraid of midgets so I, personally, would avoid this activity. However, have you ever gone to a strip club? That exploits women but they are adults who choose to earn their money in this way. I don't think there is anything morally wrong with watching midget wrestling. You probably won't gain extra Hell points or anything.

By

Anonymous, at 8:33 PM

FYI...Dan has been to numerous strip clubs. He has a good storey when a stripper hit him in the head with a bottle. Then he tipped her... he's bleeding and then he gave her money!

Trevor

By

Anonymous, at 9:24 PM

Maybe if MTV had a True Life: Midget Wrestling to show you what it's "really" like being a wrestling midget, then it would be easier for you to decide.

By

Laura, at 10:28 PM

Looks like the guys came to Univ of San Francisco a fews years ago It was pretty surreal watching them play Bball with the USF team

http://ftp.false.com/~dupree/midget_basketball.jpg

By

Anonymous, at 3:59 AM

I don't know... I think it belittles them. Um, I mean, I just think it's a tiny bit wrong. Er, no, I just would feel a wee bit awkward. Ach! I don't want to be short with you, Dan, but... no wait... Maybe you could just go there and not drink too much -- maybe just a half-pint or so... oops.

Um... shrimp?

By

crabbydad, at 8:32 AM

Many small people are discriminated against. This is a good career opportunity. Plus, they can get fast cash for booze. I say, you should go. Maybe pay $5 at the door, give them a $2 donation.

By

DaytonTracy, at 8:35 AM

I don´t think we should be so small-minded... errrr.... but if i were in the ring, i would seriously be afraid of that kneeling one - he looks dangerous.

By

Richard, at 8:37 AM

Better to say you like midget wrestling. Unlike this guy
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/mugshots/jmattesonmug1.html

By

Anonymous, at 8:59 AM

I'm dying to know, did you go?? Are there pictures?? I think we need pictures.

By

the other sarah, at 10:37 AM

I think it's hilarious that a bunch of fag hags are accusing someone else (in this case: AA guy) of being attention whores(!)

What is this world coming to?

By

Anonymous, at 1:41 PM

I didn't go. Too sick. *cough*

T didn't go either, but some of his friends did. Perhaps one of them got pictures they would like to share.

By

dan, at 2:09 PM

As long as sitting at home is making you feel better I'm okay with that. If there aren't pictures of you or T with midgets I can pass...

By

the other sarah, at 2:19 PM

Poor Dan. If it makes you feel any better I think I caught your cold (kidding). Um, I hate to admit this but I think I would actually go to this.

By

elizabeth, at 4:42 PM

Ah ha!

so THAT'S what's the matter with T...

he frequents strip bars and midget wrestling.

knew there was a catch.

By

lola, at 12:21 AM

AHH, Midget wrestling... If poses a good question- How do you suppose the Wizard of Oz would have ended had the Lollipop "kids" been savage wrestlers rather than wee little refined dancers?

Anyways does anyone remember the real "little" gal that used to dance at DeJa Vu? She was amazing-like a helicopter propeller swinging around the pole.

By

Lizzy, at 2:12 PM

Just wanted to applaud Colleen's use of the word ASSHAT. Sheer brilliance. Bravo!

By

lvd, at 6:02 PM

OK Dan so you didn't go, but look at tis way. We see a midget in the street it's a bit of a surprise, we can't help but stare, even if we pretend not to be looking. They must feel bad. Now we go to an advertised midget wrestle we know we're going to see a midget, we're prepared, it's cool, we don't stare too much (in the wrong way) and they don't feel bad. So they can get out, have a larf, earn a buck and we pity them.

Maybe.

By

SA UK, at 6:10 AM

Shit, we DON'T pity them.

I shouldn't be blogging if I can't make any sense

By

SA UK, at 6:12 AM

They're so cute!!! I want one for xmas!

By

Anonymous, at 9:20 PM

Dude, i just stumbled onto your site (sorry) avoiding work. What an awesome world we live in where i can find an awesome picture of a midget wrestler with a tidy afro and gain a saw jaw from laughing too hard at the word "asshat". Thats my new word of the week. Ill spread it in Oz. It will be more popular than my prevous one, assclown. BTW I hope you went!Thanks Dan im a new fan. - The Great Googamoogoo

By

Anonymous, at 2:36 AM

dude you got ripped off! i only paid one dollar to see that tiny lady watching tv in pennsylvannia last night.

By

sloppy, at 1:54 PM

Dudes

Please post any time the when and were for midget wrestling. I love to go, it's a rush and a half? screw the "moral quandry crap" the little dudes make good money! On top of that they make look taller!

dave

By

Anonymous, at 10:50 AM

I'd go , but on such short notice

By

Calcutta Doctor, at 8:08 AM

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