Torture Museum visits SF til Oct14th

A most excellent collection of antique and replica implements of torture is currently on somber display at the Herbst International Expo Hall in the Presidio, San Francisco.

Sponsored (apparently) by Amnesty International, the devices are numerable and of wide variety. While disturbing to see, the expo has been crafted in a tasteful and non-sensationalist manner with gentle Italian(?) opera played in the background - this is not a Halloween fun house. It is quiet, sad, and just a bit frightening because it is all very real.

Even more disturbing is the number of these items supposedly still used in 3rd world police stations today.

Each display is very well documented, both in artistic renderings and short educational blurbs. Unfortunately, a number of these writings stray from an historical focus into unnecessary and even insulting speculation on a genetically inherent male fear of supposed "femine mental, emotional, and gynecological superiority". They also repeatedly hypothesize an unwritten law or secret fraternity between men which discouraged genital torture for their own gender, while allowing it unabashed against the opposite sex. (Presumably the author believes this conspiracy more plausible than mere homophobia.)

Dianic male-bashing aside, for a $9 admission the museum is still a very worthy expenditure of a couple hours of your time if you care about the dark history of police brutality.

Unfortunately, recording devices were not allowed. However, their web site is more than adequate in the photographic dept.

Go!

*Sj