I find it remarkably offensive when people comment that "tattoos are the dumbest thing anyone could ever do to themselves". Really? We don't tell you to get tattoos, so I feel its absolutely unfair that you tell us not to. If you've ever been even slightly around or involved in the tattoo industry you would understand that 90% of tattooed, or heavily tattooed people are more open minded than even 1% of those out there who think its "dumb". Coming from someone who is apprenticing to learn the art of tattooing, AND is married to a tattoo artist I find comments like that ridiculously closed minded. Its sad that our society is so concerned with the color in your skin, or the color of your skin. And in reality whats the difference? Don't condemn, or stereotype us because we chose to have tattoos. We don't need your approval, and believe it or not, we're real people too. When I talk about being heavily tattooed I don't mean the black and gray prison work you see on tough guys who scare your children. Although I respect what they have, and what it may mean to them, I'm not really into it. But thats the beauty of tattooing! You can put the words "I'm going to kill you Ray Ramano" across your lower back (I've seen that), or choose to recreate a Van Gough masterpiece that is brought to life on a living breathing being (an artist in our shop did so). Tattooing is as much freedom of speech as anything. And in case you forgot folks, thats the first Amendment. So stop bitching about what we do. Live your life and we'll live ours. And as far as loosing our creditability in society to get a "real job", as its so wonderfully put, we could care less. Most of us have bigger dreams than working in a corporate office being a robot for a millionaire (no offense corporate workers, I know some of you are just making a living).